Be prepared during large software updates for any computer to “run” slower than normal. If you are on a limited or “fair share” internet connection, it may be a good idea to let the update run without placing any other usage demands on it until download is complete. Above all – try not to be frustrated.
May 2012 E-Zine (V11#5): Computer Monday, May 7 2012
Computer & Software and Updates computer, connection, download, downloading, memory, software, speed, Updates 12:07 pm
December 2006, V5 #12: Computer Friday, Mar 20 2009
Computer & Software Family Tree Maker, graphic, manuscript, Microsoft Word, MS Office, MS Word, organize, program, software, text, word processor 7:57 pm
99.9% of the books we produce are from Microsoft Word. However, it will depend on what the focus of your book is, as well as what software you are familiar with, and how much work you want the software to do for you. For instance, if the book is to contain many charts, a program that is geared toward generating these charts would be important. If you are working toward mainly fact oriented and are hoping the program will organize a manuscript, a program such as Family Tree Maker might be best. If you are looking for word processing and are familiar with the Corel family of products, you may not want to learn Microsoft Office. If you are wanting to go with fancy margins, clip art, photos, charts, tables, graphic elements on each page, etc., Microsoft Publisher may be the way to go. The bottom line, like so many other decisions comes down to you. It’s hard to beat making a wish list (I want the program to be able to…) and then looking for a product that fits best. Other factors, besides current software knowledge may be cost for new software, compatibility (if looking toward a hybrid or e-book).
Overall software we utilize most (remember, this doesn’t mean they are the best for you):
Manuscript: Microsoft Word (other Office programs such as Excel, Access, Publisher, and FrontPage can be helpful or used with Word, depending on project.)
Photographs: Adobe Photoshop
“Genealogy” Program (Charts, etc.): Family Tree Maker
April 2008, V7#4: Computer Wednesday, Dec 31 2008
Computer & Software and Electronic Magazine ask, browser, clusty, Genealogy, question, search engine, sentene, software, sort, subject 2:16 pm
Today’s browsers are great to help with general searches. Many places and software even load extra search toolbars into your browsers. But, for genealogy searches, don’t stop with that. Become a student of search engines: Find out how you can narrow your search with different engines. Find at least one “engine” that searches more than one. Not used to doing computer searches? Go to ask.com – there you can use a regular sentence to search without being penalized for using words like “and” and “the”. Also consider trying clusty.com – this search engine places your returns by subject. In this way, if you were to look for “Homer Simpson” all the cartoon stuff would be sorted out for you.
December 2007, V6#12: Computer Tuesday, Dec 30 2008
Computer & Software and Electronic Magazine 2007, compatible, convert, downloading, file, MS, Office, online, program, software, update, version 11:02 pm
Not sure if files written in MS Office 2007 are compatible? The truth is that they are with a bit of work on your part. If you are running an older version of a program and try to open the 2007 file, it will prompt you do download a conversion program. If you are online, follow all directions – including downloading other updates first. Your computer can then convert the 2007 file to something your computer can work with. Word of warning though, if the file contains features that became available in 2007, your converted file won’t have them.
March 2007, V6#3: Computer Tuesday, Dec 30 2008
Computer & Software and Electronic Magazine eBay, economical, older version, program, purchase, software, Vista, XP 3:52 pm
(part 4)
Economical suggestion for purchase: Look to closeouts or ask staff members if they have any of the older versions available, at a discount, in stores. Alternately, you can usually buy older versions of software reasonably through eBay. Just be sure that the software is XP/Vista compatible – and through eBay comes with any books, etc.
February 2007, V6#2: Computer Tuesday, Dec 30 2008
Computer & Software and Electronic Magazine database, Excel, Microsost, Office, program, software, spreadsheet, Word 3:50 pm
What software to use? (part 3)
Especially if you have some experience with Microsoft software, one might consider buying Microsoft Office (instead of single particular program), which will include Word, a spreadsheet/database program, usually a webpage program, and sometimes Publisher. This is a long range planning consideration – especially if you are looking toward being a life-long author. Not every book project will be well suited to a single program. Transcriptions, and columnar data works very well in Excel. This data can be sorted, rearranged and selectively inserted into a Word manuscript – all without having to retype.
