Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day Poem

On behalf of myself, Bob Donovan, Jean McCarty, Jack Bowes & Kevin Bachelder - we want to wish you and yours a safe & enjoyable Memorial Day Holiday and remember there are no classes today - so enjoy the wonderful weather...Cherie Houston

Memorial Day

By Michelle Keim, PA (1999)

As we stand here looking, at the flags upon these graves
Know these flags represent, a few of the true American brave
They fought for their Country, as man has, through all of time
Except that these soldiers lying here, fought for your country and mine

As we all are gathered here, to pay them our respect
Let's pass this word to others, it's what they would expect
I'm sure that they would do it, if it were me or you
To show we did not die in vein, but for the red, white and blue.

Let's pass on to our children, and to those who never knew
What these soldiers died for, it's the least that we can do
Let's not forget their families, great pain they had to bear
Losing a son, father or husband ~ they need to know we still care

No matter which war was fought, on the day that they died
I stand here looking at these flags, filled with American pride.
So as the bugler plays out Taps, with its sweet and eerie sound
Pray for these soldiers lying here, in this sacred, hallowed ground.

Take home with you a sense of pride
You were here Memorial Day.
Celebrating the way Americans should
On this solemnest of days. 

Friday, May 25, 2012

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend


On this Memorial Day Weekend, we hope you will take a moment to visit this inspirational website that pays tribute to all of who have served in our military…  The following is an excerpt from the “Reflection Page” on this website…

On behalf of myself, Bob Donovan, Jean McCarty, Jack Bowes & Kevin Bachelder, we wish you and your families a safe & enjoyable Memorial Day Holiday and we want to thank all of you who have served, or who have family who have served,  in our armed forces..Cherie Houston


Memorial Day is a good time to reflect on the sacrifices and services of the American soldiers and veterans and the U.S. military men and women. The American military is, has always been and will always recruit the best and finest of the crop of young men and women of the country and we will continue to shower them with appreciation, support and prayers, as we have always done. Memorial Day is just an opportunity for us to express the special places they have in the hearts of American citizens and more by honoring the people who work in the various branches of the military.

The horrific tragedy of September 11, 2001, has stirred all and reawakened the spirit of patriotism in all hearts and unity and oneness binds all Americans in a special bond. The words 'United We Stand' and 'God Bless America' still hold the power to stir out hearts on this very special day.

Let the feelings of true patriotism and love for all those who have risked their lives for the sake of America show by putting up American flags in front of your houses, have parties with patriotic themes to honor military and ex-military men and women in your neighborhood and community. It is a good idea to coax them into telling more about their experiences with the military and on the warfront and you may get an opportunity to hear some exceptional real tales that you may have not even imagined about.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Who and what is Pinterest..


Pinterest - Social Networking site-Yes; but different from Facebook & Twitter... 

#1 – everyone seems to agree that this is the fastest growing Social Networking website today…

#2 – so many people, including some of our own daughter-in-laws – seem to feel it is “seriously addicting”

Pinterest’s goal is different from Facebook, Twitters and the others – as more of a bulletin board forum and Pinterest hopes hope to connect everyone in the world through the things they find interesting sharing inspiration and ideas…

Pinterest is very popular with teachers of all ages, moms and grandmas, brides to be, those looking for ideas to spruce up their homes inside and out, or throwing a party or other event, looking for a new recipe… and it’s a great source for sharing “deals” before spending money…  An everyone seems to mention that it’s bright – colorful – and easy to view…

Check it out today at www.pinterest.com and if you like what you see, you can go to the top of their Home Page and request an “invitation to join”.  As with most email and social media sites, you will need to establish an account with a user name & password and give them an email address…

Pinterest is very new – in December 2009, it began development by co-founders Ben Silbermann and Paul Sciarra.

