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My First Look At MS Office 2007

Posted by Mitch on Apr 5, 2010

Three years ago I went to a presentation at a company that was showing some brief clips of the Office 2007 package items. I have to admit that it looked alien to me, and I pretty much told myself that it was something I wasn’t going to be considering at any time soon.

Fast forward to now. I’m presently working on a big project, and, of course, many of the files I received were in the newer format. I actually had the program laying around for about a year that someone had given me, and I figured it was as good a time as any other to load it to see what it was all about for myself. I loaded it into a totally different directory, though, so it wouldn’t erase what I already have.

Then it was time to go, and I pulled up Excel first, since most of what I was going to be doing was on that. I can’t lie; it still looks alien to me. Microsoft decided to go with what they call a “ribbon” look rather than the words we’re used to seeing, and man, was I confused! I couldn’t even figure out how to open a file, so I double clicked on the file and had it ask me if it could connect to this new program, which of course I agreed to.

Working within the spreadsheet itself is just like it’s always been, but after that it takes time to figure some things out. For instance, instead of headings I know very well like “file”, “edit”, and “format”, they now use “home”, “page layout”, “formulas” and “review”. They kept “data” and “insert” and “view”, thank goodness. When you click on one of the headings in Excel 2007, instead of a list of stuff you get the ribbons. But there’s a lot more stuff, and it might not be worded like what you were used to. It took me almost 30 minutes before I could figure out all the basic things I needed.

The same thing occurred with Word, but not to the same degree. That’s probably because I’ve never quite known how to do all those things that Word supposedly can do for you; I’ve always been more of a numbers guy, so I use Word mainly just to write.

I haven’t even tried to open PowerPoint or Access yet; no need, since I rarely use either one. I will say this, though; I do believe that once I’ve had more time with Excel 2007 that I’ll like it just fine. I assume the same might be true for Word 2007 at some point as well. Thing is, there’s supposedly an Office 10 version coming, and they’re not going backwards, which means the ribbon is going to be staying. This is one of those times where we’re going to have to change our technology at some point, kicking and scratching if necessary.

I know many of you have already switched, but I’m betting the majority haven’t, which is why I’m writing this now. If anyone else has positives or negatives they’d like to share, by all means please do. And this points out why it might be a good thing to at least pop in to the webinar I’m doing with my friend Renee, as she talks about Excel 2007.

Apricorn Biometrically Secure Hard Drives

Posted by Mitch on Apr 1, 2010

You see the hard drive that I’m advertising below? I’m buying that bad boy in a couple of days. The maker of that external hard drive is a company called Apricorn, and I just learned about them on Tuesday while I was out of town.

Here’s the thing about these drives. They have two ways of securing the drives so no one else can get into them if they happen to snatch them. One way is to get a drive with a keypad on it. You create a numeric password, and you go on from there. The other, which I’m showing below, is something called “biometrically secure”; in plain terms, there’s this pad that you run your thumb across, and that’s how you get into it. There’s no guessing what the number is; if it’s not your thumb, there’s no accessing your data by anyone else.

I hear someone saying “so, we’ll just crack open the case.” Nope; if the case is cracked, it automatically shuts down because all data is encrypted. At that point, it’s of no use to anyone. And, with this method, you can pop it onto any computer you’d like, and just run your thumb over it and you’re good to go. All your information, and anyone else’s information, is secure and safe; no stolen laptop worries. Makes me wonder why the government hasn’t been using these things all along instead of leaving them on laptops that continually seem to be getting stolen.

Oh yeah, the one below is a 500GB drive, but you don’t have to get a drive that big. I’m just being greedy; it will be replacing my 300 GB drive that’s in my enclosure, the one which, right now, is telling me that it only has 95GB free, which I’m trying to figure out. No matter; this type of secure data is imperative for someone like me, who travels to do some of my work.

Oh yeah; they have other drives that aren’t as secure, and drives that are solid state drives, which means they don’t get as hot as other drives and run much quieter. Lots of choices, lots of different prices; check them out, because they look pretty cool. But I’m buying the one below; yeah!

Apricorn BIO 500GB Hard Drive – Biometrically secure/128-bit AES Hardware Encrypted External Hard Drive Price – $162.99

Are You Regular?

Posted by Mitch on Feb 7, 2010

Maybe I’m writing this post because I’m now 50, because I certainly can’t see me writing something like this even when I was 40. We’re about to talk bowel movements, folks; serious stuff here, but if you’re uncomfortable reading about it, move on to something else now. Great Sunday fare, this will be.

Here’s the thing. I’ve had problems going, as in #2, since I was a kid. I don’t really know why, I just did. But I never mentioned it to anyone. I just went about my business whenever my body said “it’s time”, and that was that. Sometimes I’d go daily, but most of the time I went every 3 to 4 days. Talk about being uncomfortable, and dealing with pain.

