BUSINESS APPS FOR WINDOWS 8

While the Surface RT has business potential out of the box here's a listing of very helpful apps to help with your business needs c/o PC World Magazine.
10 killer Windows 8 business apps for real productivity

WINDOWS 8 KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS:
This site will be a valuable reference for those of us using keyboards and mice to navigate the new OS from Microsoft...I'll be bookmarking it and committing much of it to memory.
http://www.winbeta.org/guides/comprehensive-list-windows-8-keyboard-shortcuts

IPv6

What is IPv6?  The internet is running out of addresses and this new version of the IP protocol will take care of that issue hopefully forever.  But how does this impact you the user?  Well in the near term if you purchase new internet hardware (think router for example) be sure that it has IPv6 connectivity/compatibility.  Then if you are using an older version of Windows (such as XP) or any version before Vista open a command prompt and run this command:
netsh int ipv6 install
Be sure to include the spaces where shown.  Also be using an account with administrator privelages.  When you hit the enter key after the command is entered the program will run for awhile and you should see ok appear on a separate line.
Type 'exit' to leave the command prompt program.

DISPLAY PORT--What is DP/Display Port and why do I care?
This is a new 'open source' technology for transferring data between your computer and monitor.  It will be replacing DVI/VGA at some point in the not too distant future and as a far better technology if you currently have the ports on either device it's well worth taking advantage of.  And if you nave a video card which supports this technology adapters are available to connect your DVI/VGA monitor using these cables and technology.
For more information check out this site:
http://www.displayport.org/

WINDOWS 8

If you purchase a PC sometime close to this coming holiday season (Christmas or New Year's) you will probably be using Windows 8.  Don't Panic!!  While it is quite different from 7 once you find and navigate to the desktop you'll be fine...it looks quite a bit like 7.  If you're using a touchscreen device then it will navigate easily...if you're using a mouse think "cursor over to the upper or lower left corner/cursor over to the upper right corner".  That's where the action is!  When you place the cursor over to the upper right corner for example the 'charms' open which are little more than shortcuts to places of importance starting with the 'search' bar which you can use to navigate to familiar places like your Desktop.  Holding your cursor over the lower left corner displays the 'Start' screen in miniature so if you're not already there clicking on it brings up the radically new Start Screen.  Stay tuned as there will be lots written about this new OS.  In the meantime if you want to really prepare yourself here's a helpful link:
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/251083/a_guide_to_getting_around_the_windows_8_beta_with_a_mouse.html
and:
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/120839-the-ultimate-guide-to-windows-8-on-the-desktop
The new software and Microsoft Tablet (Surface) should herald an exciting time in the PC world...

LOCK YOUR COMPUTER
If you frequently leave your computer for short intervals a really quick and easy way to assure no one can view your work is simply striking the windows logo key + L.  This locks your computer, the screen shows only that the computer is locked with the Welcome/logon screen and the ability to switch users.  All your work is saved and opens when you log back in.  Everything is exactly as you left it.  Easy and Secure.

LOOKOUT AV FOR ANDROID
If you don't already have antivirus protection for your Android device then check out this little free app.  It has a $30/year premium version but the freebie does alot.  It's available via the "Google Play Store" and will scan everything you download so you can rest assured your downloaded apps won't wreak havoc on your nice little device!  It also scans regularly and can help you locate a lost or stolen phone.
https://www.mylookout.com/
Check out their site for more information.

COMMUNICATION TOOLS
You can stay on top of your social media AND business commitments with a few new communication tools:  HootSuite lets you manage Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts in the same spot.  For face-to-face time use Google+ Hangouts which requires a simple plug-in installation and a Google account to gather up to ten people in a video chat.  As long as you have a solid video connection.  And even more easily without any app or plug in AV byAOL is available and lets up to 4 people chat.  Just share the 'link' to your video chat session and anyone with a webcam can join.
And all of these are totally free!

ANOTHER MS OFFICE ALTERNATIVE

Kingsoft Office 2012 offers Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentations in a free as well as paid version.
For more info visit them at:  www.http://www.kingsoftstore.com/
They're rated as 'The Best Alternative' by PC World magazine in their May 2012 issue.

LOCATE YOUR LOST OR STOLEN ANDROID DEVICE!

If your Android phone or tablet is lost or stolen...don't beat your self up...follow this link and locate your device:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/250040/how_to_locate_your_unprotected_android_device.html#tk.nl_wbx_h_crawl2 

SNAP A SCREEN SHOT WITH YOUR iPhone

If you've ever wanted to snap a screen shot from your iPad, iPod touch or iPhone here's how:
Simply press the Home button (button at the bottom of the screen) and the Power buttons simultaneously.  After releasing them the screen will flicker once and after that the picture is then stored in the camera / pictures file.
This tip is courtesy of 'Smart Computing' magazine.

USE TABS IN MS OFFICE

Ever wondered where the tabs are in Microsoft Office's suite of programs (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)?  Well, wonder no more.  Visit www.office-tabs.com and download it's free application allowing you to use tabs in all three programs, just two or only one.  And best of all it is free.  As reported by "Rick Broida, in February's issue of PC World" magazine this little application puts tabs into your Office programs just as nature intended.  Give it a whirl and I think you'll be glad that you did.

Outlook Backup Tool

If like many of us you rely heavily on your MS Office Outlook program here's a must have tool for backing up the outlook.pst file which is where most of the information the program uses (emails, contacts, calendars etc) is stored:
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=9003
For detailed instructions on using this tool visit this site:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/238782
Your data will be backed up using the configuration settings you choose or you can do it manually at any time.