Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2006 October 4

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Searching for a simple Small Business Program

I'm having an unusually and unexpectedly difficult time finding what I thought would be an extremely popular business program.

All I need is a simple accounting/invoicing program. I need to print my invoices in triplicate, and as this can only be done with a dot matrix printer, I spent a few hundred bucks (CDN) on what is considered the most reliable (as well as one of the last) ones on the market. While dot matrix is the earliest of popular printers, and one would imagine, the cheapest of all the versions, quite the opposite seems to be true. While laser and inkjet have dropped down in price quite drastically, dot matrix has actually gone up. In any case, I'll get to the dot matrix part later.

What really surprises me is the fact that a simple program that provides simple features like simple bookkeeping, as well as the ability to print invoices is so difficult to find. I can't understand it, but with all the programs created by MS, in particular those included in MS Office, they don't seem to have what would seem to be a program that is such a common need for small businesses and that I would imagine there would be such a great demand for.

Of course everyone needs a word processor, so there's MS Word. And spreadsheets are very useful, so there's Excel. Everyone uses email (though not necessarily non-web based email), so Outlook can be useful too (though not for me). Then there's Frontpage, Access and Powerpoint, which all have their uses, but not for everyone. What I don't get is why (if that's the case) there isn't a simple bookkeeping/invoicing programme. Does MS perhaps have this sort of thing available outside of the Office package? If so I'd really be grateful if any of you could point me in the right direction, as all MS programs seem to have their similarities, and once you're familiar with one, it's that much easier to familiarize yourself with others. And I realize, Access might be able to do what I'm looking for, but I'm afraid that it would involve way too much customization on my part that would only be way over my head. Does MS have such a product?

The problem is I'm stuck with this old DOS version of a programme I like, but it just won't work on my new computer. And these small software companies tend to offer terrible tech support. I bought their new "Windows" version of it back in '01, but the damn thing was so complicated I couldn't make any sense of it. Plus, they refuse to offer any tech support on the phone if you don't pay an arm and a leg. Neither could I make any sense of their user guide. So I basically went back to the ancient DOS version that suits my needs so well. Now they say that their programme is much more user friendly, but I'm understandably wary. Btw, their site is dynacom.com. They offer a trial version, and I'm downloading it as we speak, but there's another problem. The sales guy said that he doesn't even think it could work with a dot matrix printer, but he's not sure. (Thanks alot, you seem to really understand the product you're selling!). I really don't get why that would be a problem ... it's not a wiring problem, everything works by USB cable. In any case, I'm totally sick of this company.

Ideally, my first question would be whether or not MS has such an application, which would of course be able to work with a dot matrix printer. (Once again, I have no idea why MS wouldn't have created that sort of application ... it just seems like everyone would love to use it and it would sell itself). That would be ideal, as since I'm already familiar with other MS applications, I'd already be halfway to figuring out how to work this one. Failing that, though, I'm wondering if any of you can offer me any alternate suggestions. What does everybody use anyway? There must be some dominant, user friendly program by now! I'd be grateful for any suggestions any of you could offer (as well as any possible explanations for the mysterious "no dot matrix" facet of the program I'm considering buying now). Thanks to anyone who can help. Loomis 00:41, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Microsoft does indeed have a program (I am hoping this is what you need) Its called Microsoft Small Business Financials[1]. I would check there. Hope that helps!! --Zach 01:04, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Or Microsoft Money. (I use the personal version for tracking my own finances). Another seemingly popular option is Intuit's Quickbooks. As far as printing, I'd expect that your new printer came with a driver CD, or else the drivers are already included in Windows, so it shouldn't be a problem. The Okidata site was a little too annoying for me this afternoon. --LarryMac 18:38, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Try Microsoft Back Office. The problem with a dot matrix is they can generally only accept ASCII text, whereas most modern printers can also accept PostScript, HPGL, etc. So, if the modern program only prints in one of those formats, it won't work with a dot matrix printer. Why not just upgrade to a modern printer ? I got my printer/scanner/copier for under US$100. StuRat 02:08, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks Stu, (and thanks Zach too!) but the thing is, my boss insists that he wants his invoices in triplicate, so when they sign for it, it goes through all copies. Don't ask me why. In any case, I've already "upgraded" to a brand new dot matrix OKIDATA, so at this point, I'd rather be able to use it. There are still quite a few folks that still use dot matrix, and I'm sure there'll always be a use for triplicate invoices. Do you think the above applications would support dot matrix? Thanks. Loomis 04:23, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not sure about that. Check the specs with the vendors and see if they can export flat ASCII text files. StuRat 21:06, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I think most dot matrix printers in fact do have a (slower) graphics mode. If the program can output PostScript, you might be able to use ghostscript to convert it to the printer's format (using the printer's graphics mode). That's the usual solution on Unix: all programs output PostScript, and the spooler converts it to the printer's native format (unless the printer understands PostScript directly). --cesarb 16:52, 6 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Overclocking failed -- CPU fan error

