Windows Live Writer

I wanted to post a quick blog entry today.  It is on “Windows Live Writer”.  A good friend of mine from Philly told me about this software from Microsoft.  I hadn’t heard about it.  Sometimes I get so lost in my work that I don’t take time to see what is new. 

I went out and downloaded and installed the new beta version of Windows Live Writer.  I’m using it right now to create this blog entry.  Cool.  So far I like it. 

I do like blogging, but I honesty have to say that I haven’t been a huge fan of the built in blogging editor for this blogger.com blog. 

The interface for Windows Live Writer (WLW) looks like a cross between a light weight version of a web site development tool and Word.  I’m very comfortable with these tools, so I’m already feeling at home with WLW. 

WLW  has three tabs along the bottom of the main window and they are “Edit, Preview, and Source”.  Anyone familiar with web site designing or development software will be familiar with these tabs and their functions.   The names of the tabs are pretty explanatory, with maybe the exception of one (Source).

Edit allows you to edit an existing post or create a new one and your post will be shown/displayed with your blogs theme.  Pretty cool. 

Preview is how you would see your blog in a browser window (IE, Firefox, Safari, etc..).  Pretty straight forward.

Now, the Source tab might be new for some of you.  The Source tab shows you the actual HTML code for generating your post entry.  I sometimes finds that I want to edit the source code directly, so this tab is very helpful for that.  Not everyone will use the Source tab and that is fine.  For the most part, the Edit tab will more than enough for your blog posts. 

Enough talking.  Let me give you some links for WLW so that you can check it out for yourself and I can get back to exploring WFW some more.  I love technology.  It can be such fun. 

 

• Introduction to  Windows Live Writer.
• Downloading, installing and setting up Windows Live Writer on Youtube
• Basic Authoring with Windows Live Writer on Youtube

 

Now it is up to you to go and explore the world of blogging through Windows Live Writer.  Have fun!

Next Meeting - March 11, 2010

Our next Elevate Computer Learning meeting is on March 11, 2010 at the public library downtown Greeneville, TN and we start at 5:00 pm. Come join us.

Meeting Notes from Feb 25, 2010 Meeting

Our meeting we well last night. Spent a lot of time on resolving a Windows error. We walked through the process of tracking down the error and resolving it. We resolved the windows error before class was over.

We talked about Windows user accounts and the folder structure and security that goes along with them.

We discussed social networking and communicating more between meetings. I suggested using Facebook (here is my Facebook page for my web site business and the Elevate Computer learning group: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greeneville/Paint-Creek-Web-Creations/445536995037) or Google Buzz possibly. This will not only help the group have communications between meetings (we could use the discussion area of Facebook for questions, etc..), but this would also help the group become more familiar with Facebook and social networking, which can be use for many things.

Happy learning..

Next Meeting - Feb 25, 2010

Our next Elevate Computer Learning meeting is on Feb 25, 2010 at the public library downtown Greeneville, TN and we start at 5:00 pm.  Come join us.

Google's Buzz

Hey Google users, there is a new buzz out there.  It is Google Buzz.  Google Buzz is Google's attempt at tapping into the social networking scene.  We have Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and the list goes on...  Now there is Google Buzz.

Google Buzz isn't as robust as some of the more dominant social networks, but it is integrated with GMail and pretty easy to use.  I think in time we'll see more features with Google Buzz. 

To learn more about Google Buzz check out this link:  http://www.google.com/buzz.  This could be a fun tool for our group to try out and learn together.  I have been playing around with it some, and it's not bad.  

Have fun.

Web Browsers

Some of you may use Internet Explorer (IE) or maybe Mozilla Firefox (FF) to surf the Internet.  There are other web browsers, but a lot of Windows users use either IE or FF for surfing the Internet.  I have both of these installed on my computer.

I have two other browsers installed on my computer also.  Chrome from Google and Safari from Apple.  The reason I have 4 web browsers installed on my computer is for testing new web sites I create.  Depending on what technology was used to create a web page, it may or may not look the same in all web browsers.  When I'm testing the different web browsers I will be bring up the new web site that I have created in these various web browsers to make sure everything looks good.  

Some of you have asked about Apple's Safari web browser.  There is a windows version of Safari that you can download for free.  You may find that you like it better or maybe not.  I think it is good to know you have options and if for some reason you are not happy with your current web browser, give Safari or Chrome a try.  

If you are interested in downloading the Safari web browser, go here:  http://www.apple.com/safari/download/. If you download it and use it, let the group know how you like it.

If you want to know more about Chrome and you want to give it a try, check out my blog post on about it:  http://elevateusergroup.blogspot.com/2009/10/google-chrome-new-web-browser.html.

Have fun!

Next Elevate Computer Learning Meeting - 02/11/10

Our next Elevate Computer Learning meeting is this Thursday - 02/11/10 at the:

Greeneville Public Library on Main Street, Greeneville, TN 37745. We will start at 5:00 pm.

The library has free WIFI. Bring your laptop or web enabled device.

This is open to the public and it is free to attend.