to the top

BIZTECH News: Your Newsletter Returns from Tax Break

We're glad to return after tax season and once again provide your Section e-newsletter! In this issue you will find news of upcoming Business Technology Conference, special tech tips, BIZTECH Web Site Features, and more. Don’t forget you can post your questions to the BIZTECH Listserv. We hope to hear from you soon.

to the top

LAST CHANCE!
Register TODAY for the Business Technology Conference and Drawing to Win a FREE iPod!

The next BIZTECH Conference, “IT Has Evolved.  Have You?” will be held in Tampa on Thursday, May 15th.  Don’t miss the hottest conference in the FICPA’s lineup of CPE events.

With the growing demand for knowledge in the business technology arena, Florida CPAs have a unique opportunity to get a jump on the competition by attending this informative conference.  Developed, in part by Section members, the Business Technology Conference offers a comprehensive agenda designed to educate CPAs on the latest in technology, how to take that technology to the next level and use it to stay ahead in today’s competitive market.

And you don’t want to miss the opportunity to win an iPod Touch at the onsite drawing!

Register and view full conference details online now.

to the top

2008 FABexpo™ Ethics and Technology Tracks

Your choices are endless at the 2008 FABexpo™ in Orlando.  Join us at the luxurious Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center May 28 – May 30, 2008.

• Get 4 hours of Ethics from Cecil “Pat” Patterson

• Learn about “Mobile and Remote Computing” from BIZTECH Resource Council A. David Bergstein as part of the Technology Track

While you’re there, plan to stop by the FICPA Member Service Center in the exhibit hall. FICPA volunteers and staff will be on hand to demonstrate the BIZTECH Listserv and tell you about BIZTECH Section project teams who need your expertise.

to the top

NEWS: Report: Microsoft-Yahoo Deal May Go Hostile Friday
ABC News – May 2, 2008

Microsoft Corp. finally dangled a higher takeover bid in front of Yahoo Inc. Friday, hoping to reach a friendly deal after weeks of saber rattling. The Redmond, Wash.-based software maker upped its offer beyond the original value of $44.6 billion, or $31 per share, according to a person familiar with the matter. The specifics of the new offer weren't known by this person, who didn't want to be identified because the negotiations are still confidential.

Read the entire article in BIZTECH Section News
Post a question or comment on the BIZTECH Member Listserv

to the top

Listserv Tip: Using “Current Users” Feature and Seeing Who is Online Today

The "Current Users" link on the "Options" menu (at the top of your screen) displays a window showing members that are using the Business Technology Section Listserv at the same time you are. The list is updated every 60 seconds.

The total number of current and daily users is displayed at the top of the page (and how many are new users). Each name in the list of current users, if applicable when you're online, connects you to that person's user profile. The "Current Users" list also links to "Today's Users."

A User QuickStats report and other data are also available through the "Options" menu. Log on today to access this and other Listserv features.

For assistance with this or any other BIZTECH Listserv features, contact your Section Liaison at sections@ficpa.org.

to the top

News: States Faulted Over Privacy Breaches; Tighter Security Urged
OrlandoSentinel.com – April 29, 2008

Tax forms were sent out to thousands of people in Wisconsin with their Social Security numbers on the mailing labels. A vendor hired by the state of Georgia lost a computer disk with the names and Social Security numbers of 2.9 million people. A disk with similar information disappeared in Rhode Island.

Read the entire article in BIZTECH Section News
Post a question or comment on the BIZTECH Member Listserv

to the top

News: Geezeo: A New Personal Finance Tool For Those Who Don’t Mind Sharing
AccountingWeb.com – April 30, 2008

People will discuss anything and everything online, so why not confessions of silly money mistakes, mountains of college debt, or a credit card balance that your husband doesn't know about? Geezeo.com is combining social networking with free, online Web tools. Users can access their accounts through their cell phones using text messaging, and talk about money issues in discussion groups.

