This picture was taken in our back yard where we try to plant flowers that attract these lovely creatures. Some of those flowers include milkweed, thistles, Japanese Honeysuckle, Ironweed, and Red Clover. This is an Easter Tiger Swallowtail. An interesting fact about the caterpillars of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is they look like bird poop when they first hatch so that they will be mistaken for just that. As they age, they get fat and turn a light shade of green.
Conditional Formatting
FitBit
Surveys
Welcome to News from trif.com! First time readers, I am glad you're here! Returning readers, welcome back!
Greetings. Welcome to our Newsletter! We wanted to share the many photos we have taken of places, people and things throughout the country and beyond. Each month, our headline photo will be something new and different. The caption will present a small explanation. We hope you enjoy. We do not want to waste your time. Articles will contain generally less than 250 words. Please have a look and give us your feedback. By all means, forward to a friend using the link at the bottom of the Newsletter. Thanks. Questions? Send me an email!
TRIF.COM
Technology Resources
Technology solutions are a part of doing business just like sales and marketing, It is an important component in servicing customers, managing costs and controlling operations. TRI has an uncanny ability to find affordable technology solutions for a wide variety of situations. Our capabilities bridge database design and development, Internet web-based programs, hosting and co-location services, network and computer sales and support, document imaging, bar code scanning, corporate communications, fax and email programs, mobile applications, cloud computing and help desk services. Interested in taking a step forward with technology? Looking to take advantage of the latest advances? Or just want to take advantage of your new computer?
Give us a call to discuss where you want to go - 877-253-2379 or email rmj@trif.com to discuss your opportunities. The first consultation is always without charge.
Conditional Formatting
Some of you may know and understand Conditional Formatting, but I thought enough of you don’t and it just might be helpful. Conditional Formatting is a powerful tool available in Microsoft Office 
products such as Excel, Access and Outlook. Basically it means you can use 'if- then' logic to ascribe color to things that will enhance your user experience. Here is an example. Let’s say that you would like to use the Outlook Calendar as a To Do listing tool, but you want the items to stand out. You can set up a conditional formatting rule that colors any calendar entry that contains the text to do as a bright vibrant color. To do this in Outlook 2010, right click on your calendar and click View Settings, then click on Conditional Formatting.
In Excel, it is even more powerful. You can very quickly view highs and lows or even trends by formatting a column of values with a color scale.
Have a look for yourself and see what you can do with Conditional Formatting. If you need a hand, feel free to get in touch with us.
So what is FitBit?
Were you ever curious how many steps you take in a day? How many flights of stairs you climb? How 
many miles you walk? Interested in how many calories you burn in a day? Technology, time to step in! FitBit is a device you can wear on your waste, slip in your pocket or drop in your shirt pocket. It keeps track of your every move.
It exchanges data wirelessly with fitbit.com through a USB base connected to your computer. Just get near it (within about 15’) and the information is passed to your computer and www.fitbit.com. You can see how you are progressing throughout the day by clicking a little button on the device. It will tell you current counts for steps, calories, miles and floors. It will even track how you sleep, how many times you woke up, how long it took to fall asleep and how much sleep you get.
Sounds remarkable? It really is.
Fitbit also links with popular nutrition and fitness apps like loseit and Microsoft HealthVault. For just under $100, it is a very cool toy that just might help you get in shape and stay there!
Survey This!
Been asked to complete a survey lately? I try to comply when I can, but it does get out of hand. Another lesson I learned from Disney is ask for 
an opinion after an opinion has been formed but before it is forgotten. So the recent cruise we were on asked for a very specific survey to be completed prior to leaving the ship. It is a very important part of every position on board ship. A good review converts to fame and fortune!
American Express tries to do a good job by sending an email shortly after you have visited their web site, but alas, it is often too late because we have visited 50 more web sites and have forgotten our experience. Frequently you will remember only when the service is so horrible that it makes you stew for hours. Most of the time, you just forget and move on.
The clincher though is Microsoft. Notorious for asking you to complete a survey even before you have clicked your first click on their site. The word annoying was created specifically for this reason. So what does this survey do for the company Microsoft? That’s right, it turns us against them. Why? Because it is stupid and we can't stand stupid. Don’t upset people by asking them their opinion at the inappropriate time. You may as well not ask!
Considering setting up your own surveys? It just might be worthwhile to let a professional help you with your survey questions and timing before you run out and sign up for Survey Monkey. Have questions, drop us a line.
If any of the information here is of interest to you, please drop us a note. If you would like to see specific information on technology issues that affect you and your business, please let us know.
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Email: support@trif.com
Call: 747-333-8743
TRI
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Suite #3
Sterling, Massachusetts 01564
877-253-2379
rmj@trif.com