Showing posts with label computer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label computer. Show all posts
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Have an iPad? Love Google Drive? Read this!
So, you have an iPad now. And, you've been using Google Drive on your work and home computer but are unsure of just how to use it on the iPad. Have no fear. Read this short guide on how to use Google Drive on your iPad, and you'll be off and running in no time!
Monday, November 26, 2012
10 Tips for the Recycle Bin
I recently came across this article, Don't Click Delete - 10 Tips for the Recycle Bin, and thought some of you might find it helpful. You will learn how to change the size, name, sound and appearance of the recycle bin, and how to move the recycle bin to the system tray. Happy Recycling!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Do not Use Password as your Password!
Recently my Pinterest account was hacked and "I" started posting unusual items to Pinterest which, in turn, posted to my Facebook page. This brings up the topic of using passwords that are hard to hack. Evidently mine was not. Security software Splashdata recently released its list of the worst or most vulnerable passwords. Unremarkable, the number 1 offender is "password" but included in the list are yjesus", "ninja" and "querty".
According to a ZDNet article, "research from Norton indicates that nearly half of Internet users do not use a complex password", making them vulnerable to attack. They say to avoid using passwords that follow a simple pattern or are a word. Also, use some capital letters and some lowercase to deter attacks. Read the rest of the passwords not to use in the article, Top 25 Common, Attackable Passwords.
According to a ZDNet article, "research from Norton indicates that nearly half of Internet users do not use a complex password", making them vulnerable to attack. They say to avoid using passwords that follow a simple pattern or are a word. Also, use some capital letters and some lowercase to deter attacks. Read the rest of the passwords not to use in the article, Top 25 Common, Attackable Passwords.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Wrist saving measures
Computer jobs can be as hard on your body as manual labor. Oh yeah, vision, wrists, shoulders, back, neck- all can suffer from 6-8 hours in front of a monitor.
For some reason, using a mouse is harder on my wrists than a keyboard. So I am a big fan of keyboard shortcuts. Not only do keyboard shortcuts save time, they decrease some of the stress of using a mouse. Some of these are familiar, Save, Copy, Paste, Select All, Print, and OK (Enter) are nearly universal commands. Others should be - Undo, Redo, and navigating through dialogue boxes.
The trick is to practice a few so they become second nature. Sure, you can stumble on a program or browser that doesn't use the functions that you are used to, but for the most part the keyboard habit will work smoothly into your workflow. (Did you know that if you are browsing a folder for a file that typing its first character- or if you are quick - the first two or three characters, can take you to that file without scrolling? Or you can toggle a formatting change such as Bold (Ctrl B) by repeating the keyboard strokes when the formatting is complete? )
The University of California at Berkeley has provided a nice list of keyboard shortcuts that provide a good foundation, as well as a handy checklist for a healthy computer station.
For some reason, using a mouse is harder on my wrists than a keyboard. So I am a big fan of keyboard shortcuts. Not only do keyboard shortcuts save time, they decrease some of the stress of using a mouse. Some of these are familiar, Save, Copy, Paste, Select All, Print, and OK (Enter) are nearly universal commands. Others should be - Undo, Redo, and navigating through dialogue boxes.
The trick is to practice a few so they become second nature. Sure, you can stumble on a program or browser that doesn't use the functions that you are used to, but for the most part the keyboard habit will work smoothly into your workflow. (Did you know that if you are browsing a folder for a file that typing its first character- or if you are quick - the first two or three characters, can take you to that file without scrolling? Or you can toggle a formatting change such as Bold (Ctrl B) by repeating the keyboard strokes when the formatting is complete? )
The University of California at Berkeley has provided a nice list of keyboard shortcuts that provide a good foundation, as well as a handy checklist for a healthy computer station.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
LEAP!
I missed the most exciting (at least to me) presentation at last week's SIDLIT.
I am providing the link that will explain it in more detail.
Essentially this company Leap Motion, has designed a device for Macs that
Special needs, artists, engineers, repetitive motion issues,- this is only the beginning, I think
I am providing the link that will explain it in more detail.
Essentially this company Leap Motion, has designed a device for Macs that
- plugs into your USB port
- is roughly the size of a jump drive
- works with a number of programs
- interprets your motions into actions
- can be preordered for $70
Special needs, artists, engineers, repetitive motion issues,- this is only the beginning, I think
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
C2C takeaway
A shout out to the great presenters at the Spring CDC Symposium in Hutchinson last Friday!
While it is still fresh in my mind, I want to mention some of the quick takeaways we got from Anibal Pacheco, the champion of the latest in opensource applications.
I didn't realize that there were so many great things in browser, Firefox in particular add ons and plugins.
Speed Dial gives you direct access to your most frequently visited sites - sort of a cross between LiveBinder and the Bookmark toolbar.