Read the entire article in BIZTECH Section News
Post a question or comment on the BIZTECH Member Listserv

to the top

Featured Member: Roberta N. Young of De Meo, Young, McGrath & Co., PA, in Fort Lauderdale

This month’s featured member is Roberta N. Young of De Meo, Young, McGrath & Co., PA, located in Fort Lauderdale. Roberta is the audit practice area partner and managing partner of De Meo, Young, McGrath & Co., PA (DYM).  She has a 30-year background in tax, auditing and accounting.

Roberta has been a member of the FICPA since 1991 and a member of the BIZTECH Section since 2002. Roberta is also a member of the Business Technology Section Resource Council. Click here to read Roberta’s full bio.

If you would like to be featured in the BIZTECH Section Newsletter, please send your bio (photographs are welcome too!) to sections@ficpa.org.

Note: Featured members voluntarily submit a professional biography for publication.  The FICPA has not confirmed or verified the credential(s) of or confirmed any information contained herein about those featured CPAs, nor does it make any warranty in any respect about the CPA.

to the top

Just for Fun: YouTube Video Wins TurboTax Laugh Contest
WebCPA – April 14, 2008

Austin, Texas-based attorney John Ramsey had the last laugh, winning a $10,000 prize in Intuit's TurboTax TaxLaugh contest with a series of tax jokes. As part of the prize, Ramsey will open for comedian Jay Mohr of the TV series "Last Comic Standing" at the Southern California comedy club, the Improv. Mohr hosted the contest, which solicited videos from aspiring comics. The contest received 125 entries. Mohr picked out Ramsey's as the best.
 
Read the entire article in BIZTECH Section News
Post a question or comment on the BIZTECH Member Listserv

to the top

Tech-Tip: IE 7 / IE 8: Disable Sounds in Web Pages
Tech-Recipes.com – April 21, 2008

Did you know you can disable sounds that play in Internet Explorer without muting the speakers on your computer? Follow these steps to perform this action.

1. open Internet Explorer (IE 7 or IE 8)
2. click Tools and select Internet Options
3. select the Advanced tab
4. scroll down to the Multimedia section
5. uncheck the Play sounds in webpages checkbox
6. click the OK button
7. to re-enable this feature, simply go back and re-check the checkbox

Read this and other BIZTECH Tech-Tips
To post a comment about this Tech-Tip on the BIZTECH ListServ

to the top

Web Site Feature: BIZTECH News

Were you aware that there is a place on your Business Technology Section home page that can direct you to the most current news?

Just visit the Business Technology Section News webpage. With one click you can find news pertaining to;

1. hardware solutions
2. software solutions
3. security solutions
4. and many more!

For Information on establishing a newsfeed (RSS) that will deliver BIZTECH Section news directly to your computer desktop, visit the FICPA RSS Feed FAQs.  For technical assistance with this productivity tool, contact the FICPA Webmaster, webmaster@ficpa.org.

to the top

New Section Members: The BIZTECH Section is Growing

Please extend a warm welcome to your newest fellow BIZTECH members:

Elisa A. Armetta of Accounting Management Advisors, Inc., in Lake Worth; Ray A. Barrett of Ray A. Barrett, CPA, in Port St. Lucie; Melinda Caron of City of St. Petersburg, in St. Petersburg; and, John C. Eicher of ABC Liquors, Inc, in Orlando.

to the top

Read the Buzz: Listserv Hot Topics

Visit the Listserv today to see what your fellow Section members said about:

2008 AICPA TECH+ Conference - IT Community Discounts and Special Offer -Last Chance
Accounting Software
April Security Update
Creating a Live ID without @live.com or @hotmail.com
ExSTRM: AAA Client Portal Survey and CES Innovations
FICPA Business Technology Conference May 15
Free AICPA Tech Web Seminar Invitation
Home Office Deduction
IT Audit Guidelines
Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator
Microsoft Malware Protection Center
Put Your Disaster Plan to the Test
Today's Tip: Jott
Windows SP3

Questions and comments posted by:

Russell R. Abernathy Jr.
Ronald A. Benfield
Susan Bradley
Jan Dobson
Chris Fraser
Steven I. Gordon
Joseph P. Hanlon
Fanny Henao
Bob McGuire
Douglas O. Perreault
Frederick Peters