Welcome to DiVITA Speaks!!

Productivity Boost

By Benecia Beyer

Looking for a new way to boost productivity for less than $500?  Toss on a second monitor to your PC and your productivity goes way up while your job strain goes down. As much as 30% increase for certain applications.

While multi-monitor computing used to be pricey and the industry standard used to be for high-end, data intensive businesses -- getting a decent flat LCD monitor costs less than $300 and video cards run half of that. So a second display is a real option for even the most frugal business. Or you could use a portable monitor output doubler (a device that splits the monitor feed into two signals, one for each monitor) for under $200 (displayed in the picture).

The effect of multi-monitors on your computing life is immediate and stunning: the second monitor extends the desktop across both screens. So your mouse -- and all things controlled by it --  simply flies from one monitor to the other. No clicks needed.

Every task is easier and faster. Every task. Will all users capture 30% improvement in productivity? No -- it depends on your applications. But -- and this is a huge "but" -- you will be less tired at the end of the day and your eyes and wrists will greatly appreciate the benefits of the increased ease of use and less lower click load. (Surely someone "out there" has figured out how much the average user clicks on their mouse on a daily basis!)

Setting up dual-monitor PC's can be a pain. You are routing two monitor feeds from one computer -- you must master "Display Settings" in the control panel of your PC. It's not really that big a deal -- but many otherwise intelligent people have gotten pretty darn cranky getting multi-monitors to work. So be patient. And know your patience will be rewarded.

Emergency! Emergency!

By Chloe DiVita

I should be starting the New Year off by wishing everyone well, but since I’m a bit at late at that I’m going to jump right in to one of my pet peeves. (But I really do hope everyone is jumping into 2007 with a fresh new outlook!)

One of my bigger pet peeves is the abuse of the red exclamation meaning “high importance” when sending emails. I do believe there are times when it is appropriate to use the exclamation. Say if there is something that needs urgent attention, immediate action, or ignoring it could result in major consequences. If that’s the case, by all means use it.

But, if you are simply providing information - even if it’s important information - if your work day (or the recipient’s work day) is not going to explode by not immediately reading and reacting to the email, then it’s not an emergency. It doesn’t warrant the red exclamation.

The main issue I find with the abuse is that the individuals who choose to use it over and over when it doesn’t seem appropriate end up crying wolf. So, if you abuse it, you end up negating its purpose anyway. There are a few individuals I work with who I don’t flinch when I see the little red exclamation attached to the email because experience has shown me that it rarely is an emergency.

I know I’m not the only one who feels this way because I’ve had several conversations about it. If you think you might be an abuser, it’s not too late to change!

LogMeIn Remote Access

By Chloe DiVita 

In this virtual age many of us are looking for easy remote access to our computers. The issue was a priority at DiVita. One of the “benefits” I give my employees is the option to work from home some of the time, like a certain day each week. I also traveled frequently this past year, but needed to be able to continue working. However, in order to do this efficiently, there had to be access to the work computer. Not just to access necessary software, but also to get email and information.

Originally we used a program that seemed to work. It got the job done, but with a noticeable lag that was sometimes unbearable. Personally, I hate to be slowed down by software.

Then, one of my employees found LogMeIn. There is a free version that simply gives you secure, fast access to the chosen computer. We started with this version, and were so happy with it, we upgraded. Now we have the Pro version, which allows us to print locally, transfer files, invite others to view our computer, and a few other useful things. It’s even reasonably priced! I am currently paying the same price as I was for our other service, but I get more options and instead of having only 2 computers on the account, I have 5.

There are other products offered by LogMeIn, like Remote Backup and a VPN application they call LogMeIn Hamachi. I have no experience with these products, but based on my experience with the company in general, I would be willing to try them.

I’ve run into very little issues with LogMeIn, and when I did need to contact customer support they were very quick to respond. That is always a plus!

If you find yourself unsatisfied with your current solution for remote access, or wondering what route to take, we at DiVita highly recommend LogMeIn!

