Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:38:04 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: If you would prefer not to get Tech Tip emails? To: Tech Tips If you are not interested in receiving the Tech Tips? Justin Belarski sent me this idea and instructions. ; ) He has already sent out a similar email. Sorry but this one is particularly for Tech Tips 1. Under the Edit tab located on the FirstClass Desktop, select Preferences. 2. Click on the Messaging tab at the top of the screen. 3. Select the Mail Rules tab beneath it (should already be selected) 4. Click on Mailbox Rules 5. A new window will open, in this window click on the New Receive Rule icon. 6. New Receive Rule icon - another new window will appear, under If select the option: The subject - type in Tech Tip 7. Under Then Select Delete Silently. 8. Use this feature at your own risk. I hope this helps, Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:39:57 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #01 - Heaters by Computers To: Tech Tips I know we have all heard this before but I want to stress the importance of it! It is true and I have learned the hard way. ; ( Never put a heater close to your computer. It will crash the hard drive. Move the heater as far away from it as possible. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:40:23 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #02 - Crashing Hard Drives To: Tech Tips It is a fact that every hard drive eventually will die. Be prepared. Windows Machine and on the Domain: Be sure you have all your documents and files in your "My Documents" Folder (Not pictures or music, you can save those to your desktop but you will lose them if hard drive dies.) Macs or PC's not on Domain: Make sure your files are backed up by burning to a CD, Saving to a Flash, Floppy or some external device. If you do not know how to do any of this then ask for help. It is very important. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:41:27 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #03 - If you need help with Technology? To: Tech Tips Attachments: Tech Help Desk.doc 489K New Help Desk Ticketing System. (Found on the Ideas Home Page) This was made to replace the Tech Help Folder in First Class. If you need any technical assistance you will need to "make a ticket". (John Schmitt will be training you soon on this) The instructions are attached on a Word Document. Print them out and keep them handy. The mistake most often made..... Be sure to select the High School by clicking on the magnifying glass then choosing High School. Do not type in High School or it will not show up in the system. Please make a separate Ticket for each issue. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:48:41 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #04 - Setting a Cool Screen Saver for PC's To: Tech Tips Fun Tip * You can set Your Name or any message to appear on your screen saver by doing this: Right click on the desktop Properties Screen Saver Tab Screen Saver Scroll Bar choose 3D Text Settings Custom Text: (Erase Microsoft Windows) Change that text to Your Name (or whatever) You have choices of fonts, and speeds, etc. Preview until you like it. Hit OK Apply It is set to come on after 10 minutes of non use. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:49:22 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #05 - Computers turned on their sides To: Tech Tips Even though your Dell is made so that it can be turned on it's side, it is not a good thing to turn it that way. According to my Tech Teacher....and we all know "Teacher's Know Everything" ; ) Turning the computer on it's side is hard on the hard drive and will cause it to crash. Hard drives were not meant to work sideways. So those of you that have your computer's turned that way should set them back horizontally. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:50:08 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #06 - Cleaning Your Computer Screens To: Tech Tips (This tip I got from the Dell Dude that came to school to fix the keyboards on our laptops.) He said not to use Windex with the Blue Dye... or any cleaner with dyes to clean your computer screens. He recommended "Invisible Glass" by Stoner Premium Glass Cleaner No streaky soaps or dyes. I found it at Walmart. Cost $3 something. (Automotive Dept.) He said it was great for all glass especially for car windows. Website of Stores that sell this. http://www.moreshine.com/retail.htm This Amazon site has pictures of the product and prices. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=blended&field-keywords=invisible%20glass&results-process=default&dispatch=search/ref=pd_sl_aw_tops-1_blended_9056620_1&results-process=default According to Apple and Dell...be sure to turn the computer off. Spray the cleaner on a soft, lint free cloth....then gently clean screen. (For cleaning car windows try newspaper) Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:50:35 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #07 - Free Computer Classes To: Tech Tips Free Computer Classes Continue at the Lane Libraries The Hamilton Lane Library has partnered with Hamilton High School to offer [ http://www.lanepl.org/techclasses.htm ]free Computer Classes with Bill Hudgins, Lane's Technology Trainer, at the Hamilton High School Media Center on Wednesdays from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Classes are also available afternoons and evenings at the Fairfield Lane Library in the computer lab. Classes include Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Google topics. Registration is required for each class. Please call 894-6557 to register. http://www.lanepl.org/ COMPUTER CLASSES & REGISTRATION Free classes that cover various computer-related topics are available at the Fairfield Lane Library Branch Computer Lab (FFB). During the school year, classes are also offered at the Hamilton High School Media Center (HHS) in partnership with the Hamilton City School District. You can register to attend our free computer classes by calling 858-3238 ext. 358. Our friendly staff will assist you to register, check your schedules, or cancel your registrations. Descriptions of the classes offered are available [ http://hudgie.com/computerclassdescriptions.html ]here. The schedule for the current classes is as follows: November           Thursday 1-Nov 6:30pm - 9:00pm FFB Searching for Your Family Ancestors Friday 2-Nov 1pm - 2:30pm FFB Word for beginners Saturday 3-Nov 2pm - 3:30pm FFB Getting the Most Out of Your Library Monday 5-Nov 1pm - 2:30pm FFB EXCEL for beginners Wednesday 7-Nov 6pm - 7:30pm HHS Windows for Beginners Friday 9-Nov 1pm - 2:30pm FFB Seniors: advanced computing Tuesday 13-Nov 6:30pm - 9:00pm FFB Ancestry- The Next Step Wednesday 14-Nov 6pm - 7:30pm HHS WORD for beginners Friday 16-Nov 1pm - 2:30pm FFB Windows for beginners Monday 19-Nov 1pm - 2:30pm FFB Word for beginners W ednesday 21-Nov 6pm - 7:30pm HHS EXCEL for beginners Monday 26-Nov 1pm - 2:30pm FFB PowerPoint for Beginners Wednesday 28-Nov 6pm - 7:30pm HHS PowerPoint for beginners Thursday 29-Nov 1pm - 2:30pm FFB Seniors: advanced computing Friday 30-Nov 1pm - 2:30pm FFB Word for beginners    Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:50:59 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #08 - New email address for you! To: Tech Tips This is in News by Jennie Thompson. Just thought I would make it Tech Tip # 8 in case you did not read it yet. This is pretty cool. (It makes it so much nicer when telling someone your school email address.) Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology You now have an option when giving out your e-mail address! In the past it has typically been lastname_firstinitial@fairfield-city.k12.oh.us Now you may also use lastname_firstinitial@fairfieldcityschools.com Example: Browning_C@fairfieldcityschools.com Both will deliver mail to your current First Class Account and can be used interchangeably. Jennie Thompson Fairfield City Schools Technology Curriculum Coordinator Just a reminder again that School email is not to be used for personal use. Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:55:14 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #09 - Google mail To: Tech Tips While on the subject of email.... you may already have an personal email account that works fine for you. ; ) I had one also, Excite....but was not as happy with it as First Class with all it's features. I was talking to Jeff McKinney about it and he said that gmail with Google happens to be a very good email system. I have been using it since Spring and really like it. Just thought I would share this. Here is the website to join if interested? https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=mail<mpl=yj_tlsosm About Gmail Gmail is an experiment in a new kind of webmail, built on the idea that you should never have to delete mail and you should always be able to find the message you want.  