Just a quick blog posting about Steady State. For those entities that provide public access computing on any level and use Steady state to manage the desktop settings, Microsoft is deciding to stop offering the free download of Steady State as of December 31st, 2010. They will still provide support up until June 30,2011.
Keep in mind that although no longer available to download and/or supported halfway though 2011, this doesn't mean that its no longer effective or that persons/organizations aren't allowed to use it. According to Microsoft's Steady State site ..."This announcement does not affect your right to continue to use Windows SteadyState."
Microsoft doesn't give any explanation as to why they have decided to stop providing the download and support, but I advise any that like the product, to go to the above linked site and download the latest version of Steady State for future purposes.
Although this blog post is not about what Steady State is, here is a link to a post I did about Steady State years ago should you want to know more.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Thursday, September 02, 2010
OffiSync--Productivity Integration & Collaboration between Google and Microsoft
Are you like me in the sense that you have to use Microsoft Office products for work, but personally love using Google Docs and wish there was a way to intertwine them? Good news is, you can. OffiSync can do just that. Everyone in my business office uses Microsoft Office because it's been convenient, we paid licenses for it, etc. But I love the idea of having access to my productivity files ubiquitously just by logging in to my Gmail. But there have been times where I created an actual Microsoft document and at the same time wanted to save this online in my Google Docs. Before OffiSync, I would have to save the MS document somewhere internally. Then if not logged in to Google Docs, log in, then upload the file to there. Now that is not a lot of extra time to do so, but if there was an easier way, why not at least look at that choice. The idea is to allow collaboration and easier ways to share files quickly and easily. Not only does it collaborate with Google Docs, but if your organization is utilizing Google Apps and Google Sites, it will work with those as well.
OffiSync is a small download extension that once installed, adds a small toolbar within Microsoft suite products and allows you to choose whether you want to save locally (not on Google Docs), save to Google Docs, or both. You will need to sync that extension to your Gmail account as it prompts you to log in. But once synced, you can even choose which Google Docs folder and/or location within Google Docs/Apps/Sites you want to save it to. How sweet is that?
Another REALLY great feature is the Dashboard feature that shows you which Google Docs files that are being collaborated on and with whom, recent files that have been shared to you, your most recent documents, and even more. And if you were to click on one of those items, it would open them up in the equivalent application software that the OffiSync was installed on. So for example if you created a Google Docs Document previously while using Google Docs. And on a PC you have Microsoft Office installed on, opening up the Dashboard and selecting that Google Docs Document, will quickly and easily open up the document in Microsoft Word. Talk about integration and collaborative ability. Nice!!!
Sharing a document to others is easy as well. There is a button that looks like a group of people, once selected it shows you who has access to the document and you could add/share collaboration to users by entering their email address. No longer want a particular person(s) to collaborate? No problem simply remove them for having access to the document by clicking remove. There are many more options available using OffiSync as well. So if you like the idea of simultaneously and effortlessly saving to both at the same exact time. Give OffiSync a try by clicking here. Best of all...there is a version that is FREE!
Enjoy!
OffiSync is a small download extension that once installed, adds a small toolbar within Microsoft suite products and allows you to choose whether you want to save locally (not on Google Docs), save to Google Docs, or both. You will need to sync that extension to your Gmail account as it prompts you to log in. But once synced, you can even choose which Google Docs folder and/or location within Google Docs/Apps/Sites you want to save it to. How sweet is that?
Another REALLY great feature is the Dashboard feature that shows you which Google Docs files that are being collaborated on and with whom, recent files that have been shared to you, your most recent documents, and even more. And if you were to click on one of those items, it would open them up in the equivalent application software that the OffiSync was installed on. So for example if you created a Google Docs Document previously while using Google Docs. And on a PC you have Microsoft Office installed on, opening up the Dashboard and selecting that Google Docs Document, will quickly and easily open up the document in Microsoft Word. Talk about integration and collaborative ability. Nice!!!
