Tuesday, February 12. 2008
You've heard of MS Word. You've used MS Word. And you've experienced all there is to experience with MS Word.
But have you really?
Here's a smorgasbord of 101 tips, tutorials, desktop and online alternatives, books, communities, tools (*inhale*) developer and tech resources, converters, experts, forums, blogs, and miscellaneous--but related, MS Word resources at your fingertips (*exhale*).
Brace yourself.
Tips, Tricks & Tutorials
Looking to improve your MS Word proficiency? This list has all the tips and tutorials you'll ever need.
1.About.com
There's no other way to start than by doing what this article says: "jump in!"
2.MS Word Help Homepage
The number one resource on the processing app itself--Microsoft.com.
3.Allen Wyatt’s Word Tips
A great site with resources on any given Word topic and version starting from Word ‘97 to Word ‘07. This site can update you regularly with RSS feeds.
4.Malektips
A resource for any version of MS Word that you may have.
5.Keyboard Shortcuts
A quick list of handy keyboard shortcuts for MS Word from Helpwithpcs.com.
6.30 Most Used Keyboard Shortcuts
Another shortcut list to supplement the one above.
7.Word 2007
A site dedicated to scrounging up the latest Word 2007 tips and tricks on editing, graphics, tables, references and formatting.
8.Word07.com
Word07.com is focused on tutorials that show you around Word 2007 and how to use it efficiently.
9.MS tips & tricks
A good starting point for all MS Word beginners.
10.Computerworld
A quick and handy MS cheat sheet to help you navigate around the new Interface.
11.Indispensable MS Word Tips
From TechRepublic, these 50 MS Word tips are helpful pointers that help you work around the text in your document. This PDF list is for Word 97/2000/2002(Office XP)/2003.
12.Webaim.org
Here are some tips and how-to’s on making your Word Docs accessible.
13.Bettersolutions.com
This resource for Word functions and features provides help on page layout, AutoFormat, templates built-in wizards, toolbars & menus, and even SmartTags and SharePoint.
14.TeachUcomp, Inc.
TeachUcomp, Inc. has provided classroom-style instruction in over 85 different classes. Check out theirtutorial package covering every aspect of MS Word possible.
15.Word for Mac training
Offered by CustomGuide: Learn on demand. They offer a special training ourse for increasing your Word proficiency on Mac OS, and free test runs before you or your company commit to purchasing.
16.Introduction to Microsoft Word 2007
For any that are interested in online classes, HP offers class sessions for learning your way around the functions and features of MS Word 2007 and how to use them.
Online Alternatives
No MS Word? Try out an online word processing app as a substitute. Most of these sites are free, but require that you sign up for an account.
17.Google Docs
A popular online word processing application integrated with all the Google frills.
18.Zoho Writer
With Zoho Writer you can view, edit and save documents online. Import and export a number of formats and even publish or share your files online with others.
19.ThinkFree
This web-based application gives you a 1GB of space, full editing features, and viewing
options.
20.Glide
An online OS space that also includes useful tools, storage space and creation apps, such as Glide Write.
21.Ulteo
Ulteo is bringing OpenOffice.org to the web. It's still in early beta release as of this writing, but check out the site and keep an eye out for it.
22.gOffice
A word processing application that will cost you a bit per month, but the high quality output is worth it.
23.Docly
What sticks out about Docly is that it's a word processing app and a self-publishing service in one. Create your documents online, copyright and publish them, then share them or sell them to others.
24.AjaxWrite
This web app works exclusively within Mozilla Firefox 1.5 or higher.
25.WebWriter
Like most of the online suites here, Peepel takes a collaborative online approach, but also uses RSS Feeds with its word processing app WebWriter to keep you on track with the changes made to your documents.
26.iNetWord
Contains numerous designer Web page templates, the ability to publish to Web, and collaborative features that include folder sharing.
27.ZCubes
"ZCubes is your web Kaleidoscope that handles over 50 file-formats and works on over 20 different operating systems and platforms. Work, play, research, create, think, browse, organize, and have fun with ZCubes. Loaded with an incredible 2000+ features, your creativity may be your only limitation!"-- see it in action for yourself.
28.GreenDOC
Associated with Google Adsense, GreenDOC allows you to generate revenue from your own published documents with link ads.
29.Buzzword
The powerful Word processor that runs in Flash with functionalities for formatting, endnotes, commenting, tables, and page numbering.
Desktop Alternatives
If you experience technical difficulties with Word, there are a number of other word processing applications that work just as well. Most of these word applications are also packaged in productivity suites like MS Office.