Search, don't sort. Use Google search to find the exact message you want, no matter when it was sent or received.  Don't throw anything away. Over 4959.231321 megabytes (and counting) of free storage so you'll never need to delete another message.  Keep it all in context. Each message is grouped with all its replies and displayed as a conversation. (You can keep your other accounts for bills and such and just use this one for personal communication) Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:57:03 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #11 - Internet Shopping...Safe? To: Tech Tips Monday...November 26 is Hyped to be one of the largest Holiday On Line Shopping Days of the year....Cyber Monday! This is a marketing myth...never the less... Just letting you know it is very safe to shop on line. (According to my teacher) Just look for these indications of a Safe Web Site before putting your personal information out there. How can I tell if a web page is secured? There are two general indications of a secured web page: 1) Check the web page URL Normally, when browsing the web, the URLs (web page addresses) begin with the letters "http".  However, over a secure connection the address displayed should begin with "https" - note the "s" at the end. 2) Check for the "Lock" icon There is a de facto standard among web browsers to display a "lock" icon somewhere in the window of the browser (NOT in the web page display area!)  For example, Microsoft Internet Explorer displays the lock icon in the lower-right of the browser window: [Image] As another example, Mozilla's FireFox Web Browser displays the lock icon in the lower-left corner: [Image] THE LOCK ICON IS NOT JUST A PICTURE!  Click (or double-click) on it to see details of the site's security.  This is important to know because some fraudulent web sites are built with a bar at the bottom of the web page to imitate the lock icon of your browser!  Therefore it is necessary to test the functionality built into this lock icon.  Furthermore, it is very important to KNOW YOUR BROWSER!  Check your browser's help file or contact the makers of your browser software if you are unsure how to use this functionality. Check out this site also. http://www.safeshopping.org/ Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:57:37 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Diane Harnden Subject: Tech Tip #12 - First Class (School Email) at home To: Tech Tips Attachments: First class at home.doc 568K First Class (school email) on your home computers . I am sending this as a Tech Tip now... so you can try it before the Holiday Break. (In case you have questions?) Many of you will be getting new computers. ; ) It is pretty simple to do and sure is nice to have access to at home. I suggest forwarding this email to your home email address and print it out to take home. Attached is a detailed Word Document on how to install First Class on your home computer. Drag to Desktop Double click on it to open Print that out. www.firstclass.com Download Desktop Client Choose Operating System Windows or Mac Most important Part: in the set up, under server.... you have to type: fairfield-city.k12.oh.us (read attachment) Thanks to Diane Harnden for updating our instructions. Happy Holidays, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:58:01 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #13 - Resize Pictures for Email on PC To: Tech Tips If you take a picture on your digital camera and want to send it to your friends on email... you may want to downsize it a bit so they do not have to scroll up, down, and all around to view it. This is how you can do that on Windows XP with Microsoft Office 2003... Start All Programs Microsoft Office Microsoft Office Tools Microsoft Office Picture Manager Find your picture and highlight it. Edit Edit Pictures Change Picture Size Resize Choose * Predefined with x height: Scroll to choose: email Large or email Small This will take the size down and make it easier to work with. This is also a good program to use to print your pictures. ; ) It is picture time.... Happy Holidays! Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology (Jeff McKinney showed me this) Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:58:30 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #14 - Resizing pictures on a Mac To: Tech Tips With iPhoto Open iPhoto and highlight the picture you want to resize. Menu Bar File Export Scale images no larger than: (1632 X 1232) is the default I found changing it to 430 x325 makes a good size to send on email Export Save As: (Name picture) Where: Change to Desktop (so you can find it) OK You will then be able to open your email and attach it. Also I found you can make changes while in your iPhoto library by going to iPhoto in the menu bar Preferences Choose...Double click Photo in Edit Window then double click on your Highlighted Photo and you will get more options for editing. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology (figured this out on my own) ; ) Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:59:02 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #15 - Online Shopping Tip List To: Tech Tips Tips: Shopping Tip List Here's a list of tips you should consult when shopping online. Print this page and keep it in a handy place so it will be easy to review before you order. 1. . Trust your instincts. If you don't feel comfortable buying or bidding on an item over the web, or if you feel pressured to place your order immediately, maybe you shouldn't. 2. . Be knowledgeable about web-based auctions. (eBay) Take special care to familiarize yourself not only with the rules and policies of the auction site itself but with the legal terms (warranties, refund policy, etc.) of the seller's items that you wish to bid on. 3. Double check pricing. Be suspicious of prices that are too good to be true. Also consider carefully whether you may be paying too much for an item, particularly if you're bidding through an auction site. You may want to comparison shop, online or offline, before you buy. Make sure there are not extra shipping or handling costs. 4. . Find and read the privacy policy. Read the privacy policy carefully to find out what information the seller is gathering from you, how the information will be used, and how you can stop the process. If a site does not have a privacy policy posted, you may not want to do business with it. If it does have a privacy policy, there will probably be a link to it from the seller's home page, or it could be included with the Legal Terms. 5. Review the return, refund, and shipping and handling policies as well as the other legal terms . If you can't find them, ask the seller through an e-mail or telephone call to indicate where they are on the site or to provide them to you in writing. See Legal Terms. 6. Make sure the Internet connection is secure. Before you give your payment information, check for indicators that security software is in place. See Security. 7. Use the safest way to pay on the Internet. Pay for your order using a credit card. 8. Print the terms. You should print out and date a copy of terms, conditions, warranties, item description, company information, even confirming e-mails, and save them with your records of your purchase. See Recordkeeping. 9. Insure the safe delivery of your item. If you're concerned you may not be home when your package is delivered and that someone may take it if it is left on the doorstep, ask whether you can specify that the shipper must receive a signature before leaving the package. Or, it may be safer to have the package delivered to your office. See Delivery. 10. Inspect your purchase. Look at your purchase carefully as soon as you receive it. Contact the seller as soon as possible if you discover a problem with it. Tell the seller in writing about any problems you have, ask for a repair or refund, and keep a copy of your correspondence. See Legal Terms. http://www.safeshopping.org/tips.shtml   Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:59:34 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #16 - Desktop Pictures To: Tech Tips Choose a great Holiday Desktop Picture or a Picture with a Calendar from this Website. These are Easy Directions for Windows XP users. (Mac instructions follow on same page). www.kate.net Click on 11/23/07 Happy Holidays Snowman Wallpaper Created and Added Be Sure to Scroll Down! Choose Favorite Picture...(there are 2 pages) Click on 1024 x 768 (I think they all work but I know this one does) Click on the picture When it comes up Right click on Mouse Choose: Set as Background If you would like a background picture with a Calendar... Go Back to The Home Page Choose this again Click on 11/23/07 Happy Holidays Snowman Wallpaper Created and Added You will see this... See also my monthly [ http://www.kate.net/funstuff/calendars.html ]calendar wallpapers! In the first paragraph. These are nice to have for the Calendars but not as many to pick from. ; ( P.S. You can make any picture a Desktop Background Picture by Right Clicking on a picture and Set as Background. