I always love hearing from my clients and friends when they have an idea or a question. It keeps me up to speed with your needs and concerns and provides me with the opportunity help others as well. I enjoy doing the research and making the mistakes, so you don’t have to.
Recently I received this email,
You should check out this offer of free software from Microsoft and Apple. It really works, though it is available from the “Cloud” and is likely a bit slow. I have their version for PC’s on my computer, and I pay $99.00 per year to use it! This version, being free, and downloadable from the Apple App Store, looks worth a shot!
I was aware of this new service and have been meaning to try it. This week I finally had the opportunity. I was very disappointed.
I’m helping a client format his auto biography for self publishing on CreateSpace.com. He wrote it entirely on his iPad! (No, he didn’t write it using the touch screen keyboard. LOL He has a wireless keyboard for it.)
At first I thought we could collaborate on the document using the new iPages for iCloud service but it was sorely lacking in editing tools. (It’s in Beta, or test version.)
Ever the “Queen of the Work-around”, I copied and pasted the doc into my Microsoft Word app. Next, I signed up for the free month trial of Office 365 online so we could collaborate on the cloud.
Then, I directed my client to download the free Microsoft Office app for iPad. Alas, it only gave him the ability to read the doc!
Microsoft, doesn’t say a word about that in the promotional information online! You have to subscribe to Office 365 and pay a monthly fee in order to have editing capabilities.
My client could have signed up for the free month trial but you know what it’s like to set up a new account with password and credit card info, and you have to put it on your calendar to cancel the service in 30 days before you get billed on auto-pay. I wasn’t going to suggest that he go through all that for one project. So much for “the boys” collaborating on the cloud! We are back to emailing attachments.
It’s a challenge to keep up with all the changes but somebody has to do it. I enjoy doing it and always appreciate your help. Hopefully, sharing my experiences in the field will spare you from wasted time, money and frustration.
Keep those questions and ideas coming. Remember to consult with me about what you want to accomplish before deciding on what to buy (apps as well as gadgets).
Let me give you an orientation on how to use your new products and services so you can get your work done quickly, easily and efficiently.
Whom do you know that could use my help? I promise to take good care of them. Call me today!
The Desert Computer Tutor 