As I’ve gotten older, I started to find that I couldn’t deal with the pain as well anymore. Man, stuff starts to beat your body up as you get older. Not only that, but sometimes it wasn’t just the pain, it was everything else. Many times it was worse than spending 30 minutes working out on the treadmill. Legs would actually get quivery, if that’s a real word, and I was finding myself having to rest upwards of a half hour before I could get my heart to stop beating heavily. Talk about workouts!

Yeah, there were some other problems as well, but I knew it was time to do something. What many people don’t know is that one of the major places where people have heart attacks is on the toilet; how about that for a stat? Where I live, shoveling snow is number two, but worldwide, number one is sitting on the toilet. I know I’m not the only one who’s ever experienced this issue, obviously. But I finally did something about it.

I went to a proctologist, although it turns out they don’t necessarily like going by that term anymore. Instead, they want to be called colorectal surgeons. Hey, whatever right? Trust me, it was an embarrassing thing for me to do, but I had to decide pain versus embarrassment, and pain won out. No one likes being in pain, and I had to get this issue under control.

I was really worried that I might also have hemorrhoids, and that’s no laughing matter either. I know a few people who’ve had that operation; it’s not a day in the park. Like I needed anyone cutting on me again; I’ve already had both a hernia operation and an operation on my breast to remove a lump. A hemorrhoids operation sounded like no fun at all.

So the guy checks me out and says I “only” have fissures. That’s still painful, but it could be helped. However, it was the other issue I was having that he said was the thing to address. And he recommended something called Miralax. He said it wasn’t necessarily a laxative; in other words, it might not necessarily make you go. What it would do, though, is break down whatever it is that makes things not want to come out when it’s time so that there would be no more pain, and my body could heal.

Just so you know, in my life I’d tried a lot of things. I’d even gone the Metamucil route, thinking that might fix things; nope. But this Miralax thing is something else. It did end up making me go more regular, as long as I remember to take it. It makes things much easier across the board. I get that stuff out of my system, it doesn’t hurt anymore, my body has healed, and man, life is just better.

I’m here to tell you that embarrassing or not, pain and suffering isn’t worth it. To me, this issue is more important than the Viagra thing any day of the year (okay, I don’t have that as an issue, but that’s certainly never been a painful thing for anyone as far as I know). And it affects both men and women. I’m reminded of it a few times here and there when I forget to take it for a few days; call me a moron at those times, but I’m not giving up on it ever again.

By the way, it’s not inexpensive really. It costs around $20 for a 17.9 oz bottle. But it’s worth it, and it certainly lasts longer than a pizza will (and it’ll help you get that pizza back out of you if you’ve asked fro extra cheese, which is how I usually get my pizza).

Look at that; another adult conversation for a Sunday. Any comments?

Christie Martin Jewelry Candy Heart Charm Bracelet Price – $130.00

Beyond Blogging Has Now Launched!

Posted by Mitch on Dec 27, 2009

I hope everyone has had a great Christmas and is looking forward to a great new year. And I hope you didn’t spend all your money because the Beyond Blogging book has finally launched! Actually, it launched some time ago, but I’m not quite sure when. I’m in New York, and one of the authors of the book lives in the Canary Islands, and I have no idea what time it makes it here. So, I’m basing it off England time, though I think the Canary Islands are near Spain; geography isn’t my best subject by a long shot. So, either it launched about 15 minutes ago or an hour ago; either way, it’s launched.

So, what is Beyond Blogging about? I wrote a review about it, which you can check out. Yes, I’ve read the book, so I’m not pushing anything on you that I haven’t seen. Then there were the different stages of the selling process; this is my first true joint venture project. So I wrote a review, then invited you to check out their special report, and finally there was the enticing video and offer to join the affiliate program as well.

Now, based on how these things work, I guess I’m supposed to write one more post in a couple of days as the followup reminder, and I’ll do that. And, as you can see, I’ve already added the book there on the left side where I hope some folks decide they want to possibly check on it as these posts slide away. It may not stay there, though; more information coming on that elsewhere.

So, get out there, buy the book, sign up for the affiliate program and sell the Beyond Blogging book yourself. Thanks for reading; and now, sports.

Beyond Blogging; The Video And Affiliate Program

Posted by Mitch on Dec 24, 2009

Yup, time for the next stage in promoting the Beyond Blogging book, for which you can read my review of here. You can also lay your hands on a special report talking about the book by clicking on The Truth About Blogging In The Next Decade.

The next step in the promotion of the book is the Beyond Blogging Video, which is pretty neat and gives you a little bit more information about the book. I’m telling you, I really believe you’re going to like this book, and the video just might be what puts you over the edge in saying “I gotta have that.”

Now here’s the next thing. Initially all the affiliates were invited to join in, which of course I did. Now they’re opening it up where we can invite other people to sign in as 2nd Tier Affiliates. This means you not only get to make sales, but if you do I earn 10%. And, if you get anyone to sign up under you and they make a sale, you get 10% of their sales. I don’t think I get anything extra out of that deal; that would seem to be a bit much, and there’s nothing that says that would happen. So, if you’re looking to join the group marketing this program, sign up now.

