Tech Notes February
Try out these websites:
For fun, try the snipping tool in Vista. Search for snip and it will come right up.
Lab lockdown: several of you will be demoing Netcontrol 2, a software program that allows instructors to take over a student’s computer, black out all screens and even disable certain programs, such as IE on a certain student’s machine, all from your own computer. You can even text message students and take over to guide them through a trouble spot. This will, hopefully, replace the several solutions we have right now. Look at their website to see all of what it can do.
We are looking at using a student log on to lock down computers. When students have their own individual AD accounts next year for grades 7-12 (maybe 4-12), there will be a way for the teacher to reset a student account if he/she messes it up. However, he/she will only mess up his/her own profile and not other students since it will be AD based. So, we would like you all to try out the john_jon log on and see if it is locked down too tight or not loose enough. Make sure that Jon John can do what he needs to do but can’t mess with what he shouldn’t. We have already discovered the following: Needed to do—change internet tool options, desktop properties (resolution, etc), task manager, (elementary requests no screen saver or powersave option changes). Not wanted:--mess up desktop icons for other users, associating file extensions with other programs for other users. Any others, get to Katie. Feel free to play with Jon John’s profile and let me know. Jeff will see if we can take off the classic look while still pushing out desktop icons.
MIET (Montana Institute on Educational Technology is scheduled for June 8-12. I will email registration forms when classes have been decided. Here is a selection of what will be offered: Photoshop, InDesign, ePortfolios, Webquests, Digital Storytelling, Office 2007, Word, Excel, Access, Tips and Tricks, Web 2.0, Best free software, Utilities, Computer Troubleshooting, Dreamweaver, Captivate, Illustrator, Acrobat, Tech Tools, Smartboards, Clickers.
RAM—Ram upgrade has started. Get your list to Katie right away if you want more RAM at your school. I have RS, ML, PG, NM, EM, LF, WE, SS, VV, MS, LN, GFH so far. Those not upgraded now will be upgraded when round two comes and we catch all the rest of the computers with less than 500 m.
First set of training. These items will be on the “test” for administrative rights. We will have more training next time and then the “test.”:
Map a drive
Create a txt doc, save to z-drive and create shortcut somewhere
Find your documents folder location on the z-drive
Find the exe file of a program on your computer
Install and remove software
Add/remove a printer
Use elevated rights to install a program
Pin an exe to the start menu
Configure the desktop resolution\
Put recycle bin, documents, etc on the desktop or remove them from the desktop.
Map a Drive
Right click on My Computer and pull down to Map a Drive.
Choose a port you are not using. (do not select ports such as the USB ports—choose ports lower in the alphabet, but not your z-drive or other already-mapped drive)
Type in the information in the format given \\emserver\foldername
Click finish. If you do not know the name of the folder, just type in the server and then click on browse. Find the folder and click finish. Note, you must have permission to use a server/folder to be able to map to it. If you want to automatically map when you log in, be sure to check that box.
How to Install a Network Printer
Before
beginning this setup, you will need to know a couple of things; the printer
brand, model #, and IP Address. This should all be posted on the side of, or
near the printer.
1.
Click on the (start) button, select Printers/Faxes from the
menu. When the Printers and Faxes window opens, select Add
a Printer from the left column, or double-click on the Add a Printer Icon.
2.
When the Add Printer Wizard opens, click on the next button. The next screen
will give you the option to select a local printer.
3.
Select “Local printer attached to this computer” and deselect “Automatically
detect and install my Plug and Play printer”. (If this option is grayed-out,
contact your building tech or call the Help Desk for further assistance.) Click
on the next button.
4.
On the next screen you need to select “Create a new port:” option and select
“Standard TCP/IP Port” from the drop-down menu. Click on the next button.
A new Wizard
will open for installing the TCP/IP port.
5.
Click on the "NEXT" button. On the next screen that opens, you
will need to know the IP address of the printer you wish to install.
6.
When you enter the IP address in the “Printer Name or IP Address” field, it
will automatically fill in the “Port Name:” field. Click on the
"NEXT" button
7.
At this point, you will need to know the kind of printer you are installing.
Select the brand and model (or closest model#) from the list.
8.
Click on the "NEXT" button. The
next screen gives you the opportunity to name the printer whatever you want,
and to select it as your default (primary) printer.
9.
Click on the "NEXT" button on the
next screen, DO NOT SHARE THE PRINTER!
10.
You can test to see if the printer works by selecting yes when the question "Do you want to test this printer?"
11.
At this point, the Wizard will install the proper drivers for the printer, and
send a test page to the printer. After verifying that at test page was printed.
Congratulations,
you just installed your printer.
If
for some reason you were unable to install the desired printer, please contact
your building tech or call the Help Desk at extension 7393.