Microsoft makes copying Vista a monster task

Do you think copying Windows Vista is a huge task?With Windows XP, antipiracy measures were a bit of an afterthought. But with Windows Vista, Microsoft had pirates in its sights from the get-go. See the image: Microsoft aims to stay ahead of pirates. From the box to the software, Redmond is clamping down, forcing pirates to go to greater lengths to create "Frankenbuilds" that can evade detection. How long do you think it will take before someone cracks the copying code?

Voice Mail and E-Mail Etiquette

Technology has changed the face of business. But that doesn’t mean our customers have to like it. Think about it from the customer’s point of view – what technology annoys you as a customer? Now think specifically about your customers, is there any technology your business uses that has the potential to annoy your customers? Two common technologies used are voice mail and e-mail. Both of these offer great benefits to your customers – if you use them wisely.Read more...

Create a prototype application with Access' built-in or online templates

Access can set up prototype applications for you, which will save you time and provide you with a better idea of what your users want. Mary Ann Richardson explains how to create a prototype using Access' built-in or online templates.

Hide the last logon in Windows 2000 Professional

Don't unwittingly open yourself up to a security breach--ensure a blank slate each time you log in to Windows 2000 Professional by hiding your user name altogether. Here's a simple way to tighten security in Windows.

Why Learning is a Leader's Most Important Skill - By Kevin Eikenberry

Ask anyone to give you a list of skills that describe a highly effective leader, and I'm guessing they'll give you a pretty extensive list. (Go ahead, make a quick mental list right now.) Since I've done this many times in groups, I am accustomed to what I will hear or read. These lists typically include that leaders must have vision, they must be compassionate, they must be good communicators, they must build relationships, they must work well in teams, they must be powerful persuaders...and many other similar sentiments. All are excellent observations. Rarely, though, do I find someone listing the most basic, underlying skill of all. Learning. Highly effective, remarkable leaders must be continuous, lifelong learners.There are at least four reasons why I believe this is true: the complexity of leadership, the nature of change, the role of leaders to model for others, and the overall source of leadership. Let me explain. Leadership is a complex endeavor. Humans are complex, and a leader is dealing with more than just his or her own complexities. They are tasked with understanding the complexity of human behavior and interactions across many people. When we put it this way, the role can seem daunting. Something this complex won't be mastered quickly. Remarkable leaders know that the mastery of these complexities is a lifelong journey with no defined endpoint. The result? The need and desire to be in a continuously learning mindset.The status quo requires no leadership. Think about it. If everything in the current situation was great -- if there was no need for change -- how much leadership would be needed? Leadership is required because we want to move somewhere. In other words, the need for leadership is predicated on change, and so leaders must be prepared to work under changing conditions. If conditions change, then learning is required to continually adapt to and work under the changing conditions. Remarkable leaders know their job is to move people through status quo. Therefore, they know that they must continue to grow themselves to meet the needs of the situations and the people they are leading.We must model it for others. While the needs and forces for learning are great, leaders aren't just learning for themselves. Sure, they are learning for their own competency and confidence as well as to better serve those they are leading, but they also are setting a tone and modeling for those that are following them. When you are a leader, whether by position or reputation, people are looking to you -- whether you like it or not, you are a role model. How then can leaders expect their teams to continue to grow and develop if they aren't doing it themselves? Better leader = better human. The best leaders are learners for all of the reasons above (and their own other reasons), but they also know something else. They know that in the end, the skills that make them better leaders also make them more highly functioning human beings. Remarkable leaders are learners because they want to be better leaders and because they want to be better people. For example, learning how to communicate more effectively makes you more effective in more than just your role as a leader -- that skill development, that growth, spills out into every part of your life. If none of the other reasons above are compelling enough for you, this one should be!So, if learning is such an important skill, why don't people notice it and/or add it to the list of traits of great leaders? Precisely because it is the underlying skill. People can become exceptional at the other skills on the list because they are willing to learn, grow, improve, and change. They know that to become more effective they must continue to improve. They know that effective leadership is a journey -- so they remain focused on becoming more effective, not on arriving and maintaining. The mindset of being on the path, of constantly being a learner, is the path of the truly remarkable leader.The good news is that you can choose that path every day. You can choose to be a more effective leader -- and your first choice is to become a learner.You can make that choice anytime. Today's the day to start.About the Author:Kevin Eikenberry is a leadership expert and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, a learning consulting company that helps clients reach their potential through a variety of training, consulting, and speaking services.

