On Friday, I’m going to send an email to everyone on my “Tim’s Tech Tips” email newsletter, offering a little Christmas present – a short new book called “Best of 2017”. It’ll be free to everyone who orders anything from us between 1st Dec and the 22nd, when we break up for Christmas.
As an Inner Circle member, you’re welcome to take up that offer, of course. But I wanted you to know beforehand that since you’re an Inner Circle member, you can have the book as a Christmas present without buying anything! (A little Yuletide thank-you for being a member.)
Of course, if you do have your eye on one of our books, this might be an ideal time (and it means we can put your Christmas present and the books you order in the same package). You can look at our website if you’re not sure what other books we have. But if you only want the Christmas present, you can have it on its own – no charge (not even postage).
So if you do want to take up the offer for “normal” people, by all means do – just place an order on or after Friday for anything you want and we’ll automatically add the copy of “Best of 2017” – it doesn’t matter how you order – post, phone, online. But if you only want the Christmas present “Best of 2017”, just send us an email saying you’d like it and make sure you say where to send it and we’ll get it off in the post to you. You can email [email protected] or ring 01229 777606 and make sure you mention you’re an Inner Circle member and you’d like your Christmas present!
Oh, and Merry Christmas in advance!
Tim, Mike & Jess
December 2, 2017 at 5:24 pm
Hi to you all,
Yes please I would like to take you up on your offer of a copy your book ” Best of 2017″. Many thanks. Best wishes to you all for a Happy Christmas and the New Year.
Alan Suter
December 4, 2017 at 9:06 am
Hi Alan, Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too! I’ll be sure to pass on your wishes to the team here.
I’ve popped your present in the post and it should be with you in the next few days.
Thank you.
Mike 🙂
December 2, 2017 at 12:06 pm
Hello Tim & Mike
Please send me a copy of your book ‘Best of 2017’. Best wishes to you and all the staff for a Happy Christmas.
Monica Murray
December 4, 2017 at 9:10 am
Hi Monica,
Many thanks for your lovely Festive Wishes 🙂 . I’ll make sure to pass them on to the whole team here.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas too.
I’ve popped your present in the post so it should be with you in the next few days.
Thanks.
Mike 🙂
December 2, 2017 at 2:03 am
Thank you Mike for your offer of the best of 2017 book which I willingly accept. May I also wish you all in Cumbria a very merry Christmas and a happy Hogmanay.
Ron Neil
December 4, 2017 at 9:13 am
Hi Ron. Thank you so much for your festive holiday wishes! 🙂 I’ll be sure to pass them on to the whole team 🙂
I’ve popped your present in the post so it should be with you in the next few days.
Do let me know if there is anything I can help with and I hope you have a lovely holiday 🙂
Mike
December 1, 2017 at 11:41 pm
Customer No. [Admin Removed]
Hi! Tim. As an Inner Circle Member, will you please send to me a copy of “Best of 2017”?
Thank you, and your team, for all your good work.
Best wishes to you all, for Christmas and the New Year.
Sincerely,
Eric C. Smith.
December 4, 2017 at 9:25 am
Hello Eric, thanks so much for your warm wishes I’ll be sure to pass them on to the rest of the team 🙂
I’ve popped your present in the post so it should be with you in the next few days.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year too.
Mike 🙂
P.S. You might be interested in my recent article on why it’s time to stop using Internet Explorer, read more here. If you need a hand just drop me a message and we can talk it through 🙂 .
December 1, 2017 at 8:31 pm
Dear Mike,
Thanks for the Christmas greetings and the promise of the early Christmas present. Much appreciated.
Eric Tate
December 4, 2017 at 9:27 am
Hi Eric, your very welcome 🙂 I’ve had a quick check and it looks like your present should be with you (or if not then very soon) I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Mike 🙂
December 1, 2017 at 4:31 pm
Please send me the free Xmas book. Thank you.
December 4, 2017 at 9:28 am
Hi Brian. I’ve popped your present in the post and it should be with you in the next few days.
Do let me know if there is anything I can help with.
Many thanks.
Mike 🙂
December 1, 2017 at 4:12 pm
How kind, many thanks. I look forward to your Monday emails and find them very useful
I am changing to []. From [Admin Removed]. Hope this doesn’t cause too much confusion
December 4, 2017 at 10:24 am
Hello Margarita. I’ve updated your email address in our system and any new emails from us should go to your new email address.
