Thousands of new web sites are created on the Internet every day, but it\u2019s often the tried-and-true ones that can provide advisors with worthwhile information to solve problems, save time or use technology more effectively.
Here are some useful items that have appeared on the Internet in the past few weeks:
> The most important high-tech event in recent times has been the long-awaited launch of Microsoft Corp.\u2019s new Vista operating system. Vista is the first new system from the company since Windows XP hit the market in 2001, and six years is like a century in the technology world. Despite some de rigueur<\/i> glitches of a new launch, Vista is already Microsoft\u2019s best-selling operating system in history, with more than 20 million sold in February alone. (For more on Vista, see page B17.)
Advisors looking to upgrade their computer system need two questions answered: which of the six new versions of Vista is the right one for you; and is your PC or laptop powerful enough to handle it?
CNET, the popular high-tech review site, has an entire new special section devoted to Vista.
It begins with Vista Upgrade Advisor, a program that can quickly diagnose your computer to see if it meets the minimum guidelines to power the mammoth new operating system. (If your machine doesn\u2019t have the oomph, then your best bet is to consider buying a new computer that already has Vista loaded into it.)
A CNET tutorial then walks you through the four Vista versions that are designed for regular computer users: home basic, home premium, business and ultimate. The prices in Canada range from about $260 to $500, respectively, so the comparison is worth your time.
Advisors who aren\u2019t heavy computer users probably will find that the home premium edition, which sells for about $300, meets their needs. If you want networking, remote connectivity and advanced backup systems or data encryption, you should consider one of the two more expensive versions.
Other tutorials on the site can help you tweak the operating system to suit your needs.
> The ever-growing clamour about global warming, ethical investing and being more planet-friend–ly means you may also wonder about the potential environmental damage caused by all the fancy hardware. If that\u2019s the case, check out the quarterly rankings of high-tech companies published by Greenpeace.
The new report, released in early April, ranks the big companies on many levels, such as how quickly they are moving to reduce harmful chemicals in their products and whether or not they have global policies in place to recycle their products once you discard them or decide to upgrade.
So far, not a single manufacturer has managed to win the top score of 10, which would mean it\u2019s \u201cgreen,\u201d but a few are definitely trying. The new leader, scoring an eight, is Beijing-based Lenovo Group Ltd., which just passed Finnish giant Nokia Corp. Close behind are Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB and Dell Inc.
Far behind the pack, with a score of 2.7, is Apple Computer Inc. \u201cApple has made no changes to its policies or practices since the launch of the guide in August 2006,\u201d the report says.
> Do you often find yourself running out of time? Do you sometimes lose an argument that should have been won? Some quick tips and tune-up exercises can be found in the \u201cstrategy\u201d section of Project Management Source, a small Web site that offers many pointers on management issues.
An article entitled \u201c61 Time Saving Tips,\u201d for instance, notes that most people spend 80% of their time accomplishing 20% of their tasks. Among the tips: take 10 minutes in the morning to plan your day; do the job right the first time, even if it takes longer; do similar tasks in the same block of time; and deal with new problems as soon as they flare up.
\u201cTen Ways to Win Any Argu-ment\u201d is a blunt article that helps to guide you to victory in discussions. Be prepared, and double-check your facts beforehand. Never lose your cool. If you realize you\u2019re wrong half-way through a discussion, then admit it \u2014 because if you are emphatic in future then you will be believed. There\u2019s lots more advice on the site.
> For the first time, you can keep your phone number when you change cellphone companies. The change took effect in mid-March, but a national survey by Toronto-based TNS Canadian Facts found that only about half of personal cellphone users were aware of it.
@page_break@Wireless number portability means you are now also able to move a phone number to a wireless phone from a wireline phone, and vice versa. Only Canada and the U.S., which has had WNP since 2003, offer such an option.
There are, however, some matters to be resolved. WNP is not immediately available in all areas of Canada, and individual phone-service providers will determine any fees involved.
Visit the new WNP Web site to find the answers to most questions you may have about the new service.
The TNS survey noted that the hassle of changing phone numbers has tended to keep customers loyal to one provider, and 19% of respondents had said they now will probably or definitely switch companies. The change may mean that even more Canadians may ponder switching service once their current cellphone contract expires. Look for deals as the service providers try to snare your business. \tIE<\/b>
If you have Web sites to share with<\/i> IE<\/b> readers, please send an e-mail to Glenn Flanagan at gflanagan@sympatico.ca. <\/i>
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