Have you ever wanted to blur the background of a photo but you don’t want to use Photoshop?  In the video below we show you just how to do this. We’ve also provided a step by step process below. This is an awesome photo technique in PowerPoint.  It’s a technique that many designers have been doing in Photoshop.  If you don’t have Adobe Photoshop you can still apply this effect. You do need to have Office 2010 (or 2011 for the Mac).

To begin you will need to choose a photograph, the best option is one that has people or an object as the main photo but has a distracting background that you would like to blur out, one that has a depth of field is ideal.  For this technique you will use these functions in PowerPoint, Copy and Paste or the Duplicate Command, Background Removal and Artistic Effects.

Step by Step:
1.) Choose your photo. Again one with depth of field is ideal.

2.) Duplicate your image, you can select your image and copy and paste using the Ctrl-C (Copy) and Ctrl-V (Paste) keyboard shortcuts.

3.) Next align your two images. Click your Format Tab, select the Align option, then Align Left and Align Top.

4.) Select your foreground image. The best way to confirm you are selecting the correct images is to click on Select on your ribbon bar and choose Selection Payne. You will now see everything listed on this particular slide. You can rename the selections foreground and background.  Select your foreground image, on the format tab select Remove Background option and the select Keep Changes.

5.) Select the background image, Select Artistic Effects and choose Blur.

Would you like to learn how to design impeccable sales pitches and presentations? If so, join us November 3rd for a free webinar! Use code ‘LOB10′ at checkout to attend for free.

Product(s): Microsoft PowerPoint
Audience(s): Business Professional
Duration: 60 Minutes
Start Date: November 3rd, 2011
Start Time: 1:00 PM EDT (US)

Event Overview: We live in a multi-media world. Sales pitches that are predominantly text are doomed to head straight to the Deleted folder or Recycle Bin. In this session we’ll cover how to create visually interesting presentations that tell your story to your prospects. Furthermore, by using graphics and captivating layouts, your message is more likely to stick with your new customers. At the end of this session we’ll discuss how to record a presentation and save it as a video so you can send an easy to open video that puts you in front of the people you’re trying to reach. This is a valuable session for sales people and others looking to improve their digital communication methodology.

Register Online: http://bit.ly/nSOidO
Use code ‘LOB10′ at checkout to attend for free.

Don’t miss the opportunity to attend a great custom combined SQL BI course. We combined both the 6235 and 6234 3-day BI classes to make one 5-day class. The classes are normally $1,495 each, as a combined 5-day class it’s only $2,495.  Contact us about our special promotional offers that can discount this class to $1,500!

This custom combined course is targeting both SQL 2008 integration services and analysis services. Join us the week starting November 28th, 2011.  This class will be taught in-house by our very own Daniel Cogswell. Dan brings real world deployment and hands on SQL experience to this class instructor led class. He’s an expert on the subject matter and is sure to bring you valuable information.

Not local? Get ask how you can attend this live class via our RCI, Remote Classroom Instruction model. Get the same great instructor-led training experience from your home or office.
Course Outlines:
MS 6235: Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Integration Services

MS 6234:Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services

To register contact, Eric Sokolowski at 800-831-8449

Date(s): November 7th– November 11th, 2012
Duration: 5 days
Format: Live Instructor-led, Classroom training, Attend Live or Remotely from your Location.

KnowledgeWave is pleased to introduce MS10174 Configuring and Administering Microsoft SharePoint 2010. This course teaches students how to install, configure and administer SharePoint, and also manage and monitor sites and users by using SharePoint 2010

Location: 30 Community Drive, Suite 5, South Burlington VT 05403
Remote Attend: Yes Contact us for information on how you can attend from your home or office.
To Register: Click here or call 800.831.8449

Objectives:

Module 1: Introducing SharePoint 2010
Module 2: Creating a SharePoint 2010 Intranet
Module 3: Administering and Automating SharePoint
Module 4: Configuring Content Management
Module 5: Configuring Authentication
Module 6: Securing Content
Module 7: Managing SharePoint Customizations
Module 8: Configuring and Securing SharePoint Services and Applications
Module 9: User Profiles and Social Networking
Module 10: Administering and Configuring SharePoint Search
Module 11: Implementing Office Web Apps
Module 12: Installing and Upgrading to SharePoint 2010
Module 13: Implementing Business Continuity
Module 14: Monitoring and Optimizing SharePoint Performance

Complete Oultine: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Course.aspx?ID=10174A#tab2

Whether you’re a business owner, college student, or professional graphic designer, Adobe InDesign is a useful tool to have in your arsenal. It allows you to create brochures, magazine layouts, business cards and other promotional materials, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’d like to kick off the Autumn season by offering a free, one-hour webinar on this design program.

Product(s): Adobe InDesign
Duration: 60 Minutes
Start Date: September 27th, 2011
Start Time: 3:00 PM EDT (US)

Event Overview: Adobe InDesign is a powerful layout and design tool. However, because layout is the final step in the design process, it’s imperative to have high quality materials on hand to place in your InDesign files. In this session, we’ll discuss the importance of color modes, resolution and size of graphics. We’ll look at ways to see what you’re getting and what we can, and can’t, do about it in InDesign. We’ll also take a look at bringing in text to InDesign and how to edit text, if necessary, in InDesign. Finally, we’ll demonstrate different output options and why you would use the particular settings that InDesign offers.

Click here to register for this free webinar.
Use Code: SEPT99 at check out .

