Solution Innovators will be presenting on “Establishing and Securing Your Business on Today’s Internet” on February 16th, 2010 at 8:00am at the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. We are excited to share this information with our community in hopes they are able to use the Internet as a tool in their businesses. Check out the Details page for more information. We’d love to see you there!
Upcoming Seminar
February 10th, 2010What’s all the hype about the iPad?
February 5th, 2010Apple recently released the iPad (www.apple.com/ipad), a tablet type device. What does this mean to you? Well it’s a pretty neat product but it’s use will be determined by consumers. The iPad comes out in 2 months, visit Apple’s website to see if it’s for you!
Debunking the Mac vs PC myths
January 15th, 2010So everyone asks the question, “What’s the difference between a Mac and a PC?”
Without giving a history lesson, there was a stereotype that Mac’s were good for artists but not for business. And of course, EVERYONE uses Microsoft Windows so that’s the way to go…
Well I hope to set a few things straight without starting a war, I’ll do my best.
There are some key differences between Apple and Microsoft. First of all, Apple decided long ago that for the best outcome, their operating system (based off of Unix) would run best on hardware they made themselves. This makes sense to a degree, the code can be tested against known hardware configurations. Microsoft on the other hand, made their money on their operation system known as Microsoft Windows. Microsoft doesn’t sell hardware (desktops and laptops) but instead relies on many manufacturers to build hardware that will run Windows. With this business model, Microsoft could focus on Windows and software and not necessarily the corresponding hardware.
Needless to say, both companies made decisions to what abilities they would include in their operation systems. At different points in time, these decisions weren’t known as features, but limitations. “Oh I can’t do that on my Mac but I can my PC” and visa versa.
If we fast-forward to today’s computing world, to the average person, both Mac and PC’s are different yet comparable. Many of the visual features were first introduced from Apple and many of the networking/corporate structure were introduced by Microsoft.
The computing giants are still sticking to their business models and that answers the question, “Why are Macs so expensive?” For more detail, it could be said that Apple uses high quality hardware that they stand behind much better than their competitors. Apple’s has built a reputation that there products will work day in and day out. Now, there are many PC’s that will do the same, but Apple’s customer service is tough to beat.
Keyboard shortcuts on Mac too!
December 15th, 2009The post below was geared for Windows users, I didn’t want to leave any of the Apple people in the dark. I myself use an Apple as much as possible. Take a look below for Mac shortcuts.
To use these, hold down the Command key (sometimes has an Apple or a 4 Leaf Clover), press the secondary key and then let go of both. For real speed, use only one hand to complete these shortcuts (usually your left hand).
To copy (leaves the original) a file, image, or selection of text = ⌘ + C
To cut (removes the original) a file, image, or selection of text = ⌘+ X
To paste a file, image, or selection of text = ⌘+ V
To open the Open dialog box = ⌘+ O
To open the print Dialog box = ⌘+ P
To open a new document or file = ⌘+ N
To select all items in current window = ⌘ + A
To bold a selection of text = ⌘+ B
To italicize a selection of text = ⌘+ I
To underline a selection of text = ⌘+ U
To save a file = ⌘+ S
To undo an action = ⌘+ Z
To redo an action = ⌘+ Y
To search a web page or document = ⌘+ F
To open a new tab in Safari or Firefox = ⌘+ T
For Apple OSX
To lock your screen = It’s a little a different in OSX, click here for recommendations
To open Finder window = ⌘ + N (Only when Finder had the focus)
To Hide all applications = ⌘ + Option + H
To Hide current application = ⌘ + H
To change windows = ⌘+ Tab
Look into Using Expose to setup Hot Corners
Hope these shortcuts can speed up your daily tasks!
Thanks for reading and check back soon for more useful information.
Keyboard Shortcuts to Know and Use
December 5th, 2009So many people see us “computer guys” do a lot with the keyboard that appears to be magic. I will promise you we aren’t magicians, but knowing some keyboard shortcuts can cut down on the time your hand reaches for the mouse. The short cuts listed below work in most Windows applications and programs.
To use these, hold down the Ctrl key, press the secondary key and then let go of both. For real speed, use only one hand to complete these shortcuts (usually your left hand).
To copy (leaves the original) a file, image, or selection of text = Ctrl + C
To cut (removes the original) a file, image, or selection of text = Ctrl + X
To paste a file, image, or selection of text = Ctrl + V
To open the Open dialog box = Ctrl + O
To open the print Dialog box = Ctrl + P
To open a new document or file = Ctrl + N
To select all items in current window = Ctrl + A
To bold a selection of text = Ctrl + B
To italicize a selection of text = Ctrl + I
To underline a selection of text = Ctrl + U
To save a file = Ctrl + S
To undo an action = Ctrl + Z
To redo an action = Ctrl + Y
To search a web page or document = Ctrl + F
To open a new tab in Internet Explorer or Firefox = Ctrl + T
For Windows
To lock your screen = Windows key + L
To open start menu = Windows key
To open file explorer = Windows key + E
To show the desktop = Windows key + D
To minimize all windows = Windows key + M
To change windows = Alt + Tab
Hope these shortcuts can speed up your daily tasks!