Unbearable Boredom: A Call to a Magnificent Life - By Annette Colby

"Life is okay, but I'm bored with it all. I get up, go through my morning habits, and generally keep going. During the day I smile, engage in friendly conversations, attend to the requirements of my work. After work, it's home to watch television, eat, and sleep. In between, there's the movies, gym, music, and shopping. My days are predictable and routine. What is joy? What is excitement? I think I'm missing the meaning of my life."If you ever find yourself dealing with unbearable boredom, treat it not as an undesirable invader, but celebrate the arrival of an important messenger. Without boredom we'd comfortably vegetate in neutral, passing time by doing the same things in the same ways over and over again. Boredom's appearance is a glorious sign of impending growth. New interests, passions, talents, or strengths seek expression. It's a wake-up call indicating a readiness for more: more self-love, self-leadership, self-expression, pleasure, passion, and spontaneity. Boredom is an invitation to allow an old self to fade away and a new potential self to emerge. Certain facets of self-control and repetitive behaviors are ready to be released in favor of expanded imagination, creativity, inspiration, and spontaneity. What was once an effective, useful routine has now become stagnant, stale, and passive. Boredom is the interim period; a place neither here nor there. On one side lies the safe, comfortable, and dependable, yet outgrown past. On the other side lies an intriguing, daring, more passionate future. Boredom identifies the natural resistance we all have toward letting go of the known and entering the unknown.Once boredom reveals its presence, several options are available: we can sink deeper into passivity and dullness; the physical edginess can be temporarily concealed with greater levels of entertainment, distractions, and diversions; or the boredom can be sedated with food, drink, or choice addictions. Another alternative exists: embrace the message of boredom. Beneath the uncomfortable discontentment lies a natural, inherent call to the lifelong process of individuation. It is time to broaden personal horizons beyond past former levels of conformity and social adaptation. Greater individuality, power, love, and creation beckon from within. A readiness is brewing to connect more deeply with the heart of our existence. The chains of boredom are more easily shed by allowing time to welcome ideas that spark the imagination and expand the heart. What is truly important; what fascinates and engages our spirit? We have the ability to go inside, sort through some ideas, and decide what an exciting life would look like. We feel good, and our bodies feel good, when we assume responsibility for choosing to focus on stimulating desires, personal interests, and inner passions. Only we know what feels good within, what excites, ignites, and enlivens. We gently allow for the emergence of new potentials and new possibilities--and decide to feel good in the process. Instead of letting life just happen, we can go inside and ask, "What do I want?" Typically, the first answers are filled with details about what is not wanted. Accept this as an excellent starting point. But our responsibility is to make sure we take the extra step and actually find an exciting vision to focus on. We become what we think about, and it is up to us to determine what thoughts and visions dominate our mind. We take control of our lives as we spend more time with thoughts that increase excitement and less with those that decrease excitement. Will an exciting life happen instantaneously just because we shift thoughts from boredom to more passionate visions? Obviously, the answer is no. Some individuals will wonder how in the world they can possibly imagine exciting outcomes when they are currently just barely getting through the