Software/Add-Ins

Reorganize the Task Bar

If you have multiple presentations, several applications and numerous windows explorers open – the task bar becomes crowded and confusing. For just situations, I use the free application ‘Task Arrange.’

This lets me group all of my presentations together, slide outlook to the far left, etc. Or another practical use (this week in particular) is designing a multi-screen show and being able to move the presentation tabs to the visual order (ie. left screen appears on the left, center in the center and right screen presentation is the right tab).

Click here to go to Task Arrange’s download page.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-11-17T16:30:36-08:00October 10th, 2007|Software/Add-Ins|

Download or View PDF?

This is a browser add-in that I recently was told about and I like it. The frustration is when you click on a link to a PDF it is up to your browser settings whether it opens the PDF or downloads it (and Adobe’s default setting is to open it).

If I know I want to download the PDF there are three choices:
1. Right-click the link and choose ‘save file as’
2. Click the link, have it open, then click the save icon
3. Install the “PDF Download” add-in

With ‘PDF Download’ installed, every time a PDF link is clicked a dialog asks if it should be opened or saved – brilliant!

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-11-17T16:30:04-08:00October 8th, 2007|Software/Add-Ins|

Image Resizer

This free application from Microsoft has some great uses. Basically it does exactly what the name implies, it adds the ability to resize images. But this one is accessible from a right-click on any image.

It is a limited use application, in that it offers only four preset image sizes. If you click the ‘Advanced’ button it also offers the ability to set a custom size. Another nice feature is you can select multiple image files and convert all to a new size as a batch process.

You can get more info and download from here.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-11-17T16:28:35-08:00October 3rd, 2007|Software/Add-Ins|

Office 2003 SP3 Release

Yesterday Microsoft released the largest Office Service Pack ever (SP3). It covers security, improvements, Vista compatability and interoperability with Ofifce 2007.

Here is some of the facts Microsoft sent me:
• Over 6000 fixes.
• Over 70% focused on security.
• Includes 600+ new hotfixes (including fixes to Watson crashes).
• Includes 50 public updates/security bulletins.
• Includes SP1 and SP2.
• Total of 77 languages and 398 distinct patches.

Easiest way to download is from Microsoft Office Update.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-11-17T16:26:29-08:00September 19th, 2007|Software/Add-Ins|

PowerPoint 2007 for Dummies

As mentioned, I have been entrenched in two large projects that are being developed in PowerPoint 2007. There are tons of great features in the version – and there are tons of old-and-new annoyances, bugs, etc.

I could either fumble through many of the new features, or I could use some of the great resources that are available to all. Over the past few weeks I have referred to “Cutting Edge PowerPoint 2007” from the “For Dummies” series many times.

This great book is written by fellow PowerPoint MVP Geetesh Bajaj. Not really advocating this book over any other, but I am saying everyone – myself included – has some great resources available.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-11-17T16:26:06-08:00September 17th, 2007|Resource/Misc, Software/Add-Ins|

NXPowerlite Soon for Office 2007

Over the past few days I have been testing a beta version of the next NXPowerlite. Tommy over at Neuxpower Solutions contacted me at a perfect time, as I have been working exclusively in PPT 2007 for two large projects and have plenty of test subjects.

NXPowerlite is compression software for PowerPoint, Word and Excel files. I have been using this software for at least 3 years, so it has a proven track record with me. Version 3.5.1(beta) works with the new .xml format of Office 2007 files (ie. pptx, docx, etc.). The results have been great. One file produced an error, but they are still working out the kinks of embedded objects. The rest of my files did as promised – they got small, without visible quality loss. As example:

File 1: lots of large images and several charts created within Powerpoint. Original 20.8MB, after compression (at the ‘excellent’ level) 12MB.

File 2: LOTS of large images. Original 146MB, after compression 44MB!

When I hear the new product is available I will let you know. In the mean time, you can get the details about NXPowerlite here.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-11-17T16:25:39-08:00September 12th, 2007|Software/Add-Ins|

What is it; Macromedia or Adobe Flash?

Mergers and acquisitions even effect the most seemly stable companies. So the question came up that a client could not find the Macromedia Flash Player, would the Adobe Flash Player work?

Both are the same thing. The Flash format was developed by Macromedia, hence – Macromedia Flash (player). Recently Macromedia was purchased by Adobe and now the Macromedia Flash products have been rebranded Adobe Flash.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-11-17T16:25:10-08:00September 10th, 2007|Software/Add-Ins|

Put PPT 2003 buttons and menus back in PPT 2007

Okay, the time has finally arrived. I am doing a major project in PowerPoint 2007! It is not that I have a problem with PPT 2007, I just have not had a client request. So up until now I have actually used PPT 2007 more when it was in Beta that after its release. Well, like many I am finding it somewhat tedious to learn where everything is in the new interface. I am also working under some tight timelines, so I do not have the luxury of learning at a leisurely pace. So for me a short term solution has been to add back some of the familiar PPT 2003 tool buttons.

This is a limited interface – it does not give you all of your customized layout from PPT 2003 (I wish!), but it does give a familiar look and feel to things. This is a free add-in that can be downloaded from here.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-11-17T16:23:35-08:00September 3rd, 2007|Software/Add-Ins, Tutorial|

PPT and Vista/Wacom Bug Fixed!

Once again I have good news and one less reason to reformat my computer! Wacom has recently released a new set of drivers for its tablets – which I use. If you look back to the May 13, 2007 post I mentioned an annoyance with objects jumping around when selected.

Well I narrowed it down to either the Logitech or Wacom drivers, but had no solution. Over the weekend I installed the newly released Wacom driver and PowerPoint behaves once again!

If you a Wacom tablet on a Vista machine, go here and get the latest drivers.

Okay, one more reason to keep Vista installed.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-11-17T16:22:09-08:00August 22nd, 2007|Software/Add-Ins|
Copyright TLC Creative Services, Inc | All Rights Reserved
Go to Top