January 2007, V6#1: Computer Tuesday, Dec 30 2008
Computer & Software and Electronic Magazine dekstop, Microsoft Word, MS, program, shareware, software, spell check, typewiter, Windows, word processor, WordPad 3:48 pm
What software to use? (part 2)
If you are looking for a “desktop typewriter”, almost any word processing software will do. If you have a Microsoft Window based system, you have WordPad. This is a very basic program, but if you aren’t interested in any bells and whistles (such as spell check, etc.), it is fairly easy to learn and operate. If you don’t have a MS Windows based system, or want to look at something else, there are many shareware programs available at little or no cost.
December 2006, V5#12: Computer Saturday, Dec 27 2008
Computer & Software and Electronic Magazine Access, Adobe, book, chart, clip art, Corel, Excel, Family Tree Maker, FrontPage, graphic, graphic element, manuscript, margin, Microsoft, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word, organize, page, photo, Photoshop, program, publisher, software, table 3:20 am
99.9% of the books we produce are from Microsoft Word. However, it will depend on what the focus of your book is, as well as what software you are familiar with, and how much work you want the software to do for you. For instance, if the book is to contain many charts, a program that is geared toward generating these charts would be important. If you are working toward mainly fact oriented and are hoping the program will organize a manuscript, a program such as Family Tree Maker might be best. If you are looking for word processing and are familiar with the Corel family of products, you may not want to learn Microsoft Office. If you are wanting to go with fancy margins, clip art, photos, charts, tables, graphic elements on each page, etc., Microsoft Publisher may be the way to go. The bottom line, like so many other decisions comes down to you. It’s hard to beat making a wish list (I want the program to be able to…) and then looking for a product that fits best. Other factors, besides current software knowledge may be cost for new software, compatibility (if looking toward a hybrid or e-book).
Overall software we utilize most (remember, this doesn’t mean they are the best for you):
Manuscript: Microsoft Word (other Office programs such as Excel, Access, Publisher, and FrontPage can be helpful or used with Word, depending on project.)
Photographs: Adobe Photoshop
“Genealogy” Program (Charts, etc.): Family Tree Maker
November 2005, V4#11: Computer Friday, Dec 26 2008
Computer & Software and Electronic Magazine directory, documents, file, filing cabinet, filing system, folder, hard drive, information, level, organization, processor, program, segregating, software, structure, type, version, window, Word 1:34 am
Organization – part 1
Having trouble finding anything on your computer? Are you a “file dumper” into My Documents? Consider that today’s hard drives have space to hold a room full of filing cabinet information. Too many people don’t treat their hard drive like the filing system it is. Many of those that do, start out with good intentions and then for some reason, over time, “just save it” with the intention of moving it later. At best, this makes the file hard to find, at worst it results in different versions of the “same” files or even exact duplicate files (taking up usable space).
First thing to do when deciding on how your filing system should work is decide what level you (and others using the computer) are at. Realize that different types of software programs produce different types of computer files. Can you look at an “open” directory and see the files you want to open and ignore the rest? Example: A novice is working in Word (word processor) and wishes to open a photo. They will generally try File, Open – resulting in “gobilty gook”. If this is your problem, I suggest start out segregating your types of files – in “My Documents” have a file for each type of program you use, i.e. Word, Works, Adobe Acrobat, Publisher, Draw, Family Tree Maker, Quark, Photoshop, etc. From then on, never save a particular format file in a different programs area. This cuts down on trying to open files the wrong way, but adds to your organization structure.
One way to make all purpose files: click Start, from menu go to My Documents – this will open a window. From the left column you may choose “make a new folder”. If selection is not available, click in blank area to deselect any folders. (If column is not there , click File, slide down to new, slide over and click Folder) Name your folder next, and repeat as necessary. When you are ready to build folders in any one of the folders you have made, double click it and begin.
More next month…
October 2005, V4#10: Computer Friday, Dec 26 2008
Computer & Software and Electronic Magazine anti-virus, disk, online, program, scan, software, sweep, virus 1:30 am
Don’t neglect your anti-virus program. When prompted to download, don’t put it off, but make it a priority to get it complete before doing a lot of work online (or installing new software). Also, do full disk scans periodically. This is in case a new virus slipped paste before the anti-virus could identify it. The sweep will pick it up, hopefully before it does too much damage.
