Microsoft Office

From Microsoft Office labs: When thinking about the future of productivity in light of Millennials entering the work force, their gaming behaviors (Fully 97% of teens ages 12-17 play computer, web, portable, or console games according to PEW internet survey from September 2008, and virtual worlds creation tools are available for toddlers ) and boundaries between work, fun and personal facets of life are increasingly blurred. It is interesting to look at the traits of game play and how we might extrapolate those concepts into the productivity space.

On October 23, Office Labs, EE and UX Central hosted Seattle’s Interaction Design Association (IxDA) meeting on Microsoft’s Redmond, WA campus. We had great attendance of about 100 people who enjoyed delicious food, great conversations, and interesting speakers. The speakers were well received and the enthusiastic audience wouldn’t let them leave until well after the event.

The topics that were explored in the presentations were all about games:

Mark Long, founder and co-CEO of Zombie Studios illustrated parallels between story telling in cinema and games and described how to create immersive experience through narrative.

George Amaya, a user researcher at Microsoft Game Studios talked about his research into party and social games (yes, drinking helps to make the game better).

Daniel Cook, author of LostGarden.com talked about application design for saving a princess.

From the Access Team Blog: Today’s guest writer is Liam Cavanagh from the Sync Framework and SQL Services team. They are doing some cool stuff that allows Access developers to store their app and data in the cloud using SQL Server Data Services. Liam is looking for people that want to beta test an upcoming release early next year. –Clint

Today at PDC we are announcing Codename “Huron”, a set of synchronization experiences built on top of the sync functionality in SQL Data Services’ cloud database and the Microsoft Sync Framework to provide business database sharing. Business database sharing offers a simple way to scale data to large numbers of users while not parting from the investment made in current technologies. It also enables users to subscribe and then edit the data locally in the format of their choice whether that is Office Access, SQL Server Express or SQL Server Compact and then push changes into SQL Data Services. The first end-to-end experience we will provide is for Office Access and will allow users to:

Publish databases to the cloud along with reports, forms and objects
Subscribe to published data and automatically configure the local database for sync
Make online changes through SQL Data Services and propagate those changes to subscribed users once they connect
Enable scheduled and background synchronization of data changes through SQL Data Services and then on to other subscribed users
Backup and restore of database applications to the cloud
If you are interested in joining our early beta, please email DataLabs@Microsoft.com with “Huron beta” in the subject. For more information on Codename “Huron”, please visit http://msdn.microsoft.com/sync

Microsoft Sync Framework is a comprehensive synchronization platform that enables collaboration and offline access for applications, services and devices. It features technologies and tools that enable roaming, sharing, and taking data offline. Using Microsoft Sync Framework, developers can build sync ecosystems that integrate any application, with any data from any store using any protocol over any network.

A key aspect of the Microsoft Sync Framework is the ability to create custom synchronization providers. A provider is a software component that represents a replica for synchronization. A replica is a particular repository of information to be synchronized, such as a file system on a handheld device. When representing a data source, a provider enumerates changes from its replica. When representing a destination, a provider applies changes to its replica. If the data at the source and destination differ in type or schema, each provider performs any necessary mapping or transformation.

bThis is the first community prototype from Office Labs. Community prototypes are projects Microsoft employees work on in their spare time. Speed Launch’s goal is to let you get to the stuff you use faster and with less frustration.

Why do I need Speed Launch?
Work faster and with less frustration. Speed Launch gives you lightning quick access to all the documents, files, and websites you use often. In the past when you used something a lot you might have created a desktop shortcut, added it to your IE favorites, or placed it on your quick launch bar. Speed Launch allows you to create centralized shortcuts to all the stuff you need and allows you to access them effortlessly.

What is Speed Launch?
Speed Launch is an application launcher that extends the functionality and usability of Microsoft Windows. With Speed Launch, users can select their own words to open frequently used websites, documents, and applications. The most compelling feature of Speed launch is the use of a drag and drop interaction model to make this advanced functionality more intuitive to novice computer users.

How is it used? How does it work with Windows?
Speed Launch is a downloadable program available at www.officelabs.com. After you’ve download Speed Launch, simply drag the file, document, or website url onto the Speed Launch bull’s-eye to create a Speed Launch shortcut. From then on, any time you need to access that file, document, or website, just hit “Windows+C”, type the shortcut name, and what you need will immediately appear.

Is there a shortcut key to open the launcher?
Yes. Use “Windows+C”.

How do I use Speed Launch to open multiple things?
Drag the first item on to the bull’s-eye and give it a name. Next, drag the second item on to the bull’s-eye and give it the same name. When you do this, Speed Launch will give you the option to replace or merge the two items, choose merge. Now, hit “Windows+C” and type the name. Speed Launch will open both items.