Getting Rid of Internet Explore 7 Update

By Benecia Beyer

If you're like me, you no longer allow Microsoft to automatically update your computer  (and if you're still on "automatic updates", read our blog post on "Quickbooks and Internet Explorer"). If you choose to NOT install any updates that Microsoft suggests - every time you reboot your computer --  Microsoft has their window pop-up saying "You've got updates to install" -- and after two weeks of this annoying message popping up -- only to find out it is the Internet Explore 7 update -- I decided to find out how to get rid of that (yes -- it could be months before I choose to upgrade to version 7 of Internet Explorer).

Start with accessing Microsoft Windows Update page. You have two choices, either express or custom. You must choose custom, as express does not give you the ability to "toggle" this update to off.  Microsoft will now check for the latest updates for your computer. Good time to go take a short break, go outside and get some fresh air -- get another cup of coffee and it should be ready to go when you get back.

Your web page will now list all the updates ready for you to install. Move your mouse over "Windows Internet Explorer 7.0 and click once. A description of the update is listed. To the left of the name of the update you will see a box that has a check mark in it. Click on the check mark to toggle it off (the check mark disappears) and now below the description you have an option of: Don't show this update again. Click on the box to the left of that and a check mark will appear in the box. Your description will now turn into italics and a "funny" color.

Go to the left side of the page - towards the top of the page -- and click on "Install Updates".  Your next screen will tell you that you've hidden important updates. And that's it !  Presto !  Next time you reboot your computer you will not be told that you have this particular update to install.

This works for all updates you choose to not download and install. And at any time, if you change your mind, you can always go back to the original Microsoft Update webpage and navigate on the left side of the page to the option: "Restore hidden updates".

Instant Answers To Your Questions

By Benecia Beyer

When I was growing up, we had a set of encyclopedias to go to and find our answers to our questions. No computers, no online search engines. It was a favorite thing for me to do on a rainy or snowy afternoon -- to take one of the encyclopedias and just look thru the pages and see what I could find. A few years later, I used these for reference for homework assignments.

It seemed a lot easier to be able to find your specific answer to a question. Today - I often find myself frustrated by "googling" a topic and after clicking on numerous links - I've gotten so far from my original search that I wonder what I was searching for.

Recently, I ran across this wonderful little gem - our modern day's technological version of an encyclopedia: www.answers.com. It's a free reference search service. Instead of a search engine that serves up a long list of links that you must chase down, Answers.com displays quick, snapshot answers based upon content from more than 100 authoritative encyclopedias, dictionaries, glossaries and atlases.

Here is an example of of how Answers.com differs from normal search services. Suppose you want information on the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model. In Google, if you type in "Black Scholes", you get a long list of links (of which the second, third and fourth had "page not found" errors). There are links to books about the Black Scholes Model and links to Black Scholes calculators. All these sights might be helpful in learning about Black Scholes, but you have to try a number of the links before you find a simple outline of the formula.

The results from a search on Black Scholes in Answers.com is very different. You see a cleanly-formatted page that includes a definition from the Investopedia. Then there is a long article on Black Scholes, with the basic formula, the extended formula, and the derivation of the forumula from the Wikipedia encyclopedia.

Finally - a place to find real instant information instead of links of pages where you may or may not find the information. Try it - you might like it!

Can Your System Handle Windows Vista?

By Benecia Beyer

Thinking of upgrading to Microsoft's Windows Vista early next year?

If so, you may be (or should be) getting ready to budget for this upgrade. But before you do, you should check out the newly posted and rather extensive Windows Vista Upgrade planning information and tools posted on the Windows Vista site.

First - let's review optimal and minimum requirements. And then we'll look at how to test your system.

Windows Vista is the first Windows operating system that adapts to take advantage of the capabilities of the hardware on which it is installed. So the Windows Vista experience will vary on different PC's based upon this. If you have the minimum requirements, you will be able to run at least the core experiences of Windows Vista. But if you have the maximum requirements, you will have the ultimate Windows Vista experience.

