Web Worker Daily

Hot on the heels of Windows XP SP3, Microsoft released an additional treat today, for Mac owners only, as the latest release of Microsoft Messenger for Mac (version 7) escaped into the wild.

Version 6 brought the Aqua look and feel to Microsoft’s client amongst other features, so what’s new in 7?

• A redesigned buddy list with a search-as-you-type box for locating contacts in large buddy lists.
• Aping iChat with integration of Bonjour contacts drawn from the user’s local network.
• Users can apply nicknames to their buddies, particularly useful for contacts who frequently (and irritatingly) change their screennames!

Notably for users connecting via a corporate Office Communication Server, Bonjour and searchable buddy-lists also extend to enterprise IM networks.

Read the rest of this entry »

Google Docs is a definite blessing to web workers.  It allows for easy document creation with only a web browser and includes collaboration tools that enables you to have co-workers view and edit your documents, all with version control.

Google Presentations, Google’s attempt at a Microsoft PowerPoint-like application was recently launched.  To enhance cross-office collaboration, users can now export to PowerPoint.  To use this feature, chose “Save as PPT” from the File menu from within Google Presentations.

Also, you can use now save your searches.  So if you’re looking for a document from a particular person named “Joan”, you can save your search for future use for quick file reference.

[via Google Docs Blog]

Companies big and small are constantly seeking tools to bring their workers closer together.  We are a workforce who is spread out geographically.  Even if workers are located in the same locale, with today’s matrix organizations, an individual is a part of multiple projects that creates a tug of war for attention and focus.  This is where the promise of web-based collaboration becomes apparent.

37Signals’ BaseCamp, covered before, provides a popular web-based product tool, but what if you’re a team or workgroup who is looking for something a little more robust?

Jive Software has released version 2.0 of their Clearspace product. Clearspace differs from other product offerings by focusing their product on the people who will be utilizing the collaboration tool.  Unlike Microsoft SharePoint, which focuses on documents, ClearSpace wants to ensure user adoption by adapting many of the Web 2.0 strategies used by FaceBook, MySpace, and other social networking sites into the enterprise environment.

Read the rest of this entry »

For those who have Microsoft Exchange as their email system, they know its utility for keeping multiple devices in sync with emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, and so on.  However, buying and managing an Exchange Server is a time consuming and expensive proposition.  Mail2Web features a hosted Exchange account with “limited access”.

With their free service, you can:

• Have a personal calendar, tasks list, contacts, reminders, journal
• Have 100MB of free storage
• Sync with your mobile device
• Automatically fetch emails from other accounts

The syncing happiness begins with setting up your Mail2Web Live account and configuring your devices.  If you have a Windows Mobile device, this will involve configuring ActiveSync to work with your Mail2Web service.

Read the rest of this entry »

When trying to create a professional and solid piece of business communications, whether it be a document, PowerPoint presentation, or otherwise; a common complaint is finding attractive and pertinent artwork.

iStockPhoto has a resource available for people who are seeking low-resolution images and illustrations through Microsoft’s Office Online service.  There are many images already for use, and iStock photo is adding to the free library available.

If you are looking for more high-resolution photos, they are available for a nominal fee directly from iStockPhoto.  To check out the free library of photos available, head over to Office Online and start browsing.

How do you spice up your presentations and documents?  We look forward to tips in the comments section.

The online office applications market has been heating up lately.  The gorilla in the room, Google Docs/Spreadsheets/Presentations, has made a lot of splashes.  However Zoho, another strong contender, has recently added new features to their Writer application that are pretty intriguing.

Thesaurus: For 10 languages, Zoho Writer offers a Thesaurus option.  For those of us who do a high volume of online writing, this means no more having to have a Firefox tab with Thesaurus.com loaded.  Currently the Thesaurus supports English, Czech, German, Greek, French, Irish, Italian, Polish, Russian and Slovak; with plans to add new languages in the future.

Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to doing business on the web, one of the main issues we face involves sharing files with team mates, stakeholders, and customers.  There are tools such as BaseCamp and Box.Net, but if you want an alternative, two products from Microsoft might be just what you’re looking for.

Windows Live SkyDrive will allow you have up to 5GB of online storage and Office Live Workspace serves as your personal collaboration space on the web.  We’ll elaborate on both both these services.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bowing to what Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer called the changing landscape of the IT industry and others call pressure from EU anti-trust actions, Microsoft announced today the release of some of its technical crown jewels: the heretofore secret APIs Microsoft products used to talk with each other.

This new level of openness and willingness to interoperate with other software stressed Ray Ozzie, Microsoft’s Chief Software Architect, is more than either cosmetics or bowing to EU legal pressure. “This is a very important shift in how each and every engineer at the company views what their mission is and what their job is,” said Ozzie. “This is an important announcement for the engineers at Microsoft, for our partners, our competitors and our customers.”

Read the rest of this entry »