30.Writer
Writer is the word processing component of Open Office.org 2.3 that saves your work in the ISO standard ODF format.
31.Abiword
A GNOME-related project, Abiword is a fully cross-platform word processor.
32.JarteHighlight: Jarte is completely compatible with Windows Vista, and can support MS .docx files.
33.StarWriter
The word processing application from theStar Office 8 Productivity Suite that lets you create, convert and collaborate your documents.
34.IBM Lotus Symphony Docs
Comes packaged with the IBM Lotus Symphony Suite.
35.Corel Word Perfect X3 (Standard Edition 2007)
A full-fledged word processor that comes with the Corel Word Perfect X3 Office Suite.
36.Ability Write v.4
The word processing application from the Ability Office Suite. Advanced features for version 4 include PDF creation, formatting options, drag and drop editing and spell checker. It also has full Word doc importing abilities.
37.MarinerSoftware
MarinerSoftware has a diverse selection of word processing software for bloggers, writers, podcasters, and screenwriters for both Mac and Windows.
38.PagePlus X2
A great desktop publishing suite from Serif that’s compatible with Vista. It has everything you need to work with personalizing templates, editing graphics, and creating PDF slideshows.
39.Nevrocode
Both a desktop and web based word processor. You can download documents to your desktop as Word, OpenOffice, RTF, PDF, HTML or zip; invite others to edit and view your docs via email; and publish your documents as web pages or blog posts.
Books
Mastering MS Word is a big task. Hard copy resources can help cut that task down. Included with the titles are some user reviews to give you a sneak peek inside.
40.Microsoft Office Word 2003 Quick Steps by Martin S. Matthews (Author), John Cronan (Author), Lisa McCoy (Author)
A quote from the book’s description: “Follow along and learn to format text, add graphics, use templates, track and merge comments, create mailing labels. . . .”
41.Word 2003 Bible by David Angell (Author), Peter Kent (Author),Brent Heslop (Editor)
One highlight of this book: “I especially like the fact that it is the only book I have found that addresses the subject of field codes in some depth.”
42.Access 2007 VBA Bible: for Data-Centric Microsoft Office Applications by Helen Feddema (Author)
Learn to write Visual Basic code and put together powerful solutions.
43.MS Office 2007 For Dummies by Peter Weverka (Author)
Everyone’s heard of the popular “Dummies” series. If you haven’t, here’s one user review: “Writing is clear and logical. The Index and the logical organization of chapters make it easy to locate any information needed easily.”
44.Office 2007: The Missing Manual by Chris Grover (Author), Matthew MacDonald (Author), E. Vander Veer (Author)
Here’s a source to help with you with the look and feel of MS Word alongside the other Office apps. As one user puts it, the book “Focus[es] heavily on not just the use of the apps but the difference with the "ribbon" changes of the 2007 versions.”
45.Word Hacks: Tips & Tools for Taming Your Text (by Andrew Savikas)
What’s inside: “time-saving hacks on taming document bloat, complex search and replace, Tables of Contents and indexes, importing and exporting files, tables and comments, and even using Google as a dictionary!”
46.Using Office Home and Student 2007 (Special Edition ) by Ed Bott (Author), by Woody Leonhard
A manual for more than just Word.
Communities, Blogs, Forums
It can be hard to maneuver and learn everything there is to learn without the right support system. This list of community sites, blogs and forums will get you in touch with other MS Word users.
47.The Microsoft Office Word Team’s Blog
It is exactly what they say it is: "All things Microsoft Office Word, from the Word team".
48.The World of Office
Linked is a posting from The World of Office blog. Find out 10 great Microsoft tips and tricks you never thought of.
49.Blogtoplist.com
Blogtoplist.com is a handy website to bookmark where you can find blog postings specifically devoted to MS Word.
50.Cnet.com
You might also want to try out the Cnet.com forums on MS Office and Word.
51.Tek-tips Forums
This is a tech forum where you can ask your questions on MS Word, talk to other members, and get notifications on any responses posted to your questions.
52.Ask Woody Forum
You can click through to the Woody Lounge area via AskWoody.com, a site created by MS Office manual writer and expert, Woody Leonhard. With a number of topics and over 20, 000 loungers, this forum is one of the best resources on MS Office and Word.
53.The New Paperclip
The Office Paperclip has a blog! A fun easy-to-read site with lots of tips and tricks for Word 2007.
54.Word Community
A community for Word 2007 and 2003 users. The Word community space not only acts as a way to contact other Word users, it also acts as a learning resource with links to demos, training, question forms, webcasts and more.
