Bright Angels

I got a new laptop about two months ago and since then I’ve been struggling. I followed the instructions and installed my previous software on my new machine but I’m having all sorts of problems. Registration problems, registry issues, Outlook having a hissy fit and crashing every time I try an open an email with embedded images, Word doing the same when I try to use the thesaurus, the list goes on.

I’ve always used Microsoft Office, mainly because it came pre-installed on my laptop and virtually everyone in the business world uses Word and Excel as standard so it’s convenient to have documents in that format.

But on the advice of a friend, John Baldwin of NETS Ltd, I’ve switched to OpenOffice.org. If you’ve never heard of OpenOffice.org, it’s time you did.

The programme has six full-blown applications: the Writer word processor, Calc spreadsheet, Impress presentations program, Base database program, Math equation editor, and Draw graphics program. But best of all, it’s free!

I’ve been using it for about a month now and I’ve found it really easy to use.  It has all the features you'd expect, but some very nice extras as well, the most useful being the wizards. I now use OpenOffice.org for all my personal stuff as well as writing blog posts and basic bookkeeping jobs such as cashflow forecasts and expense/purchase lists. It will also open other programmes so you can still open Word and Excel documents, and it will save as these formats as well.

What is OpenOffice?
“OpenOffice.org is the leading open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers. It stores all your data in an international open standard format and can also read and write files from other common office software packages. It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose.”
OpenOffice.org website

I've never heard of open-source software?
It’s software that has been developed in collaboration by programmers and end-users. They have access to the source code (hence the name) so they can modify and improve it. It’s free to download, use and distribute, by anyone for any purpose.

But what if I have a problem?
No problem, there’s a wealth of free advice and support out there. No hanging on the end of a telephone line whilst being charged exorbitant call rates!

If this sounds too good to be true, I promise you it’s not. Open-source software is probably more common than you think. If you use Wordpress for your blog, Mozilla Firefox for your internet browser or Joomla for your website then you’re already using open-source software.

So if you’re looking for an office programme that’s both free and easy to use, try OpenOffice.org. I’m a convert, are you?

Web Copy That Sells by Maria Veloso

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time, although the title is slightly misleading. It is more than just tips to write a better website it gives you the structure and psychological techniques on how to write emails and web pages that get a response! Imagine writing an email tomorrow to your existing database that had them wanting to do business with you. This book can show you how to do just that.

Topics include a simple blueprint for writing killer web copy, how to write headlines and how to get your prospects to become purchasers.

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

I'm a sceptic, a cynic just like many other people, but after hearing so much about it, I decided to buy it.

The book is made up of paragraphs of quotations. Interspersed with the quotes from various doctors, scientists and life coaches are short sections written by the Rhonda Byrne, the main author. So the book actually reads more as a reference book rather than a traditional beginning-middle-end story style of book.

This was a very easy read, but gave recommendations for further reading on areas which I may want to follow up from reading the summaries and opinions given by the experts consulted in this book.

The book is full of meaning full quotations, new and old, that really start making sense to you the more you read.

You have to believe it in for it to work for you but it might just change your life.

Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don't by Michael J. Losier

As you go through life the secret of the Law of Attraction may be hiding in plain sight, until it tumbles into your awareness as it did into mine about two months ago.

The basic idea behind that law is that 'like attracts like' - the thoughts you put out to the universe multiply and are reinforced. When you send out negative thoughts you are creating that vibration around you - same goes for positive thoughts. We all know being positive often creates better results and offers a better chance of achieving our goals in life.

This book gets my highest recommendation as the most user friendly book I have read on the topic. I read this book in a couple of hours. Losier gives practical steps to help you clarify your goals and work towards them. The book also contains case studies and easy to complete worksheets, so you can apply the principles immediately, whether it is to relationships, wealth or career.

Business Accounts (Accounting & Finance) by David Cox

This book is the best I've found on introductory accounting and was recommended to me by The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. It was the one I used to study for my exams and since I passed them all with a minimum of 98% it was worth its weight in gold.

However, this book is not just for professional bookkeepers and accountants. It covers the basics of double-entry book-keeping and the use of financial documernts, the preparation of final accounts, final accounts of different types of organisations, such as clubs and societies, sole traders, partnerships and limited companies and their interpretation.

An easy to understand book with lots of examples to work through which helps the complete beginner get to grips with a perceived complex subject. The extended and fully worked case studies are excellent and it includes a section on computerised accounting using Sage.