When using Microsoft Word or OpenOffice Writer you can easily move a paragraph around by putting the cursor anywhere in the paragraph you wish to move, then use the following key combinations to move the paragraph.
In Word: Hold the Alt then the Shift key and use the Up and Down arrows to move the paragraph up or down with respect to other paragraphs.
In Writer: Hold the Alt and Ctrl keys and use the Up and Down arrows to move the paragraph up or down with respect to other paragraphs.
This will also work with respect to automatically numbered paragraphs, which will be renumbered accordingly.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
State of the Industry
ACSS on the State of the Industry
Every now and again I take the opportunity to rant to everyone on the ACSS Newslist. I don't mean to discourage people from reading the newsletters, but I hope that some on the list will find something of interest in my occasional diatribes.
(Pre-PS. Please, don't anyone write me about grammar mistakes. I just wrote this up quickly and didn't proof read it. -- Thanks!)
WINDOWS vs OS X or LINUX
In the latest issue of Redmond Magazine, there were a number of letters to the editor concerning the editor's criticisms of Mac computers. First off, I must praise Redmond Magazine for giving credit to Linux, Unix and OSX. Unfortunately, the bottom line, as expected, for Redmond Magazine is that Microsoft's Operating Systems are the best. That aside, here is my rant...
In their letters the readers stated that they have advised and would continue to advise others to buy a Mac. The reasons varied from security, no viruses, no spyware, stability, to all the above. Although Macs are rather pricey, the value is worth it in the long run.
Now, I'm not a huge Mac fan, although I use a Mac. I have my issues with Apple, as well as with Microsoft. Personally, I think Linux is a more viable option for most any home user and for many business users - a lot depends on the software one needs. Unfortunately, Linux doesn't have a huge marketing department behind to convince users that they NEED a Linux computer. Actually, it's good that Linux doesn't have such a strategy. But that's another discussion. Nonetheless, Linux has lately made huge inroads as Dell now officially sells computers with Linux installed, and Walmart sells Linux computers. In fact, ASUS - a major computer builder and seller - has had a run on it's mini notebook computers, all of which are Linux based. They can't even keep them in stock in the stores.
ALTERNATIVES
In the same vein I would like to talk about Microsoft's Office Suite. You know, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. Over the years I have repeatedly advised people to give OpenOffice (and it's other incarnations such as StarOffice and NeoOffice) a try. In most cases people have been opposed to switching as they feel they would have to learn to use a new product. However, it is intereresting that some of the same people are now gong-ho about switching to Microsoft Office 2007. There is a major learning curve when switching to Office 2007, while OpenOffice is much more similar to the familiar versions of Microsoft Office. Not to mention that OpenOffice is more secure and FREE.
But OpenOffice isn't just the only option out there.
FUTURE OF COMPUTING?
And this takes me into a discussion on the possible future of computing - a future that has already arrived.
Office applications such as Word and Excel as I have just pointed out are not just restricted to Microsoft products. There are a number of online services that can provide users with the same text editing and spreadsheet programs. Below I've provided a list of those services that I have personally tried out and my opinion of each. One of the big issues with online services is what can you do if there is no Internet connectivity. As you will see, this is an issue that these services are tackling.
NB! You will have to register for any of these services.
Microsoft Live Office: http://www.officelive.com
This might be a good way for people to try out Microsoft Office 2007. Personally, I found the online version slow to start up. Once it's going though it's OK. Microsoft is currently working on a solution to allow users to work offline.
Ulteo: http://www.ulteo.com
After you login to Ulteo you will be presented with 2 options: a full desktop running on Linux; or just OpenOffice.
In the first case you will be able to run not just office applications, but also numerous other programs. This might be a great way for people to get a little bit acquainted with the Linux experience. Nonetheless, I found the option of a full desktop to be overkill, but not too bad. All in all, both the Ulteo desktop and OpenOffice were rather slow. Also there isn't an offline mode yet and I don't know if there working on one.
ThinkFree: http://www.thinkfree.com
ThinkFree is one of the better services. I really like ThinkFree. Unlike the prior two ThinkFree is the only service that enables offline work and synchronization. That is, when offline all your work will be synced up to their servers as soon as your back online. In order to enable syncing you will have to download a tool for that. The syncing tool is available for all platforms: Microsoft, Mac and Linux.
Google Apps: http://www.google.com/a
My favorite service of them all is Google apps.
I like Google Apps because they are quick to load and easy to use. Offline work is currently available only for Google Docs. But it is expected to apply to all their applications eventually. In order to have this capability, though, one needs to install Google Gears.
A final note is that only Ulteo and Google Apps allowed me to spellcheck in most any language. This was very important to me.
