Cool Stuff!

 

 

I have been using computers since the first Commodore 64 hit the market. So that’s about 23 years. I went from that computer to a PC using DOS and then to Windows 3.0. My first Internet experience was via Prodigy and WordStar was the first Word Processing program I used. I never looked at a manual and only consulted a help file in cases of absolute desperation. I’m just a “roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty” kind of learner.

 

Recently I was helping a friend of mine set up her profile on Elance.com and I realized that a lot of us tend to learn this way when it comes to computers and other tech tools. I have become really good at the tools I use a lot. My friend is good at the stuff she uses a lot. But there are also a lot of basic tools and methods that we don’t use because we never realized they were there.

 

So I decided to slow down and check out the basics of some of the most common tools that every VA needs to use. Wow! There’s some really cool stuff there that I never knew about!

 

Windows – I discovered that there is just a ton of cool stuff In the Windows Help and Support Center (In XP Click Start > Help and Support, probably similar in Vista). Check out Windows Basic and Protecting your PC: Security Basics.

 

Internet Explorer 7: Check out the Tour under the Help Menu and Add-Ons – some cool stuff I never knew was there!

 

MS Office – In any Office application, go to the Help Menu and click on (product) help. In the sidebar, that comes up click on Training and it will take you to Microsoft Office Online. There are some cool free self-paced training courses for Office programs plus some other (yep, you guessed it!) cool stuff!

 

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! I never knew that the basics could be so fun!

 

If you have any cool tips for maximizing the tools we use everyday – please share them!

 

TheNerds.net – for Cool Computer Stuff!

Founded in 1997, the Nerds at TheNerds.net have worked to put together one of the largest selections of computer parts and accessories in this country. Their commitment to excellence has shone through to millions of on-line customers. They understand that pricing is a huge concern to all and have pledged to take the responsibility of pricing their products appropriately.

Their product line includes Creative Labs, Diamond, ATI, Hewlett-Packard, Intel and more, and customers can rest assured that all purchases are backed by the “The Nerds”, as well as the manufacturers they represent.

Service is, and will continue to be, the key to “The Nerds” success. Their dedication and support will make “The Nerds’” your only on-line store for computer hardware, software, and accessories.

Their mission statement, “Buy with Confidence – Guaranteed,” means you get the privacy, security, and customer care you need when purchasing online. Not only do they offer fast, easy, and hassle-free online shopping, but they also have a dedicated team of real folks in their toll-free Customer Care center to lend a helping hand – the internet can sometimes be a crazy place!

What makes them unique?

• Over 125,000 name brand computer products
• Industry-leading prices
• Helpful, knowledgeable Customer Care Representatives
• Secure (SSL) and private online transactions
• Optional overnight delivery
• No surprises at checkout
• Email confirmation of orders and shipment
• 24 hours a day, 7 days a week online ordering
• Hassle-free exchanges or returns
• Inventory updated daily
• Direct manufacturer support
• Direct shipper support
• Featured product sections
• Powerful, flexible search capabilities
• Acceptance of most major credit cards
• No sales tax outside FL

Backup Your Business!

I started off with Mozy Free but moved up to Mozy Unlimited. Mozy Free offers 2 GB of automatic, secure online backup for free. Mozy Unlimited offers unlimited, secure, reliable online backup for $4.95 a month. Both services allow you to perform an unlimited number of restores via the web or Windows Explorer.

If you are one of the lucky ones who have never lived through a hard drive crash, then take it from someone who has. Without Mozy, I could have lost my business. Literally. I would have lost client files and information and a lot of it could not be replaced. I don’t think my clients would have been very happy with me and they certainly would not trust me anymore. It just is not worth the risk! Check out Mozy and give yourself a(nd your clients) peace of mind!

Mozy Online Backup is the preferred choice by Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal, Christopher Null of Yahoo! Tech and winner of the PC Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award. It is the most secure, feature rich and inexpensive backup service in the world. It’s easy to use too!

Skype, Skype, Skype, Not just another VOIP service.

Do you want to appear more professional to your clients and yourself? Does the idea of a second phone line sound expensive and time consuming? Then SKYPE it!!

Skype is a very affordable solution to gaining a second phone line in your home without the hassle of ordering a second line from the phone company or ordering another brand of VOIP. Skype allows you to place and receive calls directly from your computer using your current headset or one specifically set up for Skype.

Skype offers a service called SkypeIN that gives you your own online business phone number and you can accept calls from any landline or mobile phone. SkypeIN has phone numbers in 21 countries around the world. Service can be bought on a monthly subscription at $60 for 12 months or $18.00 for 3 months. Not too bad on the pocket book there!

Making calls out to landlines and cell phones in the US and Canada is just as easy. It’s called SkypeOUT and extremely affordable. Unlimited (10,000 minutes) calls to numbers in the United States and Canada is only $2.95 a month, plus they offer discounts if you pay in advance for a 3 or 12 month subscription. Wow!! What a deal!! If you need to make international calls Skype has plans to cover that as well.

Using Skype is as easy as using an instant messaging service. Their service is very clear and sharp. Your phone only rings when it is connected. It is mobile so if you have a laptop it can travel with you too! If you are not online or not available a client, customer, friend or family member can leave a message; although I wouldn’t give the number out to friends and family if you want to keep your business separate. Skype also offers call control and caller id so callers will know who is calling them or not, whichever you prefer. If you don’t like to use a headset, why you wouldn’t I couldn’t guess, then Skype also offers cordless phones specifically designed to work with your home network and computer. You can be hands free from the computer and multi-task to your heart’s content. What more could a VA ask for?

So, for approximately $7.50 a month, when paying for a 12month SkypeIN and SkypeOUT subscription, you can have your own business phone line that is portable, convenient, and inexpensive while projecting the kind of image every Professional VA wants their clients to see. It will build confidence in your professionalism with current and potential clients.

Check out www.skype.com for more information and to get set up!