Skylarking: The Tech Tip Blog

Word for Chromebook

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 Robert Saunders Excel, Google, Internet, Laptops/Notebooks, Microsoft, MS Office, Netbooks, Software, Tips, Web Site Reviews, Word No comments

One of the most frequent calls I’ve received lately as a computer repair technician revolves around the new Chromebooks using the ChromeOS Operating System. The typical call sounds like this:

Caller: How do I install Microsoft Word on my Chromebook? I can’t get Word to work on my Chromebook.

Skylark NetWorks: Do you have a Windows or a Mac version of the Microsoft Word software that you are trying to install on your Chromebook?

Caller: Yes! I have the _________ version. (Fill in the blank)

Skylark NetWorks: You can’t install that on your Chromebook because your Chromebook isn’t a Mac or a Windows computer, but –

Caller: So what do I do? I need a word processor, and I prefer to use Word.

Skylark NetWorks: I would recommend you go to the Microsoft Office Apps website at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/web-apps. Then you can use and share your Word documents anywhere.

Get Started with Microsoft Office Web Apps

Since Chromebook users cannot install Microsoft Word on Chromebook because Chromebook uses ChromeOS, a Linux-based operating system which doesn’t support Microsoft Windows-based or Mac-based software.

This doesn’t mean that you’re locked out forever from working on Word documents. There are a number of ways Chromebook users work on Word documents, and their Excel and PowerPoint files, too. You already know these are important file types, and having access to them is a must.

Download Microsoft Office Web App

This Chrome app was generated by Microsoft to allow Chromebook users the chance to go online and use Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The web app also gives you access to Microsoft’s Cloud Storage Service called SkyDrive.

Alternate: Google Docs

Have you heard of Google Docs? It’s a free service from Google. Google Docs can open and edit most of the popular file types of Microsoft Office including Microsoft Word and Excel documents. Since your Chromebook was also developed by Google it is the perfect tool for working with Google Docs.

FYI: Anyone Can Use Microsoft Office Web Apps

Microsoft’s Office Web Apps aren’t just for Chromebook users. Your can use it on just about any desktop, laptop, netbook, or tablet computer.

World Wide Web’s Twentieth Anniversary

Wednesday, May 1, 2013 Robert Saunders Events, Internet, Thank You, Web Site Reviews No comments

On April 30, 1993, the World Wide Web was born. Today we just call it “the Web”; while other mistakenly call it “the Internet”. The Internet is just the basic tools or platform for delivering the web’s content. (An earlier post stated August 1991 as the birthday, but that version wasn’t publicly accessible. On April 1993, the page was made public.)

And on April 20, 1993, the very first web page was published. Here’s a screenshot:

To mark the anniversary, CERN has republished that page. Though launched in 1993, it was “built” in 1992. Dan Noyes, CERN’s communications group web manager, says this version is the oldest version they can find, but they are looking for an older version.

Back in 1993, the scientists at CERN took out an advertisement in the German Research Network to make the announcement. The researchers invited people to visit the website and test out features like viewing documents, which can be accessed by following links.

“This will give you the very basic line-mode interface. Don’t be disappointed,” the advertisement read.

Mr. Noyes says the line “don’t be disappointed” is crucial because the team knew they had a revolutionary product that looked “rather ordinary.”

By relaunching the first webpage, CERN’s staff hopes to “revive the original spirit in creating the Web”; that is “to give universal access to enthusiasts, in hopes of creating a fair and equal space in the world.”

Few today know, or remember that the first web browsers allowed you to make edits to a page — directly to websites. This is similar to how Wikipedia and some other sites work today.

Visit the first website at: www.info.cern.ch.

You may also be interested reading an earlier post.

Car Accessories for Samsung Galaxy S3

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 Robert Saunders Android, Phones No comments

Two years ago, when the Samsung Galaxy series of phones were released, I, rather famously, posted three articles as to why “Samsung Vibrant is NOT my new Android Phone (Part One)“, (Part Two), (Part Three). Then, this past August, pretty much two years from then, I upgraded to the new Samsung Galaxy S3, and I couldn’t be happier. All the problems I experienced with the Samsung Vibrant are gone, and there are so many new features I haven’t quite figured out how to use them all, but one thing is certain: I want to use this device safely in my car. So I’ve done a little shopping.

Belkin Bluetooth AirCast Car Hands-Free Kit. This purchase came about when I was looking for ways play music from the phone through my car stereo with a minimum of wiring. I found a few Bluetooth dongles that could plug into the auxiliary input of my car stereo, but then decided for a little bit more I could add hands free calling to the mix. You can watch the Youtube video below to see more about this accessory.

Arkon SM410 Universal Smartphone Windshield and Vent Car Mount. When I purchased the Samsung Galaxy S3 I also bought a car mount, but it only worked on the windshield or other places where I could get its suction cup to work. Many times in the past I considered getting car mount that could clip to the air vents on the dashboard, and after reading about this item from Simon Hill at Digital Trends in his article “Best Samsung Galaxy S3 accessories“ I decided to give it a try. (I haven’t received it in the mail yet, but when I do I’ll update this post.