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How to Use GPS on a Tablet PC

If you're traveling over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house this holiday, how will you know whether there is a 4-hour construction delay on the road ahead? If you have a GPS system in your Tablet PC, you can stay up on road conditions (and never have to stop and ask for directions again!).

This would make an excellent presentation for your user group. Click here to see author Tony Northrup's online presentation on using a Global Positioning System with your Tablet PC when you are walking or driving.

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Windows Live and Office Live: An Exciting New Direction for Microsoft

In a huge announcement earlier this month, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Ray Ozzie, Microsoft's chief technical officer, mapped out a new and exciting path for Microsoft's online services. Two new offerings, Windows Live and Office Live, help users integrate their work and online tasks. According to Ozzie, "Our dream is to deliver a seamless experience where all the technology in your life and business comes together in a way that 'just works' for you," said Ozzie. "Seamless experiences put people and the things they want to accomplish at the center, with technology easily and transparently connecting them to the people, devices and information that matter most."

For more information
. To read the Microsoft press release about Windows Live and Office Live, go to http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/nov05/11-01PreviewSoftwareBasedPR.mspx
. For an introduction to all the Windows Live services, go to http://www.ideas.live.com/
. To create your own (free) Windows Live home page, go to http://www.live.com.
. To sign up for the beta test of Office Live, go to http://www.microsoft.com/office/officelive/default.mspx

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A Big Showing for the Xbox 360

At midnight on November 22, 2005, thousands of game lovers nationwide stayed up late to participate in the Midnight Madness event around the release of the new Xbox 360, Microsoft's next generation console game. The release of the Xbox 360 is creating a wave of worldwide attention and has been the center of numerous launch parties and special events. Whether you're interested in the Xbox 360 yourself or are thinking about it as a possible holiday gift, you can find out more about the Xbox 360, watch the videos of the release parties, and get previews of Xbox 360 games, by visiting http://www.xbox.com/en-US/?EventID=1032279655&Culture=en-US.

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The Buzz about Blogging

Blogging is a relatively new phenomenon that is gaining momentum all around the world. Blogs may be a type of personal online journal or an independent online publication characterized by cutting edge viewpoints, personal experiences, photos, and more. Over the last year, more and more Microsoft product managers have created their own blogs; it's interesting to be able to read the personal reflections and thoughts of those who are working so closely on developing products.

For more information
. To find out more about blogging, read the article, "Blog Basics," by Mara Gulens, by going to http://www.microsoft.com/athome/intouch/onlinejournal.mspx.
. To read some of the blogs currently being published by Microsoft employees, go to http://blogs.msdn.com/Bloggers.aspx?GroupID=2.
. To start your own blog (free!), visit MSN Spaces at http://spaces.msn.com.

Tip: Be sure to stop by the Mindshare site to see the featured blogs in our Recent Blog Posts section.

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Start Something Creative for the Holidays

The holidays provide a perfect opportunity to put some of your favorite digital images to good use. If you've been capturing photos throughout the year, you can use free downloadable tools from Microsoft to create unique and personal gifts that only you can give. Visit the Start Something Creative http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/holiday) site to find out how to

. Create your own customized holiday cards
. Get organized with templates for recipe cards, gift lists, and more
. Add a soundtrack to your holiday party using a Windows Media playlist
. Give a Photo Story CD gift

To get even more holiday ideas, download the free, printable Start Something Creative Holiday Edition (in PDF format) by clicking the Free Download button on the right side of the Start Something Creative page.

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Windows Media Center PC: Details for Your User Group

Want to give your user group the low down on Media Center PCs? Two recently published sites help you find out everything you might want to know about Windows Media Center PCs. You can learn the basics of a good system, comparison shop, and read the reviews and ratings users have posted.

To find out more about Windows XP Media Center PCs, go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/default.mspx.
If you're interested in the Windows Media Center Extender, go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/extender/default.mspx.

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TipTalk: Insight and Answers for PC Users

TipTalk is a new forum that seeks to answer users' questions about some of the basics of the PC lifestyle: How can you manage files effectively? How can someone get involved in a community? TipTalk brings together the common questions site visitors have asked on the popular Microsoft At Home and Microsoft At Work sites. The site moderators see TipTalk as a kind of "training wheels experience" for readers who haven't yet participated in an online community. If the members of your user group are just warming up to the whole "online community" idea, this site might have some helpful and interesting ideas for them to explore. Pass the links along!

. The TipTalk blog: http://blogs.msdn.com/tiptalk
. Microsoft At Home: http://www.microsoft.com/athome
. Microsoft At Work: http://www.microsoft.com/atwork

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Resources for Leaders: Microsoft Webcast Series

Did you know that Microsoft continuously posts on-demand Webcasts that you can view and share with your user groups? Right now two of the most popular on-demand Webcasts are these:

. The "Learning Paths for Security" series, which focuses on helping users prepare for and prevent security problems.

. Video from the big Visual Studio 2005, SQL Server, and BizTalk Server 2006 Launch road show now touring the U.S. (Even if you're not familiar with these technologies, this is an entertaining and informative Webcast.)

Here's the link for the Microsoft Webcast Series: http://www.microsoft.com/events/series/default.mspx. Be sure to check back regularly to see the new Webcasts that have been added.

Also, don't forget to click here to go to the Mindshare site and find out about other chats, webcasts, and resources you can use in your group!

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User Spotlight: Larry Tyler

Larry Tyler has been a member of the Manatee PC Users Group, Inc., since 1985. Larry has served as Membership Co-chair, software and program procurement, Executive Vice President and President of the group. Larry has also served as Director of the Florida Association of Computer User Groups (FACUG), holding positions in the past of Secretary and President. Today, Larry is the FACUG Treasurer and is always working in any area where there is a need. Click here to go to the Mindshare site to read more about Larry.

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Upcoming Events: Conference Info

The two biggest conferences of the year are just over a month away! Have you made your reservations yet? Here's a quick overview of each of the conferences. We hope to see you there!

. 2006 APCUG (Association of Personal Computer User Groups) Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada: January 2-6. The 2006 Annual APCUG Conference is your chance to connect with user group members and leaders from all over, participating in roundtable discussions, forums, demonstrations, and moiré. Details are available at http://apcug.net. We'll be sponsoring the Thursday luncheon. If you see us around, please be sure to say hello!

. 2006 International CES Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada: January 5-8 .This amazing conference covers everything from audio to home networking to digital media and gaming. This year's theme is "Defining Tomorrow's Technology." For more information, go to http://www.cesweb.org/default_flash.asp.

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Coming Next Month

Here are a few of the stories we're working to bring you next month. Be sure to write to us at mindshar@microsoft.com and let us know what other topics you would like to share with your user groups!

. Tools for getting organized in 2006
. Improving wireless security
. The Scoop on RSS
. The latest on new technology updates
. Your stories, events, and more!

Thanks so much for being a part of the Mindshare program! Remember to share this newsletter with others in your group--and visit the Mindshare site to find additional helpful resources. See you next month--in the New Year!

Aaron Coldiron
Mindshare Manager, Microsoft Corporation
mindshar@microsoft.com
www.microsoft.com/mindshare

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Dec 2005

In This Issue: