Officebuddy's Blog

Choosing Home Office Software

officebuddy — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:00:53 +0000

There is not a single home office anywhere that would survive without software. With all the choices for applications available nowadays, how can you choose which one is right for you? It’s all a matter of determining what you need as opposed to what you just want. This is usually the biggest hurdle for most people.

The needs can be compared to wants with this example. A person can say that his dream ride would be some type of mean machine – a sports car or a big bike perhaps? This is what he WANTS. Then give that person a reality check – and ask him what he really NEEDS. Everything else falls into place if he takes into account his family, his children and his business needs. Most likely he will change his answer to a bigger and safer type of vehicle, like a trusty SUV.

You can apply the same principle to choosing your home office software. Sure, everyone wants the most up to date version of Microsoft Office, but there’s nothing wrong with opting for one of the new Open Source office packages or just the basic Microsoft Works; as long as the software can handle the demands of your business, then the simplest kind would be more than fine.

You might want to consider Microsoft’s most basic Office product, Microsoft Works. It has a database product, a Spreadsheet and the might of a Word processor. It has both a Suite and a standalone version, and has about 90% of what most offices need.

For more powerful features, you can check out Microsoft Office, which has dominated the market in a matter of years. It has Excel, Word, Access, Outlook, Publisher, Frontpage and Powerpoint. This is the total package, but honestly speaking most businesses use just half of the features in their daily operations.

Open Office is a fairly new technology in the world of free office software. Some of the components of its suite are the Calc (spreadsheet), Writer (word processor), Draw and Impress (for presentations). Open Office still does not have the calibre of Word, as it is still in the process of being continuously updated. The great thing about it is that it’s free of charge – that’s a wonderful package in my opinion.

Most people want to have the freedom of dabbling with their computer’s Photoshop and Paintshop applications, as well as others that deal with graphics. Although this will “soup up” your computer, they are features that are more than a standard home office needs. Something more basic, like GIMP would work just as well without sacrificing the need to tinker with graphics applications.

Want to learn more about home office supplies and home office design?

Tips For Designing A Home Office

officebuddy — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:19:21 +0000

One of the very first things to consider when you start thinking of having a home office setup would be your office design. There is no better deal than having to work in an environment that you love, so why not do the best design possible for your home office? Naturally, you will expect to spend a lot of time in that office, and this time you have the freedom to make it as personalized as you want it to be.

Several factors should be considered before you start planning your home office setup and design. We will help you in the first few stages of setting up your office, and provide well-meaning tips on how to create an efficient and comfortable home office. Information on the most up-to-date office supplies, furniture and gadgets will also be included here.

You cannot call a set up of just a desk and a chair an “office”. If you really want to jumpstart the start of your business from home, then you have to start with a professional-looking place. This is important especially if you expect some of your clients to pay you a visit – you would like to give out vibes that they really are in a legitimate place of business.

Even if you don’t expect your clients to suddenly come a-knocking on your door, you still need to set up a proper home office. For starters, you will now be working in this place for the most part of the day – would you really want to work surrounded by things that remind you that this is “home”? To be able to reach the productivity level you want, you also have to psych yourself through your surroundings that you are in an office – even if your bedroom is just a few steps away.

When setting up a professional-looking home office, keep in mind that it still needs to be comfortable. As mentioned, you will be working a lot in this area, so you might as well make it as conducive to working well as possible. The size of your work area doesn’t matter; it should be set up in such a way that it looks professional, is comfortable enough for you to WANT to work there, and the setup shouldn’t take a huge chunk out of your operating budget.

Confused about setting up your home office?

officebuddy — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:19:11 +0000

If you’re wanting to work from home but don’t know where to start then this blog is the very best place you can start. Lots of people who want to work from home have spent their who lives working for somebody else and their office was always organized for them.

This means that most people have never known what type of office works best for them in the first place.

As this blog grows it will introduce you to new aspects of home office ergonomics, hardware, computer equipment, computer software and even home office layout and design (as far as using feng shui).

So stay tuned – the best is yet to come.