Minimum Requirements:
Processor - 800 MHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64)
System Memory: 512 MB
GPU: SVGA (800x600)
HDD: 20 GB
HDD Free Space: 15 G
Optical Drive CD-ROM

Maximum Requirements:
Processor - 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64)
System Memory: 1 GB
GPU: A graphics processor that runs Windows Aero. You will also need anywhere from 64MB to 256 MB of graphic memory to support your particular monitor based on its resolution.
Graphics Memory: 128 MB
HDD: 40 GB
HDD Free Space: 15 G
DVD-ROM Drive - external - not internal.

Are you ready to test your system? You can test your system with the Windows Vista Upgrade beta. This isn't a Windows Vista install, but a program that will test your PC to determine whether or not it can handle such an upgrade. Here's the link:

ANOTHER New Way to Search

By Benecia Beyer

I must confess......I am a geek/nerd, hiding behind the traditional "bean-counter" personality. I'm always looking at new technology and trying/testing to see if it works for me !

I just ran across snap.com - the official launch of idealab broadband search engine, which has been in beta testing for a year. I wondered to myself (ho-hum.....yawn) - another way to search the web -- come on - what's next? So with my cynical attitude in check -- I scooted on over and gave it a try.

I've been so used to traditional Google, that it took me a while to learn to navigate - and found easily enough I could work my way through search results by only using the arrow keys and the enter key (I'm very anti-mouse!) There's a pane on the left for results and a large preview image pane on the right. You can even click on the preview image and navigate the site in question within the window without leaving Snap. Or as you're scrolling down the search results on the left, if you hit "enter" it will open up the web page in a new browser window.

Also, when you start typing in your search term, Snap offers up a list of similar, frequently searched for terms. For instance, when you type in business, Snap suggests "home business", "business plan", "small business administration",  "small business", "business cards," etc.

My vote: 9.75 -- nothing gets a "ten" right out of the box !

Next time you're taking a break, why don't you check it out? Don't you just LOVE new things ?

Going Paperless

By Benecia Beyer

Imagine no more frantic searches for lost or misplaced papers or office clutter and how much more space you would have when you move those bulky file cabinets! What would you give to be able to work from remote locations because you can access any document on the Web?

"Reams of paper documents" and "accountants" have been an inseparable and often frustrating pairing for centuries. Although myriad document management solutions are available, paper usage in the United States continues to rise. But gradually, firms are recognizing the need to slice through the clutter and avail themselves of the cost and space-savings benefits associated with a paperless office.

Join Accounting Today's Editor-in-Chief, Bill Carlino, and guest speaker, Kenneth M. McCall, Senior Consultant at Boomer Consulting Inc., for this month's free Online Session that will examine the strategic options available to those who have decided to make the paperless commitment, and how efficient document management can significantly impact one of the most important areas in your firm: the bottom line.

FREE Online Session:

Date: Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Time: 2:00 pm ET/11 am PT

Duration: 45 minutes

Register NOW !

The WebCPA Online Expo Center is a FREE Web-based, interactive virtual trade show where you can attend educational Online Sessions, access valuable resources and information from the leading companies serving the accounting community, browse virtual trade show booths, and network with your peers - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

A Business Blog Alternative

By Benecia Beyer

Are you trying to get yourself noticed but just don't have the time to create a blog and keep it updated on a regular basis? Here's your answer. Just set up a Squidoo Lens.

The brainchild of Seth Godin, it's continuing to gain in popularity. His concept? Everybody's an expert at something. What are you an expert at? That's what you should build your lens about. So what is it anyway? Basically it's a free web page as a gateway to all your favorite resources about a particular topic. And you may just make a few bucks in the process. If you want a quick read about it, download Everyone Is An Expert (PDF).

It will take you about 20 minutes or so to get a lens set up. It's pretty easy.