OTHER GOOGLE GOODIES
Perhaps my preference for Google Apps has to do with all the other goodies Google provides. In brief here are those I really recommend.
Google Sync for Firefox
I use a lot of different computers. My work laptop, servers at work, a desktop computer at home, etc. Sometimes I need access to my Internet Bookmarks. And I need the same ones on all computers. By using Firefox and installing Google Sync, my Bookmarks are kept in sync on all the computers. There are other ways to accomplish the same thing, but this is my favorite.
Google Calendars
On more than one occasion I have lost a drive. And with it I have lost my calendars. Only recently I discovered that I can use my Google Calendar to set up everything, and then I can subscribe to my Google Calendar on my computers. Thus regardless of whether I lose all my data, I merely have to subscribe to my Google Calendars again and there are all my events. Also, by updating the events in my Google account, they are synchronized across all computers.
Plaxo
This final goody I wish to plug is Plaxo, which is totally unrelated to Google. Again, should my computer go down I might lose my entire Address Book. However, by syncing my Address Book up with Plaxo, I can ensure that my Address Book is saved and can be synchronized across all computers.
Every now and again I take the opportunity to rant to everyone on the ACSS Newslist. I don't mean to discourage people from reading the newsletters, but I hope that some on the list will find something of interest in my occasional diatribes.
(Pre-PS. Please, don't anyone write me about grammar mistakes. I just wrote this up quickly and didn't proof read it. -- Thanks!)
WINDOWS vs OS X or LINUX
In the latest issue of Redmond Magazine, there were a number of letters to the editor concerning the editor's criticisms of Mac computers. First off, I must praise Redmond Magazine for giving credit to Linux, Unix and OSX. Unfortunately, the bottom line, as expected, for Redmond Magazine is that Microsoft's Operating Systems are the best. That aside, here is my rant...
In their letters the readers stated that they have advised and would continue to advise others to buy a Mac. The reasons varied from security, no viruses, no spyware, stability, to all the above. Although Macs are rather pricey, the value is worth it in the long run.
Now, I'm not a huge Mac fan, although I use a Mac. I have my issues with Apple, as well as with Microsoft. Personally, I think Linux is a more viable option for most any home user and for many business users - a lot depends on the software one needs. Unfortunately, Linux doesn't have a huge marketing department behind to convince users that they NEED a Linux computer. Actually, it's good that Linux doesn't have such a strategy. But that's another discussion. Nonetheless, Linux has lately made huge inroads as Dell now officially sells computers with Linux installed, and Walmart sells Linux computers. In fact, ASUS - a major computer builder and seller - has had a run on it's mini notebook computers, all of which are Linux based. They can't even keep them in stock in the stores.
ALTERNATIVES
In the same vein I would like to talk about Microsoft's Office Suite. You know, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. Over the years I have repeatedly advised people to give OpenOffice (and it's other incarnations such as StarOffice and NeoOffice) a try. In most cases people have been opposed to switching as they feel they would have to learn to use a new product. However, it is intereresting that some of the same people are now gong-ho about switching to Microsoft Office 2007. There is a major learning curve when switching to Office 2007, while OpenOffice is much more similar to the familiar versions of Microsoft Office. Not to mention that OpenOffice is more secure and FREE.
But OpenOffice isn't just the only option out there.
FUTURE OF COMPUTING?
And this takes me into a discussion on the possible future of computing - a future that has already arrived.
Office applications such as Word and Excel as I have just pointed out are not just restricted to Microsoft products. There are a number of online services that can provide users with the same text editing and spreadsheet programs. Below I've provided a list of those services that I have personally tried out and my opinion of each. One of the big issues with online services is what can you do if there is no Internet connectivity. As you will see, this is an issue that these services are tackling.
NB! You will have to register for any of these services.
Microsoft Live Office: http://www.officelive.com
This might be a good way for people to try out Microsoft Office 2007. Personally, I found the online version slow to start up. Once it's going though it's OK. Microsoft is currently working on a solution to allow users to work offline.
Ulteo: http://www.ulteo.com
After you login to Ulteo you will be presented with 2 options: a full desktop running on Linux; or just OpenOffice.
In the first case you will be able to run not just office applications, but also numerous other programs. This might be a great way for people to get a little bit acquainted with the Linux experience. Nonetheless, I found the option of a full desktop to be overkill, but not too bad. All in all, both the Ulteo desktop and OpenOffice were rather slow. Also there isn't an offline mode yet and I don't know if there working on one.
