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Create Excel Spreasheets More Quickly

by Yehuda Cagen 26. August 2010 06:43

 

 

Do you spend too much time and energy typing information in an Excel spreadsheet?

 

Would you like faster way to do this?

 

How about sequential information - like numbers or dates?

 

Houston computer service expert Cheryl Smith shares a few tips: 

 

For Repeated data:

 

  1. Enter the first data in cell desired.
  2. Highlight all cells in which you want this data to appear
  3. Use function command: Control D, Control F or Edit Fill

 

For Sequential data:

 

1.       Enter the first data preferred such as; January, Monday, or a date 8-25-2010 etc.

2.       Click at the bottom of this cell allowing the Fill Handle (black cross) to appear

3.       Drag this handle to the end of desired cells; this will automatically fill in the information for you.

 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask our Houston IT support experts in the “Ask The Experts!” box on the right.

 

We hope you have found this information helpful. If you would like to learn more about this subject, please feel free to contact us:

 

·         Questions about this article?

·         Suggest a topic

·         Learn more about our Houston IT Consulting

 

Using Animation in PowerPoint

by Yehuda Cagen 9. August 2010 12:17

 

 

 

 

See the above video for tips on using animation in PowerPoint.

 

Animation is one of the most abused tools in PowerPoint. Unless you’re discussing the wind, having text “woosh” in is probably unnecessary.

 

The same rule can be applied to sounds effects.  Most of the sounds included in PowerPoint are not recommended for professional use. Breaking glass, whistle blowing and cars screeching should not be used unless it is the exact affect you are looking for.

 

We hope you have found this information helpful. If you would like to learn more about this subject, please feel free to contact us:

 

·          Questions about this article?

·          Suggest a topic

·          Learn more about our Houston IT Consulting

Inserting Hyperlinks in PowerPoint

by Yehuda Cagen 9. August 2010 12:16

 

There may be a time in which you need to show your audience something outside your presentation, and it’s as easy as inserting a hyperlink.

 

See the video above or contact us with your questions.

 

Hyperlinks

·         Add an image and have it hyperlink to webpage for affect

·         Type an web address and hyperlink to connect

·         Link to other pages of your presentation

 

We hope you have found this information helpful. If you would like to learn more about this subject, please feel free to contact us:

 

·          Questions about this article?

·          Suggest a topic

·          Learn more about our Houston IT Consulting

Inserting Images In PowerPoint

by Yehuda Cagen 9. August 2010 12:14

 

 

Like presentation backgrounds, the amount of images you can insert into PowerPoint is endless. However, anyone who uses our computer services knows that we recommend simplicity when it comes to presentations. See the video above or contact us with your questions.

 

Using Images

·         Remember a Picture is worth a thousand words

·         One picture is plenty on a slide, just like one point is perfect

·         Select a picture from Clip Art or from File, make sure the picture is relevant to your message

 

We hope you have found this information helpful. If you would like to learn more about this subject, please feel free to contact us:

 

·          Questions about this article?

·          Suggest a topic

·          Learn more about our Houston IT Consulting

 

Selecting a Background For Your PowerPoint Presentation

by Yehuda Cagen 9. August 2010 12:12

 

 

 

The Video Above Demonstrates How to Choose Backgrounds

·         Plain colors can be selected (Black text with White background – very effective)

·        Fill Effects: Gradient/Texture/Pattern/Picture

·         When selecting a picture for a background, be careful to make sure it is light enough to add text.

 

Stay tuned for “Using Images in PowerPoint”

 

We hope you have found this information helpful. If you would like to learn more about this subject, please feel free to contact us:

 

·          Questions about this article?

·          Suggest a topic

·          Learn more about our Houston IT Consulting

Creating “Themes” in PowerPoint

by Yehuda Cagen 9. August 2010 12:10

 

 

Have you ever wondered how to customize a slide show with designs, colors, images, and sounds?

 

Would you like to know how to add a hyperlink to a particular slide?

 

Our IT Support team has received many questions on how to use the various features in PowerPoint. However, please be advised that using too many can be distracting and take away from your key message and the professionalism of your presentation.

 

Themes/Schemes

·         Select a design template or create your own

·         Keep design basic, non-distracting

·         Choose a color theme, and be consistent throughout

 

Stay tuned for “Creating Backgrounds in PowerPoint”

Creating Effective PowerPoint Presentations

by Yehuda Cagen 7. August 2010 19:01

 

 

Have you ever sat through a boring PowerPoint Presentation? Did you find yourself nodding off? Did the presenter reads directly off the slides, word…for…word?

 

Certainly, you’ve never been the presenter of such PowerPoints….or have you?

 

Before we uncover some of the tricks and features of PowerPoint, IT consulting expert Cheryl Smith shares  a few guidelines to keep your PowerPoint professional but still interesting and eye appealing to your audience.