They first launched an iPhone app in March 2011 and by Aug. 2011, Time magazine listed Pinterest in its "50 Best Websites of 2011" article and by Dec. 2011 Pinterest was one of the top 10 largest social network services with 11 million total visits per week (most of whom are women)

As of March 2012, it is said to be the 3rd largest social network in the United States (Facebook & Twitter being 1st & 2nd) and it has surpassed Linkedin and Tagged…

Saturday, May 19, 2012

What is "Silverlight"?


"Silverlight" a free Microsoft software Plug-In, similar to the Adobe Flash Plug-In.  These plug-ins are used by our Internet Browsers including Internet Explorer, (Chrome, Firefox and Safari).  This means that anyone with Windows XP, Vista or 7 Operating Systems most likely are also using Silverlight (along with Flash).  

Silverlight can also work on Intel-based Apple computers, and even works on Windows based smartphones – in December 2011, Microsoft introduced the 5th version of Silverlight…

Both Silverlight and Flash are used to create “online presentations” such as videos and other animated graphic presentations – they basically run in the background and usually we have no idea that is what our computer is using to help us view what we are watching online…

Most computers have both on them and when you visit a website, it will use whichever “plug-in” is best..

Note: Plug-In’s according to Wikipedia.com are a set of software components that adds specific abilities to a larger software application. If supported, plug-ins enable customizing the functionality of an application. For example, plug-ins are commonly used in web browsers to play video, scan for viruses, and display new file types. Well-known plug-ins examples include Adobe Flash Player, QuickTime, and Microsoft Silverlight.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

What is “Google Drive” ?


What is “Google Drive” ?
(Continued from Blogs on Thursday, May 10th & Monday, May 14th) 

Like, Dropbox, Google Drive is “a cloud computing service” from Google, to compete with DropBox, Microsoft's SkyDrive, Apple's iCloud and Evernote – some of the largest..

During many classes we’ve talked about “Google Docs” - Basically “Google Drive” is a super version of this, allowing us to store documents, photos, music, videos, etc. all in one place. And a great feature, is that it syncs with your mobile devices and your computer, so if you make a change from one gadget, it will automatically show up if you were to access it elsewhere.  Just like those of use who are now syncing your “gmail emails, contacts & calendars” with your computer and mobile devices…

What’s nice, is that Google Drive can also track changes and edits we make to documents – so when we hit save, we can look back at all revisions from the past 30 days.

Like DropBox and the others there are various levels of services, currently they offer up to 5GB of space for free – but if that’s not enough you can upgrade to other plans, such as $2.49/month for 25GB, $4.99/month for 100GB, and $49.99 a month for a whopping 1TB. If you move to a premium account it also automatically expands your Gmail storage to 25G

For those of you with iPads, iPhones etc remember that the Apple's iCloud can only be used by Mac users using the “i” operating System; but Google drive is now open to all Operating Systems – Windows, Mac, Androids, etc so it can be used on computers, tablets, iPad and the iPhone (though only through a web browser at the moment).. So anyone can download this drive for your Mac or PC

Monday, May 14, 2012

Are your documents & photos safe & private in DropBox?


As soon as the post about DropBox hit last Thursday, May 10th, many of you sent me emails asking how private DropBox was.  Remember, DropBox, like most “cloud computing” services is very careful about privacy. DropBox even claims that files we store with them are actually safer while stored in your DropBox than on your computer; they also state that they use the same secure methods as banks.

So yes – your files are backed-up, they are all stored securely, and password-protected.  No one else using DropBox can see what is in your private files UNLESS you deliberately invite or you put your files into your Public folder.

HOWEVER – Personally, I wouldn’t recommend using DropBox on a “public computer” such as those in the classroom.  Your home and work computers, which are used by you and you alone are fine, but remember the DropBox folder is just like any other folder, so on a public computer it can be accessed…

Remember: everything and anything in your Public folders, just like those in your Shared/Public Folders on the computer are accessible to anyone...  

Next week we will be talking about “Google Drive” (which was introduced at the end of April 2012 and is a great addition to the Google Doc’s storage app).  Yes, like “DropBox” it is another “cloud computing” service, but obviously from Google.  For many of us, especially those with free GMAIL accounts this may be your better option, especially for those who often use public computers

Check back on Wednesday, May 16th for more discussion about Google Drive vs. DropBox…

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day!!