ThinkFree: http://www.thinkfree.com
ThinkFree is one of the better services. I really like ThinkFree. Unlike the prior two ThinkFree is the only service that enables offline work and synchronization. That is, when offline all your work will be synced up to their servers as soon as your back online. In order to enable syncing you will have to download a tool for that. The syncing tool is available for all platforms: Microsoft, Mac and Linux.
Google Apps: http://www.google.com/a
My favorite service of them all is Google apps.
I like Google Apps because they are quick to load and easy to use. Offline work is currently available only for Google Docs. But it is expected to apply to all their applications eventually. In order to have this capability, though, one needs to install Google Gears.
A final note is that only Ulteo and Google Apps allowed me to spellcheck in most any language. This was very important to me.
OTHER GOOGLE GOODIES
Perhaps my preference for Google Apps has to do with all the other goodies Google provides. In brief here are those I really recommend.
Google Sync for Firefox
I use a lot of different computers. My work laptop, servers at work, a desktop computer at home, etc. Sometimes I need access to my Internet Bookmarks. And I need the same ones on all computers. By using Firefox and installing Google Sync, my Bookmarks are kept in sync on all the computers. There are other ways to accomplish the same thing, but this is my favorite.
Google Calendars
On more than one occasion I have lost a drive. And with it I have lost my calendars. Only recently I discovered that I can use my Google Calendar to set up everything, and then I can subscribe to my Google Calendar on my computers. Thus regardless of whether I lose all my data, I merely have to subscribe to my Google Calendars again and there are all my events. Also, by updating the events in my Google account, they are synchronized across all computers.
Plaxo
This final goody I wish to plug is Plaxo, which is totally unrelated to Google. Again, should my computer go down I might lose my entire Address Book. However, by syncing my Address Book up with Plaxo, I can ensure that my Address Book is saved and can be synchronized across all computers.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Windows and OSX Updates
WINDOWS VISTA USERS
Microsoft has finally released SP1 for Vista. I have installed it on one computer so far and there have been no adverse effects. That, of course, is no guarantee. So, I would advise all Vista users to be prepared for your computer to tell you it has updated itself or is ready to install an update. This update, by the way, is being released outside the normal Patch Tuesday schedule that Microsoft normally follows.
NB! Apparently this update is only for certain languages. I have noticed that there is still no SP1 update for Russian Vista for example.
MAC OSX USERS
For those Mac users who are using NeoOffice, a major upgrade has been releaed. The current version is now 2.2.3. If NeoOffice hasn't informed you itself, you can check whether you are up-to-date by going to Help > Check for Updates.
After updating to 2.2.3, you will also need to update to Patch 2.
I have noticed that NeoOffice starts up much quicker under the new version, so I highly recommend upgrading!
Microsoft has finally released SP1 for Vista. I have installed it on one computer so far and there have been no adverse effects. That, of course, is no guarantee. So, I would advise all Vista users to be prepared for your computer to tell you it has updated itself or is ready to install an update. This update, by the way, is being released outside the normal Patch Tuesday schedule that Microsoft normally follows.
NB! Apparently this update is only for certain languages. I have noticed that there is still no SP1 update for Russian Vista for example.
MAC OSX USERS
For those Mac users who are using NeoOffice, a major upgrade has been releaed. The current version is now 2.2.3. If NeoOffice hasn't informed you itself, you can check whether you are up-to-date by going to Help > Check for Updates.
After updating to 2.2.3, you will also need to update to Patch 2.
I have noticed that NeoOffice starts up much quicker under the new version, so I highly recommend upgrading!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Patch Tuesday
Windows Users
Tuesday, April 8 is patch Tuesday. Time to update all your Microsoft software. Most computers will probably do this automatically.
If you have questions about manually updating your computer, just give me a write.
This month Microsoft is issuing 5 critical patches and 3 important ones.
Critical
There 2 critical patches for all versions of Microsoft Operating Systems.
And there are 2 critical patches for Internet Explorer.
For users of Microsoft Project post 2000 version, there is a critical patch. Make sure you install it, if you are using Project.
Important
The important patches cover pretty much all Microsoft Operating Systems. The important point is that you do your updates.
Tuesday, April 8 is patch Tuesday. Time to update all your Microsoft software. Most computers will probably do this automatically.
If you have questions about manually updating your computer, just give me a write.
This month Microsoft is issuing 5 critical patches and 3 important ones.
Critical
There 2 critical patches for all versions of Microsoft Operating Systems.
And there are 2 critical patches for Internet Explorer.
For users of Microsoft Project post 2000 version, there is a critical patch. Make sure you install it, if you are using Project.
Important
The important patches cover pretty much all Microsoft Operating Systems. The important point is that you do your updates.
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