It also syncs with Windows Live now as well, so it can connect to your Windows Phone.

CompanionLink are constantly adding new devices to sync with your contacts, for example the new Amazon Kindle Fire. They have also provided me with a promotional code, SYNCKINDLE, so that CompanionLink for Google is just $39.95.

About Harry

Harry has always loved computers and technology. He loves breaking his tech, and then trying to fix again (usually successfully!). He is mad about almost anything tech - his HTC Desire HD phone, & Windows 7 especially. He loves all the new features in Windows 7, such as Aero Peek.• Favourite browser - Google Chrome • Favourite PC brand - HP

Sparklines – What’s that ?

I thought you’d say that. Well, let’s for argument sake say you did. In short, Sparklines are tiny diagrams or charts that you can insert into your worksheet at the end of a row or column to project trends or compare statistics. Each Sparkline is so small that it takes up no space at all. One Cell is all it takes, making it a brilliant visual help to monitor your numbers.

One usage that comes to mind is to monitor your sales progress during a month, week, quarter. Or, maybe if you have an Excel sheet to monitor your stock options, you can quickly see how they are doing suing small Sparklines.

Sparklines are located in the middle of the Insert Ribbon with three standard lines to choose from. Highlight the area you would like to monitor and choose your Sparkline of choice. I’m sure you’ll wonder, however you managed without.

About Thomas

Computer geek from the age of 7, which amounts to 30 years of computer experience. From the early days (when every computer company had their own OS) of DOS, Windows 1.0 through Seven...

My thoughts thus far:

• I don’t like Social Networking because:
• I’m concerned about privacy
• I value my time online and find Facebook etc. encourages “wasting time”
• I like Google’s approach to privacy and hope they (Google’s engineers) either avoid security holes (best) or they’re quick to patch any security holes (still better than most social networking sites)
• I have spent about an hour on Google+ in the last week and feel it’s going in the right direction that’s needed to succeed

Time will tell how well Google+ does. Hopefully it’s a Gmail or a Search and not a Wave. They already have a big user base (whether the users are aware or not) as tools like Buzz, Reader, and +1 are heavily integrated in the tool already. By virtue of that, Google+ wont be a ghost town for long… I hope.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

Sign in to Google+ with your Google account.

While you’re at it, add me to a circle of yours: Rich Robinson – Google+ and keep up with the Windows posts I share there (as well as other, random, posts that may catch your attention.)

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

Please note: Stock prices don’t represent splits in Microsoft’s stock. See the market cap at the bottom of the infographic for a more accurate portrayal of the standing between the two companies.

The creator of the infographic has been given a hard time over many details. Just use this infographic as an education in the history of the companies and not the basis for a research paper between the two companies.

See the rest of the history here: Microsoft vs. Apple: The History of Computing (Infographic)

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

What you get, and what it costs to fix…

Imagesource unknown, I had this in my library. Found it on the web somewhere, some time ago…

Copyright to anyone who claims it.

About Thomas

Computer geek from the age of 7, which amounts to 30 years of computer experience. From the early days (when every computer company had their own OS) of DOS, Windows 1.0 through Seven...

This is about as simple as the stereotypes get.

How to fix any computer | The Oatmeal

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

Here’s the wording from their security policy:

As set forth in our privacy policy, and in compliance with United States law, Dropbox cooperates with United States law enforcement when it receives valid legal process, which may require Dropbox to provide the contents of your private Dropbox. In these cases, Dropbox will remove Dropbox’s encryption from the files before providing them to law enforcement.

DROPBOX: We’ll Turn Your Files Over To The Government If They Ask Us To | Business Insider

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

You can read more about it and download it here. [Via Windows Forums]

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

Its been a long wait for some of us but it’s officially here, finally!

Microsoft have released Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 bringing notable new features such as Dynamic Memory, Remote FX and improved HDMI audio device performance. Security updates and hotfixes have also been rolled up into the SP.

Before you dive in to downloading and installing, please check out all the documentation to ensure your install goes smoothly.

Prerequisites :

• Your current operating system must be the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows 7 (build 7600). (How Do I Know Which Operating System I am Using? [Quick Tip])
• Users updating through Windows Update/WSUS must install the Servicing Stack Update (SSU) that handles the installation and removal of software updates, language packs, and optional Windows features. This update is necessary to successfully install or uninstall the service pack; it also improves the performance and reliability of the service pack installation. This update is part of the standalone update package and will be offered as a separate package on Windows Update.

Documentation:

• Deployment Guide for Windows 7 with SP1
• Hotfixes and Security Updates included in Windows 7 SP1
• Release Notes for Windows 7 with SP1
• Notable Changes in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1

Update Readiness Tools:

• Windows 7 x86
• Windows 7 x64

SP1 Download Links:

• Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
• Windows 7 SP1 x86 (538MB EXE)
• Windows 7 SP1 x64 (903MB EXE)
• Windows 7 SP1 x86 and x64 (1953MB ISO)

Physical Media:

• Service Pack 1 Physical Media Ordering

Cleanup:

Note that this removes backup files created during the SP installation thus the SP cannot be uninstalled after this operation has completed.

In an elevated command prompt run

dism /online /cleanup-image /spsuperseded

Troubleshooting:

• "The following updates might need to be reinstalled" message when you try to install SP1 for Windows 7 or for Windows Server 2008 R2

Uninstallation:

Providing you haven’t run cleanup, you can uninstall the SP by running (in an elevated command prompt)

wusa /uninstall /kb:976932

About Stu

It’s a good week for Microsoft fanboys!  Microsoft have today made Internet Explorer 9 Release Candidate available for download.

We’ve covered some of the great features IE9 has to offer in the past, we’ve also taken a look at tweaking the browser to better suit your needs.

A few enhancements here are there are notable in the newest public release though nothing too drastic from what we already know.

Note that IE9 RC is now feature complete.  Whilst we may see the odd minor UI tweak here and there and undoubtedly tonnes of bug fixes before it goes gold, know that this is it folks!  And I think Microsoft have done it!

Hit the link for the direct download links.

Windows 7 x86

Windows 7 x64

Windows Vista x86

Windows Vista x64

(No XP support)

About Stu