On behalf of all - Cherie, Bob, Jean, Jack & Kevin - we want to wish all of our students who are mothers – in any way – a wonderful Mother’s Day… 

Here in the US by 1911, Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state in the Union and on May 8, 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a Joint Resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. 

Mother's Day is now officially celebrated in well over 140 countries around the world on different days throughout the year.  Here in the US and in many other countries, Mother's Day is always celebrated on the second Sunday in May – some of those countries include: Anguilla, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, CuraƧao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Malta, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, St. Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe

In the UK, Ireland and Nigeria, Mother's Day (also know as "Mothering Sunday") is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday. As Easter Sunday is a moveable feast, Mother's day is celebrated on a different date each year.  But in Norway, Mother's Day is always celebrated on the second Sunday in February.

The day has become hugely popular and in several countries phone lines witness maximum traffic and over the years other traditions, such as giving flowers, cards and others gift have also occurred.  But for most “moms” there is nothing more special than just being able to spend time with those we love…

But no matter when Mother’s Day is celebrated the tradition is always the same intending to honor and pay tribute to mothers, grandmothers, aunts and everyone who is a “mother figure” in our lives - Yes today is a chance to remember moms no longer with us, and to say thank you to those of who are, for all their love and support.

So no matter how you spend your Mother's Day, we hope you enjoy your day…. 

Thursday, May 10, 2012

What is DropBox?

Dropbox, which started just 5 years ago in 2007 by 2 MIT Graduates who continually forgot to bring their flash drives to class, has a free service (as well as other monthly & annual fee programs) and their software works with Windows, Mac’s, Android and other operating systems…  Yes – this is a “cloud computer” service, similar to what emails users who have hotmail, live or msn with SkyDrive or what gmail users use with Google Drive to save their photos, documents and other files to share or access from anywhere they are..…

Check them out at www.dropbox.com

How to use DropBox:
Go to www.dropbox.com and download their free software to your computer or smartphone (or any other mobile device).
·         Select a location on your hard drive to place the "Dropbox Folder."
·         Drag and drop files you want to upload to Dropbox into the new Dropbox folder on your computer. You can also upload files directly to your Dropbox account using their website upload tools.
·         You can now access your Dropbox files from any computer using Dropbox website or installing the software on that specific computer.
·         Access your files on an iPhone or Android device using the mobile Dropbox application.
·         Any adjustments made to Dropbox files will synchronize automatically.

If you need more help using this, visit www.dropbox.com which has an easy to follow tutorial on their website, or visit our two favorite websites for learning just about anything:

As of October 2011, Dropbox had more than 50 million users and recently announced (in April 2012) a new feature that allows users to automatically upload photos and videos from their cameras, tablets, SD cards and smartphones.  We’ve also heard that they are going to be giving users up to 3 GB of additional storage space for free, which some feel is to encourage users to use them, vs. Hotmails SkyDrive or Googles Drive for docs & photos… 

Sunday, May 6, 2012

CHANGE YOUR SCREEN DISPLAY SETTINGs


You can access your Display settings by right-clicking anywhere on the Desktop and then:

  • In Windows XP choose Properties
  • In Windows Vista & Windows 7 choose Personalize

Both of these bring you to the Display section of the Control Panel (so you can also get to the same spot by going to your Start Menu, Control Panel & Appearance/Display)

When you access the Properties or Personalize command:
  • In Windows XP you will open the Display Properties Dialog Box – there are five tab choices: Themes, Desktop, Screen Saver, Appearance and Settings.
  • In Windows Visa & Windows 7 a Page of Lists appear and you’ll have the ability to make changes in all these same categories – you will just have many more options…


Basically, this is what each segment allows you to do… 

Themes

This allows you to choose a theme which will apply to all your Windows screen,the icons, sounds and colors – such as jungle, underwater & many more.