Answered

I have had a PC for a little over 3 years and am just now getting this error when I boot up. What can I do to resolve it?

I didn't set up the "overclocking" myself -- I wouldn't know how. It came that way from the computer shop, which is now out of business.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, TacoDeposit 00:43, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It sounds like it's overheating, are the vents clear and clean ? Try pointing an external fan at it and, if that doesn't do it, remove the cover. Replacing the internal CPU fan and/or general fan with a more powerful one should solve the problem permanently, if that's what it is. StuRat 01:52, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I opened the cover and it looks like there are three fans, two by the back vents and one over the CPU. One of the two fans by the back vents is not operating. Would that explain it? I'll have to get it replaced. Thanks, TacoDeposit 02:27, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, that sounds like the problem, you need to fix or replace that case fan. A single case fan is more standard, so I suspect that the computer shop that set it to overclock also installed an auxiliary case fan to compensate for the additional heat generated. If they did a half-assed job, perhaps some of the wires to the fan just came loose. StuRat 03:10, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Internet Explorer popping up

Everytime I open and use my PC the Dial Up Connection dialog box automatically pops up. I close the dialog box but it again pops up which is very annoying.Is there any way to stop that and use the Internet Explorer whenever i require?amrahs 15:39, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

There's a good chance that you have some sort of spyware that's trying to connect to the internet. Possibly a dialer, keylogger, trojan, etc. I recommend downloading an antispyware program and scanning your harddrive. Spybot (download) and Adaware (download) are amongst the most popular antispyware programs. If this doesn't solve the problem, try running an antivirus scan. ClamWin (download) or AVG (download) are two good antivirus programs.--Russoc4 18:22, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Private Investigator Service

Is there a Private Investigator Service tool/database on the Internet that PI's use to gather/share information? I was thinking about it and I'm sure there is some sort of national PI service already, but if not I thought it would be a good idea. --Kainaw ^(talk) 18:41, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Veronica Mars uses an awesome service that's like what you describe. She can totally find out anything about anybody! I love that show.... Oskar 20:38, 4 October 2006 (UTC) (I'm not helping, am I?)[reply]

There are online sites to do things like researching a person's background and criminal records. Of course, this is all stuff that can be done remotely. If you want somebody to be followed to find out where they go at night, that will require someone in the area and will likely cost thousands of dollars. StuRat 20:51, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Gmail Question

There is an option in Gmail to "always display images" from a certain sender, since images are by default blocked. There is also a way to restore the default after choosing this option by going to the individual email. However, I cannot find a list of "allowed" senders. Does such a list exist? thanks, -JianLi 20:52, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It doesn't appear that there is. If it's a big inconvenience for you, consider suggesting it using the Google help center, they may listen. I had a complaint about the way they didn't allow switching languages properly with multilingual accounts because I use English and Japanese on what is (usually) a Japanese OS, and a just a few weeks later they fixed it. Maybe coincidence : P. freshofftheufo ΓΛĿЌ 11:59, 6 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I've contacted them. Thanks. --JianLi 02:28, 7 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

serial number

where can i fined the serial number of my computer?

If it has one, it will be on a sticker of some sort on the case. Not all computers have serial numbers. For example, I built my own part-by-part. There is no serial number for the computer, but there is one on the motherboard, on the hard drive, on the dvd burner, on the video card... --Kainaw ^(talk) 22:23, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It's usually stuck onto the silver plate on the back of the case if it's a desktop model, or big on the underside of a laptop. freshofftheufo ΓΛĿЌ 12:01, 6 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

computer chess

Fourteen world championship computer chess tournaments have been held (from 1974 to 2006). I would greatly appreciate learning where the win-loss-draw percentages for these games have been compiled. Thankyou, Kaleideon

World Computer Chess Championship. Arch dude 01:37, 15 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]