Once the Previous Windows Installations check box appears in the Disk Cleanup window, click the OK button to delete these previous installations.

So, if you have a virus, spyware, or malware of any kind that might still be in those files, they are finally gone forever now. I knew, immediately, that the program that was downloaded from my blog was malware because I could not delete it from my system. Also, my Microsoft Windows Security Essentials program warned me there was something malicious about the program, which I did not want to download in the first place. The web is still full of hackers people. Stay safe! Our lives are increasingly virtual and so you need to take precautions to protect yourself.

All The Best,

Keith

As I learn how to use Document! X to document assemblies, components, and databases, I turn to the Help tab within Document! X. It is truly helpful. It is well designed and truly written to help the new software user. The welcome page gives you a few brief video tutorials to get you started. After that, you can navigate the TOC in the left pane to find exactly what you need or you can go directly to the Search tab, also located in the left pane. The Help file is essentially a CHM file that is called as you select Help from within the Help tab of the main Document! X menu system, which, BTW, is set-up in the same way that Microsoft Word 2007 is set up. Indeed, developers who are writing code need to take advantage of this fantastic resource so that if they need to revisit their compiled programs, they will be able to see back into their code and the Microsoft .NET framework with the insightful details provided by this program. Regards, Keith

The very best features of Document X! 2010 are embedded in its ability to read code written in the Microsoft .NET development environment and produce a meaningful and insightful document about such code. First, Document X! creates a great .NET assembly summary. According to Wikipedia, a .NET assembly is “a partially compiled code library for use in deployment, versioning and security. There are two types: process assemblies (EXE) and library assemblies (DLL). A process assembly represents a process which will use classes defined in library assemblies. .NET assemblies contain code in CIL, which is usually generated from a CLI language, and then compiled into machine language at runtime by the CLR just-in-time compiler. An assembly can consist of one or more files. Code files are called modules. An assembly can contain more than one code module and since it is possible to use different languages to create code modules it is technically possible to use several different languages to create an assembly. Visual Studio however does not support using different languages in one assembly.”

Secondly, Document X! creates a great database summary. When I say database, I am not talking about just the overall structure of tables, but also any stored and other procedures used to access and retrieve information.

Third, Document X! creates a great COM component documentation summary. According to Wikipedia “The Component Object Model (COM) is a binary-interface standard for software componentry introduced by Microsoft in 1993. It is used to enable interprocess communication and dynamic object creation in a large range of programming languages. The term COM is often used in the Microsoft software development industry as an umbrella term that encompasses the OLE, OLE Automation, ActiveX, COM+ and DCOM technologies.”

I am currently learning to use Document X! 2010 for each of these instances and will keep you posted about insights on each of these ways you can use the program (.NET assemblies, databases, COM components).

All The Best,

Keith

Dear Readers:

Over the next few weeks, I will be reviewing a program called Document X (here at Great Documents), developed by a software company called Innovasys from the UK. As a Technical Writer, I am always in search of better ways to document source code as well as create more insightful user guides. Currently, I work in an environment that features Microsoft .NET. So, I will see how this software optimizes my documentation experience and what I can offer as a Technical Writer to programmers and developers. Hopefully you are all enjoying the World Cup. Best wishes for a productive and positive week ahead.

Keith

This post is dedicated to Chapter 4 of Joan Lambert’s book Windows 7 Step by Step, published by Microsoft Press. What I would like to discuss in this post is Chapter 4 which tells you about (1) working with Windows, (2) understanding files, folders, and libraries, (3) finding your way around the computer, (4) connecting to a network resource, and (5) finding specific information. These are all very important topics.

First, working with the Windows Operating System (OS) is important because it is designed to be a user-friendly interface to help you find things easily. You can easily size, move, and arrange windows as per your needs. You simply need to learn to use the icons and learn how to point, drag, and click your mouse on the right part of the window you want to manipulate. Essentially, there are two icons located in the top right hand corner of the window that allow for resizing, minimizing and maximizing.

Second, to work with files on your computer, you need to use the Windows Explorer. Go to the Start Menu of your machine and then select the Documents icon (a folder icon). This will display a window that will list, in the left side, all the major ways you can access information on your machine: desktop, downloads, libraries, etc. In the right pane, you will see all the files and sub-directories of the selected access point (for example, your desktop) that fall within that category. You can organize files as per your needs. I like to have my files listed by file type, and not by name.

Third, this chapter will help you to find your way around your computer as you use W7. Instead of selecting Documents from your Start menu, rather, select Computer. This icon will display a window that will show all drives and drive related information. For example, my computer has merely a C drive and a DVD drive. So, this window shows those two components. If you click on either of these components, then you will see further details, like directories and files that are currently accessible via such information access points.

Fourth, this chapter will help you to connect to a network resource. Essentially, you need to learn how to map a network drive. Important steps include selecting “Map a network drive” after selecting Computer from your Start menu. When this window appears, you need to select the correct drive letter and designation and then complete further steps using this wizard. As long as your network resources are correctly set-up then this mapping should turn out successful.

Finally, this chapter will help you to learn how to find specific information on your computer as you become a Windows 7 user. One great utility in this respect is Windows Search. All you need to do is click on your Start Menu and enter the name of a file or directory you wish to find in the text box that appears. You don’t need to enter the complete name. Rather, just enter the elements that you know and Windows 7 will produce a list in a pop-up window that will let you choose the right file or directory you were seeking.

In summary, we are still in the early stages of this book. Nonetheless, important information has been presented and this chapter will definitely help you to feel more at home with Windows 7, especially if you are new to the Microsoft Windows OS

Click here to check out Windows 7 Step by Step
Click here to check out Windows 7, The Pocket Guide

On page 24 of W7 Step by Step, in Chapter 1: Explore Windows 7, the authors give the reader a most valuable table that they can print out and keep with them as they use Windows 7. Essentially this table summarizes the most vital keyboard shortcuts which allow for diverse operations to take place within W7. This table can be found on page 24 of this book. It can also be found on the companion CD to this book within the e-book that is presented there. I recommend you take note of these keyboard shortcuts so that you can perform these W7 feats all the better.

