| Contact us | Unsubscribe [UNSUBSCRIBE]| Preferences [PREFERENCES]

Microsoft - The Evolution will probably be televised.

It's a busy time for Microsoft right now, November saw the Business Launch of three new product lines, with a consumer release following in early 2007. There are new versions of Exchange 2007, Vista (the replacement for Windows XP) and Office 2007, (EVO - gettit?). This is the first time Microsoft has launched a new operating system, Vista, together with a new version of Office, since 1995, and unsurprisingly there are big changes.

Vista is the much trumpeted follow-on to Windows XP, as expected it looks gorgeous, IF you have the right graphics card. It'll run well on high-specification hardware, but you'll need 2GB or RAM, a fast processor and fast hard disks to really make it work as advertised.

Office 2007 is the upgrade to Microsoft Office, there are big changes here too. A new user interface, the "Ribbon", is probably the most obvious change. Microsoft claim this will make the features of Office more accessible, but at the moment I'm finding it a bit disorienting.

Exchange 2007 is arguably the most ground-breaking release, with many new features to consolidate communications in a company. However changing or upgrading email communications and messaging server software is not something many end-user do, so it'll be up to IT departments to drive to uptake of this.

The bottom line on all of this is change, big bewildering worrying change. There are four versions of Vista, and seven versions of Office 2007, simply selecting the right product is going to be a challenge.

Training, of course, will be the key to smooth adoption of these new technologies. We're busy preparing our "Step Up to Office 2007" courses that'll help end-users migrate over to the new versions with the minimum of fuss and bother. Of course many companies will wait some time before changing, and - interestingly a few may well decide that OpenOffice may offer a better solution to their needs.

If you want to know more about Exchange, Vista or Office, how if will affect your computing, and what you can do, then please contact us, I'm looking to do some Business Briefings to local business clubs and the like, so if you'd like a speaker at your event just let me know.

Top of page

OpenOffice 2.1

Whilst Microsoft are spending billions on its new launch, the folks at OpenOffice have quietly released OpenOffice 2.1. OpenOffice is a cross-platform multilingual office suite that looks and works much like Microsoft's Office This is an incremental release of the open-source MS Office equivalent with some bug fixes and a few nice new features. The presentations application, Impress, now supports multiple monitors, with the presenter choosing where to display the presentation. The Calc spreadsheet has an improved HTML export  capability, using styles to better recreate in a browser the  appearance of the original spreadsheet. The database application, Base, has a number of enhancements, including improved support for  Microsoft Access.

Version 2.1 is the third release of OpenOffice in 2006, and reflects the Community's commitment to making new features available to users every few months. To help make this as smooth as possible, OpenOffice 2.1 also includes an improved on-line notifier, which checks regularly and informs users if a new version is available (which users can choose to disable at any time).

The release couldn't have come at a better time for the open source project, with reports on Microsoft's big interface changes in Office 2007 generating mixed reviews. Between the option of forking out hundreds of pounds per Office 2007 license, or having a full office suite for free that works the same under Windows and Linux, while working with most Microsoft Office formats, it looks like a pretty clear choice.

Certainly we're seeing a renewed interest in OpenOffice Training, as companies begin to adopt OpenOffice rather than upgrade their increasingly elderly MS Office applications. If you want to find out more about OpenOffice, or look at how your organisation can move to OpenOffice and save money, give us a call!

Top of page

The big news here at Burningsuit towers, is  our change of name, and subsequent re-branding and imaging.
We became a Limited Company in March 2006 as part of our continuing expansion, and changed names from "The Burningsuit Consultancy" to simply "Burningsuit Ltd". Whilst we were at it we also had an image makeover, and now have our new Logo and Website live. I like the new look, it looks more, um, businesslike, and scales better to fit on documents, pens, or web-sites. Despite the changes, one thing remains constant, our commitment to top class IT Training and Consulting. We're set up to deliver a first rate training experience, with our new logo on Folders, Pens and - of course - our Quick Reference Guides.
We'd love to know your views on the makeover, do you like our new Website? Can you find the information you're after easily? Do contact us to let us know.

Top of page

Trainers Tips - Useful Scraps

Did you know, you can create 'scraps' on your Desktop from Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook files which are simply "mini" files to be re-used as and when you need them.

Here's some examples of how you can create scraps on your Desktop:-

• Word - Highlight some text in an open document and drag and drop it onto the Desktop.
• Excel - Select some cells and drag on the black border surrounding the selected cells. Drag and drop onto the Desktop.
• PowerPoint - From the Slides pane on the left or from Slide Sorter View, drag and drop a whole slide onto the Desktop
• Outlook - From a New Mail Message, select some text and drag and drop it onto the Desktop

Double click on the scrap to open it or simply drag and drop them back into Office files as you need them.

Top of page

Full Service, our training room comes to you.

In December we launched our Full Training Service which aims to make on-site training even easier and more cost-effective. All you have to do is provide a suitable room - we will do the rest. We come to your site and set up a training room to your requirements.
We have top specification laptops for your trainees to use and each is installed with all the latest Office Software. The trainer is equipped with their own laptop connected to a data projector. And of course, we also supply full courseware including our highly-rated Quick Reference Guides. All our courses can be customised to your specific requirements and we can work with you to tailor any of our courses to ensure you get the training you need.

All our laptops are IBM Thinkpads which can be linked in a Wireless Network. They have been loaded with specialised software that enables the tutor to "take over" a trainee's laptop for individual demonstration and teaching. The cost of this service is only £550 (+VAT) plus expenses per training day, so a class of eight works out as just over £68 per person per training day!
This is a great way to improve your company's productivity and staff skills, you just find the trainees, we'll do the rest!

Top of page

Business Warrior

November saw me attending the "One Thing" seminar from Business Warrior. This was, quite simply, the best business Seminar I have ever been on. This isn't your standard Business Development Course, John De Groot and his team have vast experience in helping Businesses start, survive and thrive, coupled with an engaging and alternative way of imparting their knowledge. The whole thing made for a memorable two days which certainly changed my understanding of what it is to run a small business. If you are in the business of business, or want to be, RUN, don't walk over to the Business Warrior website and book on the next "One Thing Seminar".
Oh, and if any of my fellow "Lovers" or "Exalted Ones" are reading this, I'm proud to say I'm still wearing the elastic band!

Top of page