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For Macs: OSX www.kate.net Click on 11/23/07 Happy Holidays Snowman Wallpaper Created and Added Be Sure to Scroll Down! Choose Favorite Picture...(there are 2 pages) Click on 1024 x 768 (I think they all work but I know this one does) Click on the picture When it comes up Menu Bar File Save As: Keep the name that comes up (Example: Katexmas2007.jpg) Where: Desktop Open up System Preferences in the Dock Choose Desktop and Screen Saver Drag Katexmas2007.jpg to the picture square at the top. That's it. ; ) (Jill Betscher showed me Kate.net) Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:00:02 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #17 - First Class-Color an Email To: Tech Tips This is for Fairfield City Schools email - "First Class" (In your FC Mailbox) To color a single email or a folder in your "First Class" so that it will stand out and be easy to find. On Windows XP machines: Highlight the Email or Folder Right click and choose color. (towards the bottom) You will get a choice of several colors to choose from. (It will only show color in your mail account... it will not send in that color) Mac Users Highlight the Email or Folder Menu Bar Format Color: Choose a Color Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:00:59 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #19 - Burning a CD To: Tech Tips Simple instructions on Burning a CD: (Your computer has to have a CD burner) Windows XP: Get a CD-R Blank CD. (700 MB or 80 minutes) Insert it in the CD drive. It will come up on your desktop. Choose: Open Writable CD Folder using Windows Explorer Hit OK Drag all your files, documents, pictures, music, etc. (Anything you want to save permanently to a CD) Most should be on your desktop or in your "My Documents Folder" Click on: Write these files to a CD Name the CD next The CD Writing Wizard will start writing the files to the CD. When finished the CD will pop out. Be sure to write a Name on the CD so that you will remember what is on it. I use a Permanent Marker. Now if your Hard Drive Crashes you will have everything backed up... at least to this date! ; ) Mac OSX: Get a CD-R Blank CD. (700 MB or 80 minutes) Insert it in the CD drive. It will come up on your desktop. Open Finder Click OK The CD now shows up on your Desktop Drag all your files, documents, pictures, music, etc. to the CD (Anything you want to save permanently to a CD) Most should be on your desktop or in your Hard Drive Go to Menu Bar File Burn CD Now name it Choose slower speed for a more Reliable Burn (4 x Speed) Click on Burn Have Fun, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:01:23 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #20 - Internet Shopping -Promotional Codes To: Tech Tips Before purchasing any products on line... check to see if there are any Promotional Codes for discounts. Before I purchased a gift last night ... I did a Google search for that store's Promotional Codes. I found several and was able to use a 15 % discount which pretty much paid for my shipping. I prefer to just Google the store, Example: Kohl's Promotional Codes Here are some websites that are organized just for this. This Site maybe a good one? Not used it. http://www.currentcodes.com/ This Site asks for your email address...not good to give your email out to them. http://www.couponcabin.com/index.htm I just saw on the news this morning that you do not want to give these sites your email address. They will use it for Phishing. Phishing In computing, phishing is an attempt to criminally and fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. ABC News Article for more information. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=345060&page=1 Happy Shopping, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:02:02 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #21 - Never Start a Cold Laptop To: Tech Tips Do not leave your laptop in the Cold. Such as: leave in car too long or over night. We have had a teacher do this before. She started while still cold, we had to replace the Hard Drive Please let it warm up to room temperature before starting. Cold Weather Tips for Laptops 1. Careful Storage Never leave a laptop, even in a well-padded and insulated laptop case in the trunk of vehicle in cold weather. The laptop could freeze and you lose all data contained in it. 2. Let It Warm Up Once you bring a laptop in from the cold - allow it to warm up to room temperature before booting. The same is true when you go outdoors - allow the laptop to acclimatize to the outside temperature before booting up. 3. Ruggedized Laptops If your budget allows, purchase or lease a ruggedized laptop if you will be outside in cold temperatures for extended periods of time. Ruggedized laptops have been designed to work under extreme weather conditions. When you rely on your laptop and can't count on the weather to co-operate - a ruggedized laptop is worth considering. Most ruggedized laptops have been tested according to MIL-STD-810F standards. 4. Incorrect Warming Methods Do not use devices such as mug warmers or pocket warmers to heat or keep a laptop warm. They are not designed for this purpose and can create problems as they will not heat or keep a laptop warm in the right way. They could heat the wrong parts of a laptop or cause it to generate too much heat and melt internal components. 5. Laptop Warmers There are laptop warmers designed specifically for the purpose of keeping a laptop warm and these are what you should use. Laptop warmers have been tested to ensure they will safely protect your laptop and are a wise investment. 6. Excessive Heat Build-Up Do not use your laptop while it is still inside a laptop bag. There is no room for air to circulate and you will get heat build-up. You can create your own "box" for your laptop which will allow air to circulate and provide an enclosed area for you to use your laptop. Having the laptop on a raised platform for your laptop within the box will aid in airflow. This laptop box will help keep the laptop warmer as cold air is blocked and the heat generated from the laptop is kept in the box. 7. Protecting Your Display Don't use heating pads or other external sources of heat to warm up or thaw a laptop display. Allow the display to warm on its own and do not boot up a laptop if you suspect the display is frozen. 8. Stay Out of the Cold Whenever possible stay out of direct exposure to cold weather conditions by staying in a vehicle, inside a building or other type of shelter. Protecting your laptop from excessive dampness or wet from snow will keep your keyboard from freezing and other problems from developing. 9. Change Power Settings By changing the power settings from power save mode will help keep the laptop warm as it continues to run. Instead of having the hard drive shut down, keep it spinning. The longer the laptop can be kept left running, the warmer it will stay as it generates its own heat. 10. Don't Get Creative Last but by no means least - do not create your own devices to keep your laptop warm! This is especially important if you are using a company owned or leased laptop. You will be responsible for any damage caused and will have to have it repaired or replaced at your own expense. http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/laptopstabletpcs/tp/coldweathertips.htm Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:02:23 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Bessie Goldschmidt Subject: Tech Tip #22 - Adding Student Comments/ Progress Reports To: Tech Tips Attachments: Adding student comments to Student Progress Reports.doc 83K Today's Tech Tip is attached. (This was a request made by the High School) Bessie Goldschmidt drew up a Word Document to help you with: Adding Student Comments to Students Progress Reports Just drag the attached Word Document to your Desktop and then Double Click on it. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:02:59 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #23 - Programs on your computer? To: Tech Tips Not everything shows up in Start, All Programs? If you need to know exactly what has been installed on your computer... Such as: Adobe Flash and Adobe Shockwave? Go to: Start Control Panels Add and Remove Programs Once there find the program you are looking for. For more information on that program click on... Click Here for support information This will tell you what version you have? Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:03:24 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #24 - Font and Size on First Class To: Tech Tips Did you know your First Class Font and Size is automatically set to: Arial Size 10 Do your emails look like this? (Boring) Did you know you can change that by going to: Menu Bar Edit Preferences Content Tab Edit Tab Under Normal Text Change Font Size and Color Be sure to hit Apply then OK and Close Be sure to use dark colors on anything you think someone may need to print. I recommend using at least a size 12 for us older folks. ; ) Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:03:59 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #25 - Making a URL Shiortcut on ur Desktop To: Tech Tips Do you have a website that you wish you had Immediate Access to? Examples: The Help Desk to make a Technology Ticket http://helpdesk.fairfield-city.k12.oh.us/HelpDesk/Default.aspx Fairfield City Schools web site www.fairfieldcityschools.com Lane Public Library http://www.lanepl.org/ Kate www.kate.net Just go to the website and copy the URL. Then go to your Desktop and Right Click Choose: New Shortcut Paste the URL Next Name it Finish It will appear on your Desktop as a Shortcut! Credit goes to David Vernot and Jeff Myers. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:04:28 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Jennie Thompson Subject: Tech Tip #26 - So many Passwords and Log In's To: Tech Tips Suggestion: Write Down all your Log In Names and Passwords...then hide them in a safe place. You may forget them when you get back from break. ; ) Logging on the Computer (Domain) lastname_first initial your own password or still fcsd if you have not changed it? Make sure the Third Line is on FHS If you do not see FHS you must click on Options (logging on to the Domain) First Class lastname_first initial your own password or still fcsd if you have not changed it? Help Desk lastname_first initial Same as First Class DASL fahs_cb This should be a computer generated password (4 letters 2 numbers 4 letters) - this is case sensitive! Or yours if you changed it? Progress Book District ID: fa Usrer ID: fahs_cb Password: same as DASL password - (4 letters 2 numbers 4 letters) Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:04:50 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #27 - Signatures in First Class To: Tech Tips We (The Tech Dept.) really appreciate Staff Members that add a signatures to their First Class. It helps tremendously if you tell us where you are located? Building and Room Number? Especially the Room Number! Suggestions: Name Job Title Building Room Number Phone Number and Ext. Some add the School District Some add quotes. Edit Preferences Messages Signature Add check mark to box Type Text Apply OK Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Thursday, December 20, 2007 10:59:31 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #28 - Turning Off Ur Computer To: District Tips List There are Three things we would like you to know about turning off your computers. 1. Make sure you turn your computer off Properly Start Shut Down OK Your computer was designed to be shut down in sequence. It is very important that you shut down your system properly. Simply turning the power off with the power switch can cause serious filesystem damage. While the system is on, files are in use even if you aren't doing anything. Remember that there are many processes running in the background all the time. These processes are managing the system and keep a lot of files open. When the system's power is switched off, these files are not closed properly and may become corrupted. Depending on what files become damaged, the system might be rendered completely unusable! In any case, you'll have to go through a long filesystem check procedure on the next reboot. 2. Sometimes your computer freezes and you cannot get it to shut down properly? Hold the Start Up button on the actual computer for 5 seconds to get it to shut down. Push Button in Count - One thousand one...One thousand two...One thousand Three...One thousand four...one thousand Five. ; ) 3. Going Green Please start shutting your computers down at the end of each day. (Please remember especially today for the long break) We use to recommend Shut Down every Friday. We are now thinking Green to conserve energy. ; ) http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/computers.html (A suggestion from Bonnie Fitsharris) Happy Holidays from your Friendly Neighborhood Technology Dept! http://www.thecompassgroup.biz/merryxmas.swf Thursday, January 03, 2008 9:11:34 AM Urgent: Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #29 - Reply to Sender Only in First Class To: District Tips List This Tip has been requested by Popular Demand! Save yourself the embarrassment of sending a message to the Entire Building or District. Stop whatever you are doing "at this moment" to double check this on your First Class. Menu Bar Edit Preferences Messaging Mail Rules Reply Preference Make sure it reads: Reply Sender (Not Automatic or Reply All) Apply OK If by chance you accidently send a message to the wrong place... just hit your unsend button right next to your Send Button. The message will come back to you. Happy 2008! Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Friday, January 04, 2008 9:04:20 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #30 - Automatic Reply Message To: District Tips List (Remember this tip along with the others, will be stored in the Tech Conference Folder on your FC Desktop for future reference) If you are one that likes to refer to them (Kinkade and Jada)...you might want to move that folder closer to your mailbox? Automatic Reply Message This is a message to inform staff members or parents you are out... and/or who to contact until you come back? To set one in your First Class: Menu Bar Edit Preferences Messaging Mail Rules Reply Preference "Automatically reply to: Change Local mail: YES (Staff members with First Class email only) Change Internet mail: YES (Others from the outside, such as parents) Type your message in the "reply text" box. Apply (you must hit apply for it to work) OK Tricky Part: Remembering to turn your message off when you get back. If you don't...I am sure someone will remind you after you send them a message. ; ) Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Monday, January 07, 2008 11:44:11 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #31 - Unsend a First Class Message To: District Tips List If you send a message... and want to get it back due to: Sending to the wrong person or persons? Double checking the message? Adding another contact? Sending to the Entire District because you forgot to set your to Reply Sender only? (Tech Tip #29) You simply have to hit the Unsend button right next to the send button. (Depending on the version of First Class you have for exact location) In order to see that button you have to send the email. Check out a message that you have already sent to someone to see it. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Tuesday, January 08, 2008 9:10:19 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #32 - Undeleting a Message on First Class To: District Tips List Did you know you can get messages back that you have deleted in First Class up until 3:00 AM that day? If you deleted an email message and would like to get it back... While in your Mailbox: Menu Bar View Show Deleted Items (All deleted items will show up with a Trash Can next to it) Highlight the item you want back Menu Bar File Undelete Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, January 09, 2008 9:31:16 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #33 - Auto Spell Check in First Class To: District Tips List Automatically Spell Check on Send Every Staff Member should set this on their email account. When emailing from a school email account you should take every precaution available to protect yourself from spelling mistakes. So just in case you forget to check your email message with Spell Check while proof reading... First Class will to do it for you with Auto Checking before sending. Menu Bar Edit Preferences Content Spell Check Tab (on the latest version of FC) Check box: Automatically Check on Send Apply (Will not stay unless you hit Apply) OK Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Friday, January 11, 2008 9:08:51 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #35 - Ideas as your Homepage To: Tech Tips Our Fairfield Ideas Home Page on Internet Explorer Kim Eaton worked very hard to set up a Home Page for each Staff member to have easy access to all the programs you may use in the District. The Tech Help Desk is on there, along with Progress Book, DASL, the District's New WebSite and other useful sites. Each Home Page is set up appropriately for your Grade. (See Below.) If you do not have this as your Home Page please do this: Copy and paste your URL below to your Internet Explorer address line. Then Hit return to get to it. Then set it to stay as your Home Page : Windows "Internet Explorer" Menu Bar Tools Internet Options Use Current Apply (Will not stay without Apply) OK Only copy the URL and not the School. http://k12ideas.