FWP Tech Tips http://techtips.fwparker.org Most recent posts at FWP Tech Tips posterous.com Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:28:27 -0700 Tech Tips: Drag and Drop Email Attachments http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-drag-and-drop-email-attachments http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-drag-and-drop-email-attachments One feature that was left behind with Entourage/Outlook was the ability to simply drag a file into the body of an email message to add it as an attachment. 

While composing a new message, click and hold a file from your desktop and drag into the browser window, a message now appears stating, "Drop Files Here":


Repeat this for each attachment. 

Please note: currently this only works in Firefox and Google Chrome, Safari is not supported at the moment.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech Thu, 15 Apr 2010 08:09:55 -0700 Tech Tips: New Google Docs Features http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-new-google-docs-features http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-new-google-docs-features For those of you using Google Docs, I just wanted to let you know about a few new features that rolled out this week:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_hJ3R8jEZM&feature=player_embedded

Improved Document Editor
- real-time editing with collaborators
- sidebar chat, so you can discuss documents as you work on them with colleagues
- new technical foundation also helped us improve document formatting, which means better import/export fidelity, a revamped comment system, real margins and tab stops, and improved image layout within documents

Faster Spreadsheet Editor
- significant speed and performance improvements -- spreadsheets load faster, are more responsive and scroll more seamlessly
- a host of often requested features, like a formula bar for cell editing, auto-complete, drag and drop columns, and simpler navigation between sheets

New Drawing Editor
- new standalone drawings editor lets you collaborate in real time on flow charts, designs, diagrams and other fun or business graphics
- Copy these drawings into documents, spreadsheets and presentations using the web clipboard, or share and publish drawings just like other Google Docs

To access these new features, click “New version” at the top of any spreadsheet or go to the ‘Document Settings’ page and select ‘New version of Google documents.’

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:26:47 -0700 Tech Tips: New Google Apps Software http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-new-google-apps-software http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-new-google-apps-software For those if you interested in creating/editing images and audio files, I wanted to announce a new online software suite called Aviary that we are now able to access through our Google accounts. 

To take a look simply click on the "more" link at the top of your email page:

From this menu select "Aviary".  From here you can create, edit and share image and audio files. Also with the direct link to your Google account, any files you create are automatically saved in your Google Docs account and accessible from anywhere. 

If this sounds interesting take a look through the site when you have a some free time. Here is also a quick video overview.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:26:41 -0700 Tech Tips: The End of Appleworks http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-the-end-of-appleworks http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-the-end-of-appleworks
This message is for all of the school's Appleworks users.

As you probably know, Appleworks is one of the oldest pieces of software still in use at the school. Apple officially ended support of the product in 2007 and has not released any sort of software update since 2004. We have been lucky the past few years that the software has continued to work with each new version of the Mac operating system. Unfortunately it looks like that luck has just run out. 

Through our testing of new software that will be implemented this summer, it has come to our attention that Appleworks will not work with version 10.6 of the Mac operating system that we will be upgrading to for the next school year. 

I wanted to send this note out early enough so that we can assist anyone who might need help transitioning your documents away from Appleworks. We are happy to plan a time with anyone interested in a few Appleworks alternatives, including Microsoft Word, Pages or Google Docs. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:56:12 -0800 Tech Tips: "Syncing" your Mac Account http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-syncing-your-mac-account http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-syncing-your-mac-account
This is a Tech Tip for all the Mac users. 

As I am sure you have noticed throughout the year, a sync occurs each time you log in and out of your computer. During this process, all of your data is copied back and forth between our servers and the computer you are using. This process is in place to make a copy of all of your data in the case of a computer failure, and also to allow you to log into any Mac in the building and have your data follow you. We understand that this can be a bit time consuming but here are a few tips to help speed up the process:

  • Log into the same computer if possible - if you have multiple computers in your room or if you use the labs on a regular basis, try to log into the same computers.
  • Only log into one computer at a time - if you travel between multiple computers, please log out of one before logging into another. We realize that this can take some time, but it keeps the newest versions of your files accessible on whichever computer you are using.
  • Let the syncing process finish - it is tempting to simply stop the syncing process to speed things up, but if you do this there will be no backup of your files. Please be patient if at all possible. If you feel like it is taking an inordinate amount of time, please contact us and we cna take a look at your account. 
  • Reduce the amount of data in your account - the more data you have in your account, the longer it is going t take to log in and out of machines. We know that this can take time to go through and organize your files, but it will definitely help i the long run. We are more than willing to help you organize and archive any of your data. 
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. This system is in place to safeguard your data and we are continually working on finding the balance between data security and ease of use. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:15:06 -0800 Tech Tips: Fair Use and Copyright http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-fair-use-and-copyright http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-fair-use-and-copyright Over the years I am have gotten may questions concerning fair use and copyright issues in the classrooms and each time i have been unable to provide an answer that I can fully comfortable with. Now with our ever increasing use of technology and internet-based content, this issue is more important than ever.

With that in mind I wanted to forward along a link to a great blog post concerning fair use:

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/01/six-resources-for-learning-about-fair.html

If you have a few minutes, take look through some the videos on this site. I guarantee you will learn something.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:29:24 -0800 Tech Tips: Accessing the Blue Bulletin http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-accessing-the-blue-bulletin http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-accessing-the-blue-bulletin The question of how to access the Blue Bulletin was posed again today so I figured this was something that the entire community may be interested in. With our new email system, the Blue Bulletin is available directly through your personal calendar. To access:

  • Once your calendar has opened, enter "blue@fwparker.org" to the "Add a coworkers calendar" section on the left side and hit return

  • the Blue Bulletin should now appear in your list of calendars

You may notice that the Blue Bulletin has a ton of information and you may not want it in the way every time you look at your calendar. To hide the Blue Bulletin from view simply click on the highlighted "Blue Bulletin" to unhighlight (not sure if that is a word), and the calendar will disappear from view. Now you toggle the Blue Bulletin off and on when needed.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:06:13 -0800 Tech Tips: K12 Online Conference http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-k12-online-conference http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-k12-online-conference I just wanted to let everyone know about the K12 Online Conference that begins next week. For those that are not familiar, the K12 Online Conference...

