brought to you by Minutesmatter
June & July 2003 - Vol. 1 No. 6 & 7

Add icons to your Taskbar!

Ever get tired of following the long trail in My Documents or going to My Favorites to find a website?  There is an easier way.  Add icons to your Taskbar.  Add an icon for a fax cover sheet created in Word or a website you frequently access & add shortcuts to your favorite programs.  The Taskbar is located at the bottom of your Windows Desktop.

Add a file or website to your Taskbar

  1. Right click on the Taskbar & make sure that Lock the Taskbar is unchecked.
  2. Right click on the Taskbar, click Toolbars, check Quick Launch. (You must be in a blank area of the Taskbar.)  This will enable you to place shortcuts into the Taskbar.  (Activating the Quick Launch Toolbar only needs to be done one time.)
  3. Right click in a blank area of the Desktop, click New, click Shortcut.
  4. Paste a URL from a website or click Browse to locate a file in My Documents.
    1. To add a shortcut for a website:  Locate the website, copy the URL address (CTRL C), then paste (CTRL V) URL into the name area as you are creating the shortcut.
    2. TIP: Be sure to copy the address that is on the web page you access the most; this may not be the Home Page of the website.
  5. Type a name for the shortcut i.e., My E-Bay, click Finish.
  6. Highlight icon on Desktop & right click on icon, click Properties, click Change Icon & select an icon.
  7. Add icons to the Taskbar by dragging icons & dropping them on the Taskbar one by one.
  8. Delete the original shortcut icon from the Desktop, the icon on the Taskbar will remain.  This keeps your Desktop cleaner.
  9. After you get your Taskbar set up, right click on the Taskbar & check Lock the Taskbar.

Add a program to Taskbar

  1. Click on Start, click on Programs, select & right click on program icon, click Send To, click Desktop (create shortcut).
  2. Right click on the Taskbar & make sure that Lock the Taskbar is unchecked.
  3. Right click on the Taskbar, click Toolbars, check Quick Launch. (You must be in a blank area of the Taskbar.)  This will enable you to place shortcuts into the Taskbar.  (Activating the Quick Launch Toolbar only needs to be done one time.)
  4. Add icons to the Taskbar by dragging icons & dropping them on the Taskbar one by one.
  5. Delete the original shortcut icon from the Desktop, the icon on the taskbar will remain.  This keeps your Desktop cleaner & you do not need duplicate icons.
  6. After you get your Taskbar set up, right click on the Taskbar & check Lock the Taskbar.

Anytime you wish to access your favorite websites or any frequently used document just click on the icon in your Taskbar.  The Quick Launch tool bar can save you lots of time.

Here are a few examples of shortcut icons that might be useful for you & your company. 

  • Yahoo Groups (Website - Professional Design Assoc. of Nashville)
  • Fax cover sheet (Word Document - Debbie's Designs cover sheet with logo)
  • E-Bay (Website - My E-Bay)
  • SewWhat Forum (Website - Discussion forum for workrooms)
  • Minutes Matter (Website - Photo Club members), (How To's), (Quick Tips) or (Sources)
  • Grocery List (Word Document - create a grocery list in Word with checkboxes, group items according to location in store)
  • My Pictures (Folder)
  • QuickBooks (Program)
  • Quicken (Program)
  • Microsoft Word (Program)
  • Microsoft Excel (Program)
  • Microsoft Outlook (Program)
  • Microsoft Streets & Trips (Program)

Q u i c k B o o k s T i p . . .

Add CK to your check numbers

When recording a payment in the Receive Payments window add CK (check) in front of the check number i.e., CK 18694 or type CA (cash) in the Ref/Check No. area when you receive cash.  Now when you view your Accounts Receivable register it will be easy to distinguish between invoices & payments.

View QuickBooks Products
A site to see . . .

Books, Books & More Books

You can't have too many books in your reference library.  www.BookCloseOuts.com is a great place to find great deals on books.  You can purchase almost three books for the price of one.  They do have limited stock on some of the books; if you see a book you want, purchase it, it might be gone the next time you visit.  Below are a few examples of the books they currently have in stock which range from $2.99 - $9.99.  Best prices you will ever find!  They are even offering a $5 discount when your order totals $35; use Coupon: living, Password: bookcloseouts.  Offer expires August 31, 2003.

Seminars for everyone everywhere  . . .

Organizing Elements Seminars Online

We are contemplating conducting our seminars online next year.  No traveling required!  No need to dress up!  With this format you would be able to view seminars from your home computer.  The seminars would be offered in 1 - 2 hour segments.  After you enrolled for a specific seminar, you would just click on a link to join the seminar at your appointed time.  There would be a live question & answer session after most seminars, which would be conducted via teleconference.  Each segment would be offered a couple of times each month.  You would be able to choose a time that fits your schedule.  You could take one segment one week & another segment the next week or the next month.  Check out our website to view our current seminar schedule. 

The segments will be set up slightly different than our current schedule i.e.,

  1. Going through the QuickBooks Interview 

  2. How to Create & Use Item Codes 

  3. Using Bills & Purchase Orders 

  4. Getting the most from QuickBooks Reports 

  5. Setting up your QuickBooks Desktop 

  6. Setting up QuickBooks Preferences, Customers & Vendors

  7. Using Microsoft Outlook

  8. General Computer Tips. 

We are conducting a poll to find out the interest in this new technology.  Please click on the link below to email us your thoughts on this important decision suggestions@minutesmatter.com.
NEW clear 6" ruler. . .

Our new ruler is a great tool to help you sketch your treatments to scale on the back of the Measuring System or on the Work Order System.  Since the ruler is clear, it is easy to see graph paper lines as you are sketching.  These new clear rulers will be available to purchase on our website this month.  You can add the new clear 6" ruler for only $1.50 when you purchase the Measuring System or Work Order System or $3.00 if purchased separately.  If you have previously purchased either system the ruler may be purchased for $1.50 + $1.00 shipping.   View the new Measuring System & new Work Order System
D e s i g n S t y l e s . . .

Each month we will feature a company's window or bed design in our newsletter. Each person will receive a $20 gift certificate good towards any Minutes Matter purchase. To have your treatment considered, please submit the picture & details of the treatment to treatment@minutesmatter.com.

Treatment Details . . .

  • These Small Fan Pleat draperies were fabricated in a silk Strie, color: Truffle from Robert Allen. Draperies were lined with Chintz, color: Slate.  Wood hardware was purchased from Joseph Biunno & finished in Mahogany & Gold Leaf.

  • The lining wrapped to the front of the drapery to create the 3" band on the lead edge.  Micro welting was inserted between band & face fabric.

  • The pleats were hand tacked.

  • The draperies were interlined with bump.  1½ widths of fabric were used for each panel.

  • Draperies were installed under the crown with a 1" break on floor.  FW of draperies were 62" & 118" with a 102" FL.  Draperies extended 8" beyond window on each side.

  • The backside of the lead edge was sprayed with Sun Block from ForceField to prevent fading from sun.

  • This treatment was fabricated by Anna's Custom Creations, White House, TN.

Please e-mail suggestions@minutesmatter.com telling us what topics you would find interesting to read in the newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you!

Special Notice: Our fax number has changed to 615-826-0832.

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