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/iDEAS.woa/wa/getSchoolInfo?schoolId=55010 High School http://k12ideas.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/iDEAS.woa/wa/getSchoolInfo?schoolId=55009 Freshman School http://k12ideas.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/iDEAS.woa/wa/getSchoolInfo?schoolId=55007 Middle School http://k12ideas.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/iDEAS.woa/wa/getSchoolInfo?schoolId=55005 Intermediate School http://k12ideas.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/iDEAS.woa/wa/getSchoolInfo?schoolId=55004 Fourth Grade http://k12ideas.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/iDEAS.woa/wa/getSchoolInfo?schoolId=55003 Third Grade http://k12ideas.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/iDEAS.woa/wa/getSchoolInfo?schoolId=55002 Second Grade http://k12ideas.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/iDEAS.woa/wa/getSchoolInfo?schoolId=55001 First Grade http://k12ideas.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/iDEAS.woa/wa/getSchoolInfo?schoolId=55100 Kindergarten If you need instructions on how to set this up on a Mac...just email me. ; ) Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Monday, January 14, 2008 10:02:13 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #36 - "My Profile" on The Ticketing System To: District Tips List Cc: Tech Tips "My Profile" on the Tech Help Desk Again, as in Tech Tip #3. (Found in the Tech Conference Folder under Tech Tips) If you need help with your Technology Issues...you need to Create a Ticket. You now have a New Option to make it a little easier! (This means you will not have to find the magnifying glass to choose your building or add your room number every time) It is called My Profile. Set up your own profile. Help us help you! ; ) Log into the Tech HelpDesk Ticket System. (On your Ideas Home Page Tech Tip #35) (Log in the same way you log into your First Class.) Click on My Profile. Your First and Last name should already be there. Scroll for Building and choose. Type in Room Number. Save Changes From now on this will be filled out for you. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:08:39 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #37 - Saving a FC Message to Never Disappear To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips All First Class email Messages Automatically Delete after Six Months. You can save a message permanently by setting it to never disappear. PC or Windows: Highlight the Email (in the mailbox without opening it) Right click Properties Expiry Period: Scroll to Never (this is set at default - six months) OK Macs: Highlight the Email (in the mailbox without opening it or while open) Apple Key - I Expiry period: Scroll to Never (this is set at default - six months) OK Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Thursday, January 17, 2008 11:51:32 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #38 - Choosing a Printer on the Domain-Revised To: Tech Tips Choosing a Network Printer... For those on the Domain (Tech Tip #34) Start (Located in the lower left corner of the Windows Desktop) Printers and Faxes (Located in the middle of the right-hand side of the pop-up menu) Add a Printer Next A Network Printer, or a Printer attached to another computer. Next Find a Printer in the directory Next In the Name field, type HS or (FS, MS, IS, North, South, Central, West, East) Click Find Now. You will see all Network printers in that building. Click on Name to put all printers in Name order (Room Numbers) Double click on the Printer you wish to print to. It will ask if you want to use the printer as your Default printer? Click either yes or no. Click Finish. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Thursday, January 17, 2008 3:14:23 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #39 - Educator Discounts on Apple Computers To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips "Apple" Mac Laptops and Computers with Educators Discount (Will be sending information on Dells soon) We have a Music Teacher, Doug Bruestle, at West that can assist you if interested in purchasing a Mac Computer? He is currently working at the Kenwood Apple Store: Samples: MacBook 2.2GHz, 1GB Ram, 120GB HD, Double layer Super-drive $1299 13" Display, White Less Educator Discount ($100) Your price $1199 Strongly recommend Applecare Protection $249 Less Educator Discount ($66) Your price $183 MacBook Pro 2.2GHz, 2GB Ram, 120GB HD, Double-layer Super-drive $1999 15" Display, Aluminum Less Educator Discount ($200) Your price $1799 Strongly recommend Applecare Protection $349 Less Educator Discount ($110) Your price $239 The main selling point for the Pro, is the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics card, along with the 2GB ram standard, and, of course, the larger display. For everyday computing, anyone would be thrilled with the performance of the MacBook. I didn't spec. the base MacBook because of the lack of a DVD burner. Be sure to direct everyone to visit the store at Apple.com for complete info., options, and comparisons. Come and see! djb Email Doug Bruestle for more information: Douglas J. Bruestle Music Specialist Fairfield West Elementary djbruestle@mac.com bruestle_dj@fairfield-city.k12.oh.us (513) 874-1184 (home) (513) 325-1828 (cell) Educational Discount online is a breeze, shipping is free, and fast. Ordering under Educator Discount: www.Apple.com Store Education Store (top left margin) Under "Personal" K-12 teacher or staff member enter "zip code" Ohio Select your school or Fairfield City Schools Click "Agree" on affidavit. Prices shown include discount, if any? Note: Applecare extends on computer purchases from 90 days phone support and 1 year technical support, to a FULL THREE YEARS FOR BOTH. Friday, January 18, 2008 12:48:44 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #40 - www.sparkpeople.com To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Ready to lose the Holiday weight? Doing a Health Screening? Combine that along with improving your internet skills by checking out this website... http://www.sparkpeople.com I personally like the recipes. Jeff McKinney told me about this. ; ) Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, January 23, 2008 7:05:25 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #41 - Dell Laptops (New and Used) To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips kupperkomputers@cinci.rr.com Personal Laptops Available for Staff purchase. We, the Technology Department, are not recommending or supporting any of these computers. Just informing you of laptops available at the current time to Educators. Just in at.... Kupper Komputers PC-Sales-Service 2527 Pleasant Ave. (Lindenwald) Hamilton, OH 45015 Phone 513-867-9282 Fax 513-867-9333 Chris Kupper email - kupperkomputers@cinci.rr.com website - www.kupperkumputers.com (Hint: He does not respond right away to phone or email...better to stop in store.) Print out email to take with you. Used Dell Latitude 14 in. Laptops $699.00 (Teacher discount $600) Some 17 inch D620's available also. Not sure of the price? 1 1/2 Year Full Coverage Dell Warranty (July of 2009) Full coverage ... anything goes wrong with it... Dell will repair at no cost to you. (A large local business needed to upgrade their entire system to Vista) This laptop comes with a Docking Station, Dell Mouse and Laptop Case Quick Specs of D620: Intel Core Duo T2300 1.66GHz 2GB 533MHz DDR2 RAM (2 x 1 gb config) 40GB 5400RPM HD 14.1-inch WXGA screen Integrated graphics (Intel Media Accelerator 950) 24X CDRW / DVD Combo Windows XP Pro Dell Wireless 1490 802.11 Software: Acronis True Image Home Ad a Ware 6 Personal Adobe Reader 8 and Flash AVG 7.5 (Free Anti Virus) Broadcom Management Applications Broadcom Gigabit Intergrated Controller Conexant HDA D110 MDC v.92 Modem Dell Wireless WLAN Card High Definition Audio Driver Package Intel Graphics Media Accerlator Driver Microsoft Office 2003 ($150 value) Microsoft Works Version 8.0 Nero Suite Power DVD SigmaTel Audio Windows Movie Maker Windows Media Player Internet Explorer Check out website on D620's http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2846&laptop=Dell+Latitude+D620+Review ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dell New Laptop Educator Discounts: This is in the First Class News Folder from Jennie Thompson. Only good up till 1/24/08 Jennie reports these type of discounts will continue. Watch for them in the News Folder. These coupon codes can only be used at the Dell MPP Holiday exclusive site provided by Dell. You need to go to First Class News and check out how to do this but here are some specs for a M1330 (Promotional Code needed. Download Coupon from attached pdf.) 10% off Dell XPS™ M1330 and Dell Inspiron™ notebooks priced $899 and above. http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DYCWTG1&s=dhs Sample: XPS M1330 $999.00 (10% off for Educators) SYSTEM COLOR Tuxedo Black PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5450 (2MB cache/1.66GHz/667Mhz FSB) OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium Edition LCD AND CAMERA Standard Display with 2.0 Megapixel Webcam MEMORY 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz HARD DRIVE 120GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM) INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW Drive) VIDEO CARD Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 WIRELESS CARDS Dell Wireless 1490 802.11a/g Mini-Card BATTERY OPTIONS 37Whr Lithium Ion Battery (4 cell) SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0 FINGERPRINT SCANNER No Fingerprint Reader Bags $43 Docking Station $49 - Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:22:17 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #43 - Changing First Class Password To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips How to Change Your First Class Password Menu Bar Collaborate Change Password Type in old password Type New Password Type New Password OK (Please do not have your First Class set to log in automatically) This is in the FC News Folder: Currently there are over 160 people who have fcsd as their password in First Class. If you are 1 of the 160, please change your password. To change your password, click on COLLABORATE, CHANGE PASSWORD, where it says old password, of course put in fcsd and then type in your new password and retype password and click on OK. Thank you for your help on this matter. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Jeff Myers Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Thursday, January 24, 2008 3:47:51 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #42 - Change Domain Log in Password To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips How to Change Your Domain Password Remember...you are on the Domain if you have a Windows Machine (Gateway or Dell) and you have a Domain Name such as: doe_j fcsd (if you have not changed it?) Log into your computer first. After the computer is up... press CTRL + ALT + DELETE again. A box will appear. Click Change password. Type your old password (the default password is fscd) Tab, type your new password. Tab, type your new password, again. Click OK It should say your password has been successfully changed. Reminder... All Tech Tips are stored in the Tech Conference Folder on your FC Desktop. Under Tech Tips! Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:10:13 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #34 - Understanding our Domain To: District Tips List How do you know if your Computer is on Fairfield's Domain? This is something you need to understand to help us communicate with you? We have worked very hard to put all Windows Computers (Dells and Gateways) on the Domain. You will know if your computer is on the Domain by... Needing to type in your User Name and your Password. When you start up your computer you will have an Opening Box where you type in your name and password. You will also have an Option Box. Click on the Option Box and you will see two Options. One will be FHS (This is Fairfield's Domain) Scroll down to see the name of the computer with (this computer) added to it. You should be choosing FHS ... even though you do not work at the High School. (Your server does) ; ) This will be allowing you to log onto our Domain where we store your "My Documents". Having your Documents on the server means...if your hard drive should crash? You still will have all your documents saved on the server. This is why it is so important to save all your Files and Documents there. This is also nice when logging on any other computers on the Domain in the District. It means you can get to your stuff from the teacher machine next door or workroom. ; ) If you have any questions about this see your building Tech Rep and they can help you understand it. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Monday, January 28, 2008 9:32:18 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #44 - Change DASL Password To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips How to Change Your DASL Password Log into DASL DASL can be found on your Ideas Home Page. Example: fahs_cb You may have a long computer generated password of 4 letters 2 numbers 4 letters (case sensitive) You can change this password by going to: Menu Bar My Account Change Password Type in Old Password Type in New Password Type in New Password Click on Change Password Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Tuesday, January 29, 2008 1:13:08 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #45 - Important Password Information To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips If you change your DASL Password and you use Progress Book ... the DASL Password will change your Progress Book Password also. (They are connected. Just like First Class and Help Desk are connected.) These Passwords are very important ... we do not recommend changing them but if you do.... know that they cannot get out to anyone. These are important school records. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Tuesday, February 05, 2008 9:06:28 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #46 - Lane Library On Line To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Lane Public Library Website. www.lanepl.org This is on your Ideas Home Page Did you know that you can use your library card number to log in and do your browsing? Log in...search for Books, Audio Books, CD's, DVD's. Find what you are looking for then request it. Choose where you would like to pick it up. (I always choose Fairfield Drive Through Window) They will send you an email to let me know it is ready. ; ) They also send you a reminder when it is due back. ; ) You can renew it on the website if you want to keep it. If they do not have what you are looking for... you can request they purchase it. They will send you an email when it comes in. Janet Getty showed me this a few years ago. It is awesome! Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, February 06, 2008 11:54:38 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #47 - Free Home Anti Virus Software To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips http://free.grisoft.com/ Free Home Anti Virus Protection AVG Free Edition 7.5.516 I have not used this myself but have heard good things about this software so I am sharing this. Do not email me questions about it because I have not used it? It is free for Home Use only. Do NOT try to load this on your school computer. We use Sophos. If you decide to try it...Please do this first. Start Control Panels Add and Remove Programs Remove any Anti Virus Programs you have on your computer first before downloading this. Cindy Browning District Technology Notes from Jeff McKinney: I have used AVG in the past.... It is OK... The only problem I have with it is it will try to get you to buy the full version at some point. If they have RoadRunner they can get CA Security Suite for free... I use that and it works well. Fuse may offer something as well, but since I do not use Fuse I do not know for sure? *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Jeff McKinney Thursday, February 07, 2008 11:59:28 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Diane Harnden Subject: Tech Tip #48 - Office Vista Converters To: Tech Tips Attachments: FileFormatConverters.exe 28M If you have recently bought a New Windows Vista Computer with Office 2007 for home... and you are having compatibility issues with Our Microsoft Office 2003 . You will need to download a FileFormatConverter.exe You can find this two ways: I am sending this Tech Tip #48 to the Tech Conference Folder under Tech Tips with the attachment. (28MB) Double Click - Launch - Check to Agree Or You can go to this weblink and download it from there. Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=941B3470-3AE9-4AEE-8F43-C6BB74CD1466&displaylang=en Download - Run or Save - Check to Agree I tested this and it should work under your log in. (Not Administrator) Hope this helps. Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Friday, February 08, 2008 9:37:10 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #49 -True of False Emails? To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Personal Emails - True or False? Do you get emails such as: Applebee's is giving away $50 gift certificates? Gift Certificate from Applebees Restaurants for Forwarding an Email to Your Friends-Fiction! I got one on Dusting last night. This is True and every teacher/parent should read this one. It is about a teenager getting high off a can of Dust Off. (Canned air to clean out computers.) Kyle, the 14-year-old Who Died From Inhaling Dust-Off-Truth! Please check out suspicious emails at one of these sites below before forwarding to your friends. False mails are just taking up unnecessary room on cyberspace. Some were created to Spambot. *A spambot is a program designed to collect e-mail addresses from the Internet in order to build mailing lists for sending unsolicited e-mail, also known as spam. Go to any of these sites and type in Applebee's or Dust Off in their Search - to get the facts. Snopes www.snopes.com eTruth www.truthorfiction.com Hoax-Slayer -Latest Email Hoaxes - Current Internet Scams http://www.hoax-slayer.com/ Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Monday, February 11, 2008 12:07:53 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #50 - Arranging Your Email To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Arranging Emails by Name, Subject, Size, Last Modified, Unread, Attachments Did you know that you could arrange your Email in Your Mailbox by clicking on the Title List? (This will be helpful to know for Tech Tip #51) Go to your Mailbox: Click on Name in the Title List All the Emails in the Mailbox will arrange in the Name order Alphabetically. Same with all the other Titles... Subject: want to view all the emails regarding one subject. Size: good when you are looking for a really large email. (Like 28 MB) Last Modified: when you cannot find one you just worked on. Red Flags: for Unread Email (This is the best order on a regular basis) Attachment: the Blue Paper Clip. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Tuesday, February 12, 2008 11:52:34 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #51 - Making Folders in First Class To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Creating Folders to Store Emails Did you know you can make Folders to organize and save room in your First Class Mailbox? Go to Mailbox: First go to View Split Split Vertically. (or horizontally but I prefer Vertically) Then go to File New New Folder Name your folder (Sample: Your Principals Name) Go back to your mailbox....click on Name on the title bar of your mailbox to organize all your mail in Name order. Highlight all the emails from your principal and drag them to this folder. Doing this will help you eliminate room in your mailbox. If your actual mailbox gets to a certain amount...around 6000...it will corrupt it. Putting emails in Folders will not count in your Mailbox. ; ) Don't forget to go back and organize your emails in the order you had them. You can click on the Red Flag to put them New Email order. Happy Snow Day, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Friday, February 15, 2008 8:19:17 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #52 - Spam email To: Entire District Tech Tips Cc: mailme spam Receiving Spam Email If you are receiving Spam emails? (Most are due to our email addresses being open to the public) You need to forward them to the Spam Account. Jeff Myers created this account to catch certain words used to get past our blocking system. So any Spam Emails you get... Open the Email (Never click on or open any attachments) Then Click on Forward Type in the word Spam in the To: box (where your cursor is flashing) This will bring up the mailme spam account. Example: Showing in the Cc: box. (This means this email went to that account) Then hit Send. Jeff will take it from there. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:22:12 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #53 - iPod Shuffle. Now just $49 (revised) To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips iPod Shuffle on Sale for only $49. Apple just sent me this email...sharing. ; ) Check out this Website. (Copy and Paste this to the Internet.) http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?node=home/ipod/ipod_shuffle&cid=AOS-AM-117871-C0005482-A10000086290&Email_PageName=AOS-AM-iPodShuffle-Launch-Consumer&Email_OID=194777&cp=117871&sr=em You might want to check out buying through the Education Store to see if you can get the Educator Discount? (Tech Tip #39) Great for working out. ; ) Enjoy, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Monday, February 25, 2008 3:26:07 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #54 - General Information About Your Computer To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips General Information About Your PC Windows Machine Ever need to know? The Operating System on a Computer: Windows XP or Windows 2000 The Make of the Computer: Dell GX 280, Dell GX 260 How much RAM Memory it has: 512 MB Start My Computer (Just Highlight do not double click) Right Click General Tab All that information is there! Apple Mac Machine: Go to the Apple Icon in the top Left Corner Click and Scroll to About this Mac: Mac OS X: 10.3.4 Processor: 1 GHz Power PC G4 Memory: 256 MB You can choose More Information from there. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Tuesday, February 26, 2008 2:35:01 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #55 - Size of Your Hard Drive? To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Need to Know What Size the Hard Drive is on Your Computer? Windows XP Machines: Start My Computer (Left Click) Local Disk (C:) (This is your Hard Drive) Right Click Properties General Tab Used Space will be Blue Free or Unused Space will be Pink Capacity will say....39,950,184,448 37.2 GB This is rounded off to a 40 Gig Hard Drive Macs: Click on the Hard Drive (one click just to highlight) Menu Bar File Get Info or (Apple I on the Keyboard) Capacity 37.14 GB Rounded off...40 Gig Hard Drive Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:25:31 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #56 - Closing your CD Tray To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Be sure to use the Button next to the CD Player Tray to Open and Close it. Do not force the Tray with your hand. This can cause the drive mechanism to break. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Friday, February 29, 2008 1:32:03 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #57 - www.maps.live.com To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips An Excellent Map Site www.maps.live.com (This is also found on MSN.com under Maps) You can scroll with your mouse wheel or Double Click to pick the location you would like to see. You can type in your school or home address to actually see a picture of it. ; ) After you find your address.... you can click on different views by Road, Aerial, Hybrid, Birds Eye. Or you can get driving directions by clicking on Directions. There are several Map Sites on the internet. Just think this is a good one to share. (Ira Begley showed me this.) Happy Leap Day, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, March 05, 2008 8:41:49 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Shirley Herzog Subject: Tech Tip #59 - Newspapers in Education To: Tech Tips Attachments: howitworks.pdf 532K "NIE" Welcome to Newspapers In Education! The Enquirer's Newspapers in Education (NIE) program offers students and teachers a world of free learning resources including classroom newspapers, curriculum supplements, in-paper lessons, workshops, and much more! www.Cincinnati.com/nie Shirley Herzog found this website and shared it with me to share as a Tech Tip....Enjoy. If you have any questions about this site email Shirley. Hi Guys, I am psyched! I linked to the Cincinnati Enquirer (www.Cincinnati.com/nie) and in less than 10 minutes printed off a bunch of wonderful stuff for both my classes. I went to the box on the left marked "lesson archive". In seconds I was linked to a fabulous Ellis Island web site and downloaded pictures and immigrant stories to use in a small group activity with the 8th graders. (Along with a link for anyone to look up their immigrant ancestors' ship etc.- found my German grandparents in seconds!) For the 7th grade, I clicked on Muslims and found tons of cool info including a short piece on how the Christian, Jewish and Muslim beliefs intersect and overlap. Then, I printed off directions on how to access the Enquirer electronically so I can print any article I want and not have to cut things out anymore. I am attaching those directions for you. (The attachment will be in the Tech Tips folder, inside the Tech Conference Folder on your FC Desktop...File was too large) Wow! I hope you like this as much as I did! Shirley Herzog, NBCT Team Heroes Social Studies 7-8 Fairfield Middle School Rm. 604 "Kids may not always remember what you taught them, but they'll never forget how you treated them." Friday, March 14, 2008 1:16:09 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #60 - Disposing Technology To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Disposing Unwanted Technology With Spring Break and Spring Cleaning coming up.... Linda (Cheek) Cummins sent me these web sites for disposing unwanted Technology. The Middle School Library is collecting the following items for recycling: Batteries, old cell phones, GPS devices, Digital picture frames, portable DVD players, MP3 players, video game consoles, laptops and digital cameras, Paper, ink jet cartridges, aluminum cans, foil juice pouches (Electronics do not have to be working) Butler County Department of Environmental Services http://des.butlercountyohio.org/html/recycling/OtherServices.cfm Recycle residential computer and electronic waste. (Check out website for more information on Hazardous Waste) What: All computer and television systems When: 1st and 3rd Saturday — April, May, June, August and September, 2008 2nd and 3rd Saturday — July, 2008 Hours: 9 am - 1 pm Where: 1715 Fairgrove Avenue Hamilton, Ohio 45011 (Next to the Butler County Fairgrounds Or Donate to a good Cause: Welcome to the Cristina Foundation! The National Cristina Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to the support of training through donated technology. For more than two decades we have encouraged companies and individuals to donate computers and other technology, which is then matched to charities, schools and public agencies in all 50 states, Canada, and in many countries around the world. http://www.cristina.org/donate_computer.html Happy Cleaning, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:21:11 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #61 - Email Tracking To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Excellent Info. From Snopes.com Just a word to the wise.  