Boomerang, which debuted almost a year ago today (2/28/2010), originally started out as an add-in for Microsoft Outlook that allowed you to temporarily hide a message and then “boomerang” that message back at a later date. (The add-in offers a great number of options in that regard: return it in a day, two days, two weeks, two months, a custom time and so on and so forth.)
When the message comes back, you have the option to keep the message unread and even flag it for follow-up. That way, when the message comes back as the original receipt date, you’ll be sure not to miss it.
Anyone who knows us knows that we’re big fans of TechHit products… insanely powerful and time-saving utilities (mostly for Microsoft Outlook) like TwInbox and FBLook, QuickJump, and, our personal favorite, SimplyFile.
If you missed our review of SimplyFile from way back when, the following is a snippet from that article as well as a brief overview of the software itself:
SimplyFile is designed to help you, well, simply file messages that are in your Outlook inbox into the appropriate folder. By using “an advanced algorithm to learn and adapt to your filing habits,” SimplyFile gives you a recommended folder destination as soon as you select a message in your inbox. By clicking on the SimplyFile button, the message immediately goes to that destination; thus saving you from dragging/scrolling through your folder structure and dropping it into the necessary folder once you’ve found it.
In addition to the all-powerful SimplyFile button mentioned above, the software also adds some much-needed Gmail-esque keyboard shortcuts for message management and for navigating complex folder structures – shortcuts that literally save me hours every single week. (Yeah, that’s no dramatization – it will literally save you hours of time every week if you’re an Outlook power user.)
Like I mentioned before, there’s a 30-day trial of SimplyFile available for download. If you download it, I’d be genuinely surprised if you didn’t purchase it.
The new release not only adds support for Outlook 2010 but also options to quickly file away all messages within a particular thread as well as messages from a particular sender – both great ways to achieve inbox:zero. Additional new features include batch filing and some interesting usage statistics.
SimplyFile runs $49 but, again, if you’re a serious Outlook user, it’s well worth it.
CorasWorks, author of many development tools for Microsoft’s SharePoint platform, recently debuted what they refer to as AppEngine. AppEngine, in their own words, “is an innovative runtime environment for SharePoint that allows users to download and run plug-and-play business apps from CorasWorks and its application publisher partners, or custom built applications from third-party service providers.” Think of Apple’s iPhone/iPod Touch “app store…” but for SharePoint.
Microsoft updated their line of LifeCam-series webcams last week with the introduction of the 720p Hi-Def LifeCam Cinema. Available for pre-order tomorrow (8/24) on Amazon.com with a suggested retail price of $74.95, the Cinema is the latest in the long line of the high-quality LifeCam-branded webcams – a quality to which I can attest. In addition, Microsoft also announced the introduction of the LifeChat LX-1000, a “headset with high-quality audio and a noise-canceling microphone.”
I can be a Microsoft fanboy from time to time, I’ll admit that. I’ll also admit that I’ve been looking forward to Outlook 2010 since Outlook 2007 first arrived… mainly because when OL2K7 was released to manufacturers in late 2006, it was STILL missing alot of productivity features; some of which Gmail debuted with almost 3 years prior. I’m talking about conversation view, the ability to quickly move a message to a specific folder, effective keyboard shortcuts, etc.
The creators of the ever-popular </sarcasm> Zune music service & devices (that’s Microsoft for those of you who haven’t been paying attention) just announced an expansion of the existing Zune marketplace by extending “its video service to XBOX Live internationally this fall.”
According to an official press release from the big boys in Redmond, WA, using Windows 7 along with Windows Server 2008 R2 will grant you usage of Microsoft DirectAccess: “a new feature … that gives users the experience of being seamlessly connected to their corporate network any time they have Internet access … without connecting to a virtual private network.”
Google, earlier on Monday, announced Google Sync: a platform designed to keep your mobile devices constantly in sync with your Google Account-based calendar, contacts and email.
