Thanks guys, I'm going to download tonight and see how it goes.
Nerd/Boffin Technical corner. Page 57
I've downloaded 'openoffice' and attempted to open it but it just keeps taking me to the registration page, I've tried clicking 'I'll register later' etc but that's as far as it takes me, it then goes back to nothing, no further 'next' just a 'finish' button....sorry to be a pain but anyone know what the heck?
Quote: Shandonbelle @ August 1 2012, 10:13 PM BSTI've downloaded 'openoffice' and attempted to open it but it just keeps taking me to the registration page, I've tried clicking 'I'll register later' etc but that's as far as it takes me, it then goes back to nothing, no further 'next' just a 'finish' button....sorry to be a pain but anyone know what the heck?
Forget open office, do the Libre Office that I linked above.
Just use Google Docs/Drive. It's free and you can upload .doc files and download in that format. If you have a Google/gmail account, you're already set up for it. http://drive.google.com
Microsoft are going on-line too, with www.outlook.com and it looks like there will be a way to create/edit documents in Word Web App. I've managed to edit a document I sent to myself, but I'll be buggered if I can find how get there directly. Might not be live yet.
I use Google docs all the time now. Download sketches as .doc and send them to Newsjack and no-one's had any problems.
Dan
Yeah second that. Google docs is really handy.
The Microsoft cloud based stuff is also very nice. I think the Word editing side is done via SkyDrive (their cloud based storage system similar to Google Drive). You can create and edit office docs in a browser.If you search for Windows Live or Skydrive you should be able to set yourself up with an account. MS have also revamped hotmail to give it a more Metro look (the new Windows 8 UI). Looks really slick.
I have lots of Word docs I'd like to save and back up.
I keep them on my laptop and on a USB pen drive. However, I'd like to back them up a bit more securely.
Which web-based storage would you recommend? (Free of charge, if poss!) I'd like it to be, potentially, stored for at least 2 years.
Quote: TopBanana @ August 2 2012, 10:26 AM BSTI have lots of Word docs I'd like to save and back up.
I keep them on my laptop and on a USB pen drive. However, I'd like to back them up a bit more securely.
Which web-based storage would you recommend? (Free of charge, if poss!) I'd like it to be, potentially, stored for at least 2 years.
There are lots out there. Personally I tend to use Skydrive mainly because they were offering 25GB free a few months back (I think it's 7 for new subscribers). I've paid for extra storage and have all my photos backed up on there. If you're using Windows it integrates nicely, but then so does GDrive and DropBox.
Here is an article offering up some comparisons
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/04/cloud-storage-a-pricing-and-feature-guide-for-consumers/
Use Windows or Google, simply for the fact that they are free and less likely to disappear. I've had cloud storage before that went out of business over night, so be careful who you use.
Thanks guys :-)
Thanks guys, I will be trying one of those for sure, the Google looks the most straightforward.
Bill, I did try Libre but the download failed, but thanks for the tips.
How secure are USB pen drives?
What do you mean? There as secure as you make them.
Quote: TopBanana @ August 2 2012, 11:16 AM BSTHow secure are USB pen drives?
They have a limited lifetime in terms of the number of writes, not years. But they too can fail instantly, so you must never trust critical documents to any single media, so use at least two USB sticks and retire them after 1 to 2 years by copying their contents to a new stick.
Best approach is to use as many media as you have access to, i.e have a USB external hard drive and USB memory sticks and also copy them onto writeable DVDs/CDs. Put the latter away in a dark place to keep out ultraviolet light which fades the dye on DVDs/Cds.
If by 'secure' you mean 'difficult for someone else to get information off if I lose it' then they aren't. If you're carrying sensitive stuff around on one then I strongly suggest you get a free tool called TrueCrypt and create an encrypted file on the USB stick, which you can then mount and use as a drive letter when it's in your PC/Mac.
Quote: billwill @ August 2 2012, 11:39 AM BSTThey have a limited lifetime in terms of the number of writes, not years. But they too can fail instantly, so you must never trust critical documents to any single media, so use at least two USB sticks and retire them after 1 to 2 years by copying their contents to a new stick.
Best approach is to use as many media as you have access to, i.e have a USB external hard drive and USB memory sticks and also copy them onto writeable DVDs/CDs. Put the latter away in a dark place to keep out ultraviolet light which fades the dye on DVDs/Cds.
I find it really interesting that we still haven't discovered a more permanent and reliable information storage system than parchment paper. We've got re-writeable storage systems, but in terms of keeping information for extended periods of time writing it on parchment is still your best bet.