Google Apps is great for all organizations

Filed under Advice & Blog, How-To by Complete Computer Solutions on December 17, 2010 at 12:05 am no comments

Google Apps, including free edition, is great for organizations of all shapes and sizes.

Here is a comprehensive comparison that will help you make a decision on which version is good for your organization:

Compare Google Apps (free edition) with Google Apps for Business and Google Apps for Education.
Source: http://www.google.com/support/a/bin/answer.py?answer=175121

Free Business Education
General
99.9% uptime guarantee SLA
Maximum users per domain 50 Unlimited Unlimited/
3,000 *		 * Unlimited for schools;
3,000 for other non-profits
Your custom email addresses Eg, user@yourdomain.com
Message allowances
Email/IM storage per user 7+ GB 25 GB 7+ GB
Attachment size limit 25 MB 25 MB 25 MB
Maximum recipients per message 500 500 500
Maximum recipients/day per user (outside your domain) 500 2,000 2,000
Support
Online self help
Priority email support
(via link in Control Panel)
24/7 phone support
for “service unavailable” emergencies

Security and Business Controls

Google Apps Google Apps for Business Google Apps for Education
Security
SSL enforcement Learn more
Single Sign On (SSO) Learn more
Custom password strength requirements Learn more
Custom password length requirements Learn more
Filtering & compliance
Junk email filtering and virus blocking
Custom filtering, content policies, and encryption * Google Message Security (Postini)
* Free for K-12; paid add-on for non-profits
Archiving, search, and discovery Google Message Discovery (Postini)
Paid add-on, only
Email retention policies Learn more
IP address whitelisting Learn more
User-managed blacklists Learn more

Features and Branding

Google Apps Google Apps for Business Google Apps for Education
Customization
Removal of Gmail ads
Logo and colors branding
Custom URL Eg, http://mail.yourdomain.com
Domain-wide signatures * Google Message Security (Postini)
* Free for K-12; paid add-on for non-profits
Email Themes (defined by user)
Mailing lists & aliases
Mailing lists Managed by administrators in Google Apps Control Panel as groups.Learn more
User-managed forums and
mailing lists		 Managed by users in Google Apps asgroups; administrator can disable.Learn more
Domain aliases (associated with your primary domain) Eg, user@corp.yourdomain.com.Learn more
User aliases Called nicknames in Google Apps
Feature management
Gmail Labs Learn more
Option to disable Labs for domain
Option to disable Offline access for domain Learn more
Option to disable pre-release features for domain

Migration and Integration

Google Apps Google Apps for Business Google Apps for Education
User provisioning & contact sharing
Automated provisioning from LDAP systems Google Apps Directory Sync
User and group provisioning API
Shared domain contacts
(global addresses)
Shared external contacts Shared Contacts API
Mail migration (administrator managed)
Domain-wide migration using Email migration API
Lotus Notes migration
(mail, contacts, calendar)		 Google Apps Migration for Lotus Notes
IMAP mail migration Available for Exchange 2003, Cyrus IMAP Server, Courier-IMAP, Dovecot.Learn more
Mail migration (user managed)
Outlook 2003, 2007, 2010
(mail, contacts, calendar)		 Google Apps Migration for Microsoft Outlook® (if you’re not using Outlook)
Outlook 2003, 2007, 2010
(mail, contacts, calendar)		 Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook®(if you’ll continue using Outlook)
Other POP accounts Mail Fetcher

Access and Delivery

Google Apps Google Apps for Business Google Apps for Education
Mobile
BlackBerry Gmail for mobile application
Remote BlackBerry device management Google Apps Connector for BlackBerry Enterprise Server (requires BlackBerry Enterprise Server)
Native iPhone, Windows Mobile Google Sync via ActiveSync
Remote iPhone, Windows Mobile device management * Google Sync via ActiveSync
* Remote wipe and password reset, only
Android
Other access options
Mail delegation Learn more
Offline access Learn more
Voice and video chat Learn more
Outlook 2003 and 2007 Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook®
IMAP / POP client
Administrative ability to disable IMAP / POP access
Email delivery options
Catchall address Learn more
Email routing
(user- and domain-level)		 Learn more
Inbound gateway Learn more
Outbound gateway
(for entire domain)		 Learn more
Outbound relay server
(for alternative From: addresses)		 Learn more
Receiving mail from multiple POP addresses Mail Fetcher (user tool)