Now y’all get to check out the video, sign up as an affiliate, get the free report, and then relax and enjoy Christmas and know that you now have a few free days where you won’t hear me talk about this again until Sunday, the day before the book finally goes on sale. This product launch thing is kind of interesting, and it’s being run way better than when I tried the same thing back in April 2008 with my book. I’m learning a lot.

I hope you check these things out; if you read my review, you already know how I feel about it. Thanks!

Beyond Blogging – The Report

Posted by Mitch on Dec 22, 2009

By now, most of you know that I’m helping to launch this new book called Beyond Blogging that’s coming out officially on December 28th, which is next Monday. I’m one of the affiliates for the book, which I reviewed at the above link, and I think it’s very good.

The guys who are putting the book out, Nathan Hangen and Mike Cliffe Jones (you see them commenting here from time to time) have created the next step in the process, which they’re sharing with you for free. It’s a report titled The Truth About Blogging In The Next Decade. It’s a very easy to read 15 page report on the status of blogging now and the predictions for the direction it’s going in.

It’s not rocket science, just a nice little report and prediction, and who doesn’t like to think about what might be coming, right? I love where they see it going, because it means poor schleps like us might have a chance to actually make pretty good money online if we figure it out. And it’s free, which should make JP happy.

I’m looking to help make these guys successful, which can only make me somewhat successful at the same time. But, as you saw in my review, I believe in the book, otherwise I wouldn’t be talking it up. So, here’s another freebie for you, and there’s more coming.

For instance, they’re also running a Twitter Contest to help promote the book, and those who enter can win prizes. Now, that sounds good and all, but let me remind you that over-tweeting (never thought I’d use a phrase like that) might irritate some of the folks who follow you, and it could get you labeled as a spammer, so be judicious with the tweets. I know they have a nice prize if you tweet 20 times, but I’m not going to do that, and I’m helping to market it. Tweet as many times as you wish at your own discretion and tolerance for your Twitter followers.

Okay, go check those links!

Beyond Blogging

Posted by Mitch on Dec 21, 2009

Okay, this is definitely something different for me, but different times call for different actions.

I’m on the ground floor of helping to market a brand new product; a J-V (joint venture) if you will. The product is called Beyond Blogging, and it’s a book that has interviews with some of the top money making bloggers of our time.

Now, here’s the thing. The book isn’t available until December 28th. Going to the links now gives you a chance to download a sypnosis of the book, which is pretty good. How do I know? Y’all know me. I’ve said that, except for some of my CJ banner ads, I’m not endorsing anything I haven’t seen. And one of the authors, Mike Cliff Jones, has given me a copy of the book to review up front so I can tell y’all about it. And you know it’s going to be in my words. Sure, they’ve created their own copy, but it’s not my style to use someone else’s words instead of my own on my blog. Nope; ain’t gonna happen. So, here’s a legitimate review; gotta love it!

The book is actually a compilation put together by two authors. One I’ve already mentioned; the other is Nathan Hangen. And this is a book; more than 160 pages worth of very good stuff. They’ve talked to some impressive names if you know anything about big time bloggers.

For instance, we have Gary Vaynerchuk, someone our friend Sire just found out about and had written that post about him, so he’s a big deal.

You’ve got Chris Brogan, who many people know as not only a big A-list blogger but an expert on social media as well. Chris also has a couple of books out there that some of you have seen.

You’ve got David Risley, someone who just came to our attention through an infamous post, once again, on Sire’s site (man, two mentions in my sales letter; is this guy living the life of Riley or what?). I have to admit that after reading his story and his bonafides in the book that I have a lot more respect for his accomplishments.

Of all things, they even got John Chow to sit down with them and discuss how he made his money online. For those of you who scoff at this guy, trust me, you need to pick up a couple of tips from him and how he’s done it, because this is a guy who really didn’t need money from the internet to be considered successful, and he did it anyway.

And there are a lot of other people inBeyond Blogging, for a total of 15 profiles. They all have a bit about their background, they get to tell their stories of success and failure, and how they see blogging and making money will go in the future. I have to say it’s a very good read, and I’m proud to have had the opportunity to not only read it, but to be an affiliate for it. And y’all get to let me see just what kind of marketer I can be, because I’m going to be following their time schedules in marketing this book, which means this isn’t the last post you’ll see on the book.

So, here’s what I’d love you to do for me now. Click on either the Beyond Blogging book, the link in the book name above, or the banner ad below. Go to the website and download the free pdf so you can see more of what the book is about in someone else’s words. There’s might be flashier than mine, but hey, it’s me! Anyway, go there, check it out, then stay tuned as I work with them for the hopefully successful launch on December 28th. I’ll also be adding the book to my sidebar to remind you of it, because I’ll be marketing it long after the launch. I think this book is quality stuff, and I know most of you will also. Have I ever lead any of you down the wrong path? And who among us hasn’t talked about wanting to make more money by blogging?

By the way, notice one very interesting thing, something I actually tried to do but couldn’t do because the domain name was always taken. Every one of the folks above has their own website in their own name. Something to think about, especially where this book is concerned. That’s the only hint you’re getting from me!