Just a Quick hello....The Computer Guy

[MAJ]

I wanted to say Hello - I've been away for a while. Well, BUSY, not 'away'. Some may argue otherwise...

Taking the plunge - Studying for the E.A. - I purchased the 1st test series from Gleim and have been listening to the audio's mostly. The book just arrived as well. I can do some reading on the bus.. Will help greatly in making me fall back to sleep at 5:35am!

I'm hoping to finish the 3 test by years end. I figure if I'm going to take a test for he IRS - Then I'm going to take a test! If anything - it'll force more knowledge up my cranium if nothing else!! Like - I didn't know if you get an annulment you have to re-file ALL returns that have not reach statue of limitations! I mean - just never thought of it!! Makes total sense - but ****! I thought when dat guy said - Till Death Do you Part - I just said You're Gosh Darn Right!!

I hope you all had a great Tax Season -- I have some Tax Software stuff to write - but not tonight - Have to get up at 5am.... Just wanted to say - I'M Back!

[RitaB]

Best Wishes

Best wishes with your studies, Matthew!

I personally am happy to hear what everybody is doing. I really miss all the posting that is missing on here since tax season is over. Withdrawals, I do believe.

I'm still catching up on monthly bookkeeping, and have three tax returns I need to finish. Of course, these are the people who never have everything together, so no pressure, right?

My third child is graduating high school tonight, #12 in his class. Seems alot harder this time around.

[Lion]

Hi!

You go, MAJ. We benefit from your computer knowledge, so hope you benefit re tax. Good luck!

[oceanlovin'ea]

Hi everyone. Hope you do well on the EA exam. I know you can do it.

What have I been up to since tax season ended?
1. well, I had quarterly reports to do.
2. My husband retired on April 22nd. So new routines around here.
3. We went to St. Simon's Island for the GAEA convention. Beanna Whitlock was the primary speaker. It was a terrific seminar. She isn't going to be teaching much longer so if you hear she is going to be somewhere, ya better go.
4. I got a new computer. I bought my son-in-laws because it had Vista on it and that is what is on my laptop. I didn't want to have to install and set up new programs. Well, too bad. I had forgotten that the version of MS Office we had on the laptop was one from his old employer. They had let him bring the disk home and put it on the computer because he did work for them at home sometimes. So don't have the disk or key so I had to by 2010. I have been trying to set up Outlook and am ready to scream. So I have been moving files and programs. Just when I think I am done something else pops up.
5. Have some returns to do and bookkeeping to do. But the bookkeeping I am giving to my accountant husband who works for me now.

In all we are doing well. Hope everyone else is having a good summer.

Linda, EA

[WhiteOleander]

If you study, I'm sure you'll make it. I've heard from others that Gleim is good. If you have to take a test, you might as well go to the top.

And besides, anyone who can master the ins and outs of computers has to have some smarts somewhere.

[MAJ]

Scream??? Nah...

Don't scream!
If you are trying to set up MS Outlook answer me this..
Who is your email provider? Comcast? Optonline? Gmail?

I can provide some step by step instruction for getting that running no problem.
Office 2010 is a GREAT product. A bit bloated with so many extras that half of us will ever use.. But all in all - Great product. If you are not famililar with LIVE.Com or Gmail's ability to store files on the web (for free) then you should check these out.

I'll write up some notes on how the benefits for our industry. You don't need Office 2010 to make this work - but the functionality is built into the 2010 version. Otherwise - You just do it manually. No big deal..

So? You're running Vista? How's that working out? If you have the newer version it's not as bad. My preference - Windows 7 all the way - Stellar product...

I will write up the instructions and can just edit based on who you get your email from. Then if we still have a problem or if you have problems with your computer we can always just onto your machine remotely and fix your problems. Not looking for any $$ right now - I am a strong believer in the Pay It Forward Scenario. If you've never watched the movie - Do. It's a good one.

Just curious, What Tax Software do you use? I have some info to share shortly that I hope is well received. I'm excited about it...

Hi everyone. Hope you do well on the EA exam. I know you can do it.

What have I been up to since tax season ended?
1. well, I had quarterly reports to do.
2. My husband retired on April 22nd. So new routines around here.
3. We went to St. Simon's Island for the GAEA convention. Beanna Whitlock was the primary speaker. It was a terrific seminar. She isn't going to be teaching much longer so if you hear she is going to be somewhere, ya better go.
4. I got a new computer. I bought my son-in-laws because it had Vista on it and that is what is on my laptop. I didn't want to have to install and set up new programs. Well, too bad. I had forgotten that the version of MS Office we had on the laptop was one from his old employer. They had let him bring the disk home and put it on the computer because he did work for them at home sometimes. So don't have the disk or key so I had to by 2010. I have been trying to set up Outlook and am ready to scream. So I have been moving files and programs. Just when I think I am done something else pops up.
5. Have some returns to do and bookkeeping to do. But the bookkeeping I am giving to my accountant husband who works for me now.

