That app people is Smart Office 2.  Smart Office 2 was originally an Android app which has been ported over to Blackberry.  It isn’t free (£7.50) but in my experience so far well worth the money.

It allows you to open, edit and save any file in your documents along with the ability to access your Dropbox, Google Docs or Box account which is very handy.  Since all my files are stored in Dropbox the ability to access, edit and save them back to Dropbox is great.

The best part however is that the original file keeps its format so when I make up and send an invoice to a client it looks exactly as it should.

If you work on the move and are lucky enough to own a Blackberry Playbook you should seriously check this app out.

About the Author

Hi I am Chris Wakefield the owner of ComTech IT Support. I provide Windows and Linux based IT Support, laptop repairs and computer repairs to both business and personal clients in and around Stirling.

For a list of what I can offer you why not visit my website www.comtech247.net where you will find a list of my services, testimonials, blog and much more.

So I did a little test to see if I could solely use the Playbook to cover all the tasks I would usually use the netbook for.

1.Blogging

I am typing this blog using the Playbook and a bluetooth keyboard.  So that is one I can tick off.

2.Configuring routers

Now this is a bit more difficult as the Playbook does not come with an ethernet adapter as standard  (I am looking though) but once you are connected to the wifi you can access the router directly and configure the settings.

3.RDP into a server (Windows based)

This is accomplished by an app called Remote Desktop which allows me to control the server in exactly the same way as you would from a local system on the network.

4.SSH into Linux servers

This is again accomplished by using various apps in App World.  Nice and simple!!

5. Social Media

This is bread and butter on the Playbook.  Using the apps for Twitter and Facebook you can be as social as you like very quickly.  There is still no LinkedIN app available yet but you can use the LinkedIN website which is no real hassle.

6.Using the internet as a knowledgebase

Searching the internet is sublime on the Playbook so looking for solutions to unknown problems becomes much easier (and quicker).

7.Remote Assistance using Teamviewer

Again there is no native app but you can use the web interface which works just as well. The lack of right click is frustrating though!!

To sum up the Blackberry Playbook can handle about 90% of the daily tasks my netbook can handle.  The lack of ethernet adapter is the most compelling reason to still use a netbook (for configuring routers only) and the lack of right click is frustrating for remote assistance but overall it does pretty well.  When a tablet finally comes with USB and ethernet ports as standard then the netboook will finally become extinct.

About the Author

Hi I am Chris Wakefield the owner of ComTech IT Support. I provide Windows and Linux based IT Support, laptop repairs and computer repairs to both business and personal clients in and around Stirling.

For a list of what I can offer you why not visit my website www.comtech247.net where you will find a list of my services, testimonials, blog and much more

General Web Browsing

Up at 7 and put the kettle on.  Then switch on Playbook to check out the BBC News website while not fully awake.  Eat cereals while generally swiping through the news.  This is the bread of butter of the Playbook experience – browsing on the Playbook is the same visually as browsing on a desktop (no mobile browser here).  It is effortless to swipe through the pages and generally a pleasure to use.

Taking notes when with clients

I used to carry a notepad and pen to jot down notes when I was with clients.  Now I take the Playbook and fire up DocsToGo and just type instead.  This allows me to store the information and then retrieve it later when back in the office and making up invoices.  Yes I could use specific note taking apps but I have never seen the need to.  Looks professional too!!

Business Networking

You are business networking with someone when they ask what exactly do you do?  After the usual spiel I then show them the website through the Playbook where they see my qualifications and testimonials (amongst other things).  Because of the 7″ size it fits in my pocket during these meetings and can be pulled out when required.

Updating my social media

Everyday I am tweeting, blogging or facebooking.  The Playbook allows me to post from anywhere (yes I could do it on a smartphone but the Playbook screen is bigger!!) so I am not restricted to the office.  I have ordered a new bluetooth keyboard (hopefully arrives soon) and coupled with the new bluetooth mouse I should now be quicker typing and therefore more productive (at the moment I am much quicker on a PC).

Accessing my blog

I have an awful memory (just ask my wife) so I write things down to remember them and this was the basis of starting my blog.  I learn something new and write down the steps in a blog which allows me to access them at a later date.  Using the Playbook I can be reading the steps from the blog in one hand while typing the commands on a clients laptop / PC using the other.  This has been an invaluable asset multiple times.  Couple this with the ability to use the internet connection form my Blackberry smartphone and I can then access my blog from anywhere using 3G.

