applied tips : april 2008

celebrating three years!

That's right. Although I've been training for a long, long time, it was three years ago that Applied Office was created. Since then I've had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people and helping many organizations be more effective with the software they use every day.

A tradition I started two years ago was to summarize the year in numbers, so let's take a look and see what Applied Office has done in its third year and what's coming up.

and now the applied tips...

Here's what I've put together for you in this issue:

Outlook: Ever wondered what BCC was for, and how to use it? Discover the many uses of BCC and become a blind-carbon-copying pro! Read!
Word: Documents that make use of borders and shading will stand out and get noticed! Improve the look of your documents with these very easy-to-use features. Read!
Excel: Data-entry got you down? Find out how you can speed things up by adding pull-down menus into your spreadsheets. Read!
PowerPoint: Make your presentations even better with this three-part article on preparation, content, and delivery. Written by David Diskin, the third of a three-part series, it's an Applied Tips exclusive! Read!
PowerPoint: Want a new shade on life? This article on Color Schemes will help you adjust the colors in your PowerPoint slides in a jiffy. Read!
Access: Lots of data and no way to review it? That's what queries are for. Learn how you can create a query and narrow down your data into something more manageable for review. Read!

cell phone law reminder

This July 1^st, new laws will affect the way you'll be driving while on the phone. The main law will prohibit the use of a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle. While driving (passengers are excluded), you cannot hold the phone to your ear. You can however, still dial, as long as you're careful doing it.

The best thing you can do is get a hands-free headset, such as a Bluetooth device, which will let you talk on the phone while you're driving. Some employers are even going the extra mile for their employees and getting them each a Bluetooth headset -- especially the ones that do a lot of driving for the company.

If you haven't bought yours yet, check out some Bluetooth headsets under $50 from Amazon.com.

applied storefront

I'm proud to announce a new partnership with Amazon.com which will help you choose books and computer accessories that I've recommended. Introducing the Applied Storefront.

The site offers books on both Office 2003 and Office 2007, networking devices, backup hard drives, and even office supplies. I've also linked to the new Amazon MP3 download service which lets you purchase songs for your iPod and other digital media devices for as low as $0.89 each!

Check it out and let me me know what you think! Be sure to bookmark it.

classes in stockton

In partnership with University of the Pacific's Center for Professional and Continuing Education, Applied Office is proud to announce a series of classes that you and your coworkers will be able to attend.

Each session is from 1-4pm, and located at the beautiful Pacific campus in a state-of-the-art hands-on computer lab. The following classes will be offered:

May 22 (Thu)	Excel 2003 - Beginners Only
May 23 (Fri)	Excel 2003 - Expressions and Functions
May 28 (Wed)	Word 2003 - Enhancing Your Document
May 30 (Fri)	Mail Merge (Word, Excel, and Access 2003)
Jun 11 (Wed)	Access 2003 - Introduction and Basics
Jun 13 (Fri)	Access 2003 - Queries
Jun 16 (Mon)	Access 2003 - Forms and Reports
Jun 17 (Tue)	PowerPoint 2003 - Enhancing Your Presentation

For more information or to register, please visit Upcoming Classes.

Thanks for reading Applied Tips! Be sure to forward the newsletter to anyone you think might enjoy reading, and please keep your feedback and questions coming.

-David Diskin