E-mail petitions are NOT acceptable to Congress or any other municipality.  To be acceptable petitions must have a signed signature and full address.    Almost all e-mails that ask you to add your name and forward on to others are similar to that mass letter years ago that asked people to send business cards to the little kid in Florida who wanted to break the Guinness Book of Records for the most cards...   All it was, and all this type of e-mail is... is to get names and "cookie" tracking info for tele-marketers and spammers to validate active e-mail accounts for their own purposes. Any time you see an e-mail that says forward this on to "10" of your friends, sign this petition, or you'll get good luck, or whatever, it has either an e-mail tracker program attached that tracks the cookies and e-mails of those folks you forward to, or the host sender is getting a copy each time it gets forwarded and then is able to get lists of "active" e-mails to use in spam e-mails, or sell to others that do!   Please forward this notice to others and you will be providing a good service to your friends, and will be rewarded by not getting 30,000 spam e-mails in the future. Hint: Forward to your home address. Then forward from there. (If you have been sending out the above kinds of email, now you know why you get so much spam!) Happy Spring Break! Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Tuesday, April 01, 2008 9:15:24 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #62 - Pre Installed Viruses To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Some Viruses Come Pre-Installed By JORDAN ROBERTSON AP Technology Writer From iPods to navigation systems, some of today's hottest gadgets are landing on store shelves with some unwanted extras from the factory — pre-installed viruses that steal passwords, open doors for hackers and make computers spew spam. Computer users have been warned for years about virus threats from downloading Internet porn and opening suspicious e-mail attachments. Now they run the risk of picking up a digital infection just by plugging a new gizmo into their PCs. Recent cases reviewed by The Associated Press include some of the most widely used tech devices: Apple iPods, digital picture frames sold by Target and Best Buy stores and TomTom navigation gear. In most cases, Chinese factories — where many companies have turned to keep prices low — are the source. Consumers can protect themselves from most factory-loaded infections by running an antivirus program and keeping it up to date. The software checks for known viruses and suspicious behaviors that indicate an attack by malicious code — whether from a download or a gadget attached to the PC via USB cable. Information provided by: Linda Cheek Cummins Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Wednesday, April 02, 2008 11:43:59 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #63 - SImple Home Security To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Take your car keys to bed with you. (For those that do not have expensive alarm systems or dogs) If you have a car alarm or panic button on your key chain... Take it to bed with you. If you hear someone trying to break into your house... set off the car alarm and hopefully it will scare them away. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Thursday, April 03, 2008 2:44:31 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #64 - Spring Clean Your Email To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Just a reminder ... (when you have some spare time) Clean Out Your Email. Remember too many emails will corrupt your account. Be sure to Split your View. Make Folders with Subjects Put emails in Folders Arrange by Subject Delete whole subjects such as Tech Tips. Remember they are being stored for you in the Tech Conference Folder. Refer to Tech Tip #51 if you need further instructions. If you need help be sure to ask your Tech Reps. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Monday, April 07, 2008 4:01:31 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Tony Michele Subject: Tech Tip #65 - Virus Threat To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Post Card Virus An acquaintance of mine sent me information regarding a nasty computer virus. I checked it out on Snopes.com. Looks legitimate. Thought you might be interested. http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/postcard.asp Tony Michele CBIP Coordinator Thanks Tony. Monday, April 28, 2008 3:22:51 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #66 - Protecting Your Identity To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Protecting Your Identity http://www.oprah.com/xm/jchatzky/200804/jchatzky_20080421.jhtml?promocode=901 His story of life as a con man was depicted in Steven Spielberg's acclaimed film Catch Me If You Can starring Leonardo DiCaprio. These days, Frank Abagnale is a world-renowned identity theft expert who has been helping the FBI combat fraud for more than 30 years. Jean talks with Frank about his simple yet essential tips for safeguarding your identity. Own and use a quality microcut shredder. "It turns paper into confetti," Frank says, rendering it useless to anyone looking to steal your personal information. Look into a credit monitoring service. When selecting a company, ask them, "Do you monitor all three credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion?" And, "Will you notify me in real time?" During tax time, never write checks out to "IRS." Frank says identity thieves can easily manipulate these letters to make the check appear to be written out in someone else's name. Use credit cards rather than checks or debit cards. If anything happens, the responsibility rests with the credit company, which safeguards your assets, Frank says. However, be sure you can pay off your balance at the end of each month. If you can't, use cash. Do not do online banking on a wireless system. Identity thieves can easily intercept your personal data over a wireless signal, Frank says. Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Thursday, May 08, 2008 10:48:58 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Subject: Tech Tip #66 - Tammy's Tech Tips for Teachers To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Tammy's Tech Tips for Teachers http://www.tammyworcester.com ********** Thanks, Cindy Browning Fairfield City Schools District Technology Tuesday, June 10, 2008 12:04:19 PM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Jeff McKinney Subject: Tech Tip #67 - Home Computer Running Slow To: Entire District Cc: Tech Tips Computer Running Slow at Home? (Please do not try this on school computers) Maybe infected with Spyware/Malware..... Here are some free sites Jeff McKinney suggested: 1. Adaware - www.lavasoftusa.com http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-2007/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5&cdlPid=10837062 2. Spy Sweeper http://www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer-downloads.html (Download free Scan) 3. Spybot Search and Destroy http://www.destroy-spyware.net/ 4. Hijack This http://www.filehippo.com/download_hijackthis/ I would try running a combination of these to remove the Spyware/Malware... Thanks, *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Jeff McKinney Be sure you have ONE Virus Protection Running also. Thursday, September 04, 2008 9:19:34 AM Tech Tips From: Cindy Browning Jeff Myers Subject: Dasl and Progress Book Web Site Addresses To: Tech Tips Cc: News DASL: https://weba.swoca.net/dasl Progress Book: http://progressbook.swoca.net This will be stored in the Tech Conference Folder Under Tech Tips for Future Use