Thanks for reading and check back soon for more useful information.
Apple and Microsoft bring new products to table
November 1st, 2009Apple’s jump to offer quad-core processors in their iMac line-up with their new OSX Snow Leopard was a great move to rival Microsoft’s release of the much anticipated Windows 7. I’m looking forward to using both new operating systems soon in a production environment. For now, we are seeing many companies making the choice to stay with Windows XP for a few more years.
To view the new iMac, click here
Encrypt that laptop!
October 20th, 2009Encryption is a term often thrown around in conversation and many people aren’t sure what it really means. Essentially, any type of encryption is a way to encode(disguise) information so it doesn’t appear to have any value. Often companies encrypt the data on company laptops. Much of the company data is frequently traveling outside the safe doors of the company to business meetings in conference halls and coffee shops. The encryption process is designed to protect company data.
If the unencrypted laptop were to be stolen, the thief would have access to company information in addition to the client information. When encrypting a laptop (or any data) there is usually a pretty significant password to unlock the data. Often the laptop user will need to enter a lengthy pre-boot password before entering their normal logon password. Without the user’s lengthy password, the data is completely useless to a criminal or wandering eyes.
Solution Innovators strongly encourages any company data moving off site, especially on a laptop be encrypted for the company’s protection. Ask us how we can help your encrypt your data.
Is your data backed up? Are you sure?
October 13th, 2009There’s a moment when your heart stops and lips mouth the words “Oh nooo!!!” It’s a heartsinking feeling when you realize your data isn’t saved. If it was a letter to your mother, you can probably crank out another one without too much trouble. How about all the company data or every client’s contact information? Or maybe your clients tax returns from last year? Unless your superman, you won’t be able to recover that data…unless you have backups.
At Solution Innovators, we make sure your servers have redundant storage in addition to an onsite copy of the working drive to minimize any down time if a disk a fails. We also encourage our clients to use our customized off site backup solution. Solution Innovators use software that will encrypt and backup your company’s data to our local servers. This way if data needs to be restored, we can get your business up and running in hours, not days. We also provide a peace of mind that your data is being handled by someone you know instead of a website hosted by servers around the world.
Microsoft Office 2007 Tips and Tricks #1
October 8th, 2009MS Office 2007 has added a new feature allowing quicker access to tools you use the most Micorsoft calls this toolbar the “Quick Access Toolbar”. The Quick Access Toolbar is a customizable toolbar that contains a set of tools that will stay mounted even when changing between the different tabs. Follow these steps to customize YOUR Office 2007. (Taken from the Messiah College ITS blog)
This tutorial and screen shots are based on Word 2007 (although Excel and PowerPoint also utilize the same toolbar)
1. Open up an Office 2007 product
2. Find the Quick Access Toolbar along the top
3. Click on the down arrow at the end of the toolbar.
4. Now click on the “More Commands” option.
5. Choose a command from the list and then click on Add
Now you have added this command to your toolbar!
A few suggestions of commands to add to your toolbar are:
1. Spelling & Grammar
2. Print Preview
3. Print
4. New
5. Open
Hope this helps with your migration to MS Office 2007 !
What’s Cloud Computing?
October 8th, 2009Cloud Computing is a buzz word that has permeated strategic business meetings for awhile and many people still have no idea what cloud computing is. For starters, cloud computing is a method of computing in the clouds…what, you still don’t get it? Among techie people, the Internet as a whole is often referred to as “The Cloud”. Cloud computing says, why do we keep buying faster computers when the servers of big companies will always be faster? If cloud computing were to take over all computing, we would all of our data stored on some mega-servers located around the world and could access our data from anywhere with an Internet connection. This leaves all of the heavy computing and storage to the big servers and the endpoint user (that’s you!) wouldn’t need a new computer so often and it would cut a lot of expenses.
There are several unanswered questions with cloud computing that are keeping businesses from using the cost saving technology. According to a survey by CIO magazine, 51% of the respondents are concerned about the security of cloud computing as a whole. In addition, 37% are concerned about control of their data. Most companies are not comfortable with storing their confidential data on a server in a location they will probably never visit.
I have a feeling cloud computing will remain fairly stagnant until some security issues are worked out. In the mean time, Google offers web based email, calendar, documents, spreadsheets and many other cloud computing services that are pretty amazing.