How to open .docx files easily without Office 2007 ?

As you might know -Microsoft Office 2007 introduced a new file format called the Microsoft Open Office XML Format (.docx). But unfortunately this format is not compatible with older versions of Microsoft Word(like Office 2003 / Word XP) or with alternative operating Systems like Linux or Mac OS X. Nor is it compatible with other word processing applications like OpenOffice, Lotus 123, or NeoOffice.

Below are some easy solutions on how you can still open your docx files in other systems and also easily convert it to previous versions of Word.

1) You can use the free conversion tool http://docx-converter.com/
2) Install the latest version of Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack and it’ll be able to detect the docx file format and help you convert it to .doc file format.

Convert Email Messages or Word Documents to PDF Online using Google Docs

Convert Email Messages or Word Documents to PDF Online using Google Docs.

Coolest way to create PDF files online without having to buy expensive PDF tools or installing convertors. The output PDF file will look exactly like your source document preserving all the text formatting, hyperlinks, tables and even embedded images.
Google has introduced Docs & Spreadsheets Suite that lets you create new online documents by emailing them directly to a secret email address. The documents can be sent as an email attachment or even as a rich text email.

Here’s a step by step approach to creating PDF file from your rich-text email messages or a Word document using Google Docs

Step 1: Go to Google Documents http://docs.google.com/?action=updoc
Step 2: You will find a secret email ID. This email address is unique to you.
This email id would resemble like this :
6z7tt-Acjmcc4dd-ddd4jh@prod.writely.com
Step 3: Send an email to your secret email ID with the file as attachement.
Step 4: You will soon receive an email message back from Google containing a link to your document on the Google Docs server. Open the document inside Google Docs.
Step 5: Finally click the Google Docs File menu and choose Save as PDF. Select any folder on the hard drive and your PDF is ready.

Next Generation Software Development Consultancy

I’m happy to tell you that we’ve just launched our Software Development Consultancy. Now anyone in need of a website or software application can contact us simply by visiting http://www.TechSantosh.com .

After contacting us, we would initiate a brief discussion to understand your requirement.

We have plenty of application/tools you need to better serve your customers, make more money, and improve the web experience for everyone.What’s important to me is “The Quality & Time”.
Finally, this represents a very large effort by our team and many others at TechSantosh, so I’d like to thank them publicly.

On behalf of everyone on our team, thank you for your ongoing commitment, enthusiasm and hard work.

Please do explore us to find out about the ongoing projects at http://www.TechSantosh.com

Santosh Kumar
TechSantosh.com

Google Talk: Run Multiple Instances or Login as Multiple Users

Many users including myself, would like to have several different personalities on IM. By Default google talk allows single instance of the program.

Here’s how to get around with the problemRun Google Talk with the following switch : /nomutex

Provided you have installed google talk to its default location, you can easily create a shortcut to with this setting.

Steps for creating shortcut for Google Talk client:
Step 1: Right Click on your desktop.
Step 2: Select New
Step 3: Select Shortcut
Step 4: Paste this into the text box: “c:\program files\google\google talk\googletalk.exe” /nomutex
Step 5: Click Next
Step 6: Enter easy to remember name.
Step 7: Click Ok and you are Done.

Programming Analyst (PHP with MySQL)

Programming Analyst (PHP with MySQL)
Experience: 2 to 3 years
Location: Chennai
Qualifications: B.E./B.TECH/ MCA/M.Sc IT
Job Assignments:

• Strong SQL skills, including experience with complicated queries and reporting.
• Sound knowledge of HTML layout structuring and CSS.
• Design, Develop, write code, unit-test, verify code for the modules identified in the project
• Write detailed design documentation and unit-test case documentation
• Ensure code documentation, code review
• Ensure the process adherence
• Day-to-day task allocation, follow-up and reporting for the team allocated
• Module ownership, technology ownership, and day-to-day delivery responsible
• Reporting to the project manager technically and also provide administrative assistance
• Stay accountable for code-delivery, quality and development, process documentation

Desired Profile:
• 2 to 3 years hands on experience on web applications technologies like PHP Knowledge of version control using MySQL.

• Knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server and large databases and experience with HTML/CSS/JavaScript/XML.

• Experience with the specifics of designing, developing, running and maintaining large, scalable systems; trade-offs, requirements, etc.
Email your resume to: CareerDirect@Gmail.com

Don’t Want to Shell Out for MS Office? Get a Free Alternative

Among free productivity application suites that can save you from shelling out money for Microsoft’s Office suite, GoogleDocs and OpenOffice tend to get all the attention.

Lately, though, I’ve been experimenting with some alternatives, and they’re more than good enough to use in place of Microsoft’s applications. ThinkFree Office, in particular, is worth a look.


ThinkFree Office’s applications are usable online and offline, and you can use them on Windows, Mac or Linux machines, or even thin-client and mobile devices. The core applications are a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a presentation graphics program. However, there’s more to the suite than that.


One of the great features of ThinkFree Office is that it makes it easy to collaborate on documents online with others. You can publish your documents online, search through them online, and choose to share them with others. You also get 1GB of online storage for your documents for free.

The applications in ThinkFree Office have interfaces that are very closely tied to the interfaces in Microsoft’s productivity applications. That means that if you’re used to products such as Word and Excel, you won’t face a big learning curve. Even if you already own and use Microsoft Office, you may appreciate the collaboration features that ThinkFree offers.
If you’re willing to pay a modest amount for a suite of software applications that can compete with Microsoft Office, Software 602 PC Suite is a great choice. It has emerged as the winner in numerous comparisons of alternative suites. You can try it for free and if you like it it’s $39.95.
It’s remarkable how true to the standard interfaces in products like Word and Excel the applications in Software 602’s PC Suite stay. Files you produce are also completely compatible with the Microsoft productivity applications.
Do you have any good tips on alternatives to Microsoft Office?