Does your Website Need a Refresh? – 6 Tips for Keeping your Site Relevant and Engaging

Filed under Advice & Blog, How-To by Complete Computer Solutions on November 30, 2010 at 1:07 pm no comments

by Caron_Beesley on 11-30-2010 07:00 AM
http://community2.business.gov/t5/blogs/blogarticleprintpage/blog-id/GovernmentResources/article-id/1052

To the outside world your website is the equivalent of your storefront, and your customers expect it to be eye-catching, well-maintained, and always offering something new. However, when you’re on the inside and are caught up in the day-to-day operations of your business, finding the time to focus on your website is easier said than done.  And, like a neglected storefront, it can quickly become out-of-date, unappealing and, at worst, ignored.

Here are some tips to help you keep your website up-to-date, relevant and attracting customers.

1. Does your Site Meet Your Business Objectives?

It’s likely that you know your website intimately.  You helped get it started, had a say in the design, content and so on. You might even live and breathe your website. But it’s a good idea every now and again to step back a bit and assess your website in  light of where your business is and where you want it to be. Does your site reflect your brand and corporate culture? If not, it should.

For example, when you started your business you may not have had a huge budget to invest online and built a skeleton site that had basic information about your business and its products and services. But does that start-up site still meet your needs?

Do you have things to say about your business that you aren’t doing through your website right now? For example, if you hold special events, offer regular specials or discounts, are you using your website to promote these?

How do you keep your customers “in the know” using your website? Have you considered a blog, or using social media to help engage with and even educate your customers in a “social” way?

Take a look at what your competitors are doing. Do some sites seem to work while others don’t? Where’s does yours fit in the line-up and what do you think you could do differently?

2. What do Your Customers Think?

Don’t forget to ask your customers what they think of your site? Do they visit it? Does it appeal to them? What don’t they like? How can it be made more useful to them?

3. Add some Bells and Whistles

If you determine that your website meets your needs, but just needs a mini shake-up to help you meet your objectives, consider introducing these elements:

  • Add Lead Capture Devices – Use your website to get more information about your customers, and offer them something in return – whether it’s a newsletter subscription, a white paper, or just another download. Use the data to establish regular communications and outreach to your customers. But be sure to adhere to SPAM laws and customer privacy laws.
  • Start a Blog –A blog isn’t right for every business, but it is a great way of keeping your site fresh and engaging.  And because search engines love new content, a well maintained blog can help boost your rankings. Well written and thoughtful blogs can be a great way to introduce the human element of your business as well as position you as a trusted expert in your field. So whether you offer tips, how-tos, or share success stories of how you’ve helped your customers – just about every business owner has expertise and insights to share. To get you started read: “Thinking of Starting a Blog? Tips to Help You Start, Maintain & Grow a Small Business Blog”.
  • Embrace Social Media – Another great way to generate traffic back to your website and get the word out about your business (what you offer, what’s new, what’s going on) is to get out there on social networking sites.  To help you determine, which social media channel is a good for your business, read “ Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn? Finding the Right Fit for Your Small Business” and get started with this “Ultimate Small Business Guide to Social Media Marketing”. Of course, don’t forget to add links and icons to your website that let people know that you are active on social media.

4. Rearrange Your Site Architecture / Design

Whether you need to improve your site navigation to help people find the information they need, or you have new content (such as a blog) that you want to showcase, make sure your site architecture easily supports this. Many content management systems make it easy for site managers to do this without the help of a web developer. But be sure you have that capability before you start out.

5. Get Outside Help

If you don’t have experts on staff, consider hiring a consultant to do the job. This one-time investment doesn’t have to break the bank and might be worth it. Remember, to make it easier for you to manage and make changes to your site down the line, make sure your designer builds a site that has a robust and easy-to-use content management system (CMS) on the backend.  This article provides some basic “need-to- knows” about CMS options: “How to Find the Right Content Management System and get More Out of Your Web Site”.

6. Measure Your Improvements

As you roll any changes out, use free website analytic tools to measure and monitor site traffic and assess ROI. How are people finding your site? What pages are attracting most interest or otherwise? Why? Read more about web analytics from small business professional, Anita Campbell, in her article:”3 Tools that can Help your Small Business Sell More and do so Profitably”.

