Outlook online

Another rant about Outlook.  Windows in general doesn't seem to handle networking very well- many applications block because Explorer is doing something with the network.

Outlook should be cleverer.  It may start up in "on-line" mode, but it should not block with "Not Responding" for up to a minute before it realises yes, this is a laptop and no, it's not connected.  To anything.

del.icio.us Tags: office, outlook, windows, bad, network

Outlook lies

Outlook has many good points.

But it simply doesn't tell the truth when it comes to synchronising its folders.

If there is a network problem, it will happily sit there saying "Sending... complete." while it hasn't even managed to make a connection yet.

When I first open Outlook, it kindly informs me "all folders are up to date".  Then, as soon as I open e.g. the inbox, only then does it decide to actually synchronise.

del.icio.us Tags: microsoft, outlook, bad, sync, email

Internet Explorer desperate to OLE

Many years ago, OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) was the new thing.  It is a very good paradigm and is still used in many places today.  However, it should NOT be used by MS Internet Explorer for opening Powerpoint presentations (or Excel docs) in a pale, useless version of Powerpoint/Excel.  Why can't it just open Powerpoint if I want it too!?

del.icio.us Tags: rant, excel, powerpoint, ms, explorer, ole

Chatting with Google spreadsheets

Google spreadsheets are VERY useful for organising things like skiing and dinner parties.

But why doesn't the chat thing work properly in Firefox?  You'd have thought they'd have checked this sort of thing...

When you chat enough to require scroll bars to see the bottom of the chat pane, the bars come and go without warning.

del.icio.us Tags: spreadsheet, office, google, error, firefox

Propping up a laptop

Interesting post at Lifehacker about propping up a laptop to get a better angle and to allow the heat to escape.

At work I use a document holder to keep the laptop almost vertical- this means the screen is at a proper height.  Heat isn't a problem, and I can then use a proper keyboard.

The next thing is to use a KVM switch to make use of the 19" monitor on the desk as well- two screens definitely increases my productivity.

del.icio.us Tags: kvm, lifehacker, cork, wine, laptop, heat, productivity