Is there a limit to how many items a single Speed Launch shortcut can open?
Not that we know of

I notice that Speed Launch comes with some shortcuts that allow me to search websites. How do I use them?
Speed Launch comes preloaded with a few useful fucntions. For example, to search Wikipedia just type “Wikipedia Search” and hit enter. Next, type what you want to search for in the new window and hit enter. Speed Launch will open the related Wikipedia page.

Cool! Can I create my own “functions”?
Yes… but it’s a little tricky. You can watch the video below for a walk through (and some good music). In short, go to the results page (e.g., search for the information you are looking for) and, if the search term appears in the URL, you can drag it on to the bullseye to create a function. Name it with a period (e.g., “MySearch.”) which tells Speed Launch you want a function, and follow the prompts. We will make this easier in the future, but our current focus is in making the basics as easy as possible.

Vern Yip, a former “Trading Spaces” interior designer whose work is now featured on HGTV’s “Design Star” and “Deserving Design,” offers tips for good home office design.

 Pick a space with good natural light
- Good lighting, in a home or business, is one of those things that goes unnoticed — if it’s done well. You only notice the lighting of a room if it’s too bright or too dim, not if it’s just right.
- You can add variety by using different types of fixtures and having illumination flow in different directions.
 Determine your design style
- Determine how you want your home office to look and how you want to feel while you are in your space.
- Accessories are a great way to showcase your personality and individuality.
 Use natural colors and textures
- Coordinate the finishes of materials.
- Balance the visual weight of pieces with the size and height of the room. Strong, simple fabrics and large pieces of art also anchor a room without adding visual clutter.
 A little technology goes a long way - Look at digital solutions for scanning in receipts, keeping notes and managing information instead of having boxes of paperwork and notebooks lying around.
- Find technology that helps your business look more professional and get great results faster.
 Make the space work for you- A clear desk is directly related to your productivity. Clutter free = stress free!
- Whenever possible, store regularly used items where you use them most.
- Choose furnishings for function as well as beauty.
 Place something organic in your space
- Bring something from nature indoors. Live plants go a long way toward making a space more inviting, natural and homey.
- There are plants that can live in virtually any environment — ferns can thrive in low light, orchids bloom for up to eight weeks and can go two weeks without watering, for example.
 Always place imagery that inspires you
- Whether it’s family photos, pictures of your friends, trips or pets, make sure to be surrounded by what matters to you most.
 Work in colors that stimulate you
- Choosing the right color is important — people react to colors differently — some people are energized by red, some people find it relaxing.
- Nothing changes the look and feel of a room as dramatically as color, so updating the walls can make a big change to any room.

Microsoft works collaboratively with educators across Higher Education and K-12 to provide software plus services aimed at enhancing the learning environment and streamlining the operations of institutions.

This site is your resource for webcasts, podcasts, and other valuable information to gain insights into how Microsoft and Microsoft Partner solutions can help enable learning in the 21st century.

What’s coming up:

Are you up to date on US Education Market Trends and Microsofts EDU Priorities and Vision?

Live Oct 3 10:00AM-11:00AM Pacific Time

Education is the foundation for success and the link between employability and economic output. Public education is under much pressure for change in order to deliver a 21st Century Workforce able to flourish in the global economy. These trends are driving Microsofts education focus and business opportunities in key areas. This webcast launches our Partner Webinar Series and sets the stage for all future webcasts. In this session, we will scratch the surface on trends Microsoft is seeing and that research groups (e.g., Center for Digital Education) have confirmed. These trends represent the drivers behind substantial business opportunities we see for Microsoft-based solutions and they have played a role in the development of Microsofts education marketing campaigns that will help support the business.

Speakers:
Mary Cullinane—Director, Innovation and Business Development
Anthony Salcito—General Manager

Live@edu Overview
Live Oct 6 9:00AM-10:00AM Pacific Time
Looking for innovative solutions for keeping your students and alumni connected? Learn about Live@edu, Microsoft’s newest platform for delivering student and alumni email, communication and collaboration services. Join us for this one hour presentation on Microsoft’s Live @ EDU offering that offers:

The Apps students want

A co-branded email inbox students can use as their primary account, with additional services like Office Live Workspace, Windows Live SkyDrive, and more of things that encourage collaboration.

Integration with what you have in place

Live@edu works with the devices your students already use, and integrates with the infrastructure you already have.

Reliable Infrastructure

Outsource the time and cost of spam-filtering, server uptime and ongoing maintenance to Microsofts enterprise-class infrastructure.