Word Tools
Sometimes your Word experience is only as good as the tools you use. Here’s a listing of diverse tools that can enhance your Word user experience.
55.Word Viewer
This is the most basic tool needed to interact with Word Docs. It will allow you to open and view Word Docs in Read Only mode.
56.MS Word Mobile
Open, view, and edit documents while on the go. This plug in is compatible with the latest 2007 version.
57.MS Word Templates
If you need templates, this webpage has all the templates you could ever need.
58.Blogger for Word
Once this free plug-in is downloaded, you can publish directly from word to your Blogger account.
59.Textism
Use Textism, a word HTML cleaner that removes MS tags from Word Docs, next time you need the basic document formatting in tact.
60.Recovery Toolbox for Word
If you have corrupted data in your Word Docs and templates, check out this data repair tool.
61.AbleBits
Checking each and every individual link in your documents can be tedious. This tool from Ablebits makes it easier by removing the broken links for you.
62.Formula Builder for MS Word
Here’s an MS add-in for creating formulas in Word docs.
63.Wordware v.10.0
A software app that comes with 45 productivity tools for Word. Included are tools for URL management, file backup, managing personal information, extracting web links, keeping a daily journal and a built-in CD player.
64.Accent WORD Password Recovery
It’s great coming up with that picture perfect, impenetrable password. But being unable to access your own docs because of it, isn’t. Compatible with Windows 95/98/ME/NT/XP/Vista and 2000, Accent WORD helps to recover all your Word passwords.
65.Fore Words
Now there are tools such as this one (by Cro-Code) that focus on helping you craft eloquent prose in your documents. This tool keeps track of word frequencies and repetitive phrases for you as you write.
66.Remove Hidden Data Tool
This Word tool from Microsoft.com deletes anyhidden data that are added to your documents, whether from comments or tracked changes.
67.MS Word Translation Tool
Wordfast from ProZ.com is an essential tool that makes translating Word documents easier for the translator.
68.EndNote Templates
Need help managing and citing references with EndNote? Here’s a handy list of bibliographic templates for use with EndNote 6 and higher with MS Word.
69.Business Templates and Images
HP has a great resource of templates for your business brochures, flyers and newsletters. These templates are specifically for MS Word.
MS Word Document Converters
MS Word content is always needed in another format no matter how “widely used” the Office Suite is. So a separate category on Word converters seemed appropriate.
70.Online Conversion
Convert all your documents to MS Word without buying or downloading any software with ACI’s Online Conversion Service.
71.Open XML/ODF Translater Add-ins for Office
Have the best of both formats by using this translator from sourceforge.net.
72.Solutionsoft
A simple Word to HTML converter for converting to webpages.
73.Save as PDF plug in
The most talked about plug in for PDF creation functionality right within MS Word 2007.
74.Easy MS Document Word Conversion
The Wordcnv website has a handful of document converters that are focused primarily on accessing and extracting data from MS Office documents.
75.Sonic PDF Creator v.2.0
Create PDFs from Word documents with the same ease as Acrobat, but without the price.
76.Able2Extract v.5.0
A PDF to Word converter with a lot more options and features than your regular document converter. A version for scanned PDFs is also available.
Word Experts
When manuals, tips and tutorials can’t help, contacting the right Word experts might. Or, perhaps you’re a Word expert yourself, looking to do the helping. In either case, have a try at the following websites.
77.AllExperts
AllExperts.com is a site where you can just about any question on any topic. Why not MS Word?
78.Microsoft Office Specialist
If you’re looking to become a certified MS Word expert yourself, MS gives you the 411 on how to get certified.
79.Experts Exchange
Quick responses, an original source of tech information, unlimited access to IT experts and 1000 zones of interest--one being MS Word.Although this forum will cost you, they have a free trial option available.
80.oDesk
Looking for a community of free lance Tech experts? Looking to freelance your own MS Word skills? oDesk is the site to check out.
81.Kasamba
Get in touch with an MS word expert with credentials and experience. The Kasamba "live person" community lets you choose the MS word expert that gets to answer your question.
82.Word MVP Site
This site links you to a roster of specialized Word experts. This community is full of knowledgeable volunteers helping MS Word users because they want to.
Technical & Developer Resources
Taking your MS Word knowledge to the highest level can be overwhelming without the right developer and tech resources. Here’s a starting list of basic resources for developing with MS Word.
83.MSDN Magazine
If you’re looking to create your own ribbon customizations, here’s an article to help get you started.
84.
Word
Developer
Center
A good place to start when developing for Word is the MSDN Word Developer Portal. It has the resources needed to develop, build, and deploy Word-based solutions.