Sharing a document to others is easy as well. There is a button that looks like a group of people, once selected it shows you who has access to the document and you could add/share collaboration to users by entering their email address. No longer want a particular person(s) to collaborate? No problem simply remove them for having access to the document by clicking remove. There are many more options available using OffiSync as well. So if you like the idea of simultaneously and effortlessly saving to both at the same exact time. Give OffiSync a try by clicking here. Best of all...there is a version that is FREE!
Enjoy!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Gone Google--Time and money may be well saved
Is your library and/or school paying for corporate email? Do you pay for software licenses for productivity based software such as word processing, spreadsheets, and building presentations? Is your organization also paying someone/company to build and/or maintain your website? If you have said yes to more than one of these questions, I suggest at the very least a look at Google Apps. This blog posting is not about what Google Apps is. I have linked that information here. But I will say that Google Apps is free to educational facilities such as schools and also to libraries that are 501C3s.
However what this post is about is how Google Apps might help your organization save money and time. And make your organization more productive and effective. If considering a change, a review of this long before mentioning this to your stakeholders, council members, boards, IT department, and any other groups or decision makers is a good idea. To be fully informed and prepared, is to make a better decision. Google Gone is a tool to help you review whether Google Apps is right for your organization. With claims that National Geographic, and Minolta moving to Google Apps, they suggest why not your organization as well.
Once at their site, you are given two interactive questions: What is your organizations name and how many employees. Once you enter this information, Google will guide you through areas that charts your organizations efficiency and productivity with a switch. Particularly money and time save, which is high on most organizations lists I would presume.
And at the end of the analysis, Gone Google will also allow you to customize this information into a presentation and in different ways and formats. You can have a customized web link that you can email to someone. You can print out and/or link to a PDF, poster, or a spreadsheet. I have a copy of the poster example I did here. This can help organize enough information that may help those decision makers possibly take another look at this option. It cost nothing to look at Gone Google, and if you decide to go with Google Apps, it still may end up costing you nothing but some setup time in the beginning.
Have any opinions about this topic? I would love to hear from you.
However what this post is about is how Google Apps might help your organization save money and time. And make your organization more productive and effective. If considering a change, a review of this long before mentioning this to your stakeholders, council members, boards, IT department, and any other groups or decision makers is a good idea. To be fully informed and prepared, is to make a better decision. Google Gone is a tool to help you review whether Google Apps is right for your organization. With claims that National Geographic, and Minolta moving to Google Apps, they suggest why not your organization as well.
Once at their site, you are given two interactive questions: What is your organizations name and how many employees. Once you enter this information, Google will guide you through areas that charts your organizations efficiency and productivity with a switch. Particularly money and time save, which is high on most organizations lists I would presume.
And at the end of the analysis, Gone Google will also allow you to customize this information into a presentation and in different ways and formats. You can have a customized web link that you can email to someone. You can print out and/or link to a PDF, poster, or a spreadsheet. I have a copy of the poster example I did here. This can help organize enough information that may help those decision makers possibly take another look at this option. It cost nothing to look at Gone Google, and if you decide to go with Google Apps, it still may end up costing you nothing but some setup time in the beginning.
Have any opinions about this topic? I would love to hear from you.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
KeePass-A safe place to keep passwords
Passwords--how many of them do YOU have? If you are like me there could be dozens upon dozens of passwords for various purposes that you may have to remember. For example, PC/Server passwords, email addresses, website or FTP passwords, social networking site passwords, online passwords of all types, and etc. Not only do these passwords need to be set up and managed, but often times passwords are required to be changed.
And because of this, keeping all of this information safe, but accessible at the same time could be overwhelming for some. So some may be tempted to (shuttering at the thought) keeping the passwords written down and located next to your keyboard, monitor, unlocked drawer, and ........well you get the idea. But just as bad is having just one password setup for all or most of your accounts. These practices are highly risky for a number of reasons, but primarily because of network security breaches and identity theft becoming more and more common, these two practices are NOT recommended at all.