Related Articles

Microsoft Security Essentials is now available for your small business

Filed under Advice & Blog, How-To by Complete Computer Solutions on October 18, 2010 at 2:46 pm no comments
Microsoft Security Essentials - Free DownloadNow you can work—and play—on your PC more safely. With Microsoft® Security Essentials, it’s easy to help protect your PC from viruses, spyware, and other malicious software for FREE* with the same award-winning technology used by millions of consumer and enterprise PCs around the world.

Download via http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials

* Microsoft Security Essentials is available at no charge for customers who are verified to have a copy of genuine Windows in select countries. No registration or personal information is required, only automatic verification of your genuine Windows installation.

Note: Below are details of the installation and use rights from Microsoft’s Software License Terms: http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/eula.aspx#mainNav

  1. Home Use. If you are a home user, then you may install and use any number of copies of the software on your personal devices for use by people who reside in your household. As a home user, you may not use the software in any commercial, non-profit, or revenue generating business activities.
  2. Small Business. If you operate a small business, then you may install and use the software on up to ten (10) devices in your business.

Call phones from Gmail – Free for US and Canada

Filed under Advice & Blog, How-To by Complete Computer Solutions on August 28, 2010 at 3:36 pm no comments

Reposted from http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/call-phones-from-gmail.html

Gmail voice and video chat makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family using your computer’s microphone and speakers. But until now, this required both people to be at their computers, signed into Gmail at the same time. Given that most of us don’t spend all day in front of our computers, we thought, “wouldn’t it be nice if you could call people directly on their phones?”

Starting August 2010, you can call any phone right from Gmail.

Calls to the U.S. and Canada will be free for at least the rest of the year and calls to other countries will be billed at our very low rates. We worked hard to make these rates really cheap (see comparison table) with calls to the U.K., France, Germany, China, Japan—and many more countries—for as little as $0.02 per minute.

Dialing a phone number works just like a normal phone. Just click “Call phone” at the top of your chat list and dial a number or enter a contact’s name.

We’ve been testing this feature internally and have found it to be useful in a lot of situations, ranging from making a quick call to a restaurant to placing a call when you’re in an area with bad reception.

If you have a Google Voice phone number, calls made from Gmail will display this number as the outbound caller ID. And if you decide to, you can receive calls made to this number right inside Gmail (see instructions).

We’re rolling out this feature to U.S. based Gmail users over the next few days, so you’ll be ready to get started once “Call Phones” shows up in your chat list (you will need to install the voice and video plug-in if you haven’t already). If you’re using Google Apps for your school or business, then you won’t see it quite yet. We’re working on making this available more broadly – so stay tuned!

For more information, visit gmail.com/call.

Update (8/26): This has now been rolled out to everyone in the U.S. If you don’t see the feature yet, try logging out of Gmail and signing back in.

Downgrade WordPress 3.0 to 2.9.2

Filed under Advice & Blog, How-To by Complete Computer Solutions on July 8, 2010 at 10:42 pm no comments

If you’ve recently upgraded to WordPress 3.0 and have had challenges with either the theme or plugin you’re using, you may want to temporarily downgrade.  Here are the steps you can take if you have to downgrade:

  1. Create a full backup of your hosted WordPress files on your local system
  2. Download 2.9.2 from http://wordpress.org/download/release-archive/
    Direct Link – http://wordpress.org/wordpress-2.9.2.zip
  3. Transfer all files from extracted 2.9.2 files to hosted WordPress installation
    Includes  wp-admin, wp-content, wp-includes folders as well as the various .php files
  4. Login to WordPress Admin Site
  5. You will be prompted to upgrade the database.  Click on Yes to upgrade.
That should bring you back to WordPress 2.9.2.  Good Luck!

List of keyboard shortcuts for Word 2002, Word 2003, and Word 2007

Filed under Advice & Blog, How-To by Complete Computer Solutions on June 2, 2010 at 11:29 am no comments

Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290938

The following is a list of keyboard shortcuts that are available in Microsoft Word 2002, in Microsoft Office Word 2003, and in Microsoft Office Word 2007. This list is a compilation of the individual keyboard shortcut lists available in Word 2002 Help and in Word 2003 Help.
Small updates have been made to the shortcuts in Word 2007.  The updates can be found here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926809/
Command Name Shortcut Keys
All Caps CTRL+SHIFT+A
Annotation ALT+CTRL+M
App Maximize ALT+F10
App Restore ALT+F5
Apply Heading1 ALT+CTRL+1
Apply Heading2 ALT+CTRL+2
Apply Heading3 ALT+CTRL+3
Apply List Bullet CTRL+SHIFT+L
Auto Format ALT+CTRL+K
Auto Text F3 or ALT+CTRL+V
Bold CTRL+B or CTRL+SHIFT+B
Bookmark CTRL+SHIFT+F5
Browse Next CTRL+PAGE DOWN
Browse Previous CTRL+PAGE UP
Browse Sel ALT+CTRL+HOME
Cancel ESC
Center Para CTRL+E
Change Case SHIFT+F3
Char Left LEFT
Char Left Extend SHIFT+LEFT
Char Right RIGHT
Char Right Extend SHIFT+RIGHT
Clear DELETE
Close or Exit ALT+F4
Close Pane ALT+SHIFT+C
Column Break CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER
Column Select CTRL+SHIFT+F8
Copy CTRL+C or CTRL+INSERT
Copy Format CTRL+SHIFT+C
Copy Text SHIFT+F2
Create Auto Text ALT+F3
Customize Add Menu ALT+CTRL+=
Customize Keyboard ALT+CTRL+NUM +
Customize Remove Menu ALT+CTRL+-
Cut CTRL+X or SHIFT+DELETE
Date Field ALT+SHIFT+D
Delete Back Word CTRL+BACKSPACE
Delete Word CTRL+DELETE
Dictionary ALT+SHIFT+F7
Do Field Click ALT+SHIFT+F9
Doc Close CTRL+W or CTRL+F4
Doc Maximize CTRL+F10
Doc Move CTRL+F7
Doc Restore CTRL+F5
Doc Size CTRL+F8
Doc Split ALT+CTRL+S
Double Underline CTRL+SHIFT+D
End of Column ALT+PAGE DOWN
End of Column ALT+SHIFT+PAGE DOWN
End of Doc Extend CTRL+SHIFT+END
End of Document CTRL+END
End of Line END
End of Line Extend SHIFT+END
End of Row ALT+END
End of Row ALT+SHIFT+END
End of Window ALT+CTRL+PAGE DOWN
End of Window Extend ALT+CTRL+SHIFT+PAGE DOWN
Endnote Now ALT+CTRL+D
Extend Selection F8
Field Chars CTRL+F9
Field Codes ALT+F9
Find CTRL+F
Font CTRL+D or CTRL+SHIFT+F
Font Size Select CTRL+SHIFT+P
Footnote Now ALT+CTRL+F
Go Back SHIFT+F5 or ALT+CTRL+Z
Go To CTRL+G or F5
Grow Font CTRL+SHIFT+.
Grow Font One Point CTRL+]
Hanging Indent CTRL+T
Header Footer Link ALT+SHIFT+R
Help F1
Hidden CTRL+SHIFT+H
Hyperlink CTRL+K
Indent CTRL+M
Italic CTRL+I or CTRL+SHIFT+I
Justify Para CTRL+J
Left Para CTRL+L
Line Down DOWN
Line Down Extend SHIFT+DOWN
Line Up UP
Line Up Extend SHIFT+UP
List Num Field ALT+CTRL+L
Lock Fields CTRL+3 or CTRL+F11
Macro ALT+F8
Mail Merge Check ALT+SHIFT+K
Mail Merge Edit Data Source ALT+SHIFT+E
Mail Merge to Doc ALT+SHIFT+N
Mail Merge to Printer ALT+SHIFT+M
Mark Citation ALT+SHIFT+I
Mark Index Entry ALT+SHIFT+X
Mark Table of Contents Entry ALT+SHIFT+O
Menu Mode F10
Merge Field ALT+SHIFT+F
Microsoft Script Editor ALT+SHIFT+F11
Microsoft System Info ALT+CTRL+F1