Cloud services are easy to use, cost-friendly, and allow for online collaboration between employees.  In fact, PCmag.com reported in March of 2010 that “seventy percent of Microsoft employees are doing something related to cloud computing; in a year, that figure will be ninety percent.” Cloud computing is shaping up an international, mobile work-force. 

Most of the technology needs of small businesses can be satisfied with a desktop operating system and browser combined with cloud-based offerings. One of the cloud’s greatest qualities is its flexibility. Cloud solutions can work for both large and small enterprises. 

Cloud-based solutions are usually subscription-based, although basic services are usually free. The merchants typically charge on a monthly or annual fee. The services listed below, recommended by pcmag.com, follow this payment model.

Storage and Backup
Egnyte Hybrid Cloud Solution
$19.98 – $69.98
A business of any size is concerned with file storage and backup. Egnyte’s Hybrid Cloud Solution offers online file storage, file sharing, and file backup.

Dropbox
$4.99 – $49.00
Dropbox is a cloud-based, automatic file-synchronization service that lets consumers share and store files in a virtual space. There is also a desktop download available which seamlessly links your documents to an online server.

Efficiency
Google Docs
Free
Online office suite Google Docs is efficient and allows for document collaboration from anywhere. It’s more compatible with Microsoft documents than other online services of its kind, making it a valuable tool for those small-businesses currently using Microsoft Word.

Microsoft Office Live Small Business
Free
Microsoft Office Live Small Business offers companies to the tools to successfully conduct business online: 500 MB of storage, 1 year of domain registration, web-site building tools, business apps and more. It’s a fantastic toolkit for businesses on a budget.  

Financial and Accounting Purposes
Outright.com
Free
Outright.com is an online bookkeeping service that fits small-business accounting needs, such as tracking bill obligations. It organizes all accounts into one place, complete with charts and graphs, so you can see where you’re money’s going.

Bill.com
$25, per month (1 user)
Bill.com automates small-business accounting by providing a service which organizes payment processing, customer invoicing and documents.

Collaboration and Communication
Salesforce.com
$65 to 250, per user per month
Salesforce.com provides a plethora of features like managing sales, marketing campaigns, and running reports.

Skype 4.0
free
Skype’s sleek new interface makes video calling better-looking than ever and is a handy tool for conducting business conferences on the go.

DimDim 5.5
$0.00 – $75.00
Save money on business trips and installed phone-system costs with Dimdim. Dimdim takes video conferencing to a user-friendly platform without sacrificing on features, such as an online schedule which reminds users of conference calls.

Virtual IT Tools
Meraki WiFi Stumbler
Free
Small businesses may not have the resources for an on-site IT staff. Meraki Wi-Fi Stumbler is an online wireless network analyzer that’s simple enough for anyone at your business to use. It provides information on nearby wireless access points, channels and signal strength allowing you to maximize your wireless networks efficiency. 

Via Log on to Learn, KnowledgeWave is pleased to offer this Great Mastering Queries in Microsoft Access 2010 Webinar event this August.

Product(s): Microsoft Project
Audience(s): Business Professional Duration: 60 Minutes
Start Date: August 31st, 2011 Start Time: 3:00 PM EDT (US)

Event Overview:
Get started and ignite your knowledge with this 60 minute webinar on Project 2010. Easily handle even the most impossible projects without the stress, frustration and worry. Learn how to unleash the power of Microsoft Project and complete all your projects, large and small, on time and on budget. This innovative webinar will walk you through many of the software’s incredible built-in features and you will learn how to use them to improve the way you manage your tasks.

Register Online: Click Here
Event Free: $99, but Usecode: SUMMERFREE at checkout to attend free!

Register Online: Click Here
Event Free: $99, but Usecode: SUMMERFREE at checkout to attend free!

Discover the advanced features of creating and working with PivotTables and PivotCharts. This course is recommended for those who have attended Make Sense of Your Data with PivotTables and Pivot Charts in Microsoft Excel or have equivalent knowledge. Build PivotTables from external databases, customize PivotTables, work with subtotals, and use advanced PivotCharts features!

Product(s): Microsoft Excel 2010
Audience(s): Business Professional
Duration: 60 Minutes
Start Date: July 20th, 2011
Start Time: 3:00 PM EDT (US)

Register Online Free (a $99.00 Value!)
Use Code: JULYOFFER at check out .

While you’re at it, if you have a a FaceBook, Twitter or YouTube account please take the time to share information about this event. Like Us, Follow Us or Subscribe today for other great offers!

You can now attend any level 2 or higher class, LIVE from your desk! Attend from your home or office!

In our ongoing support of green training solutions we bring you a remote option to attend our classes. Save travel time and help the environment by attending remotely. Classes are 100% LIVE and include interaction with our instructor. You are receiving the same instruction and content that you would in-house at our South Burlington, Vermont location. Online Live, Live from your desk!

Watch the short video below to learn more.

Contact KnowledgeWave for more information or to register for a class.

Product(s): Microsoft PowerPoint 2010
Audience(s): Business Professional
Duration: 60 Minutes
Start Date: June 29th, 2011
Start Time: 3:00 PM EDT (US)

Event Overview: With Office 2010, PowerPoint has a great and extensive set of new features. PowerPoint 2010 has new design themes, improved transitions and animations as well as new methods of output for your presentation. On top of that, PowerPoint 2010 boasts all the new features common to all the Microsoft Office applications like the backstage view and customizable ribbon. With all the new features, it just got a lot easier to create a captivating and informative presentation. After all, isn’t that the goal.

Watch our Trailer Video Free:

Register Online Free (a $99.00 Value!)
Use Code: JUNESPECIAL at check out .

Click Here To Register!