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Live Mesh is a new application from the ‘Windows Live‘ range.  Mesh enables you to connect to your devices, desktops etc from anywhere in the world.  This really is a breakthrough in technology in a market which is becoming more and more internet based.  There is just one thing which you must do to be able to use the software which is to have a free Windows Live ID.

You can synchronize information/documents you need between devices which eliminates any reliance on emails.  To do this you’d just simply have to install the Live Mesh software onto each device and then upload the information through the filling system on the application.  This therefore allows you to be able to access all the documents you add to Mesh from anywhere, assuming you have an internet connection.

You are also able to share with family, friends and colleagues by inviting them to use/view a folder in your Mesh.  In the shred folder you are able to update documents, post comments and use instant messaging between folder between members.

There is also a news feature which keeps you up to date on any changes which have been made to any of the folders which you are a member of.  This also shows you if other folder members are online or not.

There of course is a limited amount of space you can use which is just over 5GB.  5GB is plenty for a majority of users, but a few may find it too little.

What do you think of Mesh?

Brandstar have recently released a brand new Software page!  The software page attempts to tackle the problem of not knowing which software is worth buying and downloading.  After all, there are so many options to choose from!  It covers a variety of both free and commercial products in the genres of Computer Security, Media, Office Applications and System Tools.

It’s worth checking out!

A couple of months back Brandstar designed and published a free Address Book tool. The Address Book is ran on Microsoft Access, however don’t stop reading now if you’re thinking ‘I don’t have Access’, you can download for free Access 2007:Access Runtime. The download allows those who don’t have Access to run Access files. It’s great!

The tool came about when Graham, from the Brandstar and pctoolbox team, noticed that many people want a simple tool that can be used for storing information such as; people’s contact details so they can print off labels at Christmas or email address’s for email newsletters.

The database has many features:

• Easily store Friends, Family, Customers, Subscribers or Supporters Contact Details: Name, Address, Phone, Email, Website etc.
• Sort users by first/last name
• Easily add/edit/delete records from a simple user friendly interface
• Print individual records
• Print labels of those registered to receive a newsletter
• Email direct from the system those who you have registered to receive an email newsletter
  • These emails are sent BBC (Blind Carbon Copy) so that you are not spreading everyone’s email address
• Search Contacts
• The latest version (1.2 standard) comes with a new style user interface, just as easy to use as before, but a bit more … interesting!
• And most importantly….it’s free!!

Now you know what it is, I better tell you how to use it……

Read the rest of this entry »

This weeks quick tip is about how to work with files that have been emailed to you! Sounds simple to some but I am often asked “Where has my file gone? I definitely saved it…”. After a bit of digging I find that the user has just opened the file directly from the email and while the file has been saved, it is just not where they expect it to be!

If you open a file directly from an email and save it once open it will be saved in a Temp directory much like a Temporary Internet File.

So, here is the tip!

When you get sent a file through and you wish to open it to work with, please ensure that you save it to your documents folder or desktop first and then open it from there, rather than opening the file directly from your email client. Saving should be as easy as Right Clicking on the file and choosing Save As! But it will depend on your email client

We hope that helps!

In today’s digital age it is vital to have a backup of your important stuff, whether that be photos, letters, databases, emails, spreadsheets, etc it needs to be stored elsewhere. This isn’t about normal backup though, want that then check here. This is about storing data online. Not quite so easy but it means you can access it anywhere with a internet connection and you can also share relevant bits with your friends.

I am talking about 123-Drive here, part of the Pipex network and named much like 123-Reg. 123-Drive allows you to upload 25GB of multimedia data like photos, music and videos and another 5GB for documents like letters and spreadsheets. That is the free allowance anyway, need more then you can if you pay for it

This is a quick tip, so I am stopping there, take a look at 123-Drive for yourself and sign up for free. A nice alternative to traditional backing up methods.

Store, Access, Share and Publish — All with 123-Drive

With all the different Office packages available, we have put together a diagram which we think will help you to make the right decision of which version is best for you! Click on the image to make it viewable!

Please let us know if you have any thoughts!