Desktop

This will allow you to choose different desktop background images, from samples which are inlcuded or you can use the BROWSE button to find a photo you have saved in you’re My Picture Folder…  Remember – if you find a photo in an email or on the internet that you want for your background, when your cursor is on the image, right click on the image and choose Set as Desktop Background. In Windows 7 there is a grat new feature which allows yiu to have the desktop change using  photos from Windows or your own photos-similar to what happens in the Screen Saver segment

Screen Saver

Screen Savers are the “motion” choices we use when our computer is idle – many different ones are built in, or you can use the photos in you’re my Picture Folder or when you are on vacation you can purchase “screen savers” to remind you of your trip… This is also where we can change our Power settings for the monitor, noting how long it should stay on when we leave our computer alone.. Remember you can change how quickly you want the screen saver to go on and other choices…

Appearance

This choice allows us to change the style and colors and size of fonts for our Windows and buttons.  Just click on the drop-down arrow buttons to choose different settings; the font size option is great if text is too small – just change it to large fonts or extra large fonts..  The advanced tab allows us to change size & colors for all our screen items including borders, icons and the menus.

Settings

This choice allows us to change screen resolution and color quality – remember the resolution determines the number of pixels used to make up the display. The higher the setting, the more detailed your display and the higher resolution gives you a larger screen area to work with, but if you find text and icons are now too small you may need to increase font size and use larger icons to compensate.

You can only go up to the highest resolution that your monitor can support. Experiment to find a resolution you are comfortable with – many opt for the highest setting.

When you set a high resolution, increasing the DPI (dots per inch) setting – it makes all screen items including text appear larger.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Word Processing-Tips to Create a Flyer or Invitation


BEFORE YOU BEGIN a new FLYER OR INVITATION
Be sure you have listed all information you need in your flyer and or invitation - It is too easy to forget something when you get busy “creating” so jot down the “5” W’s: 
Who - What - When - Where - Why

AS YOU BEGIN YOUR New Document:
Be sure to set your margins – If you are using paper with preprinted borders, measure the pre-printed area, so that you can set your margins allowing enough room so your typing doesn’t go into the printed border area (known as the gutter)
Once your margins (top, bottom, left & right) are set, then be sure to choose & set paper layout/orientation to either portrait or landscape

Name your NEW document:
Once margins & paper layout/orientation are set - now Name Your Document Immediately
·        When you open a document in Word, it will have a Document Number
·        The more “new documents you open” during the day the higher the numbers go
·        You want to name your document, so you can find it
·        In Word 97-2003, to the Menu Bar, File, Save As
·        In Word 2007, open the Office Button (Office Button replaced File in the upper left corner of monitor) and then choose Save As
·        In Word 2010, open File, Save As

*Note in Word 2007 & 2010 you want to be sure that you save all documents as 97-2003 compatible so that no matter what version of Word your friends or associates use, they will be open documents you send them and work with them…

Once you have chosen “Save As” the computer will open the “My Documents” folder in Word 97-2003, or in Word 2007/2010 it will open the Library First and then the Document master folder..

Once the Document master folder is open, choose or create the folder you want to save your work in; or if you intend to save yr work onto a flash or portable drive, go to My Computer, find the drive you are using, then open the Document master folder and then find or create the correct folder for your work to be saved in

Once you are in the specific folder you want your work stored in (Always look up to the top of the address bar in the Save As Dialog Box that your work will be saved in the correct folder you have chosen or created for it) you will now name your document
When you finish typing the document name, just use the enter key on your keyboard or you can left click on SAVE in the bottom right corner of the Save As Dialog Box

Tips:
  • Type in all the information you will need on your flyer/invitation – do the formatting once the typing is done so you know how much data you have to work with
  • Before printing the document on your pre-printed paper, print one on plain white paper & hold it against your paper to the light to be sure it is inside the border
  • Have someone else read it, before your pint, so that you are totally sure you have included all of the information needed