Microsoft Office

CherylE over on the Office Live Small Business blog has some great tips and hints on how to give advanced design features a try.

You shouldn’t be scared to play with these features. Most of them affect only one Web page at a time, so you can add a new page and play as much as you want without risking any of your existing Web page customizations.

Turn on and find the advanced design features
Let’s take a look at easy ways for you to take advantage of the advanced design features. The only thing you need to do to see all of these features is to activate them in your Office Live Small Business account. This activation is an option in the Site actions drop-down list at the top of Page Manager. For more detailed instructions about activation, see “Activate the advanced design features.”

OK, they’re activated. So where can you find them? They’re sprinkled throughout the Web design tools in new menu options and new tabs in dialog boxes that you’re probably already using.

New design tabs for existing modules
Even without activating the advanced design features, you can create a form on one of your Web pages that collects data for a list in one of your business applications. For example, the owner of the Fourth Coffee site adds a form to collect online orders for pots of coffee to go. For more information about adding a form to a Web page, see “Collect customer information through a Web page.”

Forms are added to a Web page using a form designer module. When you activate the advanced design features, a new tab is added to the Form Designer dialog box. This tab, named Layout, includes several new design options for your form. Don’t get scared away when you first open the tab. The second and third design options require writing XSLT code. The first option, however, is a list of new form layout templates. You can select any one of the four templates to quickly give your form a whole new look by automatically aligning all of the items in the list. To see how a form appears with each of the templates applied, see “Customize a form on a Web page using the advanced design features.”

You can also display a list from one of your business applications on a Web page without using any advanced design features. For example, the owner of the Fourth Coffee site displays the dates and times for concerts at his store on a Web page named Events. For more information about displaying a list to a Web page, see “Display a list to your public Web site.”

Lists are added to a Web page using a list publisher module. When you activate the advanced design features, a new Layout tab is also added for this feature. This tab also allows you to edit XSLT code, but the first option is to apply one of four list layout templates. With a single selection, you can completely change the look of the list on the page. To see how a list appears with each of the templates applied, see “Customize a list on a Web page using the advanced design features.”

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If your computer is connected to the Internet while you are using the programs in the 2007 Microsoft Office system, you already see the latest Help articles. If your computer is not connected to the Internet, you see the Help articles that were included on the 2007 Microsoft Office system CDs. If you can’t connect to the Internet while you are using an Office program, you can now see the latest Help articles by downloading and installing updated Help files.

The updated Help files have new and revised articles for all of the 2007 Office release programs. These Help articles were created and revised in response to the feedback that we received from you on Microsoft Office Online and Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN).

Download and install the updates
Do one of the following:

If you are using Microsoft Windows Vista, run Windows Update by clicking the Start menu, clicking All Programs, and then clicking Windows Update. In the Windows Update window, click View available updates, and under Office 2007, select the check box next to each set of updated Help files that you want to install. Click the links in the “Help updates by program” section.

Note If you aren’t using Windows Vista and Windows Update, there is no option to download multiple updates at the same time.

For Microsoft XP download here

Is it impossible to retrieve your information afterward? Not 100 percent, but Lum says that unless the CIA is after you, you should be in the clear after using one of these disk-erasing tools that are available for download online:

Active KillDisk: This free hard-drive eraser overwrites data using zeros. You can upgrade to the professional version that conforms to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) standards.
Softpedia/DP Wiper: IT consultant Daniel Gresser recommends freeware programs from Softpedia, like DP Wipter, which overwrites in from one to 35 passes and has DOD-compliant wiping.
WipeDrive: WipeDrive overwrites your data as many times as you like and runs a verification test.
“Always keep a record of where all important files are stored,” says Gresser, who recommends deleting each file by dropping it into DP Wiper and selecting the type of wipe required.

Unless you take the hard drive out and keep it, to get a PC ready for sale, Gresser suggests that PC users delete the following using DP Wiper or a similar program:

Everything in My Documents folder.
All temporary Internet files.
All cookies.
All files relating to personal and financial matters that may have been stored in folders other than My Documents.
All e-mail: Outlook Express users need to search for and delete .dbx files and Outlook users need to search for and delete .pst files. This will send them to the recycle bin for secure deletion. Also, remember to remove all e-mail account settings and passwords.

It’s no secret I use a tablet pc in my work as a blogger/writer. This set of tips from TipTalk is highly recommended. Although they discuss Office 2003, I’ve been successful with my tablet and Office 2007.

Too many meetings and increasing responsibilities mean I need to make the best use of my time as possible—without sacrificing quality. Saving bits of time can add up to a lot at the end of the day. I use the Tablet PC as my only computer and throughout the day it helps me work more efficiently and quickly.

