December 2007

We are now a registered Microsoft Financing provider. As such, we can submit finance applications on behalf of our clients. Now, you can finance any hardware, any software, and consulting service labor through this program. So, if you need some computer stuff but need to pay for it over time, let us know and we can get it financed for you through Microsoft Financing.

Here is another quick keyboard shortcut for you: Windows-D. The Windows key is usually found in the lower left of your keyboard between the Ctrl and Alt keys. Press and hold the Windows key and then press the D key to show your desktop and minimize all open application windows. A second Windows-D will restore all windows. I remember it because D means Desktop. (Last month we did Windows-L, which was to Lock the desktop.)

Did you know you can restrict your Google search to a specific site? Simply enter your keywords and then add site:domain.com. For example, if I wanted to search for the keyword "shortcuts" within web pages found from Microsoft, I would enter the following into the Google search box "shortcuts site:microsoft.com" In fact, there are many advanced Google search techniques.... read the full text for more.

So, voice-over-ip or VOIP is becoming more popular. It is a technology that transmits phone calls over the internet instead of the traditional "analog" phone network. It has been popularized by companies like Skype and Vonage, however, it can be used in business as well as for home. Advantages can be cost savings and dramatic flexibility. Disadvantages can be call quality and reliability. But implemented properly, the flexibility is really hard to beat and good call quality can be achieved. We recently converted our firm from traditional analog phones to a voip solution. For our experiences, caveats, and opinions, read the full text article.