Tech Gazette

                      January 2004

                 A Publication for SMES Faculty & Staff                                                                                                                                                                          Volume 5, Issue 5

  Table of Contents
  (clicking on an item takes you right to the feature)

Training Opportunities Bigchalk Library Resource Mouseless "Right Click"
Quick & Easy Security Tip SOS: Help for Busy Teachers MS Security Newsletter for Home Users
Tech Assistance

Training Opportunities

  There will be no classes offered this month. If you have specific software questions or concerns, please contact Londa  at londa.posvistak@smes.org.

 

Announcements

Bigchalk Library Resource
(contributing writers: Ruth Callahan and Roseann Kosulandich, our SMES librarians)

You may have noticed a resource on the Library Web Page under “Resources”.  It has a very strange name.  It is called Bigchalk. We purchased this source last year but it has been expanded even more this year and when you click into the site it will read elibrary.  Bigchalk comes from ProQuest Information and Learning and it unites high quality content for all grades from K-12th grade.  With eLibrary our students can:

  • Access more than 1,000 full-text magazines, newspapers, transcripts and reference books
  • Examine a variety of media types including streaming audio and video, web links, maps and pictures.
  • Navigate an easy-to-use interface that engages and motivates learners
  • Incorporate multimedia information to enrich projects and research
  • Select from multiple search strategies that benefit all levels of research skills and needs
  • Sort search results to determine how appropriate they are by relevance, date, reading level and more.
  • Find relevant, appropriate instructional material quickly using educator-created BookCarts
  • Go “To the best part” to find the most relevant portion of an article.

Two new features include a special Literature section which includes biographical information on authors, lists of their works, critical information written about their works, and lesson plans for teachers.  Similarly the History Study Center provides information on all periods of World History with specifics on individuals, events supplemented with teacher aide materials.

Check it out.  If you are needing research information which can be obtained quickly and can be relied upon to be current and accurate, try BigChalk.  If you have questions, stop in the library.  Ask Ms Kosulandich or Mrs. Callahan and we will be glad to help you further.

http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/libweb/curriculum/do/search

Tech Tips

Mouseless "Right-click"

Here's a trick for generating a "right-click" from your keyboard. Make sure your cursor is where you want it and hit Shift+ F10 at the same time. You can then use your arrow keys to select the menu option you need (hit Enter once you have made the selection ).

Since the most common task for a right-click is to copy a selection of text (something normally done with a mouse), you'll need to know how to select text with your keyboard. Use your arrow keys while holding down the Shift key.

Did You Know?:


Quick & Easy Security Tip

Q: I know I'm supposed to protect the network and me by logging off the computer whenever I'm not around it for more than a few minutes, but I gotta tell you what a pain it is to have to close out of all my email and other software programs. And then, when I get back, I have to log in and start all over opening programs again! Isn't there a better way?

A: This is your lucky day! Yes, there's a much easier way to secure your computer and it doesn't take much to remember, either.


Use your Windows + L key combination. This simple keystroke combination allows you to lock your computer without having to close any application including Outlook, Word, Excel, etc. Just get into the habit of reaching for your keyboard before you leave, hit the Windows + letter "L" keys, and then walk away.

Now, aren't you glad you read this?

SOS: Help for Busy Teachers 

Jan's Illustrated Computer Literacy 101: It takes one to know one and Jan Smith, being a teacher,  knows the hectic pace of a teacher's schedule. Because she is well aware of the lack of adequate time many teachers struggle with, Jan has created a computer literacy website with easy-to-follow tutorials for Microsoft Word and Excel, Internet Explorer, and more including Spanish translations for some of the lessons. Now here's a great way to accrue your professional development hours and more tech bucks!

http://www.jegsworks.com/Lessons/index.html

Microsoft Security Newsletter for Home Users

The Microsoft Security Newsletter for Home Users has all the information you need to help protect your home PCs and stay secure. The bi-monthly newsletter offers updates, tips, and other important information. Registration is free when you go to this website:

 http://www.microsoft.com/security/home/secnews/default.asp

           

Technology Assistance
If you need help with technology, call the helpline at ext. 697 or email help@smes.org .
               Provide as detailed description of the problem as you can, and include the best times for someone to come by.

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