For example, do you edit business documents—memos, presentations, manuals, or other documents? If so, the ability to mark up documents in digital ink with your Tablet PC, and send those marked documents electronically, is incredibly useful. I can type edits onto a document, but there are several reasons that I find using digital ink more helpful.

Ink markups on text document better convey the intentions of my points. I can draw arrows, circles, and use paint-style highlighting on the page to better communicate my edits. When I’m done, I can share the edited document electronically with anyone. Learn more about using ink in Microsoft Office Word.
I often edit while I’m commuting or out of the office, perhaps at home in a comfortable chair. Typing can be difficult with a conventional laptop keyboard perched on my lap. The Tablet PC interface is easier to use, and more relaxing. It is just like marking up a paper document on a notepad in my lap, and just as comfortable.
If I’m in a meeting it’s easier to edit related documents. With the Tablet PC, I don’t need to bring out a noisy keyboard-based laptop. I can make my edits in pen with the Tablet PC in my lap or on the table like a paper pad.
There are several programs you can use to mark up your documents. Word 2003 and 2007 come fully pen-enabled for marking up documents, as do Excel and PowerPoint.

After 2 betas I’m glad to announce the release of the Microsoft Outlook Connector 12.1 – the add-in that puts your Windows Live Hotmail data in Outlook. Outlook Connector 12.1 provides a great synchronization experience with e-mail, contacts, and the free Windows Live Calendar service. Download it now!

As part of the 12.1 release, we have also made improvements to the e-mail and contacts synchronization that make this version of the connector faster and more robust. Thank you to everyone who contacted us and gave us feedback and suggestions during the beta period of the release.

What is Windows Live Calendar and how does it interface with Outlook?

For those who are new to the Windows Live Calendar, it features a fast and functional Ajax user interface that provides a rich experience on the web (visit http://calendar.live.com and check it out for yourself). It also supports some great new features that make the experience in Outlook even better. For example, you can have multiple calendars on Windows Live Calendar and each of them will synchronize to Outlook with the Outlook Connector 12.1. Windows Live Calendar supports calendar sharing as well. Shared calendars to which you have access will also synchronize with Outlook.

If you are a user of the Outlook Connector 12.0 it is worth noting that the Outlook Connector 12.0 and the Outlook Connector 12.1 synchronize calendar data against two separate calendaring services.

Outlook Connector 12.0 synchronizes with the MSN Calendaring service (a MSN Premium service only).

Outlook Connector 12.1 synchronizes with the free Windows Live Calendar service.

After installing Outlook Connector 12.1, it will upload your appointments and meetings to your new Windows Live Calendar. At that point the Outlook Connector will no longer synchronize with the MSN Calendar service.

In order to make sure that all of your calendar items on the MSN Calendar service are correctly migrated to the Windows Live Calendar, you should follow these steps:

With Outlook Connector 12.0 installed, synchronize your calendar with the MSN Calendar service one last time.

After synchronization is complete, do not create new items on the MSN Calendar site. If you do, you will have to synchronize again using Outlook Connector 12.0 before migrating to 12.1.

Install Outlook Connector 12.1.

Boot Outlook. At this point, the Outlook Connector 12.1 will upload all of your appointments and meetings to your new Windows Live Calendar.

You should choose the correct version of the Outlook Connector depending on the Calendar you are using.

If you plan to continue using the MSN Calendar service you need to keep using the Outlook Connector 12.0.
If plan to use the Windows Live Calendar service you need to install the Outlook Connector 12.1.
How do I get the Outlook Connector 12.1?

There are two easy ways you can install the Outlook Connector 12.1.

If you are currently using the Outlook Connector 12.1 Beta you will be notified that you need to upgrade to the latest version of Outlook Connector the next time you boot Outlook.

You can download and install the Outlook Connector 12.1 here.

Outlook Connector 12.1 brings a new level of reliability and stability when viewing and using your Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Calendar in Microsoft Outlook. Download it and start using it today!

“So, what are Building Blocks?”
In the simplest terms, Building Blocks are reusable chunks of a Word document. They can contain any thing a Word document can contain, including pictures, shapes, fields, and even other building blocks.

“Sounds a lot like AutoText, how is this different?”
In many ways, Building Blocks are an extension of AutoText. However, you can do a few things with building blocks that you can’t do with AutoText. My personal favorite is that you can define how building blocks insert. AutoText always inserts inline, but you can tell building blocks to insert in a new paragraph, or even on a new page.

A great example of this is when you are working on a paper, and you would like to add a cover page. Instead of scrolling to the top of the document, adding a page break and formatting your own cover page, you can simply go to the Insert ribbon and pick a cover page.

