Q: I'm having difficulty choosing between ACT! and Top Producer for my contact management, which do you recommend?

Answer: This isn't a tech question, as either program will do the job, as long as you implement effectively.

Instead, the answer boils down to your business philosophy.

ACT! has the advantage of being less expensive to purchase and also to update into the future. There is also more support and training options (web sites, consultants, peer groups, books. videos, etc). Finally, it also is used by more people, and the data is easier to get in and out of the program; a potentially important consideration for the future.

However, it doesn't do as much as Top Producer and more time needs to be invested customizing it for real estate.

Top Producer does more and is obviously real estate specific. Unfortunately, it costs more, is harder to learn, has fewer training/support options, is less stable and can be a pain to get data in and out of.

So, look at the decision from your own personal tolerance for risk vs. reward.

ACT! is the safer choice.

Top Producer is the aggressive option with potential for additional gains, but with more risks involved.

Again, either is much better option than neither!

Q: My Windows Fax Service stopped working and my computer came with the operating system on the computer, and without an installation CD. Therefore I can't reinstall a component (such as the Fax Service) that has developed problems.

Answer: You should still be able to un-install and then reinstall any basic Windows components, even though you did not receive a Windows CD. In most cases, systems shipped this way include all the necessary files right on the system's hard drive.

Go ahead and try the "Add/Remove Windows Components" option to remove the Fax Service and then again to reinstall.

Odds are that this will work!

Q: I keep receiving viruses that my anti-virus software quarantines, but what I'm I supposed to do with these files?

Answer: The honest answer is to simply delete the quarantined files. They are only saved so that you know what has been sent, in the off-chance that you might need one of them. In the old days, when viruses commonly infected Word and Excel files, you might have been sent a legitimate, but infected, file that you would want to try and recover. Nowadays, almost all infected files are nothing more than viruses themselves, so there's nothing to try and recover and no need to keep the quarantined file.

Q: What is involved in changing my email client from Microsoft's Outlook to Eudora?

Answer: Fortunately, Eudora has a built-in "import" feature right on the File menu that can transfer your existing settings, email and addresses from Outlook, Outlook Express and also from Netscape.

Published: March 18, 2003

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