Random Thoughts from Professor Geek

Multiple SMTP in Outlook 2007

2008-09-17T11:05:00.001-04:00

Cut and pasted from a forum online:

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Hi, this is a step-by-step procedure to have two SMTP servers on Outlook 2007. It may work on previous versions, but I have no way to test it.

1. Create a new email account. The account should be POP3, even if your email account is IMAP (this way you won¡t have another accoun on your Mail Folders). Fill in the incoming email servers, outgoing email server (with your secondary SMTP server), and User name. Don't put your password. Go to More Settings and put a suitable name for this account (like Send Email from Home), and all the info required for your SMTP server, if it requires login and/or secure connection.

2. After creating it, it'll attempt to download your emails. Don't provide your password, just clic Cancel.

3. Go to Tools ===== Send/Receive ======= Send/Receive Settings ====== Define Send/Receive Groups. You'd probably see only one group (All Accounts). Clic Edit, and on the new window choose your new account on the left menu. There is an option that says "Receive mail items", you need to uncheck it. Clic Ok.

This last step is used so Outlook will not attempt to download emails using your secondary account. This way every time you clic on Send/Receive, Outlook will receive email through your "primary" account and send email through the primary and secondary account. When writting an email you'll see a button below Send, that allows you to define which account to use to send the email, so depending on your location you'll choose one or the other.

I hope this is helpful, like many people I connect to my school account from school and home, and my home ISP only allows me to send email through its own SMTP server.

Remote Desktop tips

2008-08-27T09:23:00.002-04:00

To see who is remotely connected to a computer, use:

qwinsta /server:x.x.x.x

To reset a remotely connected session, use:

rwinsta /server:x.x.x.x Z

Where Z is the Session I'd NUMBER associated with the account to reset.
qwinsta = Query WINdows STAtion
rwinsta = Reset WINdows STAtion

Extended Warranties

2007-08-01T22:35:00.000-04:00

As you shop for a new PC, the "helpful" sales rep at the the big-box store will give you the hard sell on an extended warranty. They will paint a picture of gloom and doom if you don't buy this ESSENTIAL coverage.

DON'T DO IT!!!!

There is a reason the stores push so hard to sell the extended warranty -- they are insanely profitable -- more profitable than the computer! If they are so profitable for the store, can they possibly be a good value for you? Of course not.

In many big-box stores, salespeople earn incentives and commissions not on the equipment they sell but on the extended warranties. That's why they want you to buy it so badly.

Don't believe me? Here's some interesting reading:

The Consumerist: Fewer Consumers Buying Extended Warranties
ConsumerAffairs.com: 5 Reasons Not To Buy An Extended Warranty

It is also worth noting that many credit card companies offer automatic warranty extension just for using their card. For example, the Buyer Assurance Plan from American Express will double the manufacturer's warranty, up to an additional year, on many purchases made on their card.

Visa and MasterCard offer similar plans on many of their cards, so check with your credit card issuer before making a purchase. And be sure to read the fine print to make sure you are covered.

Georgia Sales Tax Holiday

2007-08-01T20:03:00.000-04:00

The State of Georgia has its annual sales tax holiday August 2nd through August 5th, 2007. Computer purchases under $1,500 are included, making this a great weekend to buy a new computer -- not only will you save the sales tax (as much as 8% in the City of Atlanta), but most retailers will have great specials.

I wil post links to a few of the good specials here. I have no affiliation with any of the stores listed; these are just good values.