Posts Tagged ‘microsoft’

With the official public release of Windows 7, IT providers get asked repeatedly on the practicality of making the switch to this new operating system. Every 2-4 years, Microsoft decides to launch its latest and greatest version of Windows and migrating to these new environments is never as quick or easy as they market to the user.

There is almost never a time when migrations go 100% according to plan.  Consider the following before migrating to a new operating system:

1. Cost vs. Value. Companies often have older computers in use.  Many times these systems are end of life or out of warranty.  It costs money and resources to upgrade each computer.  Carefully consider how much time and money to spend on an older computer.  Purchasing a computer new with the new operating system may be a smarter investment.
2. End user training.  Many businesses often overlook this soft cost.  New operating systems mean new look, feel, and functionality.  Training is a very real cost. Oftentimes this cost is hard to estimate since some users are more technically savvy than others.  Many users are resistant to change – especially on their systems.
3. Application compatibility. Software writers like to take their time in ensuring they have a version of their product that is compatible with the latest version of the operating system.  Just because a new version of Windows is out, doesn’t mean your business applications will function properly.  Discuss migration issues with your software vendors before making the switch.
4. Licensing costs. Be sure to discuss with your IT provider the best ways to purchase your operating systems and licensing as there are many cost-saving programs available.

If you plan appropriately, a successful operating system migration can be performed in as little as a weekend with only minor support required on Monday morning.  If you do not plan properly, you are setting yourself up for business interruptions and down time.  Speak to a reputable Michigan computer services firm before taking the dive.  Executing operating system upgrades is a requirement for any business and you can’t put them off indefinitely. Put in the appropriate time and resources with a trusted technology partner and you will find the potential headaches of making this major change will be minimal.

Technorati Tags: Computers, Information technology, IT, microsoft, migration, software, windows 7

Even if they have never had any formal training on Microsoft Office, the majority of computer users have used PowerPoint to some extent or, at the very least, is aware of it. Most people can put together a presentation of some description. However, unless a user makes an effort to learn the program, they will remain at a fairly low level of expertise and be stuck with creating presentations which either look amateurish or, at best, pretty much the same as thousands of other presentations being produced all over the world. One of the reasons for arranging Microsoft Office 2007 training is to get an insight into the program and to be shown how to use it effectively.

In order to use PowerPoint effectively, you should fully understand the relationship between slide masters and slides. Professional PowerPoint presentations require consistency and the main mechanism used by the program for achieving this is through the use of masters.

Understanding how to work in outline mode is also important, particularly if text and bullet points play an important role in your presentation. PowerPoint allows you to work in outline mode, creating slides, headings and bullet points simply by typing. This mode is great if you are to be the presenter and allows you to compose your speech as create your presentation.

Graphics play such an important role in communication that it is almost certain that at least some of your presentations will require their use. Your PowerPoint training should give you a handle on the various ways of using graphics to add impact to your presentations. You should be shown how to insert and manipulate graphics, resize them, crop them and make them transparent. You should also learn how to use graphics as the background to a slide or to an element on a slide.

Almost all PowerPoint presentations nowadays are given electronically rather than as 35mm slides or transparencies. Therefore, the more tricks you can learn about giving presentations, the better. You need to understand how transitions work and how to set up animation schemes; so that bullet points can fade in one by one and then become greyed out when the next point appears. If you think it will add impact, you might also want to learn how to add video and sound to your presentation.

You should also ensure that your PowerPoint training teaches you how to finalize and package your presentation and that you know how to deliver electronic presentations. You should be able to freeze the screen if you need to or maybe circle an item on a chart as if using a whiteboard. These are all skills that a competent PowerPoint user should have and your PowerPoint training should equip you with these skills.

The writer works for an organisation offering Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 classes in London and the UK.

Technorati Tags: computer tips, computer tutorials, Computers, microsoft, PowerPoint