Accessing my files

Through the Playbook I am able to access all my work files through Dropbox.  This allows me to find the customer address or telephone number that I require.  Priceless!!

Calender

Someone rings up for a quote for repairs and asks when I am available to take a look at their laptop.  One problem – my calender is on my phone.  With the Playboook I can use Blackberry Bridge which allows me to view my emails and calender, which are stored on my Blackberry smartphone, on my Playbook over bluetooth.  So I am able to check my calender on the Playbook whilst on the phone to the customer. Nice feature!!

So there you have it.  The Blackberry Playbook has become an integral part of my business and yes I could have bought an iPad but they they are bigger and more expensive.  The Playbook does just fine and for the times it can’t do the job I still have my trusty Asus Eeepc 701!!!

About the Author

Hi I am Chris Wakefield the owner of ComTech IT Support. I provide Windows and Linux based IT Support, laptop repairs and computer repairs to both business and personal clients in and around Stirling.

For a list of what I can offer you why not visit my website www.comtech247.net where you will find a list of my services, testimonials, blog and much more.

ComTech Weekly Update

Every week I will be updating this page to bring you all the news from the world of ComTech – any new software I have tested, what problems I have come across and so on. I hope you enjoy!!

This week I have been playing with:

1. Trying to reserect old laptops.  Had a couple of calls this week regarding old laptops running very slowly.  Went out to have a look and most of the time it was a case of it was not economical to fix them.  When a piece of kit gets this old it is time to say goodbye and get a new one to replace it with.

2. Hybrid computing.  I have decided to increase the productivity of my Blackberry Playbook by treating it to a new shiny bluetooth keyboard.  The theory is that I should be able to do proper work on it with the new keyboard rather than just consuming information.  I will let you know how it goes!!

3. Blogging.  This week we had How opensource software is helping to run my business and How would you cope if someone turned off the internet?.  Both were well received and there will be more coming next week.  I will be trying to refocus my blogs towards the local IT market over the next couple of weeks however there will still be some tutorials thrown in for you techies!!

4. Trying to keep my aging hardware going.  Some of the hardware I use for work is now getting on a bit and I have started to look around for replacements.  The two pieces of kit which spring to mind are my trusty Asus Eeepc 701 SD and my HP Deskjet F380 printer.  Both are working just fine at the moment but they will probably need replacing in the not to distant future.  Does anyone have any recommendations?

5. Business networking.  Had Coffee ‘n’ Commerce yesterday (ended up talking politics again!!) and also have another network meeting in Falkirk tomorrow night.  If nothing else it does give me a chance to relax and just be myself and talk to people over a coffee (I will talk to anyone me!!).

6. Studying. I am still going but very slowly the end is in sight and then I get a break before I start again.  Yippee!!

7. LinkedIN.  Funny things have been happening over the last couple of weeks regarding my profile.  I am beginning to get endorsed for skills by people I have never met!!  Yes I may have joined a group and contributed to lots of discussions but how can these people know that I know what I am talking about.  You have never met me in person so you can’t possibly know!!  Lets just go back to the recommendations as these are by people who have dealt with me in person.

Speak soon

Chris

DON’T FORGET

If you need your laptop or desktop repaired or you have some other ‘issues’ then get in touch

Open up your emails and then swipe down in the centre of the top of the screen to get the screenshot below.

Click on Select.  You will now see tick boxes appear to the left of all of your emails (shown below).

Highlight the emails you want to delete (a white tick with green background will appear) and then click Trash (bottom right).  Thats it.  All the emails you highlighted will now be deleted.

About the Author

Hi I am Chris Wakefield the owner of ComTech IT Support. I provide Windows and Linux based IT Support, laptop repairs and computer repairs to both business and personal clients in and around Stirling.

For a list of what I can offer you why not visit my website www.comtech247.net where you will find a list of my services, testimonials, blog and much more.

For all its bad press I have found the Blackberry Playbook to be a serious piece of kit.  It is very intuitive to use and comes with some great features.  One of these is the ability to take screenshots which I shall discuss today.

Taking screenshots on the Blackberry Playbook is pretty straight forward.  You press both volume control buttons simultaneously on the top of the tablet.  The screenshot is then stored in pictures and can be transferred to another computer via wifi.  This tutorial will show you how to transfer files via wifi.

Below is a screenshot of my home page on the Blackberry Playbook taken using this method.