Move Text F2
New CTRL+N
Next Cell TAB
Next Field F11 or ALT+F1
Next Misspelling ALT+F7
Next Object ALT+DOWN
Next Window CTRL+F6 or ALT+F6
Normal ALT+CTRL+N
Normal Style CTRL+SHIFT+N or ALT+SHIFT+CLEAR (NUM 5)
Open CTRL+O or CTRL+F12 or ALT+CTRL+F2
Open or Close Up Para CTRL+0
Other Pane F6 or SHIFT+F6
Outline ALT+CTRL+O
Outline Collapse ALT+SHIFT+- or ALT+SHIFT+NUM -
Outline Demote ALT+SHIFT+RIGHT
Outline Expand ALT+SHIFT+=
Outline Expand ALT+SHIFT+NUM +
Outline Move Down ALT+SHIFT+DOWN
Outline Move Up ALT+SHIFT+UP
Outline Promote ALT+SHIFT+LEFT
Outline Show First Line ALT+SHIFT+L
Overtype INSERT
Page ALT+CTRL+P
Page Break CTRL+ENTER
Page Down PAGE DOWN
Page Down Extend SHIFT+PAGE DOWN
Page Field ALT+SHIFT+P
Page Up PAGE UP
Page Up Extend SHIFT+PAGE UP
Para Down CTRL+DOWN
Para Down Extend CTRL+SHIFT+DOWN
Para Up CTRL+UP
Para Up Extend CTRL+SHIFT+UP
Paste CTRL+V or SHIFT+INSERT
Paste Format CTRL+SHIFT+V
Prev Cell SHIFT+TAB
Prev Field SHIFT+F11 or ALT+SHIFT+F1
Prev Object ALT+UP
Prev Window CTRL+SHIFT+F6 or ALT+SHIFT+F6
Print CTRL+P or CTRL+SHIFT+F12
Print Preview CTRL+F2 or ALT+CTRL+I
Proofing F7
Redo ALT+SHIFT+BACKSPACE
Redo or Repeat CTRL+Y or F4 or ALT+ENTER
Repeat Find SHIFT+F4 or ALT+CTRL+Y
Replace CTRL+H
Reset Char CTRL+SPACE or CTRL+SHIFT+Z
Reset Para CTRL+Q
Revision Marks Toggle CTRL+SHIFT+E
Right Para CTRL+R
Save CTRL+S or SHIFT+F12 or ALT+SHIFT+F2
Save As F12
Select All CTRL+A or CTRL+CLEAR (NUM 5) or CTRL+NUM 5
Select Table ALT+CLEAR (NUM 5)
Show All CTRL+SHIFT+8
Show All Headings ALT+SHIFT+A
Show Heading1 ALT+SHIFT+1
Show Heading2 ALT+SHIFT+2
Show Heading3 ALT+SHIFT+3
Show Heading4 ALT+SHIFT+4
Show Heading5 ALT+SHIFT+5
Show Heading6 ALT+SHIFT+6
Show Heading7 ALT+SHIFT+7
Show Heading8 ALT+SHIFT+8
Show Heading9 ALT+SHIFT+9
Shrink Font CTRL+SHIFT+,
Shrink Font One Point CTRL+[
Small Caps CTRL+SHIFT+K
Space Para1 CTRL+1
Space Para15 CTRL+5
Space Para2 CTRL+2
Spike CTRL+SHIFT+F3 or CTRL+F3
Start of Column ALT+PAGE UP
Start of Column ALT+SHIFT+PAGE UP
Start of Doc Extend CTRL+SHIFT+HOME
Start of Document CTRL+HOME
Start of Line HOME
Start of Line Extend SHIFT+HOME
Start of Row ALT+HOME
Start of Row ALT+SHIFT+HOME
Start of Window ALT+CTRL+PAGE UP
Start of Window Extend ALT+CTRL+SHIFT+PAGE UP
Style CTRL+SHIFT+S
Subscript CTRL+=
Superscript CTRL+SHIFT+=
Symbol Font CTRL+SHIFT+Q
Thesaurus SHIFT+F7
Time Field ALT+SHIFT+T
Toggle Field Display SHIFT+F9
Toggle Master Subdocs CTRL+\
Tool SHIFT+F1
Un Hang CTRL+SHIFT+T
Un Indent CTRL+SHIFT+M
Underline CTRL+U or CTRL+SHIFT+U
Undo CTRL+Z or ALT+BACKSPACE
Unlink Fields CTRL+6 or CTRL+SHIFT+F9
Unlock Fields CTRL+4 or CTRL+SHIFT+F11
Update Auto Format ALT+CTRL+U
Update Fields F9 or ALT+SHIFT+U
Update Source CTRL+SHIFT+F7
VBCode ALT+F11
Web Go Back ALT+LEFT
Web Go Forward ALT+RIGHT
Word Left CTRL+LEFT
Word Left Extend CTRL+SHIFT+LEFT
Word Right CTRL+RIGHT
Word Right Extend CTRL+SHIFT+RIGHT
Word Underline CTRL+SHIFT+W