day. They don't have a clue what to imagine; they are frustrated and mad at themselves for being in this position. For anyone, creating a larger life requires effort, patience, and time. Yet not much changes without first engaging imagination and intention. Excitement is the element that moves us toward unfinished business and unfolding potential. It is what we want to be doing right now, while providing the energy necessary to do it.Who we are and what excites us matters. The irritation of boredom simply reminds us, in a very noticeable way, that energy is swirling about without passionate direction or purpose. Rather than permitting our lives to be blown about like leaves on the dirt, victims of circumstance, we allow imagination to set the foundation for direction and purpose in life. Boredom is an indication of a certain readiness to become increasingly loyal to internal passions, desires, and values. We can decide we are worthy of forming enthusiastic relationships with what we care about. Feeling good, feeling alive, and being a radiant human is important for us and for the world. We consciously develop our divine natures through the joyful manifestation of dreams and desires. A loving community begins first with a party of one. It begins by forming excited relationships with our bodies, thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Our inner dreams are the joy of life, the salvation of earth, and the future of the people of this planet. Bringing paradise to earth is more than just a lofty concept; it is an individual endeavor, a personal responsibility. As human beings, we suffer when this physical connection between spirit and earth is no longer expanding and evolving as it is meant to. Our most important task is to first give permission to love, excite, and empower ourselves. We take the time to ensure we are the ones balanced, enlightened, and joyful. To share and expand love with all life on this incredible earth, we begin with ourselves. We serve others when we become living, breathing, walking examples of inspired, excited lives. We inspire others to greatness when we ourselves have come to realize that happiness, success, abundance, empowerment, and joy are possible. The magic spreads as we become the magic. Personal success is allowed, so our beautiful concepts are no longer lofty spiritual abstractions, but tangible, physical manifestations. The next time you are perpetually bored, realize the beautiful magic wishing to unfold. An invitation has been issued to venture beneath the surface and investigate new and exciting potentials and possibilities. Inspiration spreads as the success of one individual ignites the desires and dreams of another. It makes a difference that we, you and I, carry excitement once more. Boredom asks us to become the living, breathing embodiment of joy. Our joy brings light into the world. About the Author:This article was written by Dr. Annette Colby, RD., contributing author to "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life: Volume 2." Dr. Colby is a leader in the field of personal growth and consciousness. As a nationally known consultant, educator, and author, she inspires people to believe in themselves and find themselves worthy of receiving their dreams. Visit http://www.LovingMiracles.com for a free, weekly, life-changing newsletter.Her article above is one of 101 great chapters that can be found in "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life: Volume 2." This powerful compilation book -- with John Gray, Jack Canfield, Richard Carlson, Bob Proctor, Alan Cohen, and countless other experts -- contains 101 chapters of proven advice on how to improve your life. *** If you purchase just one copy of their new book today, you will also receïve $1,500 worth of valuable bonus gifts. To see this special book package, please visit http://www.selfgrowth.com/products/greatwaysbook2.html

