Spring, 2013

Spring 2013.  The weather is starting to improve.  That's great news.

Windows 8

Windows 8 has been around for a while now.  While the start button and start menu is gone, the desktop remains.  It is familiar enough for the user to do productive tasks.  It DOES take some getting used to.  The start screen was made for tablet and smartphone-like gesture controls.  However, touch screen capability on laptops and desktop PC's drives up the price unnecessarily.  Windows 8 can be used without difficulty on a mouse driven system.

Software Experiences

Quicken Premier 2013

I have used Quicken financial management software since before Windows versions.  It is a lifesaver for me since I would rather do anything else than balance my checkbook.  Quicken 2013 has the capability to sync up your information with your smart phone. (I use an iPhone 4S) and/or tablet (I use a 3rd generation iPad).  I have been using this version for about 2 months.  Overall it's positive.  There are a few quirks that are concerning, but do not impact the general operation of the program.  For example, loans are handled via "reminders" instead of the loan selection on the pull down debt menu.  I have an existing loan that was imported correctly.  But accessing the loan information is different than the 2011 version I was using previously.
 
Open Office

Open Office is an open source office suite of programs similar to Microsoft Office.  The programs in this suite will read files created by MS Office programs (word, excel) and write files that are readable by the MS Office programs.  Since Microsoft no longer supplies MS Office Starter on new PC's and the new MS Office Home & Student is now sold for only one computer per purchase instead of the 3 user license of previous versions, Open Office is a great alternative.  Comparing the prices seals the deal;  MS Office Home and Student, $ 149.99 and Open Office, FREE!! 

The Open Office programs are similar enough that you can do meaningful work in a relatively short time.  Open Office is downloaded from their site, http://www.openoffice.org  These programs are written and maintained by a large group of programmers who write them because they are dedicated to writing programs.  As a hobby and a passion, they write programs.  As a side note, many municipalities are turning to Open Source programs such as Open Office due to the high cost of proprietary software like Microsoft Office. 

Services

For those who are new to this blog and my website, I provide computer support services for Windows Based PC's to residential users.  I also have knowledge of iPhone and iPad devices, as well as wired and wireless networking.  My rates are reasonable.  I accept cash, checks, debit and credit cards.  As an introductory offer to the Somerset Run folks, I will provide a $ 10.00 remote inspection of your computer.  We can be reached at 732-568-4943.  Don't wait, call today.


All for now.  Have a great day and a warm spring!!

Dave