So, what exactly is Microsoft taking credit for? The element that enables Windows Mobile-based devices to be a part of Google Sync: ActiveSync. In the official press release, entitled "Google Takes Patent License to Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync," Microsoft explains, in an almost embarassing thunder-stealing moment, that it’s only because of them that owners of WinMo-based phones will be able to use this new technology release from the Goog.
The full text of the release is pretty short so I’ll go ahead and post it below:
"Earlier today Google announced Google Sync, which is made possible by a patent license they obtained from Microsoft covering Google’s implementation of the Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync protocol on Google servers.
Of note, Microsoft recently announced an expansion of its Exchange ActiveSync Licensing Program, and licensees currently include partners and competitors Apple, Nokia, Palm, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson, among others.
Horacio Gutierrez, Deputy General Counsel and VP, Intellectual Property & Licensing, Microsoft:
‘Google’s licensing of these Microsoft patents relating to the Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync protocol is a clear acknowledgment of the innovation taking place at Microsoft. This agreement is also a great example of Microsoft’ s openness to generally license our patents under fair and reasonable terms so long as licensees respect Microsoft intellectual property. This open approach has been part of Microsoft’s IP licensing policy since 2003 and has resulted in over 500 licensing agreements of the last five years.’"
Yes, thank you Microsoft. I am forever in your debt, oh wise one.
All-in-all, I suppose I can see the need for a statement like this (when it comes to a board of directors as stuffy as Microsoft’s) but you very rarely see an official press release from current industry leaders like… well, Google.
If you’ve managed to get your grubby little hands on the recently-launched Windows 7 beta, there’s a good chance you’re pretty anxious to give it a test run. In my opinion, one of the best ways to test is through either Virtual PC or VMWare. If, however, you want to want to test it on genuine hardware but aren’t quite ready to reformat your hard drive, you can always try dual-booting. It’s really pretty easy.
First, you’ll want to create a new partition (research it… know the risks) onto which we would install the new operating system. Then, boot off of the disc as usual and install it onto your new partition (again, know the risks.)
There are a few ways to accomplish that first task… creating a new partition. My preferred method (mainly because it’s easier, not because it’s safer… yeah, I’m one of those people) is using a free utility by the name of EASEUS Partition Manager. Below is a quick video tutorial (no audio so feel free to play immediately) guiding you through the extremely quick process of using EASEUS to create your new partition.
BE SURE TO BACKUP YOUR DATA BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS PROCESS. I’ve personally used this tool twice with no problems but I’m also using both Mozy and Syncplicity to backup every last bit of my data.
If you can’t see the above video, just follow these directions:
install EASEUS
select an existing partition from which you’d like to take available space; resize said partition
select the new unallocated space and click “create” to create a new partition
name it and then click “apply” to finish (restart is necessary)
That’s it! Less than five steps. Again, you’ll want to make sure your data is backed up before attempting this procedure.
Once we’ve got your new partition, slap the Windows 7 installation disc you’ve created into your CD/DVD tray and restart. Once the installation loads, just tell Windows 7 to install into your newly created partition. A half-hour or more later, Windows 7 will be installed alongside your existing Windows installation.
Upon booting up your PC from here on out, you’ll be greeted with a new boot option from which you can select your new or existing Windows installation.
It’s pretty easy, actually. If you have any questions, feel free to drop a line in the comments and if I’m unable to answer your question, some of the other readers of this site might be able to. Best of luck!
Microsoft, just a short while ago, dropped a press release announcing the availability of the Windows 7 beta program. In the release, Ballmer states that the beta program will open up to the public on Friday and users can download a test version of Microsoft’s next OS at that time. MSDN and TechNet subscribers can allegedly download immediately.
And so it begins…
[Update] I just verified the availability of en_windows_7_beta_dvd_x86_x15-29073.iso on TechNet Plus and I’m downloading now. Looks as though Microsoft’s servers aren’t being hammered just quite yet. (Although, I have to admit, they did a remarkable job keeping everything up-and-running for the Vista beta program.)
Got any ideas for software or web apps you'd like us to highlight? Let us know... drop us a tip: fansoftech [at] gmail.com.
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