Safety and Privacy

Keep your students data private and help keep them safer online. All for free to your institution!

Speakers:
Jonny Chambers—Senior Solution Specialist - Live@Edu

Open, edit, and save documents, workbooks, and presentations in the file formats new to Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007.

Overview
Users of the Microsoft Office XP and 2003 programs Word, Excel, or PowerPoint—please install all High-Priority updates from Microsoft Update before downloading the Compatibility Pack.

By installing the Compatibility Pack in addition to Microsoft Office 2000, Office XP, or Office 2003, you will be able to open, edit, and save files using the file formats new to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007. The Compatibility Pack can also be used in conjunction with the Microsoft Office Word Viewer 2003, Excel Viewer 2003, and PowerPoint Viewer 2003 to view files saved in these new formats. For more information about the Compatibility Pack, see Knowledge Base article 924074.

Note: If you use Microsoft Word 2000 or Microsoft Word 2002 to read or write documents containing complex scripts, please see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925451 for information to enable Word 2007 documents to be displayed correctly in your version of Word.

Administrators: The administrative template for the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint converters contained within the Compatibility Pack is available for download.

System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000 Service Pack 4; Windows Server 2003; Windows Vista; Windows XP Service Pack 1; Windows XP Service Pack 2
Recommended Microsoft Office programs:

Microsoft Word 2000 with Service Pack 3, Microsoft Excel 2000 with Service Pack 3, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 with Service Pack 3

Microsoft Word 2002 with Service Pack 3, Microsoft Excel 2002 with Service Pack 3, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2002 with Service Pack 3

Microsoft Office Word 2003 with at least Service Pack 1, Microsoft Office Excel 2003 with at least Service Pack 1, and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 with at least Service Pack 1

Microsoft Office Word Viewer 2003

Microsoft Office Excel Viewer 2003

Microsoft Office PowerPoint Viewer 2003

Instructions
To install this download:

Ensure your system is up to date by installing all High-Priority/Required updates on Microsoft Update (required for Microsoft Office XP and 2003 users).

After installing all High-Priority/Required updates with Microsoft Update, download the Compatibility Pack by clicking the Download button above and saving the file to your hard disk.

Double-click the FileFormatConverters.exe program file on your hard disk to start the setup program.

Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

To remove this download:

On the Windows Start menu, click Control Panel.

Select Add/Remove Programs.

In the list of currently installed programs, select Compatibility Pack for the 2007 Office system and then click Remove or Add/Remove. If a dialog box appears, follow the instructions to remove the program.

Click Yes or OK to confirm that you want to remove the program.

What’s that thing on your to-do list that just stays there? That task you know needs to get done, but it’s just out of your comfort zone or just nags at you.

Or perhaps you want to provide your services for some $$$ to those folks who need some help.

It could be something small like:

Translate a letter
Copyedit that report
Research a company
Re-design your stationary
Update a Web site
Something else……?

With Microsoft’s new Task Market, you can find folks who would be happy to take those assignments on.

How Task Market Works :

Poster: Post a Task
It’s free! Describe your task by filling out a simple form.

Solver: Get Started
Create a profile to describe what you can do. Subscribe to e-mail alerts to get notified when new tasks are posted.

Poster: Find a Match
Review profiles of interested freelancers and give your favorites permission to match with you. The first one to commit starts work.

Solver: Find a Match
When you’re found an interesting task, request the poster’s permission to learn more and work on it. When you want to commit, “Take the task” to begin work.

Poster: Review Solutions
Communicate privately to collaborate on solutions. Pay only when you’re satisfied.

Solver: Solve the Task
Upload solutions and discuss them privately with the poster.

Poster: Make Payment
Pay your Task Solver via PayPal, the most trusted name in web transactions.

Solver: Get Paid
Set up a PayPal Business Account and get paid when the poster accepts your solution.

About Task Market
Microsoft Task Market connects small businesses with skilled freelancers for marketing and other document help such as graphic design, writing and editing, document translation, and creating or enhancing presentations and spreadsheets. By focusing on tasks accomplished using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Access, Task Market makes it quicker and easier for small businesses to get their task done.
Task Market is a “tech preview”, which means the site is in its infancy and still evolving. If you have feedback or suggestions, we would love to hear what you have to say. Send us an e-mail with your thoughts!

Microsoft Task Market Tech Preview does not charge to use the site. Posting a task is free. Task Market also does not charge freelancers who solve tasks; however, PayPal does charge a fee for transactions to their Business Accounts. When you receive money through the Task Market site, you may be subject to PayPal’s fee.