Keyboard Shortcut – Function

Windows logo key – open or close the Start menu.
Windows logo key + B – Select the first icon in the notification are of the taskbar.
Windows logo key + D – Minimize all open windows.
Windows logo key + E – Open the Computer window.
Windows logo key + F – Open the Search window.
Windows logo key + G – Select or move between desktop gadgets.
Windows logo key + L – Lock the computer.
Windows logo key + M – Minimize all open windows.
Windows logo key + Shift + M – Redisplay the windows.
Windows logo key + P – Display the Projection controls.
Windows logo key + R – Open the Run dialog box.
Windows logo key + T – Select or move between the taskbar buttons.
Windows logo key + U – Open the Ease Of Access Center window.
Windows logo key + X – Open the Windows Mobility Center (portable computers only).
Windows logo key + Spacebar – Make all open windows temporarily transparent (Aero-capable computers only for this command option).

Enjoy your weekend everybody

Special thanks to Rich Robinson for Windows 7 Pocket Guide
Special thanks to Joan Lambert for Windows 7 Step by Step

In the same way that a waterfall survives many hundreds of years, just like the image above, so “the waterfall process” of software development survives generations of software development and technological change. Essentially, in my fifteen years of software development experience, there are four “tiers” which a software program much pass on its journey to the market (like water falling over a falls into the river below). First, there is the level of “business analysis”. Here, an application is created with an emphasis on its utility and how the customer is going to use it. Once this is completed, architects and programmers create the code that enables the business model to come to life within the parameters of the technology at hand. It could be a desktop or laptop computer. It could be a web service. It could be a Wikipedia. It could be an iPhone application. Next, once coding is finished (no pun intended, really), then Quality Assurance makes sure the application lives up to its initial business goals and objectives and that it really works from both the interface and internal logic aspects. Finally, Technical Writers like myself write the User Guide and any necessary Training Presentations to help users get the most out of the program. Today, there is a big push toward processes like Agile and Scrum, but let us remember that no matter the generation, basic laws of development apply. Even though we have Google today, still, if you venture to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, you will see nature unchanged and waterfalls that have been there for centuries. The Waterfall method of turning an idea into a market product is a timeless methodology. That is why I say that Waterfall = True. Regardless of whether you have a Toyota Yaris or a BMW, you have four tires, a motor, and a vehicle that abides by the same laws of motion. The same holds true with software development

As I mentioned in a previous post, I will be covering, this summer, a great book released by Microsoft Press. It is entitled “Windows 7: Step by Step”. For those of you who have decided to go with Microsoft Windows 7 for your computer’s operating system (OS), this is a book that will help you immensely. Before I dive into the chapters and content therein, here is a summary (the TOC) of how the authors have approached Windows 7 in this well-written book. Notice how the authors guide you slowly from superficial concepts to the last chapter which deals with hardware that interfaces with W7 (Windows 7, I will be using this abbreviation from now on).

Windows 7 Step by Step Table of Contents (TOC)

Chapter 1: Explore W7
Chapter 2: Manage User Accounts
Chapter 3: Manage Your Network
Chapter 4: Navigate Windows and Folders
Chapter 5: Manage Folder and Files
Chapter 6: Connect to the Web
Chapter 7: Work with Web Pages and Sites
Chapter 8: Manage Internet Explorer (IE)
Chapter 9: Change Visual Elements
Chapter 10: Change System Settings
Chapter 11: Work with Programs
Chapter 12: Set Up Hardware Devices

Regards,

Keith

Click here to visit Minty White for more about Windows 7
Click here to visit O’Reilly Publishers featuring W7 Step by Step

Documentation is always considered important by organizations. At the same time, few people enjoy spending time to actually create meaningful and helpful documentation. Our world today is on the move. However, like the age-old expression goes “haste makes waste”, the very same holds true for documentation. There are many people creating, developing, testing, and implementing systems of all kinds. Yet, the glue that holds developers, testers, business analysts, users, and investors is the documentation. So, as a Technical Writer, I encourage everyone in the business word to adopt these four simple words into their everyday vocabulary “make time for documentation”. To create a product and have erroneous or no documentation makes no sense. It is like going on a long trip and not making sure you have ample brake fluid, oil, gasoline, and other vital liquids for your car. Take care of your car, right? So, do the same for your product or service. Spend some time verifying your documentation. You just might discover something important in this process of review. You might even discover ways to better your product and/or service and realize just how documentation has kept you in the game

Today, I would like to simply re-mention a book that I have already discussed on this blog. It is worth a second mention. In fact, if I had to recommend one book to someone who wants to learn more about computers, computer science, programming, systems, and electronics, it is this book: Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software by Charles Petzold.

Charles is one of the greatest programmers that Microsoft ever employed. His books are extremely well-thought out and well-organized at all levels of interaction with the reader. Charles is a natural communicator of technical ideas and is able to take semi-technical professionals like myself and turn us into heavyweight technical professionals. I remember him reflecting on Code and he said candidly that Code literally sat in his brain for a decade before he wrote it. That is true sincerity and true diligence, I say.

You will get to know computers at a very fundamental and basic level, starting with basic binary code (ones and zeros) and he takes you from ground zero into more sophisticated ideas and archetypes. Thanks, Charles, once again, for producing this timeless and most informative book that I always enjoy opening when I get the chance.

Click on the following link to check out Code by Charles Petzold.

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/book.aspx?ID=4677&locale=en-us