It looks like you aren’t signed up to Tims Tech Tips weekly free email with either of those addresses, but I’ve updated the Inner Circle email address.
I’ve also popped your Christmas Present in the post for you, it should be there in the next couple of days.
Thank you
Mike 🙂
December 1, 2017 at 4:06 pm
Thank you for offer . I would much appreciate a copy of ‘Best of 2017’.
A Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year to all at The Helpful Book Co.
Regards
Les Doble
December 4, 2017 at 9:34 am
Hi Les, I’ve popped your present in the post so it should be with you in the next few days.
Many thanks for your warm wishes 🙂 I’ll be sure to pass them on to the whole team here.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas too.
Thank you.
Mike 🙂
December 1, 2017 at 3:04 pm
I would love a copy of ‘Best of 2017’, what a super idea. I haven’t used Inner Circle much, but when I do I really appreciate it. I am always amazed at the speed and knowledge of your co-workers, always friendly and cheerful, and they never make me feel an idiot for asking silly questions. I had a tutor once who, when I started off with ‘this is probably a silly question’, he replied, ‘do you know the answer’, so I said ‘no’, and he replied, ‘then it’s not a silly question!’. So true!
Happy Christmas and a successful New Year to you all – thank you for being there for me.
December 4, 2017 at 9:37 am
Hi Jenny.
Thanks so much for the lovely comments, I’m picking up messages for Tim this week, but I will make sure he sees this 🙂
I’me totally convinced there is no such thing as a silly question. Ahhh we always try our best to help and I’m so glad we have been able to help you 🙂 Do let us know if there is anything we can do.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year too.
Mike 🙂
December 1, 2017 at 2:26 pm
Would very much appreciate a copy of ‘Best of 2017’.
Thanks to everyone at Helpful Books for the information and help you give on Inner Circle.
All the best for Christmas and New Year
December 4, 2017 at 9:39 am
Hello!
Ahh no problem at all, I’ve popped your present in the post for you and it should be there in the next couple of days 🙂
I’m so glad you find out help useful and I’ll be sure to pass on your good wishes to the whole team.
I hope you have a lovely New Year and Christmas too.
All the best.
Mike 🙂
P.S. You might be interested in my recent article on why it’s time to stop using Internet Explorer, read more here. If you need a hand just drop me a message and we can talk it through 🙂 .
December 4, 2017 at 12:53 pm
P.S. You might want to think about upgrading to Windows 10? It’s still free for some users so let me know if you are interested and we can talk through the options…
December 1, 2017 at 1:43 pm
Hi Tim,
As an Inner Circle member I would very much like an “Early Christmas Present” (Best of 2017 – what a lovely thought!). Many thanks for your help over the past year and long may you reign, or should that be “rain”. Loved annie’s teabag. Any way hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Vanessa.
December 4, 2017 at 11:59 am
Hi Vanessa,
Thanks so much for your lovely comments. Very glad you enjoyed a cup of tea on us! Ahhh yes rain… there is so much rain here, I forgot my waterproofs this morning which was a mistake! As soon as I got to the station the rain came down :(.
I’ve popped your present in the post so it should be with you in the next few days.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year too!
Take it easy.
Mike 🙂
December 1, 2017 at 11:48 am
Hi Tim,
I’m an Inner Circle Member and can never resist a freebie so could I have a copy
of your “Best of 2017” to go in my Xmas stocking please.
Best wishes to you and everyone at Helpful Books
Patricia
December 4, 2017 at 9:47 am
Hi Patricia, no problem at all, I’ve popped a present in the post to you so it should be there in the next couple of days.
Please, could you drop me an email with your prefered email address we have two on record, just email me at [email protected] and let me know which you prefer us to use?
Thank you for your festive wishes, I’ll be sure to pass them on to the whole team.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year too.
Mike 🙂
December 1, 2017 at 10:26 am
Yes as an inner circle member I would like to have the free 2017 book
BEST WISHES AND SEASONAL GREETINGS
Joseph
December 4, 2017 at 9:50 am
Hi Joseph, I’ve popped your prest in the post so it should be with you in the next few days. Thanks so much for your festive wishes 🙂 I hope you have a lovely holiday time too.
Mike 🙂
December 1, 2017 at 8:57 am
I would like to have your Christmas present “Best of 2017” and Thank You.
A Happy Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.
December 4, 2017 at 9:53 am
Hello.
