Software

Create New Folder via desktop shortcut Windows XP?

Hay_Wire — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:26:50 GMT

Hello,

I am working on a new profile for our public Internet machines and I have used Group Policy to lock these user accounts down pretty heavily. At present there is no easy way for the user to create a new folder, as right click on the desktop and windows explorer has been disabled as well as most keyboard shortcuts.

However, I was thinking it might be possible to create a shortcut on the desktop that would allow the user to double-click and create a new folder. I've made similar shortcuts in the past that could be used to eject flash drives safely, and I've found articles about using keyboard shortcuts to make new folders, but I have not been able to find anything about creating a shortcut that sits on the desktop that would create a new folder on the desktop when the user double-clicks it.

Any ideas?

Upgrading to Windows 7 Professional from Vista or Windows 7 Home

autumnt — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:24:08 GMT

This question has come up a number of times in the forums so I thought it would be best to address it separately. The question of upgrading any Home editions to Professional editions is a legal licensing one. The Home editions and Professional / Business / Enterprise are two different product lines. In order to upgrade to a Professional edition, you must already have a legal license for another professional edition. The Windows 7 product page states: "This is an upgrade product. To install this operating system, you must have a licensed installation of one of the following operating systems on the device where you are installing the upgrade: Windows Vista Enterprise, Business, or Ultimate; Windows XP Professional or Tablet PC; Windows 2000 Professional; Windows NT Workstation 4.0; or Windows 98. You cannot upgrade from the Home editions of Windows XP or Windows Vista."

At this time, there is no legal upgrade path from Home editions to the professional products that Microsoft has made available through TechSoup Stock. Your best options are to either upgrade to Windows 7 Home, or find a full licensed version of Windows 7 Professional through a Charity Reseller.

Autumn

Windows 7... we want to know what you want to know!

Susan_Tenby — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:06:35 GMT

Windows 7 is being touted as the simplest version of Windows yet.

TechSoup is starting to prepare all the information that nonprofits will need to know about Windows 7 when it launches on our site, on October 22^nd (available through TechSoup Stock on November 1^st). We want to gather any and all questions that the nonprofit community has on the product. We are wondering what your concerns may be about the product, for example, Why you would want to upgrade, if upgrading would interact with your existing data, what the hardware specs are that would be needed for this upgrade, what the different and enhanced features are with Windows &, etc.

Let us know what you are thinking about Windows 7. Reply to this thread, and let us know what you are wondering about Win 7.

Suggestions for Software to Analyze Program Participants

reginaferrin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:07:57 GMT

Hello everyone,

We are a nonprofit based in New Orleans, LA. Our organization has several programs that focus on youth such as, an after school tutoring program, a college prep course, and more. We are currently researching software programs that will allow us to track and analyze our programs and the program participants. We are looking for something similar to Efforts to Outcome. Does anyone know if TechSoup offers a similar program or maybe one that we might be able to adapt to fit our needs? Thanks!

Upgrade to Win 7 from Vista Home

halfloop — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:36:59 GMT

Being a very small non profit we bought our laptops from Staples. They came stock with Vista 64 Home Premium. Is there an upgrade path for Win7 Pro?

TriangleSpecialHockey.org

Google Apps vs. Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite

brady@accessfund.org — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:06:31 GMT

We are a small (staff of 9) national non-profit. I am looking to get rid of our expensive to maintain, crash prone server and move to the cloud. We currently live in Exchange 2003. I am considering Google Apps (we already have the free educational edition) and Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite. The BPOS costs $15 per user per month (30% discount if we buy before the end of the year) and comes with online exchange, sharepoint and a few other goodies. I personally want to go to Google Apps, but I have a few users who are recalcitrant to change over. I need our solution to work perfectly with Outlook so that I'm not wasting my time answering complaints. I have heard that the Google Outlook Sync doesn’t work perfectly and requires more time to set up and maintain whereas the BPOS is seamless and very easy to administer.

Does anyone have any experience with both systems? Would we be foolish to pay $2000 a year when we can get Google Apps for free? I’d pay $2000 a year to avoid headaches and user backlash if that’s what it takes.

Thank you.

Database/Software

lee1hi — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:25:39 GMT

Hello,

My name is Leanne Rocha and I work for North Star Council on Aging Senior Center. I'm writing to you today in asking you about your computer database. I have heard about you through other sources and I wanted to contact you.