 

A Few Suggestions for Professional, Yet Engaging PowerPoint Presentations

 

Creating Slides ~ Appearance matters

·         Use easy to read fonts, stay away from script and cursive fonts

·         Keep design basic non-distracting

·         Use legible font size, smaller fonts are harder to read

 

Consistency ~ Organized and professional

·         Design theme

·         Color Schemes

·         Over all design-keep same one throughout entirety

 

Backgrounds ~ Watch for Contrast

·         Black text with white background – very effective

·         Bright colors are distracting

·         Light colors strain the eyes

·         Consider printing – color backgrounds use more ink

 

Take Home Message ~ Highlight or accent message

·         One point per slide

·         Limited custom animations – only on main message preferred

·         Use WordArt to bring home the message

 

Straight and Simple ~ Remember audiences can only read or listen, they can not do both!

·         Use Keywords ONLY!

·         No sentences or paragraphs

·         Do NOT read from the slides

 

Images should be used ~ A picture is worth a thousand words!

·         Include images, but limit them to one per slide

·         Keep image relevant to subject of presentation

·         Be careful resizing images, images can be pixilated

 

Keep your audience in mind when creating the presentation, and rehearse over and over until you know the content - without having to look at the slides. Make eye contact with the audience and interact with them.

 

If you feel you need to add more information to the slide, give them a handout to take home instead. Do not worry about covering everything within the presentation. Most people like a handout to take with them for future reference.

           

After all, all the computer services and software in the world won’t help you if you don’t know how to use it.

 

We hope you have found this information helpful. If you would like to learn more about this subject, please feel free to contact us:

 

·          Questions about this article?

·          Suggest a topic

·          Learn more about our Houston IT Consulting

5 Ways to Take Data Security into Your Hands

by Yehuda Cagen 29. July 2010 11:54


You don’t have to be a techno-geek to secure your data. Sure, we recommend having a certified IT consultant ensuring the security of your IT systems.

But, there are also many steps you can take to protect your personal and business data.

Take these small steps to help with your data security:

  1. Completely wipe out all information on computers and printers prior to disposing of them.
  2. Be very careful when clicking links and attachments within email from unknown senders-you could be allowing a virus to your files.
  3. When entering personal information on a website, look to make sure it is a secured site. You can tell by looking for a Padlock icon on the website or you can also visit www.wot.com which will alert you to whether is safe or not.
  4. READ prior to clicking OK on any pop-up windows. You may be giving someone access to your computer.
  5. Social Networking sites such as; Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn can be great for socialization and business but if you place too much information it can be dangerous. Many times people use their spouse’s, children’s, and pet’s names for password and this information is displayed on these sites and can be used to determine passwords. Be careful about the information you share!

Are You Too Predictable? Tips For a Strong, Yet Memorable Password

by Yehuda Cagen 22. July 2010 12:53

 

 

Poor password management may be just as harmful as malicious viruses

 

In 2009 alone, McAfee detected 1.5 million malware samples representing an increase of 1,800 percent over 2006.  But viruses aren’t the only security risk to your business.

The greatest threat may come from within your company.

Tips for creating a strong, yet memorable password

A recent survey by Channel Insider reports that in 43 percent of security assessments, solution providers say they find poor password policies, enforcement and practices. 
  
One simple solution might be to choose a complex password, using a blend of numbers, special characters (Examples: “@,$,&”) and uppercase and lowercase letters

However, with complexity comes an increased, difficulty to remember the password. You never want to use the same passwords for business and personal accounts, write down passwords on a Post-it note or save them openly on your desktop. IsUtility expert Cheryl Smith recommends something easy for the user to remembe:

  • Use numbers for some of the letters (ie "leet" or "1337" )
  • Use symbols to replace letters (ie "!" for "i")
  • For capitalization, something less obvious than the first letter

 

For example, if your password is Gaggia (brand of espresso machine) the password might be "$gaGG1a".

*Alert: Ignore emails that ask for your passwords via email

A credible organization - a bank or any other online software or service - will never ask for your password via email. If you receive any emails that ask you to “update” or “verify” your password, ignore it immediately. It is likely fraudulent.

We hope you have found this information helpful. If you would to learn more about this subject, please feel free to contact us:

·          Questions about this article?

·          Suggest a topic

·          Learn more about our Houston IT Consulting

 

Printing Email Attachments Quickly - Without Opening the Email

by Yehuda Cagen 15. July 2010 10:45

 

If you’re like many of our clients, you frequently receive email attachments that need to be printed.

So what happens when you get multiple emails containing multiple attachments – and you need them printed quickly?

Print email attachments without opening the email

Traditionally, we open the email, open the attachment, click ‘File’ and print. But there’s a quicker option. Houston IT Consulting specialist Cheryl Smith has compiled the following steps to opening jpegs, pdfs or any other attachment - without ever opening the email.

(*Please bear in mind that this option does not allow you to choose a printer or certain preferences like stapling/collating, but it’s much quicker to print if these things are not important to you.

Follow these two easy steps:

  1. Make sure the Reading Pane is open. Click ‘View’, ‘Reading Pane’, and select “Bottom” or “Right” (depending on your personal preference)
  2. Right click on the attachment in the Reading Pane, and click “Print”

The attachment will open briefly, close, and print the document on your defaulted printer. This works with any attachment, of any size, saving you considerable time.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our IT support specialists.  

 

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