 

About the Author

Hi I am Chris the owner of ComTech. I provide IT Support, Laptop repairs and Computer repairs to both personal and business clients in and around Stirling. For a list of what I can offer you why not visit my website www.comtech247.net where you will find my blog, testimonials, services and much more.  Start supporting a local business today so I can start supporting you.

If you found this blog useful then why not sign up to my RSS Feed for news, tutorials, views and general techie stuff!!

I spent the weekend playing around trying to come up with a solution which I shall detail below.  I appreciate this may not be the best solution but it did work for me.

When you go to bookmark a page you get two options – Add to Bookmarks and Add to Home Screen.  If you choose Add to Home Screen this will add a link to the bookmarked website on the default home screen.  To group your bookmarks all you need to do is move them into a folder as you would all your other apps.

You can now access all your bookmarked pages without needing to open up the browser!!

Seriously though RIM should add the option to group bookmarks as standard and not let users rely on workarounds!! Rant over.

About the Author

Hi I am Chris the owner of ComTech. I provide IT Support, Laptop repairs and Computer repairs to both personal and business clients in and around Stirling. For a list of what I can offer you why not visit my website www.comtech247.net where you will find my blog, testimonials, services and much more.  Start supporting a local business today so I can start supporting you.

If you found this blog useful then why not sign up to my RSS Feed for news, tutorials, views and general techie stuff!!

Today I will show you how to tether your Blackberry Playbook to your Blackberry phone.  Once completed this will allow you to use your phones 3G connection through your Playbook.

For the purpose of this tutorial I will be using a Blackberry Bold 9780 and a Blackberry Playbook on OS 2.0.1.358.

Ok first step is to turn on bluetooth on both devices.  Now on your Playbook go to Settings – Bluetooth and click on Add New Device.  Once the phone has been found add it.

Now go to Internet Tethering and your phone should appear on the screen under Select a Bluetooth device to tether to. Click on it.

You should be asked to select a wireless service profile for your internet connection. In the search box type in your carrier (mine is vodafone uk) and click add profile.

On the next screen you will be asked for a username and password for access to the internet.  Leave the defaults and click connect.

You will now see some information on tethering charges.  If you already have a data plan with your phone then there will be no extra charges (unless you go over your allowance).  Any data used comes off your monthly data allowance.  Have a read and then press continue.

The system will now authenticate and then you should receive a message : Your tablet is now connected to the internet.

About the Author

Hi I am Chris the owner of ComTech. I provide IT Support, Laptop repairs and Computer repairs to both personal and business clients in and around Stirling. For a list of what I can offer you why not visit my website www.comtech247.net where you will find my blog, testimonials, services and much more.  Start supporting a local business today so I can start supporting you.

If you found this blog useful then why not sign up to my RSS Feed for news, tutorials, views and general techie stuff!!

Ever since I got my Blackberry Playbook my daughter wanted a go.  She is very interested in touching the screen and generally playing about on it.  Bearing in mind that she is only 19 months old I had a look at what Blackberry offer in terms of apps for kids.  This is what I have found so far.

1. Kids Doodle

This is one of her favourite apps.  Everytime you touch the screen you make a line with different colours.

2. Animal Sounds

You move the screen around and press on the animals to get their sound.  Simple but really good!!

3. Drums Lite

Ever wanted to play the drums but not have the space.  You can now with Drums Lite.  You get a full drum kit so just go ahead and hit it.  My daughter really loves this!!!  You can get the paid version but it is really not worth it in my opinion when the lite does everything I need.

4. Piano

Another one of her favourites.  You get a full piano which you can hit and make as much noise as you want (see a pattern yet?).  What else does a 19 month old need?

5. Xylophone

Exactly the same as the Piano but this time with a Xylophone instead.  Again though a really good app.

6. Scratchpad

This app is not actually designed for kids.  It is designed for the business productivity market however it allows kids to draw images (or whatever they fancy).  It is basically Kids Doodle without the fancy colours.

This list is not exhaustive by any means but I hope it gives you some insight into what is available on the Blackberry platform for kids.

About the Author

Hi I am Chris the owner of ComTech. I provide IT Support, Laptop repairs and Computer repairs to both personal and business clients in and around Stirling. For a list of what I can offer you why not visit my website www.comtech247.net where you will find my blog, testimonials, services and much more.  Start supporting a local business today so I can start supporting you.

If you found this blog useful then why not sign up to my RSS Feed for news, tutorials, views and general techie stuff!!