I took this photo at the Lincoln Memorial in DC. I was awed by Washington, DC. It is a great place to visit to begin to get a sense of our roots and our founders and the great people that preceded us. In this grand election month, I contemplated how it once was. How dedicated, devoted and passionate people were to have lead our country through remarkably difficult times. It is the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Where are the Lincoln's of our age? Where is Mr. Smith? It was Lincoln who said, "It is not merely for today, but for all time to come that we should perpetuate for our children's children this great and free government, which we have enjoyed all our lives".
Microsoft and B&N
Office 365 Cloud Services
Colin Powell's 13 Rules
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Microsoft, B&N and the Surface
So what is Microsoft looking to accomplish sinking 300 million dollars into Barnes & Noble? That represents almost 18% of B&N. Well, it creates a new entity; Nook Media LLC. B&N is now an able contender in the battle with Amazon. Nook Media includes the digital and college businesses of B&N and is backed by the technological, legal and financial mite of Microsoft. Beyond that, it really isn't clear. But Amazon and Goggle will take some notice.
One thing that has been promised is a Nook powered by Microsoft Windows 8. Will that differ from the new Microsoft Surface 
Tablet? That brings up another topic, the Microsoft Surface Tablet.
First looks at the Surface hosts a 10.6" widescreen display, a highly rated case with keyboard built in, a flip out stand, and more weight than the iPad4. It is bundled with a version of Windows 8 (named Windows RT) and will be a pain to try and get legacy software to run on it. It operates a bit like a laptop but has the feel of a tablet, so it is really a good mix. Initial tests find it lagging in performance, so buyer beware.
All this said, what you do get with the Surface is Windows behind the Xboxy interface. That includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote. OK, it doesn't support Visual Basic for Applications, so it limits our ability to create Office Apps for the Surface. Ouch! But I suspect that will be forthcoming.
Sometime in the 1st quarter of 2013, Microsoft is expected to release the Surface with Windows 8 Pro. A 2 pound monster tablet. Roughly the same dimensions but a whopping 1920x1080 resolution display, 128gb optional storage, USB Ports, micro SDXC card and video out port. This one has me on the edge of my seat!
Cloud Services with Office 365
If we haven't already spoken to you about Microsoft Office 365, we will soon. We have been installing the Cloud-based version 
of Office for many of our clients. We have had some great success and are about to begin unleashing some of the power behind Office 365 and Sharepoint and Exchange. The suite which has moved into the cloud offers extraordinary flexibility, productivity and freedom. The mobility is really what has impressed me.
As Microsoft put's it:
- Provides all the familiar tools including Word, Excel , PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote on your computer
- Ability to view and edit documents with your colleagues from almost anywhere
- Cloud-based professional email
- Video conferencing and Instant Messaging
- Share files inside and outside your organization
- Easy and secure administration
- Secure and reliable with multiple data centers and system fault protection
- Predictable monthly costs with no infrastructure costs
- Communication using audio, video and instant messaging from almost anywhere
- Ability to focus more on your business and less on your technology
Our experience tells us more:
- It is flexible providing access from any and all devices including mobile, tablets and computers.
- It is secure and reliable giving us a level of comfort that lets us sleep at night regardless of the weather.
- It enhances collaboration by allowing the people in our organization to work as a Team
- It helps you harness the power of Microsoft SharePoint and Exchange.
If you are interested, please email us at info@trif.com.
Colin Powell's 13 Rules
I am half-way through Colin Powells' book "It Worked For Me". It is a positive book with many lessons and some great 
advice. Powell substantiates every piece of advice with an anecdote going way back to his childhood in the Bronx.
It is uplifting because he was never an outstanding student. He wasn't great at sports. What he had was a great deal of common sense and amazing instincts. Who knew that his love all through the years he was in the limelight was repairing old Volvo's. I guess everyone needs a passion and why would rebuilding vintage Volvo's not qualify?
I enjoyed his candor and also respected his choice to stay away from the financial institutions that sought him out after his departure from the Bush administration. I also respect him for leaving the Bush administration when it was clear to him that the President no longer desired his advice.
Powell gives us his 13 Rules in the first Chapter and gives us near full-disclosure to support them. I share them with you in the hopes you might also read his book and learn why each of these rules holds importance for him and why they may hold some importance for you.
The 13 Rules
- It ain’t as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.
- Get mad, then get over it.
- Avoid having your ego so close to your position that, when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
- It can be done!
- Be careful what you choose. You may get it.
- Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.
- You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.
- Check small things.
- Share credit.
- Remain calm. Be kind.
- Have a vision. Be demanding.
- Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers.
- Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.
If you are interested, it is available from Amazon for under $16.00. Click Here
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