85.MS Office Word 2007 Developer Reference
From MSDN, here’s an essential quick link to detailed information you’ll need before you start developing your own Word based solutions.
86.Office Open XML Formats Architecture Guide
Linked here is a webpage with information on Microsoft’s new OOXML format.
87.XML in Office Community
This webpage has it all when it comes to Word and XML: blogs, videos, new groups, user groups and top rated articles, downloads and tutorials.
88.Manipulating Word 2007 Files with the Open XML Object Model
A detailed 3 part article for advanced developers on Word 2007 files and OOXML from the MSDN library.
MS Word Technology
Is MS Word interoperability important to you? Of course, it is. And it's the raison d'etre for this next list.
89.Office 2008 For Mac
With Office Word 2008 for Mac just released, you’ll need a resource of help. Just click here.
90.Open Office for MS Word users
Different apps have different key functions. How do you know what’s what from one application to the next? This page has a listing of MS Word 2003 functionality and their equivalent in Open Office.
91.Crossover Linux
Not satisfied with a Windows OS, but love the apps? Crossover Linux is a support system software that lets you get those familiar MS applications on the Linux OS.
92.CDEV Computing
This company specializes in templates and macros for MS Word. They offer custom Word Document services and even free Word utilities.
93.MS Word Solutions Directory
Everyone’s looking for a Word based solution, but not everyone knows where to look. Start here. Linked is the homepage for Word solutions developed by companies using Microsoft Office.
94.Syncfusion
Just one resource for .NET developers looking to integrate Word document creation and functionality within their applications.
Miscellaneous
And last but not least, is the miscellaneous category where you can find a mish-mash of MS Word related resources.
95.Writeroom
A simple, stripped down text writer for Mac. You can also download the Darkroom Windows version for the .NET frameworkand the jDarkRoom Java version .
96.Qjot v.5.8
A portable WordPad replacement that can literally fit in the palm of your hand like a real pad. Qjot’s 900kb size means that it can fit on any portable USB key!
97.MS Word 2007 Introduction Quick Reference Guide (Cheat Sheet of Instructions, Tips & Shortcuts - Laminated) by Beezix Inc.(Author)
A handy resource right at your fingertips-- and under 5 bucks.
98.TechTrax
Just for interest's sake, an article by MVP, Greg Chapman, on using Word as a system management tool.
99.Word Perfect to Word
An article worth taking a look at if you need to import WordPerfect Files into Microsoft Word.
100.iOrganize
The iTunes for organizing all your notes and ideas.
101.Google Notebook
If you’re online and need to jot down a few things--reminders, ideas, some contact information, or even a few lines of poetry, try out Google Notebook.
Now that you've got 101 links to explore and get better acquainted with, you can honestly say that you really know MS Word.
Sunday, January 20. 2008
 What makes the PDF so enticing to malicious users? There are more reasons than you think.
With the recent headlines about Adobe PDF vulnerabilities being taken advantage of, just about anyone who used a PC was on the alert. PDF files have the potential to do some serious damage to systems and data when infected.
Because the PDF is not without its weaknesses, anticipating ways in which attackers can use the format can be the best way to defend against it. Below is a brief look at 13 ways—both technical and simple, in which the PDF is vulnerable and can be manipulated by malicious users.
1) JavaScript Online PDFs are designated with open parameters that can be injected with malicious JavaScript code. Because of the flexibility of JavaScript, hackers have a broad range of what can be done using the PDF file as their hacking tool of choice.
2) Spam
The recent spamming attacks this year demonstrated a way of exploiting the nature of the PDF as file format. Until recently, the PDF never really got caught at the anti-spam gates. Thus, although most anti-spam products now check PDFs and other forms of image spam, PDF containing spam made it into millions of inboxes everywhere. Although not immediately threatening as code executions, spam is still spam and has the ability to deliver Trojans, viruses, and malware.
3) PDF Ubiquity
PDF files are perfect for spreading attacks far and wide. The ubiquity of the PDF makes this possible. The number of PDF files on the web alone is an example of what the odds are of being hit by an infected PDF.
4) PDF Hyperlinks As with most spam, the attacker’s malware doesn't just sit within the PDF file. Rather, it is through the embedded hyperlinks within the PDF that launches it.
5) PDF Credibility
The PDF is known as secured standard format used by many business industries and users alike. As such, hackers can accomplish their task easily by turning users into malware executioners. Just by thinking that your PDF attachment or download is safe and secure, the attackers’ work is done.