I'm looking for a database/software program for my Senior Center to use, but I'm looking for more of a complex database but user friendly. I'm looking for a database that can scan in information from a paper and a pamphlet that can be put into the database system in recognizing that there's a title, list, picture, etc. The database will be able to be edited when things change in the information from the companies, as well as the image that they add can be editable. The using of the database will look like a screen with a search bar were you type in the name of the origination, or category as well as a scroll search engine with categories. I'm looking for a Share Point Service software system as well as a software that can do more systems to help my Seniors.

An example of the final outcome would be a simple, blank page with a search engine; you type in the category of abuse, then the next page will have all the different kinds of abuse that Fairbanks offers. I will be able to narrow it down and down until I can get the right origination for the Senior. When I reach the right origination, it will have everything that the pamphlet has but on the computer. Also say there is a application that needs to be filled out, I can click on the link to retrieve the application that is on the page and fill it out on the computer. Then I will have the choice to print out the application, e-mail, fax or mail the application to the origination before the Senior hang up the phone with me or leave my office.

This database will be able to have all the Senior Information around Fairbanks into it and help the Seniors out in every possible way in order for them to leave with their questions being asked. This database will be mostly internal base, but able to make web base as time goes on. Any other features that you might be able to add for the database we will be able to process over time and put out for the Senior to use would be great.

If you can please contact me with your information on your Database, in order to help me find the right database, I will greatly appreciate it.

Feel free to e-mail or call me back. Thank you for your time in reading this e-mail.

Software as a Service - Has it been right for your organization?

Anna — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:05:06 GMT

Have you tried using Software as a Service (SaaS)? If so, could you tell us a bit about your experience? Are there any lessons learned that you could share to help other organizations make wise decisions when considering hosted software?

What are your green thoughts on SaaS?

Anna — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:22:12 GMT

Chris Thorman, who blogs about electronic medical records at Software Advice wrote an article quantifying the "green benefits" of software as a service for a small office.

In his example of a 4 person office, by his calculations each user consumed 2,352 KW per year to access their main software when it was run on premises, but those same users consumed only 272.85 KW per year per person using SaaS.

Do you agree with his take on the situation? Do you have other thoughts on the subject? Please share them here.

Norton 360 vs Antivirus, Internet Security, Utilities

wadeblack@mindspring.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:55:39 GMT

TechSoup offers Norton 360 3.0, Antivirus 2010, Internet Security 2010, and Utilities. How do these overlap? Does Norton 360 incorporate the other three -- it seems to, from the literature -- and if not, what are the differences and what do I need? I am currently using Norton 360 2.0 on a PC and it seems to perform all these functions.

E-newsletter?

savecd — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:16:53 GMT

What software do I need to create an e-newsletter? I am not a novice but not an expert either. Is there any thing else I should know (possible pitfalls or advice) before I begin. Thanks for the help.

Help aludite - Licenses for Microsoft

oohs — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:51:56 GMT

So we are wanting to order Window 2007 and Windows Publisher. I am so confused about seats and licensing......We need to be able to put them on 3 computers.

Should I order one of each and then licenses for 3 computers and if so which licences. We are a small non-profit so we do not have a network. Thansks for any help.

Storage of Photographs

OzarkLakeside — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:17:27 GMT

Two years ago I started volunteering at a small county historical society & museum. I am interested in input about how to store and catalogue photographs.

Any suggestions on the above?

Nonprofit Software Development Summit

Jesse — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:44:28 GMT

www.aspirationtech.org/events/devsummit09

November 18-20, 2009 in Oakland, CA

"The event will target a range of audiences, including users who know what they still need developed, developers writing code to support nonprofit needs, integrators deploying tools for nonprofit and social justice organizations, and individuals who just care about seeing better technology developed to address the broad range of issues we face as a global community."

need some help...

cpage33333 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:20:55 GMT

Its been a long time since I used this site and boy has it changed. I have a computer that runs xp....every time i go to install a program it gets to the end and then it stops and I get a message the install was interrupted...it looks like it is trying to update the registry however the computer will not let it...I have went in and check the permissions and everything seems to be ok...any insight would be great

App to make quicktime play flash movies?

dreani — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:10:34 GMT

Hi, friends, I'm new here, I got many flash movies, but they can't play in quicktime. Now I'm looking for application to make quicktime play flash movies. Anyone can help?

Many thanks!

Win7 (what else?) Full Version

SandyFischler — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:11:41 GMT

Alrighty, I've plowed through all the applicable threads on Windows 7.