Registration Information
Creating an account on Task Market allows you to post tasks, solve tasks, create a public profile, and subscribe to e-mail notifications to find out about newly-posted tasks. Registering is free and easy, and requires signing into the site with a Live ID account. You will also be asked to choose a username and supply an e-mail address to receive task updates.

From Susan Stainsby, Start the year off right with tips from a teacher and some great resources to help you get started.

what are the five most important things a parent can do to prepare their child for a successful school year:

Tip 1: Read
“It’s one of the best ways to keep a child’s mind sharp when he or she is not in school,” says Catlyn.

One activity that I enjoy doing with my kids is spending an afternoon at our local library or bookstore. Both of my kids were really excited to get their own library cards, too.

If you are looking for some great book ideas to fill out your kid’s reading list, here are some great resources:

2008 Notable Children’s Books, American Library Association (ALA)
Best Books for Young Adults 2008, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
Booklists for every age and interest, National Education Association (NEA)
Also, be sure to check out Nancy Pearl’s list of favorite authors, inspire your kids with Book Crush, or join the Book Lust online communities.

Tip 2: Make sure your child gets enough sleep
Sleep experts from the National Sleep Foundation say that kids need their rest to perform well at school. Follow their practical tips for setting your kids’ back-to-school sleep clocks at least two weeks before the school year begins.

“So many students come back to school — and sometimes remain this way throughout the school year! — on the same sleep schedule they had during the summer,” Catlyn says.

Tip 3: Emphasize the positive
“Kids pick up on your attitude,” Catlyn explains. “If you complain about shopping for back-to-school clothes and supplies, they’ll pick up on it. If you speak negatively about your child’s teacher, they will start the year thinking negatively about him or her.”

For me, part of the fun of parenting is trying to figure out what excites my kids. I want them to understand that learning isn’t a “job” that ends on a graduation day; it’s something that we all do every day for life and it is enjoyable!

(more…)

Evaluate Microsoft Server Products and you could win a Server for your home

“Evalu’08” REGISTRATION PROMOTION
OFFICIAL RULES
UPDATED June 30, 2008

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. PROMOTION PERIOD:

The Promotion begins at 12:00:01 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on February 27, 2008, and ends at 11:59:59 pm (PT) on September 30, 2008 (“Promotion Period”) and consists of the following three (3) separate Sweepstakes with unique methods of entry (see “How to Enter” section below):

Zune Sweepstakes,

Xbox 360 Elite Sweepstakes; and

Windows Home Server Sweepstakes .

Each Sweepstakes will consist of thirty-two (32) separate Weekly Prize Periods.

For each Sweepstakes, Prize winners will be selected from among all eligible entries received during each Weekly Prize Period. Each Weekly Prize Period begins at 12:00:01 a.m. PT on Wednesday and ends at 11:59:59 pm PT on Tuesday throughout the Promotion Period. Non-winning entries will carry over to subsequent Weekly Entry Periods.

HOW TO ENTER: For each Sweepstakes, there are two ways to enter: on-line or via U.S. Mail.

Zune Sweepstakes
To receive one (1) entry into the Zune Sweepstakes, you must navigate to the Promotion web site and evaluate one (1) product as described below. Limit one (1) entry per person in the Zune Sweepstakes.

Xbox 360 Elite Sweepstakes
To receive one (1) entry into the Xbox 360 Elite Sweepstakes, you must navigate to the Promotion web site and evaluate two (2) products as described below. Limit one (1) entry per person in the Xbox 360 Elite Sweepstakes.

Windows Home Server Sweepstakes
To receive one (1) entry into the Windows Home Server Sweepstakes, you must navigate to the Promotion web site and evaluate three (3) products as described below. Limit one (1) entry per person in the Windows Home Server Sweepstakes.

To evaluate a product you must visit http://www.microsoft.com/infrastructure/evalu08 and either download one of the posted Evalu’08 trial products posted, or download one of the posted Evalu’08 “V-Labs”. All Evalu’08 Products and V-Labs are available for free on a trial basis online at: http://www.microsoft.com/infrastructure/evalu08. To access the online registration form, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your Windows LIVE™ ID. You can register for a free Windows Live ID online at: https://login.live.com/. Once you have completed all required fields, checked the “Yes, I want to register and receive the benefits” box, and submit your registration, you will automatically receive credit for one (1) product evaluation. Limit of three (3) product evaluations per person.