So how can you manage all of those passwords, and safely at the same time? Well there is something called KeePass that can help. Now you might be thinking..."how much does it cost?" KeePass is an open source product and is absolutely free. And I use it to manage all of my passwords. I first found out about KeePass when I tried Portable Apps, which is a suite of open source products that you can access from your USB drive. Now I am thinking of writing a blog about Portable Apps, but this blog is about KeePass.
KeePass uses secure algorithms to encrypt passwords, all within a database that you can manage with one master key file or password. If you still think that is not good enough, you can set KeePass to only open for the Windows user name of the person creating the KeePass database. One thing I also suggest is to save the actual database which is stored in a .kdb file as a backup somewhere else just in case you lose the USB device or location where KeePass would normally be accessed. Make sure to sync that off site database so it stays consistent with the one used most often.
So take a look at KeePass in more detail here and see if it can help simplify all the passwords in your life.
And because of this, keeping all of this information safe, but accessible at the same time could be overwhelming for some. So some may be tempted to (shuttering at the thought) keeping the passwords written down and located next to your keyboard, monitor, unlocked drawer, and ........well you get the idea. But just as bad is having just one password setup for all or most of your accounts. These practices are highly risky for a number of reasons, but primarily because of network security breaches and identity theft becoming more and more common, these two practices are NOT recommended at all.
KeePass uses secure algorithms to encrypt passwords, all within a database that you can manage with one master key file or password. If you still think that is not good enough, you can set KeePass to only open for the Windows user name of the person creating the KeePass database. One thing I also suggest is to save the actual database which is stored in a .kdb file as a backup somewhere else just in case you lose the USB device or location where KeePass would normally be accessed. Make sure to sync that off site database so it stays consistent with the one used most often.
So take a look at KeePass in more detail here and see if it can help simplify all the passwords in your life.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
PLA in Portland
Normally I would give this information out just through my twitter account or other social media outlets, but I will be attending the PLA conference in Portland Oregon starting tomorrow (3/24 - 3/27). Mainly looking for new and creative ways for Public Access Computing and technology. I would love to talk to any and all who might be there and find my blog useful to them.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Ninite--Your one stop site for popular downloads
Have you ever wanted to download some of the popular free software on the web, all at once, and without all the prompts that come along with it?
I came across something that can help with that. It is called Ninite. Literally there is a a grocery list of free and popular downloads to choose from. According to their website they state " Ninite installs software fast with default settings and says "no" to browser toolbars and other junk. Ninite checks your PC's language and 64-bit support to install the latest, best version of each program."
So pretty much its one of the fastest, easiest ways to install free software. All WITHOUT having to register an email address or to download a client interface to your desktop first. Amazingly easy is how I would describe it. How does it work?
Sort through the lists of downloads you want to install, check the ones you desire. Scroll to the bottom of the site, click on the green "Get Installer" button. Your downloads should start very quickly. If not, there is a link on the page that allows you to initialize all the downloads. So depending on how many software options you select it could take very little time or a little longer (coffee break), but no interaction or options are really needed by you to get the application(s) installed. If you like things that help you save time. Then this is the site for you.
I have included a video to kind of show you how it works. It can be viewed at http://screencast.com/t/YjhkOWQ0M
I came across something that can help with that. It is called Ninite. Literally there is a a grocery list of free and popular downloads to choose from. According to their website they state " Ninite installs software fast with default settings and says "no" to browser toolbars and other junk. Ninite checks your PC's language and 64-bit support to install the latest, best version of each program."
So pretty much its one of the fastest, easiest ways to install free software. All WITHOUT having to register an email address or to download a client interface to your desktop first. Amazingly easy is how I would describe it. How does it work?
Sort through the lists of downloads you want to install, check the ones you desire. Scroll to the bottom of the site, click on the green "Get Installer" button. Your downloads should start very quickly. If not, there is a link on the page that allows you to initialize all the downloads. So depending on how many software options you select it could take very little time or a little longer (coffee break), but no interaction or options are really needed by you to get the application(s) installed. If you like things that help you save time. Then this is the site for you.
I have included a video to kind of show you how it works. It can be viewed at http://screencast.com/t/YjhkOWQ0M
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