6) Browsers and PDF URIs PDFs are also manipulated because of the way in which their URIs are handled by certain web browser applications. Websites that host PDF files are unknowingly cohorts in the attack. XSS, for instance, uses a flaw in the browser that triggers an unintended execution of code as part of a query string contained within the URL. Although the browsers that contained this URI validation flaw were patched up with the last software version updates, this single flaw put every user with those browsers at risk.
7) PC Software Because a PDF’s URI can be crafted with malicious JavaScript code, it can take advantage of applications that are installed on a PC. The open parameters within PDF URIs allow commands to be sent to the program when the file is opened. The most commonly installed software on computers, such as PDF viewers, are targeted because of this integration with the OS.
8 ) PDF Usage Essential to business industries and government agencies, PDF usage goes hand in hand with the format’s ubiquity and credibility. Being transmitted, viewed and stored between databases that hold sensitive and confidential information, the PDF format makes an ideal format for attackers to use.
9) Lack Of Security Settings Obviously, on the more simple PDF creation level, a lack of PDF security settings makes all the difference. The PDF content itself is vulnerable to being manipulated without customized file usage restrictions, passwords, high encryption strength, and digital signatures. The basic one step PDF creation process isn’t a strong defense when it comes to protecting your PDF content.
10) PDF As An Email Attachment Something wrong always happens when it comes to emailing a PDF. When receiving a PDF file via email, the PDF is first stored before it can be opened in a designated viewer. Needless to say, attackers use this characteristic process to execute their attacks from the local host.
11) PDF Specification Having the PDF specification published makes it easy for developers to create third party tools for the PDF format and its software applications. However, it also means that it’s easy for attackers to generate malevolent uses for the PDF and develop work-arounds to manipulate regular PDF functionalities.
12) User Habits Another reason why hackers target this format is simply because not many people update their PDF software on a regular basis. While attackers try to find weak spots in the latest software, their past work can still do damage on systems via PDF applications that haven’t yet been updated.
13) PDF Features and Functions The PDF imports and integrates many functionalities that make it inherently vulnerable and prone to exploitation. The more the PDF format advances in form and function, the more opportunities there are for exploiting the format.
As more PDF related flaws are being exploited quicker than they are being patched, it’s important to keep an eye out for these things as nothing digital is ever completely safe.
Tuesday, December 18. 2007
Outfitting your computer with the latest software can be expensive. Time and money aren’t things to be wasted. With sky rocketing prices for desktop applications, you need to arm yourself with the right alternatives.
Fortunately, there is a great alternative out there: the Internet. As hard as it is to believe, just by surfing around online, you can access most of the desktop app functionalities you need without shelling out a cent.
To prove it, here’s a list of 25 online alternatives for the most popular desktop applications that you use, want and simply must have when working online. | Application |
Online Alternative |
Description | | Microsoft Office 2007 | Google Docs | Google Docs includes the same creation applications for creating word documents, spreadsheets and presentations as MS Office. | | Adobe Photoshop CS3 | Splashup | Splashup
is an online photo image editing app that contains similar photo
editing tools found in Photoshop CS3 and can integrate seamlessly with
popular photo sharing services. | | Microsoft Visio 2007 | Gliffy | Gliffy has the basic functionalities to create and share quality flow charts, complex diagrams or technical drawings. | | Adobe Acrobat 8.1 | iConv | Create PDFs from a variety of formats by simply uploading your file. No registration, installation or cost required. | | Apple 1 Password Manager and Form Filler 2.5.7 | clipperz | With clipperz, you create direct log in links for your online accounts. Just log in once to clipperz to access them. | | Apple Aperture 1.5 | Flickr | A
popular online photo management and sharing site. With a free basic
Flickr account, you can upload photos via email or the upload webpage. | | Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 | Gmail | Gmail accounts have tons of space, instant messaging, built in search technology, no banner ads, and available in 40 languages. | | Vista | YouOS | YouOS
is a virtual OS that you can customize without the hefty price or
desktop trappings. A combination of OS functionality and web access, it
still has the same look and feel of a desktop. | Adobe Dreamweaver CS3
Adobe Flash CS3 Professional | app2you | This
neat web service allows you to create your own simple web application
without any coding or web designing experience whatsoever! | | Desktop calculators | InstaCalc | InstaCalc
is an advanced web based calculator. Send a link of your calculations
to others or embed a calculator into your own website. Other features
include unit conversions and programming commands. | MS Outlook
HP fax machine
Printing paper | FaxZERO | With
this internet faxing service, you can send digital documents within