Neither of our store-bought computers qualify for the upgrade (Vista Home & XP Home.)

I don't like upgrades anyway, it make a reinstall twice as long, means I have to keep copies of legacy software in case of a reinstall and is a general pain in the caboose.

Will Tech Soup be carrying the full stand-alone versions of Window 7 at some point in the future? I'm ok with waiting a bit, I'd rather hold off until Service Pack 1 is out for Win7 anyway, like we typically do with new OS.

I've seen this question asked a few times but have not seen an official answer, plus Tech Soup support is closed today with Windows 7 fatigue.

Anyone?

Small Business Server 2008 64 bit

nhoude — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:15:38 GMT

We have a Dell PowerEdge 1800 server currently running Microsoft Small Business Server 2003. It has a Xeon Nocona model 80546K processor.

Can I run Microsoft Small Business Server 2008 on this server?

Cannot enable symantec antivirus scan

mberrios — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:48:13 GMT

I have an error message that keeps coming up everytime I reboot my computer. The message is regarding --- Rtvscan.exe:

This application has Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way.

Because of this the Antivirus cannot be enabled.

I have been searching for an answer for months; cannot seem to find it.

Please help.

Thanks,

Manolo Berrios

Taller Puertorriqueno

Cannot boot from Windows 7 DVD/Flash

NSM — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:13:53 GMT

Hello,

We downloaded the Windows 7 upgrade and it will not boot to the disk. We are running Vista Home Premium. We have downloaded the file twice from two different computers and two different locations. We have even used Microsofts tool for making a bootable DVD or USB device. We have tried from 3 different compuers and it still will not not boot from DVD/Flash. We have checked the BIOS and made sure the DVD or USB was first in the boot order. Called Microsoft and they wanted to charge for tech support and suggested we go back to Tech Soup. Called Tech Soup and they suggested to post here first. Any ideas?

Bill

Comments, Questions and Thoughts on Windows 7

MeganKeane — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:39:48 GMT

Windows 7 is here. There's been lots of talk through the web about Windows 7 and now that we have this on TechSoup, we want to hear from you. Post any comments, questions, or musings you have about Windows 7 here!

Best,

Megan

Sage CRM for a Non Profit Org. in Africa

mac78 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:25:25 GMT

Hi there - Does anyone use Sage CRM and especially the offline solo client? I would like to use it for a africa wide Non Profit Org. and need to know your experience with it. Thanks a lot for your reply.

windows xp issue

cpage33333 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:52:53 GMT

I have windows xp and when ever I try to install a program either by dvd or download...the program gets to the end

then it says it is rolling back....it looks like it tries to edit the registry then is denied. However i dont have a clue

any insight would be greatly apprieciated

thanks

lewis Page

Barriers to setting power management (sleep settings)

jimlynch — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:31:09 GMT

TechSoup is doing a 'Reduce Your ICT Energy Use' campaign this month (Nov. 2009) at http://www.techsoup.org/greentech/energy/.

The campaign is encouraging everyone to turn power management on, on their computers so that monitors and hard drives go to sleep after 15 minutes of not being used, and the system goes to sleep after 30 minutes of non-use. computers waste 50% of the power they draw from the wall if they don't have power management turned on. It takes a couple of minutes to do it. (see http://www.climatesaverscomputing.org/learn/saving-energy-at-home/

My question is: why more people don't do this. What are the barriers for you to turn on power management either on your own computer or if you're an IT person, the computers on your network?

User-level Backups of Exchange 2000/03/07 without 3rd party software

shipley.c — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:26:36 GMT

I found this great article on backing up individual user mailboxes using and scheduling ExMerge to automatically get MAPI-based .PST file backups. There is a limitation of a 2GB backup per user (that's a limitation of ExMerge), but it can prove useful to many administrators out there. The article explains all the pitfalls and benefits, so I'm not going to go into them here. The article was only for Exchange 2000 and 2003, but you can still use ExMerge for Exchange 2007 as well if its set up right (don't install it on the Exchange server, use a different one as in the remote setup spoken of in the first article).

Happy selective user mailbox backups in Exchange on the cheap! Please note, this type of backup will not initiate the process that commits the transaction logs for Exchange to the database. For that, you still need to use NTBACKUP (this is also what the Backup wizard in SBS 2003 uses ... or the backup wizard in SBS 2008 - even though its not NTBACKUP) or you will run out of hard drive space.