Two tips for giving your Excel worksheets a professional look

Two tips for giving your Excel worksheets a professional look
Mary Ann Richardson describes how you can give your Excel spreadsheets a polished look by using the appropriate type of line formatting and removing zero values.

Four Lessons the Wealthy can Teach youby Dave Ramsey

It's a fact... people who are wealthy live in ways that make them that way. They don't believe in car loans, wasteful spending or "easy" payments. Even though most people will never have the wealth of Bill Gates or Donald Trump, that doesn't mean you can't be wealthy if you work at it. In 2004, the number of households worth $1 million (not including primary residences) grew 21% to 7.5 million.Read more...

Some Simple Rules for a Satisfying Life - By Andreas Stark

Life has taught me that success, abundance, prosperity, peace, and happiness are all created through exercising a planned routine. To create a happy and prosperous life, we need some instructions, or rules, for living.

Rule 1: Spread love. In order to produce great achievements, we have to take great risks. The greater the required achievement, the greater the personal risk involved. The greater the love we show and give, the greater the vulnerability, but the greater the return.

Rule 2: Learn from life. We have to learn from the lessons in life. When we do lose, as we all will from time to time, we should lose gracefully and learn from the lesson that life has taught us through the experience, turning it into a positive to build on.

Rule 3: Show respect. We need to respect others as we respect ourselves. Above all we should respect ourselves and show that respect. In today's society, there seems to be a great lack of self-respect. Just look at the way people behave and dress.

Rule 4: Be responsible. We need to take full responsibility for all our actions. Always do things for the right reason and from a position of love for your fellow man. Remember that anything done for the greater good will always succeed.

Rule 5: Be ethical. Live a life that is honorable and ethical. Especially in today's world, there seem to be a lot of questions about ethics and deceit. It is very important to stay true and honest to the fundamental rules of ethics and fairness.

Rule 6: Admit fallibility. Remember to take immediate action when you realize you have made a mistake. It is very important that you admit when you have made a mistake and that you take immediate steps to correct the mistake. It is a sign of maturity and of courage to own up to your own fallibility.

Rule 7: Show forgiveness. Do not let little things interfere or destroy a great relationship. Whether in your personal life or in business, relationships are precious and should not be taken lightly, so when minor disagreements occur, do not let these destroy the relationship. Show forgiveness, and move on.

Rule 8: Allow change. Be open to change, but do not compromise on your values and ethics. Through change we grow and learn. Too often, however, people tend to change for opportunistic reasons and are willing to forego all that is good and valuable for immediate gratification or greed.

Rule 9: Learn to listen. There are times when it is better to be silent than to speak. Too often, we feel the need to say our piece, but there are many situations in life where it is better to be quiet and listen. It is through listening that we learn the other person's point of view and get a better understanding of the situation under consideration. This could be a hard rule to master for some of us.

Rule 10: Create abundance. Create a loving and harmonious atmosphere in the home. When we create an atmosphere of love, we create the foundation for happiness, abundance, and prosperity. Remember that it is through giving that we receive the greatest joy and rewards.

Rule 11: Practice quiet reflection. Spend some time alone at least once a day. This is the time you can spend to meditate and reflect on the happenings of the day. This is your opportunity to recharge and to connect with your inner self. Here you will create the foundation for your abundance and prosperity.

Rule 12: Give of yourself. Remember that in any relationship your love for each other exceeds your need for each other. In other words, it is in the giving of yourself without any attachments or expectations that you receive the greatest satisfaction and rewards.

These twelve simple rules, when followed in a consistent manner, will bring you lots of abundance, prosperity, and happiness. They will create a life experience that you will gladly look back on. They have certainly helped me in reaching my life and business goals. It will take time to learn and practice these rules faithfully, but the time spent will surely pay benefits in your life's journey. Always have unwavering faith in what you set out to do, as long as it is done for the right reasons and within the universal rules of ethics.

About the Author:This article was written by Andreas Stark, MSc, contributing author to "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life: Volume 2." Andreas is a consultant, entrepreneur, and teacher. He and his wife Regina have an independent energy consulting business that specializes in earth sciences and in teaching and training. Andreas has written many educational course manuals for the energy industry as well as for postsecondary education.His article above is one of 101 great chapters that can be found in "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life: Volume 2." This powerful compilation book -- with John Gray, Jack Canfield, Richard Carlson, Bob Proctor, Alan Cohen, and countless other experts -- contains 101 chapters of proven advice on how to improve your life.

Google adding search privacy protections

Anonymization of PCs used in searchesUnder a new policy, Google will make it harder to identify specific computers used in searches by anonymizing the final eight bits of the IP address and the cookie data after 18 months and 24 months. Privacy advocates in general said the policy change is a step in the right direction but not nearly enough to really protect Web searchers from overzealous law enforcers. How would you rate Google's policy change on a scale from one to 10?

"You never know when a helping hand will change another person's entire life."
Zig Ziglar

The Customer is the One Who Matters

The Customer is the One Who Matters
By Janae Wentworth

Excellent customer service exceeds customer needs (real or perceived) in a consistent and dependable manner.
Note the phrase “real or perceived.” This is very important in understanding excellent customer service. It is not your perception of how good the service is that counts. It is the customer’s perception that matters!Read more...