In all we are doing well. Hope everyone else is having a good summer.

Linda, EA

[oceanlovin'ea]

I am using gmail for my emails. I have outlook set up but it is so different that I can't find things. For example, usually when I delete an email it goes to the deleted items folder. But in 2010 when I delete an email, I don't know where it goes....somewhere I can't see it.

My son-in-law told me that I can google questions and get answers there too.

Maybe you can tell me how to get the folder in my outlook off my laptop so that I can put them in my desktop computer that I will use now.

I am appreciative of all help I get. I think that sometimes I just kind of panic and need to slow down and think things through better.

I am using TaxslayerPro. I have been using it since 2001 and have not had any problems. Customer service is great. The program is easy to use.
I got a demo of 2010 from Drake at the seminar last week and am going to try it this summer to see if I like it better and what the differences are in the programs.

Thanks again.

Linda, EA

[MAJ]

Outlook 2010 (2007 too)

If you are using Gmail - You have some great options available.. But to answer the one at hand follow this link compliments of the Google Professor..

http://www.lytebyte.com/2009/08/11/g...n-outlook-2010.

This explains step by step with illustration and even goes into the Archive/Delete function of Gmail itself!!

I hope this helps... But yes,,,,, SLow down - take a breath and don't panic. If it's not done today -HOPEFULLY, there's always tomorrow... Well.. as long as we get past tomorrow!

I sure hope the world doesn't end!! That would only say I'm not going to pass my SEE/EA.

Bummer!!

[FEDUKE404]

Option

I might suggest Mozilla Thunderbird for email use..........

It works fine for me, and is more or less what I was already accustomed to in the ancient days of Netscape.

FE

[Gary2]

I agree about Thunderbird. Outlook has been bloated since day 1, years ago. Outlook Express, which has evolved into Windows Live Mail, is ok.

E-mail, in general, is insecure. If I recall correctly, gmail at least uses SSL (secure sockets layer) for communications between you and your account at all times, unlike many other providers. That only protects the communications between you and them; it doesn't mean the data is encrypted while in storage at their end, and there's no way to guarantee encryption between your client and the servers unless you encrypt the files yourself.

Truly secure online storage is expensive. While I use the various free services for personal stuff, including one email account that's kept online, I'd be reluctant to use it for client tax data unless I was sure the entire path was secure - including being sure that no one at the server company could read the data without hacking.

[Lion]

FileShare

When I'm sending tax info or receiving, I like to use FileShare on my web site that's hosted by CCH who transmits my e-files, so it's about as safe as I'm going to get for the price. If my clients trust e-filing, they should have no trouble trusting FileShare. I can also receive larger spreadsheets and QB files via FileShare than Optimum allows via email.

For a quick question, I email. And, my clients email lots of info I wish they wouldn't. But then again, my clients send me confidential tax info through the USPS, too! Whatever makes them comfortable.

[oceanlovin'ea]

finally done!!!!!

Well, it has been a real hair pulling few days. I have had a devil of a time with my outlook and gmail accounts. I followed the directions on lytebyte.com and that helped and I thought I had it done......till this morning.

I had both outlook and gmail open....one on each computer screen. I deleted things from my gmail account (trying to clean it up) and what happened but they deleted from my outlook too. I couldn't believe it. Whatever i did in one happened in the other.

Fortunately, last night a new client came to pick up his returns and we got to talking about the computer and he does computer work. He works for a speech and hearing clinic and he does their computer work so I figured he must be okay.

I called him and he stopped by this afternoon. He tried a couple of things and then he called Microsoft. This is what we found out.....IMAP makes a mirror image in both programs. So whatever you do in one happens in the other. Microsoft person changed it back to POP3. She said it is okay to run 2010 on POP3.

I guess I would have NEVER figured that out.

Later I will look at some of the tutorials and see what else it can do.

Linda, EA

[MAJ]

IMAP you MAP - We ALL MAP...

That's the way it is -- Good in some instances -- But not for you obviously...

Listen - you need computer help - Send out a smoke signal or an email - If I can help - I will --

MatthewJones@BrickTaxes.com

I'm a System Engineer by day (night, weekends and everywhere in between).
Application deployment via Citrix for a little known company that owns a bit of Everything from The Hard Rock Casino in Vegas to 170+ Skyscrapers across multiple continents. Hydro Electric plants along the Niagra and South America, Wind Mill Farms in places I have no idea even exist, Financial Trading firms, GE Mortgage on the West Coast, Housing Developments in Canada - Millions of acres of Timber - Worlds largest Coal Mine (Australia) - Rail lines - Power transmission lines, American Express World Headquarters and umm.. I'm sure there's others.. Makes my head spin sometimes...

I'm more than happy to provide some insight and if need be remote support to assist those here that have provided plenty of advice to me. It's greatly appreciated...

Enjoy -- Good Luck and most of all - Let's have a GREAT SUMMER - We've earned IT!