Exporting Your Email Contacts

So you’ve organized your contacts nicely into your Outlook email client and want to make sure you keep your five contacts (maybe that’s just me, but man it took me awhile) backed up so you have them for emergencies. Or maybe you finally switch from Microsoft Office 2003 to the new 2010 (glad you are finally not living in the past!). Either way this is a good process to know. And I totally get to put pictures in!

There is a difference between exporting files for outlook and exporting to either import to a different program or just have a list. When exporting for Outlook it exports to a file format called Personal Folders (.PST). This file is almost exclusively recognized by Outlook. If you are exporting for another email client or just for your own records you export it into a Comma Separate Values (.csv) which is viewable by Excel.

Getting to the Export Contacts Menu:

If you are running Outlook 2003 or 2007 go under File, Import and Export. The option will be the same after this point for 2003, 2007, and 2010.
Open up your Outlook. Once the main screen has loaded there will be an orange FILE button. Click the tab and a new screen will open up.

 

In this tab (or screen) you will be given options down the right hand side. Select the OPEN option. Here a new screen will load with four choices. Press IMPORT, this option will allow you to export as well.

A new window will open with several options. You will want to choose EXPORT TO A FILE:

Another screen will open up. If you want to export to another version of Outlook or a new PC with Outlook choose OUTLOOK DATA FILE (.pst). If you require a backup copy for yourself, select COMMA SEPARATE VALES (Windows).

This will look identical for each option. Select CONTACTS and click NEXT.

Click browse, choose the location you would like to save it to and click save!

- Keenan F, Network Support Technician

Northern Computer - Your Trusted Partner
#1 - 495 Banks Road Kelowna, BC V1X 6A2
Phone: 250.762.7753 Fax: 250.861.1861 Toll-Free: 1.877.257.2896
Email: sales@northerncomputer.ca or service@northerncomputer.ca
Web: http://www.northerncomputer.ca

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What is Dropbox?

So what exactly is Dropbox? Dropbox is a file synchronization/backup service.  How would one use Dropbox? A basic example would be to install it onto two computers and have the contents of folders synchronize between each computer. This is nice and easy. You can just throw in the items you need to work on and it’s there. No need to remember your flash drive or a burned copy of the CD/DVD.

So now you have your files shared between computers and you accidently delete your file. “Well that’s okay it’s on my other computer!” Sorry but it gets deleted from both computers on the account. But don’t worry, if you log onto the Dropbox website it allows you to undelete files. “My coworkers thought it would be funny to save over my presentation with pictures of cats with mustaches.” No problem, Dropbox keeps revisions of your files so can revert back to an older copy. Again just go back to the website and click on the arrow next to the file to choose which revision.

If that was all there was to Dropbox, then it would be an amazing service, but there is more. Pictures, you have lots of pictures right? The kids, the pets, parties, whatever, well Dropbox can store these in folders in the "Photos" folder, right click any folder in the Dropbox Photo folder and choose "View Gallery" and you'll see your pictures, click on one and it starts a slideshow. Cool huh, but pictures are for sharing right? On the gallery page there is a URL (web address) that you can email or post on your website so other people can see the gallery and slideshow too.

Not only can you install and share between your computers but you can also share folders between Dropbox users. Right click on any folder you wish to share and choose the share option. You will then be prompted to invite another user to share the folder with. Now each of you can add files into the folder such as pictures of cats with mustaches so your coworkers don’t have to overwrite your presentation to show you these “hilarious” pictures. BUT remember that when users add files into the folder it takes away from the total space quota of each user.

WOW, what a cool service, but wait, there is still one more thing. Want to share a file with anyone? Don't want to bother with them having a Dropbox account? Well then drop the file in your "Public Folder", then right click and choose "Copy Public URL". E-mail this link, or post it on your web page for people to use, no fuss to it.

So that’s Dropbox in a… Box?

Northern Computer - Your Trusted Partner
#1 - 495 Banks Road Kelowna, BC V1X 6A2
Phone: 250.762.7753 Fax: 250.861.1861 Toll-Free: 1.877.257.2896
Email: sales@northerncomputer.ca or service@northerncomputer.ca
Web: http://www.northerncomputer.ca

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Windows Key Shortcuts

If you like to use keyboard shortcuts, you may be interested in the shortcuts that the Windows key (winkey) delivers. This key allows a user to perform commonly performed tasks using the Windows key in combination with another key. Your PC must be running a Microsoft Windows operating system.

WINKEY	Pressing the Windows key alone will open Start.
WINKEY + F1	Opens the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
WINKEY + F3	Opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook.
WINKEY + D	Brings the desktop to the top of all other windows.
WINKEY + M	Minimizes all windows.
WINKEY + TAB	Cycle through open windows
WINKEY + SHIFT + M	Undo the minimize done by WINKEY + M and WINKEY + D.
WINKEY + E	Open Microsoft Explorer.
WINKEY + Tab	Cycle through open programs through the taskbar.
WINKEY + F	Display the Windows Search / Find feature.
WINKEY + R	Open the run window.
WINKEY + Pause / Break key	Open the system properties window.
WINKEY + U	Open Utility Manager.
WINKEY + L	Lock the computer and switch users if needed (Windows XP and above only).
WINKEY + LEFT ARROW	Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the left side for side by side viewing. (Windows 7 only)
WINKEY + RIGHT ARROW	Shrinks the window to 1/2 screen on the right side for side by side viewing. (Windows 7 only)
WINKEY + UP ARROW	When in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to full size. (Windows 7 only)
WINKEY + DOWN ARROW	Minimizes the screen. Also, when in the side by side viewing mode, this shortcut takes the screen back to a minimized size. (Windows 7 only)

Northern Computer - Your Trusted Partner
 #1 - 495 Banks Road Kelowna, BC V1X 6A2
Phone: 250.762.7753 Fax: 250.861.1861 Toll-Free: 1.877.257.2896
Email: sales@northerncomputer.ca or service@northerncomputer.ca Web: http://www.northerncomputer.ca

Read More