"...is a FREE conference open to ANYONE by educators for educators around the world interested in integrating emerging technologies into classroom practice. A goal of the conference is to help educators make sense of and meet the needs of a continually changing learning landscape."

When a moment free, click on the link up above and take a look around the site. This is a great resource to learn about new technologies or new uses for tools you are already familiar with. The site also contains links to presentations given over the past few years.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:34:39 -0800 Tech Tips: Using the Library's ProQuest System http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-using-the-librarys-proquest-system http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-using-the-librarys-proquest-system I just wanted to forward along a link to a video created by Marty Moran in the History Department on how to do some basic searches using ProQuest:

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:52:10 -0800 Tech Tips: Why do I not receive a copy of email I send to groups? http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-why-do-i-not-receive-a-copy-of-emai http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-why-do-i-not-receive-a-copy-of-emai This question has been asked a number of times since the move to our new email system. With this system, you will not receive a message you send to a group that you are a part of.

For example, if you send a message to fwp-announcements@fwparker.org you will not receive a copy of the message in your Inbox even though you are a member of the group as well. If you want to continue to receive the message as a way to verify that it was sent, simply add your email address to the to:, cc: or bcc: fields. This will guarantee the message will be sent to you as well.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:53:27 -0800 Tech Tips: Quickly add calendar appointments http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-quickly-add-calendar-appointments http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-quickly-add-calendar-appointments Would you use you calendar more often if it was faster to add appointments? If so, this is for you.

Simply go to your calendar and click on "Quick Add" in the upper left. From here you can quick add the details and Google figures out the rest for you. For example, you could add the following:

11/3 3:30 meeting in Harris Center

Your calendar will then update with an appointment on 11/3 from 3:30 to 4:30 with the title of "meeting" and location of "Harris Center". No need to click on the details of the appoint and set this up for yourself.

Also you can follow the previous Tech Tip on Gmail Labs, add the Calendar Gadget and do this directly from your email. No need to go the calendar at all.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:17:40 -0700 Tech Tips: Explore Gmail Labs http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-explore-gmail-labs http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-explore-gmail-labs Interested in customizing the look and feel of your new email? Look no further than Gmail Labs. Labs are a set of experimental new features, and you can enable or disable each one. Some of the popular ones will become a part of the core email system, while the ones that do not get much use will simply fade away.

To access, click on "Settings" in the upper right, then select the "Labs" tab. You will be present with a long list that you can simply "enable" if you are interested. If at a later date you would like to turn them off, simply click "disable".

Some of the Labs that I have enabled:

  • Right-side chat
  • Nav bar drag and drop
  • Forgotten attachment detector
  • Custom Label colors
  • Inbox preview
  • Text Messaging (SMS) in chat
  • Undo send
  • Title tweaks
  • Don't forget Bob
  • Search autocomplete
  • Google calendar gadget

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:21:33 -0700 Tech Tips: Email Filters http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-email-filters http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-email-filters As these tips begin to flood your mailbox I thought you may be interested in moving these message automatically to a folder (label in the Gmail world) for future reference. Of course this applies to not only Tech Tips email but also any email that you would like to remove from your inbox and categorize for future reference.

Click below for details instructions and a vidoe to go with it:

http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=6579

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:21:54 -0700 Tech Tips: Email "Conversations" http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-email-conversations http://techtips.fwparker.org/tech-tips-email-conversations With the switch to the new Gmail-based email system almost complete the most asked questions seem to deal with "conversations". In Gmail, replies to replies (and replies to those replies) are displayed in one place, in order, making it easier to understand the context of a message -- or to follow the conversation.

For those who were interested in learning more about how to handle "conversations", check out the following links:

http://www.g04.com/misc/GmailTipsComplete.html#Tip-10

http://www.g04.com/misc/GmailTipsComplete.html#Tip-13

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:12:53 -0700 Out of the old, in with the new http://techtips.fwparker.org/out-of-the-old-in-with-the-new http://techtips.fwparker.org/out-of-the-old-in-with-the-new After a few starts and stops over the past year or so, I think it is time to retire Tech Thursdays. Finding a time that works across all the Divisions is never easy and I found that the few who took advantage of the offerings mostly attended to get a few specific questions answered. The Tech Dept will always be available to answering any questions and we are also happy to meet with any Division/Department/individual at a time that works in your schedule to go over any questions you might have or demo any tools you might be interested in using.

If you are still reading this, and I hope you are, I would now like to announce and new service from the Tech Dept, FWP Tech Tips. The idea is that on a regular basis, at least once a week, we will be sending out short emails that cover either a question that numerous people are asking, a new feature that we just implemented, a bit of advice on how to best use the School's technology, etc.

We will also be posting each of these tips to a website to keep as an archive. That way you can feel free to disregard the messages if they do not apply to you, but you will then have the ability to search for tips if you run into issues in the future.

Tech Tips will begin in the very near future so please stay tuned. Please let em know if you have any questions. comments or ideas. I am happy to forward along any tips that you might have as well.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/254133/ParkerLogoforLMAIS7.jpg http://posterous.com/people/4aB1QdxaCwtb FWP Tech FWP Tech FWP Tech