Thank you so much for your festive wishes 🙂 I;ll be sure to pass them on to the whole team.
Your present is in the post so it should be with you in the next day or so.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year too.
Mike 🙂
December 1, 2017 at 7:23 am
Yes I would love to have the free book.
Thank you for your help and best wishes to you all
for Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Anne
December 4, 2017 at 9:54 am
Hi Anne, Thanks so much for your kind festive wishes.
Your present is in the post so it should be with you in the next day or so.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year too.
Many thanks.
Mike 🙂
November 30, 2017 at 8:47 pm
Hello Tim & members of the Helpful Books staff – especially Annie who sent the tea bag! Thnkyou for enlightening the ignorant so easily. A Merry Christmas and healthy prosperoous New Year to you all,
Can I have a free book please? I promise to buy something next year when I’m better off.
Best wishes Bruce
December 4, 2017 at 10:00 am
Hi Bruce. Your present is in the post so it should be with you in the next day or so 🙂
Ahhhh we hope you have a lovely New Year and Christmas too, don’t worry we won’t hold you to buying something.
Thank you for your lovely comments, I’ll be sure to pass them on, and I’ve just been to speak to Annie now to pass on your thanks and she says thank you. 🙂
All the best.
Mike 🙂
November 30, 2017 at 7:57 pm
peter M Nov 30 2017
Microsoft edge windows 10×64 edition
I would like to accept your Xmas offer of your free book, and wish everyone at Cumbria a happy Xmas and New Year.
December 1, 2017 at 9:37 am
Hi Peter.
Ahhh that’s very kind of you, thank you 🙂 I’ll be sure to pass on your good wishes to the team.
Emma has popped your present in the post for you today so it should be with you early next week.
Hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year too.
Mike 🙂
November 30, 2017 at 6:34 pm
Yes. I would like the free gift for Christmas. Many thanks for offering it. Compliments of the season to you all. John
December 1, 2017 at 9:39 am
Hi John.
We’ve popped your present in the post to you and it should be with you in the next few days. Many thanks for your best wishes.
Hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year too.
Mike 🙂
November 30, 2017 at 2:36 pm
Yes please. I would love the little present. I would like also to wish you all ” A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Wealthy 2018. This is a very unique little club and long may you reign and I am so glad I found you. Phyl Smith
November 30, 2017 at 3:27 pm
Hi Phyl, Thank you so much for your lovely words! I’m so glad you enjoy being part of our little club, it’s really nice to know that we can help people. I’m really glad you found us too 🙂 .
I will be sure to pass on your good wishes to the rest of the team.
I’m really sorry I’ve missed getting your present out in the post today, it will go out tomorrow so should be with you early next week.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year too.
All the best.
Mike 🙂
November 30, 2017 at 3:28 pm
P.S. I’ve probably mentioned this before but… you might be interested in my recent article on why it’s time to stop using Internet Explorer, read more here. If you need a hand just drop me a message and we can talk it through 🙂 .
November 30, 2017 at 1:51 pm
I’d like to accept your offer of The Best of 2017 book , Thank you.
Wishing the team A very happy Christmas & a Happy & Healthy New year
November 30, 2017 at 3:22 pm
Hi Rob.
Many thanks for your lovely Christmas wishes 🙂 I will be sure to pass them on to the team 🙂
Unfortunately, I’ve been in a meeting this afternoon so I’ve missed today’s post, but your presence will be sent out tomorrow so should be with you early next week. 🙂
I hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year too! Thank you.
Mike 🙂
November 30, 2017 at 3:22 pm
P.S. You might be interested in my recent article on why it’s time to stop using Internet Explorer, read more here. If you need a hand just drop me a message and we can talk it through 🙂 .
November 30, 2017 at 12:29 pm
Hi Tim, Mike and all up in Cumbria,
Yes please to your offer of a Christmas present. Please send ‘The Best of 2017’ to [Admin removed]
Wishing you all the very best for Christmas and The New Year. David Beard.
November 30, 2017 at 1:16 pm
Hi David.
Thanks so much for your best wishes 🙂 I’ll certainly pass them on to the rest of the team! I’ve got your present ready to pop in the post, but it will probably go out tomorrow now so it should be with you early next week.
Wishing you a lovely Christmas and holiday festive season too.
