Categories
Freedom of Information

Freedom of information: answering requests

We’ve covered how to ask a Freedom of Information Act question to a public authority, but how should you expect your public authority to reply? Or, for those who are receiving a request, how do you best go about answering it? Openness, transparency and a willingness to be accountable for actions are the bottom line, […]

Categories
Software

Quicklaunch: configuring the taskbar

Most of us use a particular set of applications, folders and webpages on a more regular basis than others. Since Windows 95 there’s been a clever solution to allow you to start those items directly from the taskbar beside the ‘start’ button with one click. It’s called the ‘Quicklaunch toolbar’ and, properly configured, ought to […]

Categories
Freedom of Information Records Management

UK Freedom of Information: How to submit a request

There was much ado in January 2005 when the Freedom of Information Act came into force, with newspapers publicising some high profile instances where they had used the Act to obtain information. However, many people are still in the dark as to how exactly to submit a request. “Is there a special form to fill […]

Categories
Calendars Internet Tips Software

Clever calendar counsel II: putting it online

So you’ve set up your Outlook/Thunderbird calendar and found it to be useful in organising your day to day life? You may have even found out how to access the schedules of colleagues who work in the same organisation as you. But what if you’re interested in accessing your calendar from an Internet cafe Or […]

Categories
Internet Tips Software

Bright browsing: smart internet surfing

Different browsers have different benefits, and slightly different tools or shortcuts to those tools. So which browser are you using? Back in 2002 Microsoft’s Internet Explorer had captured 95% of the market but these days that’s been whittled down to 85% or so by Apple’s Safari and, perhaps more of a threat to Internet Explorer […]

Categories
Records Management

Why use records management?

It’s not uncommon for people within the records management profession to be undervalued. The fact is, most people think little of it but a new politically correct term for a filing clerk. As someone who’s been involved in the profession since 1990, the truth is a little more complex. Though it can involve circulating files, […]

Categories
Classification EDRMS and ECM Records Management

Folder structures: where should we put records?

We’ve all been there – finding ourselves lost in a jumble of documents. But with a little forethought you will be able to create an effective set of folders for your documents to clean up that clutter and get on with what it is you do best.

Categories
Calendars Software

Clever calendar counsel

Whereas many of us used to keep a diary for important and upcoming events or meetings, there’s been a steady encroachment on this by the advent of software capable of scheduling appointments and meetings and to integrate the whole process with email applications.

Categories
Internet Tips Software

Think you know how to copy and paste?

Any fool will proclaim ‘I know how to do that!’, but do you know how to maximise the potential of the keyboard to speed up the copy and paste task? Many of you may know some of the shortcuts below, but most of you won’t know all of them, so join me as I explain […]

Categories
Records Management

What is a record?

What is a record? A perenial question asked by records professionals as well as their clients. Back in the paper age records managers kept a tight grip on the definition of a record. In order not to accumulate too much information in what would normally be an expensive file store, they’d restrict it to any […]

Categories
Internet Tips

One ‘home’ page: personalising the internet

Whenever we log onto the internet, the plethora of things we can do is daunting – check our emails, view our calendar, purchase any manner of items from online auctions or shops, find a ‘soulmate’, get advice on medical problems, book a holiday, the list is as large as there are websites. Organising this on […]