To enter each sweepstakes via U.S. mail without evaluating a product as described above, you must hand print your first and last name, street address and daytime phone number on a 3″ x 5″ piece of paper and mail your entry in a #10 envelope with sufficient postage to: Evalu’08 Registration Promotion, P.O. Box 1213, Lombard, IL 8213.. Mailed entries must indicate on the outer envelope which sweepstakes the entry is for and must be postmarked by September, 30 2008 and received by October 7, 2008. Limit one mail in entry per person per sweepstakes. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, mutilated, incomplete, postage due or misdirected mail/entries.

If there is a dispute about who the email address or entry belongs to, the entry will be deemed to be submitted by the name indicated on the entry form. No automatic, programmed, robotic or similar means of entry are permitted and individuals engaging in such practices will be disqualified. The use of automated or third party software or web sites to enter is prohibited. Any other attempted form of entry is prohibited. By entering, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of the judges, which shall be final and binding in all respects.

ELIGIBILITY:
THE PROMOTION IS NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. U.S. GOVERNMENT/EDUCATION PARTNERS OR CUSTOMERS: U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ARE INELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROMOTION.

Each Sweepstakes is a trade promotion and is only open to legal residents of the 50 United States (includes D.C.) who are at least 18 years of age and are employed as IT professionals or software developers (or in a IT or software development role) or have experience and/or knowledge necessary to use one of the following 15 Microsoft Products: SQL 2008,Visual Studio 2008, Windows Server 2008, Expression, BizTalk Server 2006, ILM (Identity Lifecycle Manager, Active Directory Rights Management Services, Forefront Security for Exchange Server, Forefront Security for SharePoint, Forefront Client Security, Internet Security and Acceleration Server, System Center Configuration Manager 2007, System Center Operations Manager 2007, System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) 2007,System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007.

Employees of Microsoft Corporation and any person engaged to work on this promotional program and each of their respective affiliates, parent companies, subsidiaries, promotion, advertising, promotional agencies and members of their immediate families (biological, step or in-law) including parent, grandparent, child, sibling or spouse of any of the foregoing (regardless of where they live), or households of any of the above, whether related or not, are NOT eligible to participate.

Please Note: It is the entrant’s sole responsibility to review and understand their employer’s policies regarding eligibility to participate in trade promotions such as this one. Please verify that your receipt of this prize would not violate your company’s internal policies regarding receiving prizes of this type. If you are participating in violation of your employer’s policies, Microsoft may disqualify you from entering this Promotion or receiving prizes. Microsoft is not liable or responsible for any disputes arising between you and your employer related to your participation in this Promotion, and Microsoft will only award prizes in compliance with your employer’s policies.

WINNER SELECTION/PRIZES: For each Sweepstakes, one (1) winner will be chosen in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received during each Weekly Prize Period. Each Weekly Prize Period begins at 12:00:01 a.m. on Wednesday and ends at 11:59:59 pm on Tuesday throughout the Promotion Period. Non-winning entries will roll over into subsequent Weekly Prize Periods. All drawings will be conducted by Wunderman, an independent judging organization, whose decisions will be final and binding in all respects. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received for each sweepstakes’ weekly prize period.

Zune Sweepstakes
Thirty-two (32) Prizes. A 4GB Zune digital media player (Approximate Retail Value (ARV), $150 each). Total ARV of all prizes to be awarded in this sweepstakes: $4,799.68

Xbox 360 Elite Sweepstakes
Thirty-two (32) Prizes. An Xbox 360 Elite console (ARV, $449 each). Total ARV of all prizes to be awarded in this sweepstakes: $14,399.68.

Windows Home Server Sweepstakes
Thirty-two (32) Prizes. A Windows Home Server (ARV, $600 each). Total ARV of all prizes to be awarded in this sweepstakes: $17,919.68.

Check out Style Fix.

I downloaded and tested Apple’s Safari beta 3 for Windows a few days ago. It was claimed to be faster than Internet Explorer and Firefox, more secure, etc.

What a disappointment! I used Safari on OS X and it was “OK”. For my first attempt on Windows using Safari, it loaded pages terribly slow - which was a bad sign from the start. I shut it down and reloaded it. It was the same, slow, boring browser it has always been.

I don’t like Internet Explorer 7. I tend to stick to version 6. Version 7 seems slow to me.

Firefox is my choice for everyday use on nearly any platform. I’ve tried Opera - and really like it - but the fonts render visuals I’m just not used to.

Apple’s Steve Jobs is hoping for a future where only two browsers are being used to surf the web - Safari and Internet Explorer. He actually thinks that Safari will take over the Firefox and Opera market share. What in the heck is he thinking??? Steve, put the bag and pipe away before you deliver your next keynote address.

Choose Firefox. Stick with it. Open source software is a great choice on any project and Firefox is winning the browser wars, so far. Cheers!