No matter where you are in your document, the cover page will get inserted at the beginning of the document, without messing up the formatting of the rest of your paper. In addition, if you right click on a cover page, you can insert it in all kind of other places too, like the beginning of the current section.

“They sound neat, but what would I use them for?”
Building blocks can be used to save anything that can be in a Word document. Personally, I like to use them for complicated things, like cover pages. Sometimes I spend a long time getting things just right, and I’d hate to have to do it again, so I save it as a building block. You can also use them to create powerful, multipurpose templates, but that is a topic for another post.

“Ok, I’m convinced, but it sounds like a lot of work to get started”
Actually, Word comes with more than 50 different building blocks designed by professionals here at Microsoft. If you visit the Insert ribbon, you can check out cover pages, text boxes, header, footers, and more.

That’s just a quick intro. Over the next month or so, I’ll cover quick ways to insert Building Blocks, using Building Blocks to make powerful templates, and more. If you want more information today, feel free to check-out these posts from Zeyad and Jonathan by clicking the link above and moving to the bottom of the post.

From MSN Careers: Most job seekers know that to land an interview they need more than a strong résumé. They need a well-written cover letter to go with it. That doesn’t stop them from trying to brainstorm any excuse they can to avoid having to write one.

Writing a cover letter shouldn’t be difficult or time consuming, even though many job seekers mistakenly believe it is. If a person has 15 minutes to spare, he has enough time to write a cover letter, according to Farr.

Fifteen minutes?!

“You can write a cover letter that is personal and effective in about 15 minutes. It may take you longer at first, but after a few times, you should understand the process well enough that you’ll be able to quickly create the letter, review it and send it to employers,” says Farr.

His process for crafting a quick and effective cover letter includes the following steps:

Write to a particular person
Whenever possible, avoid writing “To whom it may concern” or other impersonal openings. Instead, make an effort to find out who the hiring manager is. Call the company or research on the Web. In the case of a “blind ad,” a generic salutation will have to do.

Provide a friendly opening
In addition to stating why they have sent their résumé and cover letter, job seekers should remind the reader of any prior contact they may have had. For example, “I am following up on the brief phone chat we had earlier today,” or “I enjoyed our conversation at the recent CPA Society meeting and, as you suggested, I am forwarding my résumé with this letter of interest in joining your organization.”

Personalize your content
Job seekers should steer clear of merge mailings that allow them to send the exact same letter to multiple employers. Hiring managers can see right through these and are seldom impressed. It’s important that whoever receives the letter believes it was written specifically to him.

Target your skills and experience
Include any relevant background or achievements that may be of particular interest to the employer. To know which details to include, job seekers must have a little knowledge about the organization. This can be gathered from Internet research or talking with people who are familiar with the organization or its staff members.

Close with an action statement and contact information
Never leave it up to the employer to make the next step. Job seekers should express an interest for further contact and say which steps they will take next. For example, “I will contact you next week to request an interview for current or future positions. Feel free to contact me sooner at (555) 348-7987.”

This is beyond me, but it may help some of you out there. From the Excel Blog: Today’s author, Steve Tullis, a Program Manager on the Excel Services team, talks about the various load balancing schemes available for Excel Services.

I have received a number of questions in the past few weeks about the load balancer administration options available for the Excel Services custom load balancer. Here’s the scoop: the settings account for the “OpenWorkbook” method when first accessing Excel Services. Once you have an active session with a workbook, additional requests from that user will always be sent to the ECS on which the “OpenWorkbook” request was handled.

So, why do we have three options – Workbook URL, Round Robin, and Local? The options are meant to provide the admin better control over the resource usage on his/her farm. An explanation of each option follows:

Workbook URL: Arguably, this provides the most efficient use of your hardware. Requests are sent from the WFE to an ECS based on a hash of the URL. This ensures the same ECS will always handle requests for the same workbook – regardless of the user making the request. Which means a workbook will only ever be retrieved from SharePoint once – until it is pushed out of the cache, or the file changes in SharePoint.
Round robin: Each OpenWorkbook request goes to the next ECS in the rotation. The result is that the same wb can be loaded from SharePoint N times, where N = the number of ECS machines in your farm. Keep in mind two things: (1) requests against an active session will always return to the same ECS, and (2) if the wb is cached on the ECS when an OpenWorkbook request arrives, it will be loaded from cache provided the file has not changed in SharePoint. The benefit with this option is that each concurrent request goes to a different server; thus, theoretically, queues on the server (CPU, I/O) will be shorter, thus requests can be handled more efficiently. The effectiveness of this is dictated by the composition of your workbooks (wbs with very long running calculations tend to invalidate this).
Local: This setting ensures ECS processing happens on the same WFE machine which received the request, which requires that the ECS service must be running on every WFE. Again, the same wb can be loaded N times, where N = the number of ECS / WFE machines in the farm. The benefit here is, theoretically, performance. By running the ECS on the WFE, and reducing the # of server-to-server hops, end user performance should be faster. The cost is in retrieval from SharePoint & cache size due to the potential of the same wb being open on multiple WFEs.