QR Link Maker is an addon that generates QR codes for webpages, an embedded image,or a selection of text from a webpage
I like the looks of Mozbackup, a backup utility for Firefox user information, including bookmarks and passwords that you can use for restoring, or using on a different/new computer, but I was a bit hesitant since it comes from Eastern Europe.
As I get a chance to reflect and check out a few more of his picks, I will let you know what I think.
While it is still fresh in my mind, I want to mention some of the quick takeaways we got from Anibal Pacheco, the champion of the latest in opensource applications.
I didn't realize that there were so many great things in browser, Firefox in particular add ons and plugins.
Speed Dial gives you direct access to your most frequently visited sites - sort of a cross between LiveBinder and the Bookmark toolbar.
QR Link Maker is an addon that generates QR codes for webpages, an embedded image,or a selection of text from a webpage
I like the looks of Mozbackup, a backup utility for Firefox user information, including bookmarks and passwords that you can use for restoring, or using on a different/new computer, but I was a bit hesitant since it comes from Eastern Europe.
As I get a chance to reflect and check out a few more of his picks, I will let you know what I think.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Notes in the Cloud
Do you lecture and encourage your students to take notes? Penzu might be the tool for your class! It's promoted as a secure, cloud-based, online journaling tool but since many of our students are toting around a laptop/netbook anyway, I think it'd be great for students to use for taking class notes too! The basic version is free, it date stamps each entry, and you can organize and delete your notes at will. Suggest this the next time your student says that the notes she took in your class are on her (lost) flash drive! Check it out at www.penzu.com and let us know what you think!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Windows on Speed
I recently discovered the helpful site, MakeUseOf. It has several manuals you might find helpful but the one I plan to investigate today is Windows On Speed. MakeUseOf claims that it includes all the information you need to speed up your slow PC.
According to the MakeUseOf site, "This FREE manual outlines everything you need to know about speeding up Windows, including:
Please share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Enjoy!"
or
- Why Windows slows down over time
- How to separate your data and operating systems with partitioning
- The importance of defragmenting
- Free software for speeding up your PC
- The perils and overpromise of registry cleaners
- Easy steps you can take to speed up your PC
Please share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Enjoy!"
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Check out Joliprint
Joliprint allows you to enter the address of a website to create a PDF of the site. You can save, print, or email the file. The PDF is very neat and clean looking, however, it does have the Joliprint logo on the side.
The link to Print PDF now shows below each post of this blog. When clicked, you can select to download the PDF to view and/or save, or send to Twitter, Facebook, or as an email.
You can also add the Joliprint tool to FireFox, IE, and Chrome which allows you to simply click the tool on any website to create the PDF. I did try it in ANGEL and it does not work. I think this is good news in a way. Students will not have a new way to print and share tests, etc.
You can also add the Joliprint tool to FireFox, IE, and Chrome which allows you to simply click the tool on any website to create the PDF. I did try it in ANGEL and it does not work. I think this is good news in a way. Students will not have a new way to print and share tests, etc.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Dell laptop/tablet PC
This is so cooooooooooool! Thanks to Eddie Andreo for the heads up. Take a look at what might be your next computer laptop. It is the new Dell combo...both a tablet and a laptop computer. Watch the video...and be prepared to say "Wow!"
Friday, July 23, 2010
$35 Tablet??
"The Indian government unveiled a working prototype today of a small tablet computer that it says will initially sell for $35". Read the whole story on ZDNet Education:
India's $35 tablet - vaporware or the real deal?
India's $35 tablet - vaporware or the real deal?
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Reset your Ink Cartridge & Save Money
If you are like me you use a lot of printer ink - and hate paying the high prices for new ink cartridges. Most ink cartridges have a small circuit board that has memory built in. The memory tracks the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge. As shown in the video, this report can be inaccurate, causing you to replace the cartridge before it is empty. Watch the video to learn how to easily reset the memory on the ink cartridge and save some $$$.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Auslogics Duplicate File Finder
Do you have duplicate files saved on your computer? If you are like me, you do and it can take up a lot of disk space. I am sometimes not sure which is the most recent either. ZDNet suggests using Auslogics Duplicate File Finder, a free, handy tool that searches out all duplicate files by the criteria you designate. I just ran the program. It is fast and easy to use. Oh, and did I mention that it is free?
http://downloads.zdnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=1133707&tag=nl.e530
http://downloads.zdnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=1133707&tag=nl.e530
Friday, March 12, 2010
The future is here!
Take a look at the new eTourage eDGe! This computer opens and reads like a book. It has a Kindle-like reader on the left side of the screen and a web browser on the right side. It will be marketed with the college student in mind. It has already contracted with two major textbook publishing companies to support their ebooks. Now students can read the text while having ANGEL up and running at the same time. Take a look at the review...it isn't perfect yet...but it isn't far away!
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