How-To: WordPress Domain Transfer

Filed under Advice & Blog, How-To by Complete Computer Solutions on May 28, 2010 at 3:16 pm no comments

Over the past few months, we’ve become a huge fan of using WordPress to create and maintain various websites.  When we were testing the sites, we created them on our main domain but then needed to transfer them to independent domains.  Below are the steps we followed to ensure a successful transfer.

WordPress Domain Transfer Checklist:
  1. Create new domain name
  2. Create new WordPress installation
  3. Login to new WordPress installation
  4. Upgrade the WordPress installation to the same version as the original site
    Upgrade Automatically (if possible)
  5. Backup Database SQL on Original Site
    May already be done automatically by WordPress (check your wp-content/backup-db folder)
  6. Download original WordPress site files (include all folders and files)
  7. Login to your original hosting company’s Control Panel
  8. Browse to your MYSQL Database and write down the original database name, username, and password
    May also be retrieved from your original wp-config.php file
  9. Login to your new hosting company’s Control Panel
  10. Browse to your MYSQL Database
  11. Click on PHPMyAdmin
  12. Click on SQL Tab on top (without clicking any of the tables on the side)
  13. Upload the backup SQL file
  14. Change the Site URL to the new site in the various parts of the database (Site won’t work without this)
    A superb resource: http://codex.wordpress.org/Changing_The_Site_URL
  15. Upload your WordPress Site files (include all folders and files) to the new domain
  16. Update your database name, username, and password in the new wp-config.php file
  17. Test your new site

How-To: Connect your computer to your TV

Filed under Advice & Blog, How-To by Complete Computer Solutions on May 24, 2010 at 4:00 pm no comments
Playing computer games, watching downloaded movies or anything else done on a computer is great. Wouldn’t it be better if you could use your new 42″ HDTV as a display instead of your little 17″ computer monitor? Its difficult to resist that urge, but connecting a computer to a TV isn’t always as easy as you might hope. In fact, “How can I connect my computer to my television” is one of the most common questions we receive on our technical support lines. Sometimes, it can be as simple as a single cable, but more often than not, connecting these two devices requires a converter box. In this article, we’ll look at all the options for connecting a PC to a television.
Figure 1: VGA Connector Figure 2: DVI Connector

Generally speaking, your computer is going to have one of two outputs: either a standard SVGA output (figure 1), traditionally used to connect to a computer monitor, or, on higher-end machines, a DVI output (figure 2). Your television, on the other hand, could have one of several video options, each of which we will look at in this article.

Computers with a VGA output

Assuming your computer has a VGA input, then the easiest connection is if your TV also has a PC VGA input. This would be the standard VGA video output from a computer to the same connection on a TV. Many newer televisions, in particular HDTVs, have this connection. If your TV does have this input, then a simple Super VGA cable (male to male) will do the trick, and will give you the best possible video quality.
If your television does not have a VGA input, your next best bet is if the television has a component video input. If so, a converter box is available (our part number 40H1-50200) that will convert your VGA signal into Component video. (Note that this part only works in one direction; if you needed to convert component video back to VGA, you would want part number 40H1-50300). Component video gives you the same high quality picture as VGA, so it’s the next best choice after VGA for converting a computer signal. (The other two video options we list below, composite video and s-video, will not deliver as clean a picture, and should only be used when neither VGA nor component video are available.)
VGA to Component Converter
Converting VGA to component video often causes confusion for customers, who wonder why a converter box is needed. This confusion is because there is also a cable out there that looks as though it would do the same job as the VGA to component video conversion box. VGA to component video cables, such as the one shown to the right, are often mistakenly purchased in an attempt to connect a computer’s VGA source to a component video display.
VGA to component cable

The reason why this cable will not work to convert a computer’s VGA signal into component video is because the VGA signal and component video signal are very different video signal types. It takes more than a simple cable to convert between the two. This cable is actually designed for use with certain projectors that have a 15-pin VGA connection that is specially designed to be capable of accepting the component video signal (often referred to as a Y/Pb/Pr signal). This design is so that the projector doesn’t have to have separate jacks for both component video and VGA, thus saving space (and money). This same dual-purpose connector is also found on certain HDTV set-top boxes.
If you have an older television set that has neither a VGA nor a component video input, then it will most likely have a composite video (yellow RCA jack) and / or an S-video connection. To convert your VGA into Composite video or S-video, our part number 41CV-50220 will do the trick. This box gives you the option of converting your computer’s VGA signal into either Composite or S-video. It also has an additional VGA output if you would like to have a VGA monitor and your TV hooked up at the same time.
VGA to S-Video / Composite Video Convert

Computers with a DVI output

As we mentioned earlier, higher-end computers are coming equipped with a DVI (digital video) output.
Any new HDTV out recently will have a DVI or HDMI input on it as its digital connection. If this is the case for you, connecting your PC to the television is simply a matter of choosing either a DVI cable (if your TV has a DVI input port on it) or a DVI to HDMI cable (if your TV has an HDMI port on it).