Canada and US for free. Just upload the document and you’re set. | SharpReader (Windows)
NetNew Wire (Mac OS X)
Straw (Linux) | Netvibes | Netvibes
is a nifty RSS reader and web home page. Stay connected to everything
online at all times--catch up on blogs, facebook, to-do lists, news and
weather. | | Website Analysis Software | Google Analytics | This
online tool allows you to keep track of your website and how it’s being
accessed. Track content views or the amount of time spent on the site. | MSN Messenger
Google Talk ICQ
AIM Jabber
Yahoo! | meebo | A
web portal for instant messaging, meebo lets you have the same online
chats, but without the download. Access Google talk, msn, Yahoo!,
jabber, ICQ and AIM from any computer. | | All desktop tools | Sosius | Sosius
has all the essential desktop tools online: calendar, file management,
rss feeds, projects, file management, databases, and collaboration and
messaging tools. | | Desktop Task Lists | Ta-da List | This
is an online to-do list that you can easily access and share with
others while online. You can even check your lists on an iPhone when
you’re on the go. | | Desktop Task Lists | Backpack | Like
Ta-da List, Backpack is a to-do list web tool, but more dynamic and
complex. Create pages of to-do lists with images, set up text message
alerts or even share your pages with others. | | Microsoft OneNote 2007 | Stikkit | Stikkit
is a simple online alternative that creates "little yellow notes that
think". The notes are sharable and accessible anywhere. | | Apple MindManager 7.0 Mac | Bubbl.us | This web application allows you to brainstorm online when you need to map out projects or make long term business plans. | | Microsoft Money Plus Premium | Wesabe | Part
financial application and part user community, Wesabe combines both to
provide you with communal tips and forums so you can keep track of your
spending habits. | | MS Excel 2007 | chartAll | chartAll.com
is a free online web service where you can create, store and publish
simple charts from your own data sources. Charts can be customized with
colors, themes, and fonts. | | MS PowerPoint | Preezo | As
the website says, “Preezo is an Ajax web application that gives you the
power to create and share professional quality presentations over the
web without software or plugins. Goodbye, PowerPoint. Hello, Preezo!” | | Adobe LiveCycle ES | Wufoo | From job applications to customer surveys, Wufoo lets you create forms quickly and easily with an HTML interface. | Excel spreadsheets
Invoices
Financial software | PayPal | PayPal acts as the go-between that connects you and online recipients. An online must-have when making business purchases. | USB storage devices
Hard drive storage space | DivShare | Simply upload and share your media and document files online to free up storage space on your computer. |
Who says saving money is hard? Just by looking at the desktop applications you can do away with, you can save a bundle. Most desktop applications can range anywhere from $100 to $1, 000. Compare that to the price of using online applications: $ 0.
So the next time you think of buying another desktop app, think twice—think “online”. Because the more you ditch the desktop, the more you save!
Bonus Tip: For heavy users of PDF who don’t want to keep their data in PDF, Investintech offers PDF to Word Converter solutions in its products such as Able2Extract and Able2Doc. The PDF to Word focused solution is a robust one that performs conversions quickly, easily and above all, accurately.
Wednesday, December 12. 2007
If anything, Adobe’s latest move in the desktop to web app trend has us thinking of what desktop applications aren’t online. And likewise it has us asking ourselves, which desktop applications should be online applications? The most versatile? The most expensive? Perhaps one that serves all your entertainment fixes and work needs?
While support for certain features and the speed of sending and receiving files pose a problem in shifting completely from desktop to online applications, there are desktop applications everybody is itching to have online--without the trappings of a desktop product.
So to get ahead of the digital trends of the times, we’ve compiled a list of 11 desktop applications that should be online applications.
1. Adobe Acrobat Professional 8.1-- This is one desktop application that does everything you'll ever need to do when it comes to the PDF. In addition to being a versatile PDF creation application, its latest document sharing and collaboration features make it an ideal choice for accessing and working with PDFs online.
2. iWork '08--While there are web based creation applications already online, you sometimes need the productivity suite that you're used to using—unlimited in function. iWork ’08’s interface, export features, layout templates, access to media, and graphic tools make this suite a good online addition not only for Mac users, but online users as well.
3. Able2Extract Professional 5.0-- With the growing amount of PDF content on the web, getting full desktop converters online, such as Able2Extract Pro 5.0, is now a must. Its advanced conversion features to document and image formats along with its simple GUI would make this desktop app a powerful easy-to-use online converter.
4. iTunes 7.5—A media application that organizes and plays all your MP3s, movies and files. Although the amount of data is always a negative when it comes to online accessing, you sometimes need personal file collections at your finger tips. Shifted to the web, this application would work well as a personal media storage space that would be as accessible as your email.
5. Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2-- Digital cameras and photo publishing have made this versatile desktop application another online must have. Its support for over 50 formats, tabbed interfaces, auto compression, integrated email function, and its Express Lab mode, give it huge potential for online usage for digital photo sharing and simple usage without the huge price.
6. Flash Player -- Applications built on the Flash platform are nearly everywhere online. Less than 1 MB in size, its vector-based display makes it ideal for scaling and delivering media experiences with a small bandwidth.
7. Privacy Guardian 4.1-- Supporting the widely used Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera and Mozilla Firefox browsers, Privacy Guardian 4.1 gives you privacy on a shared computer by permanently deleting your Internet activity--the data cookies, browser history and cache. It’s functions and small size make it perfect for one time online purposes.
8. VLC Media Player 0.8.6d—While multimedia demanding desktop apps are a long way from acquiring the necessary bandwidth to play quality media, turning those entertainment habits into online user experiences is inevitable. This video media player supports a wide range of various audio and video formats, and its support for DivX, MP2, MP3, MP4, and DVD formats would make it a great working web app for moving all your movie entertainment online.
9. Adobe Dreamweaver CS3--A powerhouse web design desktop application that allows you to work with popular HTML, XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, Ajax, and PHP web technologies in either a visual layout interface or streamline coding environment. And in addition to workspaces and advanced features, Dreamweaver’s ability to integrate with other Adobe design software make it worthy for online usage.
10. IrfanView 4.10--This graphic viewer would work well as an online Swiss army knife for all the simple manipulations you might have to perform on different file formats. Supporting a wide range of media to image formats, IrfanView 4.10 lets you view, edit, play, and convert a number of formats you can find online—BMP, JPG, GIF,TIFF, PSD, EPS, PNG, AVI, MOV, PSP, SWF. It even offers a number of plug ins for other format functionalities.
11. Audacity 1.2.6—With this sound editor and recorder that supports WAV, AIFF and MP3, you can create, edit, mix tracks, add effects and bass boost to MP3, WAV and AIFF audio files, select different types of track displays, and export into different audio formats. Audacity’s multiple editing features would make it a flexible online application for audio editing.
With all your hankerings for desktop application features in digital design, editing, document conversion and publishing, what does your list look like?
Tuesday, November 27. 2007
When it comes to the environment, it’s difficult to make big changes on your own. You can’t singlehandedly clean every littered street in the city, nor can you make everyone take public transportation during the rush hour home. Nope, you’re forced to make changes on a smaller scale.
This, however, is a good thing. There are so many little things you can do to help save the environment. Moreover, you don’t even have to get up to do them--you can do them in front of your own computer. How?
From changing your working habits to modifying the technology you use, here are 30 tips to help save the environment from right in front of your computer.
1) Work Digitally—The number one environmentally-friendly-paper-reducing tip. Use word processing applications when you can to avoid numerous hard copies and drafts.
2) Computer Parts—Simply buying, donating and recycling your computer can save on the huge amounts of waste, material and toxic by-products that are produced in the process of creating them. Company sites such as Dell, HP and Apple have web pages dedicated to recycling information that can steer you in the right direction.
3) Subscribe and Email—Computers are great, if not made, for such things. Subscribe to your favourite newspapers and newsletters via RSS and email. This is a sure fire way to cut down on the paper waste you throw away everyday after only one reading.
4) Work At Home—One of the best things about working with computers is that you can work from home by accessing your office PC. By working at home, you can bypass your contribution to the amount of exhaust emissions produced by driving in to work every day.
5) Write a Letter to Your Congressman—Get proactive. If you have opinions and ideas about the environment, write and email a letter to your congressman expressing your concerns.
6) Stock Your Printer With Used Paper—When it becomes absolutely necessary to produce a printout for drafts and records, print double-sided on used paper.
7) Use A Notepad—When you have to jot things down while working online, eliminate the use of sticky notes, paper pads, and scrap notes. Keep your research work organized, paper-free and desktop convenient by using the notepad on your computer.
8 ) Use An Efficient Power Strip—Is there such a thing? Yes. There are efficient power strips on the market that can actually stop idle currents from being drawn by unused electronics. Using smart power strips for computer devices that you constantly use, forget to unplug and turn off will save on the excess electricity you’re not using.
9) Unplug Adapters— Most adapters left plugged in (like the ones used for laptops) will still draw on an electric current that makes them feel warm to the touch after a few hours. If you don’t want to spend the money on an efficient power strip, simply unplugging them completely will eliminate any excess power consumption.