Mike 🙂
November 30, 2017 at 9:31 am
Thanks you for your offer which I would like to accept, please send the Best of 2017 book to
[Admin Removed]
Best wishes to you, your family and your staff for a joyous and peaceful Christmas, and keep up the good work
November 30, 2017 at 9:36 am
Hi John.
Many thanks for your Christmas wishes, I will make sure to pass them on to the whole team here 🙂
I’ve popped your present in the post and it should be with you in a few days.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas too.
Many thanks.
Mike 🙂
November 30, 2017 at 8:44 am
I should like to accept your kind offer of the free book.May I wish you and your staff and family a very happy Christmas and New Year
H Joan Wilson
November 30, 2017 at 9:33 am
Hi Joan.
Many thanks for your kind wishes 🙂 I will make sure to pass them on to the whole team.
I’ve popped your present in the post and it should be with you in a couple of days.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas.
Many thanks.
Mike 🙂
November 30, 2017 at 9:34 am
P.S. You might be interested in my recent article on why it’s time to stop using Internet Explorer, read more here.
November 30, 2017 at 8:09 am
I should like to accept your kind offer of the free book.
best wishes and thanks
Graham Duff
November 30, 2017 at 9:32 am
Hi Graham,
Ahhh fantastic, thanks so much for letting us know. I’ve got your present ready to send out to you today so it should be there in a couple of days.
Many thanks and I hope you have a lovely Christmas too!
Mike 🙂
November 29, 2017 at 10:02 pm
Thank you I’d like the freebie Xmas present! My number is. [Admin Removed].
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 30, 2017 at 9:29 am
Hello.
I’ve got your present ready to go in the post today. Many thanks for your best wishes! Merry Christmas to you too! I hope you have a really lovely one.
Many thanks.
Mike 🙂
November 29, 2017 at 9:20 pm
I would very much like to take up your offer of an early Christmas present.
Thanks
David
November 30, 2017 at 9:28 am
Hi David.
Awesome, glad you do. I’ve got it ready to pop in the post for you now so it should be there in the next couple of days. Merry Christmas!
Many thanks.
Mike 🙂
November 29, 2017 at 9:16 pm
I would love to receive your Christmas present. I am a member of the Inner Circle. My customer No is [Admin Removed]. Best wishes to you all for a great Christmas and a happy New Year.
November 30, 2017 at 9:57 am
Hi Robert.
Thanks so much for your Christmas wishes I’ve popped your present in the post so it should be with you in the next few days.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas too,
All the best.
Mike
November 29, 2017 at 9:02 pm
Dear Tim, I would like to take advantage of your Christmas present. I am an Inner Circle member. My customer No. is [Admin Removed]. Please give everyone at Helpful Book Company my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
November 30, 2017 at 9:25 am
Hi Eric. Many thanks for your kind wishes. I will certainly pass them on to everyone. Merry Christmas to you too 🙂
I’ve got your book ready to pop in the post today so it should be with you in the next couple of days.
Many thanks.
Mike 🙂
November 29, 2017 at 7:26 pm
Is it possible to disable the built in microphone on a Windows 10 laptop?
November 30, 2017 at 9:50 am
Hello.
It kind of is, and kind of isn’t if that makes sense.
Most Laptops come with a webcam and built-in microphone which is really handy for things like Skype and other video calling software.
I’m guessing (and I could be wrong) you want to do this for privacy reasons?
We discuss this more in our Privacy Book (if you are interested I can explain in more detail).
If you do Video/Voice calling from your computer than disabling your microphone would be a right faff as you would need to enable it each time you wanted to.
Mark Zuckerberg famously puts a bit of tape over his video camera and microphone so that might be an option (make sure the sticky bit of the tape doesn’t touch the lens of the camera (use a little bit of paper to protect it).
I can go into full details to disable your Microphone if you would like? But be aware that really clever spy technology might be able to turn it back on again, however, it’s really unlikely you would get this type of malware.
Thanks
Mike 🙂
November 30, 2017 at 10:01 am
Hi Mike!
I’m interested in recording internet radio, and its a nuisance if the phone or doorbell does off in the middle of your favourite programme!
That was my reason to disable the microphone.
Margaret and Jim Smith.
November 30, 2017 at 4:38 pm
Hello. Ahhh I see! There is a way to do this, it requires a change to the way Windows is setup and another bit of software installed. I’m going to do it on my computer and then hopefully I should be able to talk you through it, but you can read the instructions I’m going to follow here.