From Project 2007 blog: You’ve spent hours in Microsoft Office Project 2007 hand-crafting a project plan that you’re pretty sure must be glowing because it’s so darned brilliant. All of the start and finish dates line up perfectly, your resources are balanced with reasonable workloads, and the costs are well within budget. People are talking about your Incredible Plan, and now Pete, your manager, wants to take a look at this work of project management genius. Your options for sharing your project plan with Pete depend on what he has available for viewing the plan.

Scenario 1: Pete has Project 2007 installed

As you might expect, this is the simplest scenario. You created your plan in Project 2007, and Pete has Project 2007 installed. If your organization is using Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, Pete can simply open the project from the server, or, if you’re not using Project Server, you can send him the .MPP file as an e-mail attachment. If you think that Pete will want to make changes to your plan as he’s reviewing it, you might consider checking the project out and saving it for sharing.

Scenario 2: Pete has Project 2003 installed

If Pete has Project 2003 installed on his computer, he can use a converter to open a Project 2007 file in Project 2003. He needs to make sure he has Project 2003 Service Pack 3 installed, which contains the converter. Once that’s installed, Pete can open a Project 2007 file in Project 2003 as a read-only file. Here’s a big catch though: if your plan relies on any of the features that are new in Project 2007, those features won’t be available when Pete opens the file in Project 2003. So depending on how much of your plan’s brilliance is being derived from the new Project 2007 features, you may want to go a different route.

Scenario 3: Pete doesn’t have Project installed

Pete’s a reasonable guy. He knows that the project managers on his team rely on Project 2007 for scheduling tasks and tracking resource usage, but he’s just not into it himself. If he had Project installed, he wouldn’t use it nearly enough to warrant the license, so he’s chosen not to install it. In this case, you have to cater to his situation: you’ve got a project plan that he can’t currently open on his computer.

What’s the solution for sharing the plan with him?

· Project Web Access. If your organization is running Project Server 2007, you could publish your project plan, and then suggest that Pete view the plan by logging on to Project Web Access.

· Trial version. If Pete doesn’t mind temporarily installing Project 2007 for the purposes of viewing your project plan, he can download and install the trial version of Project 2007. Once activated, the trial version provides full functionality for 60 days at no cost.

· Copy project data. If Pete really just needs to know the basics, you can copy your project data into another Office application, such as Excel 2007.

· Soft copies. The next section talks about ways to provide Pete with your project information as hard copies, printed out on paper to put on the desk in front of him. For most of these options, you could also choose to provide Pete with soft copies, either attached to e-mail messages, shared on a network, or brought to him using other file sharing means (USB flash drive, burned CD, Windows Mobile device, etc.).

From inside office online: Another recent post from our fellow Office Onliners in the UK that caught my eye this week.

Phil Evans gives some quick advice and links to favorite free templates for newsletters and cards. Whether you send them via post or email.–Doug

Newsletters

- Keep it short. I tend to keep it no longer than one page. This strikes a good balance between giving you enough space to write something interesting, but not overwhelming people.

- Keep it interesting. Think about what your audience will find interesting in your life this year, and write according to that. Throwing in one or two short, humorous anecdotes will also help keep people reading.

- If you’re going to print it, do it on paper that is easy on the eye. I once had an aunt who used to print her newsletter on the most horrendous pink, yellow and red paper. With patterns down the side. You know, I’m not sure I ever got to find out what had gone on in her life, as immediately after opening the newsletters I usually fell into seizures induced by the paper.

- Add photos or clip art (or both) to bring what you’re talking about to life and break up the text.

- Don’t get bogged down in the process of trying to create it from scratch. Download a template, customize it to fit your needs, and Bob’s your uncle.

Cards

I’m consistently amazed by the ridiculous prices that shops can command for small pieces of card at this time of the year. I’m also amazed at the amount of paper that is wasted each year, given how much we are all trying to avert a global warming-induced wasteland. With these two things in mind, you should remember that with Office you can create your own cards, create as many copies as you need, and save yourself a bundle. You can then email them to some or all of the people on your list. And, if you do want to print them, many of the Office card templates work with the specialty papers (card, envelopes, labels, etc) that you can buy at the shops - so your card will look pretty professional.