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This Month's Newsletter
Happy Summer Solstice! How can we already be so close to the longest day of the year? We hope that wherever you are, you are enjoying beautiful summer weather and you have the freedom to explore, vacation, or lounge by the pool (but not too close!) with your favorite technology.
The Mindshare team recently sent out Presentation in a Box kits to user group leaders in our database. We hope your group has received this latest kit, which includes demo materials that will enable you to show Office Publisher 2007 to your groups.
This month we are passing along some new resources with demos, free trials, and articles you can share with your group. Enjoy, and stay cool!
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New Resource: Windows Vista Demos
The Windows Vista team has posted a number of demos online that you can share with your group on topics ranging from the basics ("Learning to use the mouse") to more advanced ("Security Basics"). Click here to go to the demos page and see whether there's a topic that would fit into your next meeting agenda.
Demystifying User Account Control in Windows Vista
The User Account Control feature in Windows Vista has gotten some prime-time exposure-and more than a little ribbing, thanks to the commercials of a leading competitor. Although the ads portray UAC as an overprotective agent that won't let you get anything done, UAC is actually an important (and easy to use) part of Windows Vista security. Click here to read " Understanding User Account Control in Windows Vista," by Charlene Shepard to find out how to use UAC to your best advantage.
Office 2007 Training Presentations
Now on Office Online you can download free presentations to introduce your user group to the key new features in Office 2007 programs. Click here to find more than two dozen different presentations on Office 2007 applications.
Free Download: The Windows Live Toolbar
The new Windows Live Toolbar is a web search tool that enables you to search quickly (and safely) from any web page. The toolbar is tied into Windows Live Local, so you can get relevant local information related to your search, and smart menus provide links to additional details about the topic or destination you have entered. The toolbar is a free download that works with both Windows XP and Windows Vista. Click here to learn more.
Get Peace of Mind with Windows Live OneCare
If you haven't yet tried Windows Live OneCare, take advantage of the free trial currently being offered. Windows Live OneCare is truly a "one-stop shop" for managing all aspects of PC security. To find out more, go http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-us/default.htm.
A Look into the Future: Microsoft Surface
If you watched Bill Gates' keynote at CES this year, you saw him doing what seemed like the impossible, displaying digital recipes on countertops, rearranging images on a bedroom wall, and more. Microsoft has recently announced the development of the technology that makes those kinds of touch-and-move experiences possible: Microsoft Surface. If you're looking for a little "the-future-is-now" story to share in your user group newsletter this month, take a look at Microsoft Surface.
Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1 Now Available
If you have a Smartphone or another device that relies on Windows Mobile 6, take a look at the new Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1 , The upgrade now synchronizes your information-email messages, appointments, documents, music, movies, and more-easier than ever, recognizes your device at connection, and offers a registration program to keep you up-to-date whenever new releases are available.
Get Free Software from the Microsoft Trial Software Center
If you're looking for new products to demo for your group, you may find some great ideas at the Microsoft Trial Software Center. This page lists all products currently being offered as a free trial. Check back often!
Digital Mastery: The Get Real! Photo Contest
Do you have great digital photos you'd like to share? Windows Live Spaces is sponsoring the Get Real! Photo Contest, inviting participants to post their favorite images to a Windows Live Spaces Photo Album and compete for prizes. Prizes are awarded daily, and the Grand Prize winner will receive a Toshiba 42" HDTV. Click here to find out more.
Get the Spam Out
Even though our filters are getting better, security is getting tighter, and Outlook is learning quickly which messages are from safe and which aren't, most of us still receive steady streams of spams. Click here to read the article, " Help Keep Spam Out of Your Inbox," on Microsoft.com, for some practical ways to reduce the amount of unwanted email you receive.
53 Hardware Secrets
Here's an interesting article for those of you who want to get more out of your existing hardware but aren't sure where to start: " 53 Hardware Secrets: PC Perk-ups," by Andy Rathbone. Learn about everything from adding RAM to inserting a memory-card reader to managing Bluetooth calls to getting more from your printer's ink cartridge.
New Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse
If you give a lot of presentations, you may be interested in this new hardware offering from Microsoft: The Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse. If it sounds like this little animal does everything except wash your dishes, that's probably because it does-it's a laser pointer, a slide presenter, and a remote control. Click here to read more about it.
More Resources for Leaders
Does Your Group Need a Web Site?
If you've been thinking about creating a web site for your user group and haven't quite made up your mind, this may be the moment to act. Microsoft Office Live offers several programs for organizations and small businesses, enabling them to create a web presence easily, track important information and relationships, manage email and projects, and much more. Two of the three Office Live programs are currently offering a free trial. Click here for more information.
Coming Next Month
I hope to see many of you at the SouthWest User Group Conference in San Diego, July 13-15! 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 topics you would like to share with your user groups!
. Planning a Summer Road Trip with Microsoft Streets and Trips
. Blogging with Windows Live Writer
. Windows Home Server
. Your stories, events, and more!
Thanks, as always, for your participation in Mindshare. See you in July!
Until next time,
Sheri Sullivan
Mindshare Project Manager, Microsoft Corporation mindshar@microsoft.comwww.microsoft.com/mindshare
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Big Blue and Cousins: The Greater Victoria Personal Computer Users' Association—
