Oct. 2006 Newsletter--Training Wheels Edition

Solotechie Computer Services--October 2006 Newsletter

Hello everyone!

Jeff Layton, here. Welcome to the first Solotechie Computer Services e-newsletter (the "Training Wheels Edition", since it's the first one). Please feel free to forward this to anyone you think would like it!

If you can't receive HTML e-mails, or if you prefer to read the newsletter on the website, you can click here to read the online version.

What's this for?

Here at Solotechie Computer Services, I strive to offer prompt, high-quality computer maintenance, repair, and configuration service for your computers, either on-site, via phone or internet, or at my home-based shop.

In striving to offer the best service for you, I've decided to write a monthly newsletter, and fill it with information you can use to maximize the enjoyment and productivity you get from your computers, special offers, and some stuff that's just for fun.

Please, if you like it--forward it on to some friends! If you have an idea for a future newsletter, or if there's something you like or dislike, please let me know. If you'd rather not receive the newsletter, that's fine; just tell me, and I'll remove you from the subscribers list--no hard feelings.

Thanks, and enjoy!

It's a girl!

As some of you may know, there was a bit of excitement here at the Layton household last week--my wife and I brought home our first child, Annika Beth. For those of you wanting to see the little cutie, click here for pictures.

In honor of my daughter's birth, I'm offering 10% off regular hourly rates for anyone contacts me for service before Oct. 31. (The appointment doesn't have to be before Oct. 31, you just have to contact me before then...) My e-mail is jeff@solotechie.com, and my phone number is (717) 552-1022. Just mention this offer to get the discount.

FREE STUFF!

(If that didn't get your attention, nothing will.) Lots of folks pay lots of money for software to do various things--picture editing, word processing, etc. Sometimes it's necessary (when you're required to have a certain program for school, for example), but many times it's a bit of a waste of your hard-earned cash. For example, Microsoft's Office can cost anywhere from $120 and up. Would you be interested to know that you can get much of the same functionality for free? Enter OpenOffice.org, a FREE, open-source suite of programs that does just as well, if not better than, Microsoft's office suite.

Here's the list of what OpenOffice.org contains, with a (very) short description of each program:

WRITER--Word processing software with spell-checking, wizards for laying out standard business letters, plus WRITER can open your MS Word documents, too. It's a very feature-rich piece of software!
IMPRESS-- IMPRESS is a truly outstanding tool for creating effective multimedia presentations, just like MS PowerPoint. Impress can open PowerPoint presentations, or save to PowerPoint format.
CALC--Powerful spreadsheet program; replaces MS Excel. Can open and save to MS Excel format.
DRAW--From a quick sketch to a complex plan, DRAW gives you the tools to communicate with graphics and diagrams. You can save Flash versions of your work.
BASE--Database application that works with other popular database software, such as MS Access, MySQL, and others.

As with any new program, it takes some getting used to--the different functions may not be where you're used to them being. It can take some time to familiarize yourself with the layout and tools, but in the end, it's worth it! There are free tutorials to get you started at www.tutorialsforopenoffice.org and www.learnopenoffice.org and if you get stuck, there is an online forum that is populated by quite a few knowledgeable users who are willing to answer any questions you may have.

Go ahead, give it a try! (Click here for the free download.)

Wireless for Sale: $97

Wireless networking is the best thing to come along since cooking with fire. I'm writing this on my 2nd favorite laptop (here's my first favorite), from my couch, while watching baseball on TV. If it wasn't for wireless networking, I would have to run 50 feet of cord from my office that I would likely trip over, breaking my arm, and costing me thousands and thousands of dollars (I would certainly sue myself).

Here's my point: If you too want to enjoy the advantages of wireless networking--maybe you have a new laptop--you can have it installed for $97, including the router. This is a limited-time offer, good until the end of October, and includes installation and setup of the router, configuration of two computers, and travel time of up to 15 minutes one-way from Chambersburg. Sorry, the offer does NOT include any other hardware, or time spent on other repairs.

Coming Soon--Stay Tuned!

Soon, Solotechie Computer Services will be offering pre-built desktop computers. Price and specs are yet to be finalized. Keep an eye on my website, as I'll be posting pictures and info there.

Finally--Just for Fun!

The Frank Lloyd Wright Design Studio: With the world's most recognized architect as your guide, you can design a house online, then walk through a 3-D model of it. You'll need a high-speed connection, and a pretty fast computer for the 3D version. There's a non-3D version for those with older computers or dial-up connections.

Hitch50: Two guys, Scotty and Fiddy, are trying to hitchhike to all 50 state capitals in 50 days, starting October 10th. You can track their progress, view their exact current location on a zoomable map, and read the frequently asked questions, such as, "How are you going to get to Alaska and Hawaii?" and "Are you guys out of your minds?" Sounds like fun--I wish I'd thought of it!

And finally, something to think about that is of absolutely no importance whatsoever: "There are 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary, and those who don't."

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