Also many radio stations release shows as catch up episodes you can listen to and pause (the BBC along with others do this). But I will have a go at doing the recording on my computer and let you know how to do it.
I’m going to follow Method 2 on this website https://www.wikihow.com/Record-Audio-on-a-PC#Using_Third-Party_Software_sub using the software Audacity http://www.audacityteam.org/download/windows/ clikc on “Audacity 2.2.0 installer ” to download.
I’ll be back in touch once I have it working on my machine.
Thanks for the update!
Mike 🙂
November 30, 2017 at 7:47 pm
Thanks Mike!
I already have Audacity. Its great for tidying up live recordings, (nose blowings, sneezes and the like). Was involved in church recordings in my young and energetic days.
Jim.
December 3, 2017 at 9:15 am
Hello,
I’m so sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I’m afraid I’m not back in the office until Monday and I’m a little behind in answering questions on here. I will have a play with Audacity on Monday, but it does look like the instructions I sent over earlier will do the job…
Again, I’m very sorry for the delay.
Many thanks.
Mike
December 4, 2017 at 2:31 pm
Hi Jim. So sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
I’ve had a go at Method 2 on this site and it works brilliantly, the screenshots are spot on and I got a good recording of what was playing
I would make a cup of tea, give Method 2 a read, and either pop back here and we can go through the instructions together, or just give it a go and see how you get on
https://www.wikihow.com/Record-Audio-on-a-PC#Using_Third-Party_Software_sub
Let me know!
Thanks, so sorry for the delay.
Mike 🙂
November 29, 2017 at 6:37 pm
I would be delighted to receive your Christmas present as an Inner Circle member ([Admin Removed]) wishing you all at H.B. the very best for the festive season, and another successful year caring for our various requirements. 29/11/17
November 30, 2017 at 9:23 am
Hi Phil. Thanks so much for your best wishes and kind words, we do our best to help 🙂 . I’ve got that book ready to send out to you today so you should get it in the next few days.
Hope you have a lovely Christmas too.
Mike 🙂
November 29, 2017 at 5:24 pm
Yes please I would like the Christmas present I am an inner Circle member . And a happy Christmas and New Year to you all
November 30, 2017 at 9:14 am
Hi Eileen, I’ve got your present ready to send out soon so it should be with you in the next few days.
Many thanks for your best wishes and Merry Christmas to you too.
Mike 🙂
November 29, 2017 at 4:55 pm
Yes please, to the free Christmas present! I am an Inner Circle Member.
Customer No [Admin removed]
November 30, 2017 at 9:12 am
Hi Isobel, I’ve got that ready to go out in the post for you today so you should get it in the next few days.
Thanks, and Merry Christmas! 🙂
November 29, 2017 at 3:58 pm
Yes I would like the Christmas present please and can you tell me what the difference is with the operating system on my old computer and the new systems that are now coming with SSD
November 29, 2017 at 4:55 pm
Hi Violet,
I’ve got your Christmas Present ready to send out tomorrow so you should get it in the next few days. 🙂
I will do my best to explain, the latest version of Windows is Windows 10, this will run on old hardware or new hardware, I assume SSD is the new type of hard disk that’s “Solid State” where it doesn’t spin around?
Generally, Solid State Hard Disks are much faster, but an old style hard disk will also run Windows 10.
If you could let me know a little more about your system then maybe I can explain things more clearly.
Many Thanks.
Mike 🙂
November 29, 2017 at 3:40 pm
I would like the Christmas present, please. I am an Inner Circle member.
My customer nmbr :- [Admin Removed].
November 29, 2017 at 4:46 pm
Hi Peter,
I’ve got your present ready to go in the post tomorrow so it should be with you in a few days. Do let us know if there is anything we can help with.
Many thanks.
Mike 🙂
November 29, 2017 at 3:28 pm
Yes, please Ibwould like the “free Christmas present “ The best of 2017.!” Good wishes to all at Helpful Books and particular thanks to Tim….I was about to buy the Apple TV until Inread his very helpful article and decided on the Firestick instead. [Admin removed]
November 29, 2017 at 4:45 pm
Hi Audrey, Many thanks for your lovely comments, I’m so glad Tim’s article helped you out! I’ll make sure to pass this on to him.
Best wishes from all of us as well, I hope you have a lovely Holiday time.
I’ve got the present ready to send out tomorrow so it should be with you in a couple of days.
Do let us know if there is anything we can help with.
Many thanks.
Mike 🙂