Microsoft Doesn't Call

Our local paper recently did an article on internet scams. Specifically, the warning is about phone calls claiming that they are with Microsoft  and they have found that your computer has been either hacked, compromised, or had some other negative event. Most often these callers claim they can “save” you and your computer. They only need either money or your credit card number. This article advised “just say ‘No’ and hang up". Remember, Microsoft does not call anyone.

In my own experience so far, all of these callers have had very un-american accents. 

My personal reasoning is that I have not contracted with anyone to monitor my computer so am sure not going to let them have access to it. Take time to think these over. If you have an IT consultant, make contact and have them handle the problem.

Work

When God wanted sponges and oysters, He made them, and put one on a rock, and the other in the mud. When He made man, He did not make him to be a sponge or an oyster; He made him with feet, and hands, and head, and heart, and vital blood, and a place to use them, and said to him, "Go work!"

Henry Ward Beecher, Royal Truths, 1866

Bookmark in ONE easy step

I have to share this tip from PC World. This makes bookmarking a site super easy. Enjoy!

Bookmark Any Web Page with a Single Keystroke

By Rick Broida, PCWorld    Jul 23, 2012 2:35 AM

How do you bookmark a Web site? Most users venture into the Bookmarks menu, click Add to Favorites (or something similar), and so on. It can add up to a lot of clicking.
There's a faster, easier, smarter way: Just use the keyboard shortcut. Here's the keystroke for all popular browsers:
Chrome: Ctrl-D
Firefox: Ctrl-D
Internet Explorer: Ctrl-D
Opera: Ctrl-D
Safari: Ctrl-D
Sensing a pattern here? Yep, all five major browsers rely on the same key for bookmarking the current page. Why not Ctrl-B, as in 'B' for Bookmark? That shortcut is almost universally reserved for the Bold command (as in boldface text).
Now, it's worth noting that in some browsers, you can do a little more with this command. In Chrome, for example, pressing Ctrl-Shift-D lets you bookmark a page and edit the details. In Firefox, that same keystroke bookmarks all currently open tabs.
Even if you don't get fancy with it, Ctrl-D is a shortcut that's definitely worth learning -- regardless of which browser you use. When you want to save a page for future reference, press it, then get on with your life.

Internet Doomsday - protect yourself

Another hacker-created crisis approaches in July. Read this article Internet Doomsday - protect yourself for explanation of the malware and how to cope with it.

I just don't understand the mentality of destroying others' computers, information, and systems. A scientist friend of mine says that it is a "power" thing.  Do you think these nerds need to get a real life?

What can I do to help?

Have you or a loved one ever been in an overwhelming situation such as major accident, chronic illness, fire, or other situation? The needs are critical, the friends wanting to help but the responsible person is overwhelmed and time challenged by the event.

I'd like to recommend an on-line resource to get help needed in ways that make it comfortable for both the givers and the recipients -- LotsaHelpingHands.com. This has been a blessing to one of my clients dealing with a family member's critical health issues.

The opening lines of their homepage explain the concept:

"It’s the question everyone asks in a crisis—but often, people don’t know how best to answer it, or even how to get started. Lotsa Helping Hands provides an answer.

Create a free, private Community web site to organize family and friends during times of need. Use the calendar in your private Community to match volunteers to needed tasks. Send announcements to keep everyone up to date. Tap into resources from leading caregiver and health organizations.

Coordinate Caregiving With A Community

If you’re a caregiver who’s feeling overwhelmed, know someone experiencing a difficult time, or are simply working with others in your community, we provide a way to turn heartfelt intentions into acts of good that truly help. Lotsa Helping Hands brings:

• Peace of mind for a family in crisis
• Respite for caregivers
• An efficient solution for eager friends and family

Lotsa Helping Hands is always free. Community web sites are always private and simple to use."

May this be a blessing to you or your loved ones who are in a crisis situation.

Security Issue-Facebook "Timeline" Looms: What you need to know.

Facebook plans another change. FB will soon be putting in a new sharing feature to all accounts. However, the information it wants to make public may be far more than you wish to share. PC World advises you to prepare for "Timeline."

Are you saving every record/document since Noah? -- Don't

Are you saving every document, e-mail, correspondence, and receipt accumulated since you started business, or feel guilty because you don't? Well, stop. Should you face legal issues for you or your client, that carefully saved napkin from 1989 could trigger lots of irrelevant questions.

Don't cry "but, but I might really need that." Yes, there are records you should keep, must keep, keep briefly, or don't keep. Your solution to having what you really need and getting rid of what could be a problem lies in creating  a records retention plan.  Do contact your financial planner, accountant, and/or business attorney for guidance. Find samples of plans on the internet. Then put together a plan for your business to save time, space, and headaches.

Here is my plan as a sample of a records retention plan for solopreneurs.
Happy planning.

Type of Record	Retention Period
Accident reports and claims (settled cases)	7 yrs
Accounts payable ledgers and schedules	7 yrs
Accounts receivable ledgers and schedules Inventories of products, materials & supplies	7 yrs
Audit reports of accountants Invoices to customers	Permanently
Bank reconciliation	1 yr
Capital stock and bond records; ledgers, transfer registers, stubs showing issues, record of interest coupons, options, etc.	Permanently
Cash Books	Permanently
Charts of accounts	Permanently
Checks (canceled, but see exception below)	7 yrs
Checks (canceled for important payments, i.e. taxes, purchases of property, special contracts, etc. - checks should be filed	Permanently
Contracts (expired)	7 yrs
Contracts still in effect	Permanently
Correspondence (general)	3 yrs
Correspondence (legal & important matters)	Permanently
Correspondence (routine) with customers or vendors	1 yr
Deeds, mortgages, and bills of sale	Permanently
Depreciation schedules	Permanently
Duplicate deposit slips	1 yr
Electronic Messages (email)	30 days
Expense analyses and expense distribution schedules	7 yrs
Financial statements (end of year, other months optional)	Permanently
General & private ledgers (and end of year trial balances)	Permanently
Insurance policies (expired)	7 yrs
Insurance records, current accident reports, claims, policies, etc.	Permanently
Internal audit reports (in some situations longer retention periods may be desirable)	3 yrs
Invoices from vendors	7 yrs
Journals	Permanently
Notes receivable ledgers & schedules	7 yrs
Property records, including costs, depreciation reserves, end of year trial balances, depreciation schedules, blueprints & plans	Permanently
Sales records	7 yrs
Scrap and salvage records (inventories, sales, etc.)	7 yrs
Tax returns & worksheets, revenue agents' reports, and other documents relating to determination of income tax liability	Permanently