So what do you do if your television is not equipped with DVI or HDMI ports? Well, as it turns out, most computer video cards with DVI on them can be readily adapted to a VGA connection using a simple DVI to VGA adaptor to convert the DVI port into a VGA port. From there, you can simply follow the instructions above for connecting a VGA output to your TV.
DVI Digital Video Cable
DVI to HDMI Video Cable

What about Audio?

All of the options listed above are for video signals only. Audio will have to be run separately. Fortunately, unlike the video hookup, connecting up audio between a computer and a TV is pretty straightforward. Computer sound cards have a 3.5mm (sometimes also referred to as a 1/8 inch) connection. This is the same connection you would find on headphones or computer speakers. That signal is easily converted to a 2 RCA (Red and White) stereo connection, which can be plugged into the back of your TV, or the back of your receiver if you have one. CableWholesale offers two versions of this cable, depending on your needs; our standard quality and premium quality 3.5mm to two RCA cables are shown in the pictures on the right.
3.5mm to 2RCA Stereo Audio Cable
Premium Grade 3.5mm to 2RCA Cable

How-To: Setup A Home Network

Filed under Advice & Blog, How-To by Complete Computer Solutions on May 24, 2010 at 3:46 pm no comments
Network Interface Card
Ethernet CAT5E Cable

With many homes now having more than one computer, home networks are becoming more and more appealing to the average PC user. Networking your computers together allows you to transfer files amongst the different computers at breakneck speeds, as well as share a printer or scanner or other peripheral.A basic network (LAN or Local Area Network) consists of two computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CD-ROMs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications.

For this article, we will assume that your local cable or phone company has installed a broadband Internet connection on one of your PCs. If they haven’t, then that should be your first step.

Many new homes are being built pre-wired for Internet. This means that you have network cables running throughout your walls and coming out as jacks in the wall in various rooms. If this is the case then you will have an even easier time setting up your network. If not, that’s ok too, as cables can be neatly run under carpets, through attics, or along baseboards.

For the basic network, you will need the following in order to connect two or more computers together (see figure to left):

  • A broadband internet connection (such as cable modem or DSL)
  • A router
  • One CAT-5E network cable for each computer
  • One CAT-5E network cable for modem
  • One network interface card for each computer
    Note that more and more computers are offering a network card already built in, so check your computer for an Ethernet cable port before purchasing another card.
Flat Network Cable

Plan Your Setup

Next, you need to figure out how and where to run the appropriate length cables to fit your specific needs. We offer special flat Ethernet cables specifically designed for running along baseboards and the floor. This helps in keeping them out of the way and from people tripping over them.Connect one end of a network cable into the back of your DSL/cable modem and the other into the “Internet” port on the back of the router. Connect a network cable in the back of each of your computers and into separate ports in the back of the router. You now have the start of a basic network.

Note that the purpose of the network router is to allow multiple computers to share one internet connection, without having to pay for a multiple-connection option from the internet service provider.

Most new computers will auto-configure your router and get you connected. You may have to configure your computer to turn on DHCP. This allows your router to differentiate between your different computers.

Enable DHCP

If you have a Windows based computer: Go to Start -> Programs -> Control Panel -> Network Connections. Right click on the connection and select Properties. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click properties. Select Obtain IP Address Automatically and Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically. If you are using a Windows 2000 machine you must then click Advanced and select DHCP Enabled and click OK. You may have to reboot for the settings to take affect.If you have a Mac running OS 10.2: Go to System Preferences -> Network. Click on the TCP/IP tab. In the TCP/IP panel, change Configure Manually to Using DHCP. Delete any Domain Name Servers that are listed in the Domain Name Servers box. Click Apply Now.

Network Router

If you have a Mac running OS 10.3: Go to System Preferences -> Network. From Show, choose Built-in Ethernet. Click on the TCP/IP tab. From Configure, choose Using DHCP. Delete Domain Name Servers. Click Apply Now.