10) Unplug Your Cell Phone Charger—While it’s common to leave your phone charger plugged in, get into the habit of unplugging it when it’s done charging to conserve on energy. You can even try finding a USB compatible charger for your phone in order to charge it off your computer instead of using an extra power source.
11) Save On Screen Savers—When customizing your desktop, use screen savers that aren’t too heavy in graphics because, while they may save your monitor, they still need the electricity to be displayed.
12) Optimize Power Settings—An obvious tip on saving energy: optimize your computer’s power settings. Here are energy saver tips if you’re a Windows user or a Mac user.
13) Download Your Software—Instead of buying packaged software, download it instead and save on all the fancy packaging material. As an added bonus, doing so will eliminate the weeks of waiting for your software to travel in the mail. A win-win situation!
14) CO2 Saver—This is an application that monitor s and adjusts the amount of energy your computer consumes. This is a great way to start gauging how much damage your computer does and how much you’ll need to change your habits in order to fix it.
15) Adjust Working Conditions—When computers get hot from long periods of usage, it can get pretty uncomfortable without the air conditioner on. Instead of cranking up the AC, open up a window or wear layers that you can peel off and begin eliminating your contribution to CFC levels in the atmosphere.
16) Add More Green At Your Computer Station— More eco-friendly than an air purifiers that run on electricity, adding plants to your work space can be a healthy, efficient and natural way of detoxifying air pollutants at the office.
17) Use Coffee And Travel Mugs—Who doesn’t have a nice hot cup of Joe when settling down in front of the computer first thing in the morning? Unlike the paper cups from a coffee shop, travel and coffee mugs are reusable, washable, durable and refill-able.
18) Learn About The Environment Online—Being in the know about environmental facts is the first step you can take to helping the environment on your part. Visiting educational websites where you can learn about major issues and concerns are good places to start.
19) Get Up To Speed With Environmental News— Another way to start helping the environment is by being aware of developments that are going on in it. Right beside CNN on your RSS feed, add ENN, the Environmental News Network where you can get current up to date information.
20) Yahoo! Green—Yahoo! has gone green with Yahoo! Green, a website on all things environmental. This site contains a ton of resources, including environmentally friendly tips and cost cutting tricks that you can put into practice.
21) Use Black Google—It is said that computer pages with more white in them consume more energy. True or false? According to articles and blogs, the answer is it depends upon the type of monitor being used. So when spending countless hours on Google, take a look and give Black Google a try on your monitor.
22) Use Rechargeable USB Batteries—Take re-charging batteries to a whole new different level by using re-chargeable USB batteries. That’s right. They come in the popular AA size and work like regular USB keys that you plug into USB ports to charge them up. They're compatible with most of your gadgets and your computer.
23) Blog Action Day--Getting involved is the important part of the battle, no? This is getting digitally easier with Blog Action Day. Inaugurated just this year on October 15, Blog Action Day is an annual, one day event when bloggers all over the world blog about the environment, spreading environmental awareness one blog at a time.
24) Use Your Computer As A TV--If you’re going to watch TV while working on your computer, use the computer to do both and save on energy consumption. Avoid using multiple devices when one will suffice. This goes for music, video games and movies as well.
25) Read ebooks—As an avid reader, you can play your environmental role by keeping your reading habits paperless and bookless. It’s a small step, but a good way to start saving the amount of trees being cut down for the pages you read in a long novel.
26) Online Shopping Receipts—Constantly printing a hard copy receipt when shopping online can create even more paper wastage than a simple one from a cash register. Keep your receipts digital by saving the webpage via the browser on a portable storage device or on your hard drive.
27) Use Your Laptop Efficiently—If you’re a laptop user rather than a desktop one, use it efficiently to save on the amount of energy used in charging your battery. Cut down on the use of high demand activities or ones running in the background, defrag it on a regular basis for faster performance and use the more energy efficient hibernation mode instead of standby.
28) USE PDF Forms—Whenever possible, opt to fill out forms online and back it up digitally to save on printing paper. Go one step further and convert your PDF Forms into Word and fill them out there.
29) Go Portable—Laptops are being made lighter these days. This makes it perfect for taking notes in classes or conferences, saving on paper and time wasted in transcribing them into digital format.
30) Simply Browse the Internet—Ad clicking is growing in popularity, and now it’s being creatively used in a different way-- to raise funds for certain charities, environmental ones included. By creating an account at an Internet charity site, you can help an environmental charity of your choosing. With your computer clicking and Internet browsing , a portion of the advertising revenue goes to charity.
This just goes to show that if you can be creative in your day to day computer habits, you can help save the environment.
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