Repeat the above steps for each computer on the network.

Setup Sharing

To allow for the other computers to share certain folders or printers:
If you are running Windows 2000/XP: Right click on any file folder and go to Sharing and Security… Select Share This Folder. Click OK. The other computers on your network can access anything you put in this folder. To share a printer, on the PC with the printer, go to Start -> Printers and Faxes. Right click on the printer you’d like to share and select Sharing… Select Share this Printer. Click OKIf you have a Mac running OSX: Go to System Preferences (on the Apple menu) and click on Sharing. Select Personal File Sharing. The “Public” folder in your home folder will now be shared automatically. Use the address displayed at the bottom of the Sharing window to access this folder from other computers. Unlike Windows, Mac OSX does not allow you to share any folder you want. To share printers, select Printer Sharing.

Microsoft PowerPoint Presenter View

Filed under Advice & Blog, How-To by Complete Computer Solutions on May 15, 2010 at 5:25 am no comments

Microsoft Office PowerPoint

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/HA100673831033.aspx?mode=print

View your speaker notes privately, while delivering a presentation on multiple monitors

Applies to: Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007

Tags preview; presenter view

What are tags?

Using Presenter View is a great way to view your presentation with speaker notes on one computer (your laptop, for example), while your audience views the notes-free presentation on a different monitor (projected on a larger screen, for example).

PowerPoint only supports the use of two monitors for a presentation. However, you can configure to run a presentation on three or more monitors that are connected to one computer.

TIP For more information about Presenter view, see What is Presenter View?

Prerequisites for using Presenter view

Before you can use Presenter view, do the following:

  • Ensure that computer you are using for your presentation supports the use of multiple monitors. Most desktop computers these days have multiple monitor support built in, however if not, you’ll require two video cards.

TIP Check your computer manufacturer’s web site for up-to-date information about multiple monitor support.

  • PowerPoint only supports the use of two monitors for a presentation. However, you can configure to run a presentation on three or more monitors that are connected to one computer. To configure to use three or more monitors, see turn on multiple monitor support.
  • Configure PowerPoint to use Presenter view

Configure PowerPoint to use Presenter view with two monitors

  1. On the Slide Show tab, in the Monitors group, click Use Presenter View.

NOTE The Display Settings dialog box from Windows Control Panel may appear. If it does not, you have already set it up. If you still want to change the settings, see Microsoft Windows Help to locate your Windows Display Settings and follow steps 2 through 4.

  1. In the Display Settings dialog box, on the Monitor tab, click the monitor icon that you want to use to view your speaker notes, and then select the This is my main monitor check box.

If the This is my main monitor check box is selected and unavailable, the monitor is already designated as the primary monitor. You can select only one primary monitor at a time. If you click a different monitor icon, the This is my main monitor check box is cleared and made available again.

  1. Click the monitor icon for the second monitor that the audience will view, select the Extend my Windows Desktop onto this monitor check box, and then click OK.
  2. On the Slide Show tab, in the Monitors group, ensure that the monitor on which you want the audience to see your presentation, appears in the Show On list.

Deliver your presentation on on two monitors

  1. On the Slide Show tab, in the Set Up group, click Set Up Slide Show.
  2. In the Set Up Show dialog box, choose the options that you want, and then click OK.
  3. To begin delivering your presentation, on the View tab, in the Presentation Views group, click Slide Show.

Turn ON multiple monitor support (for three or more monitors)

Before you can deliver a presentation on a computer that has three or more monitors, you must turn on multiple monitor support.

  1. On the Slide Show tab, in the Monitors group, click Use Presenter View.

TIP The Display Settings dialog box from Windows Control Panel may appear. If it does not, see Microsoft Windows Help to locate your Windows Display Settings

  1. In the Display Settings dialog box, on the Monitor tab, click the monitor icon for the presenter’s monitor, and then select the This is my main monitor check box.

TIP If the This is my main monitor check box is selected and unavailable, the monitor is already designated as the primary monitor. You can select only one primary monitor at a time. If you click a different monitor icon, the This is my main monitor check box is cleared and made available again.

  1. For each additional monitor that the audience will view, click the monitor icon, select the Extend my Windows Desktop onto this monitor check box, and then click OK.

NOTES

  • To turn off multiple monitor support, in the Display Settings dialog box, on the Monitor tab, select the second monitor, and then clear the Extend my Windows Desktop onto this monitor check box.

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