• July 29, 2008

eID password-change timeframe for fall starts Aug. 1

by Betsy Edwards, Information Technology Assistance Center
published July 29, 2008

Aug. 1-Sept. 10 is the mandatory K-State password-change timeframe for the fall 2008 semester. This basic security measure prevents long-term use of the same password, which is a known risk factor. For the same reason, passwords cannot be reused in a two-year period.

On or after Aug. 1, go to the eid.k-state.edu website and sign in to change your password. If you've forgotten it, call the IT Help Desk at 785-532-7722 and verify your identity, so staff can set a temporary password for you to sign in. For more about passwords, read the Password FAQs page.

Reminder: July 31 eTip on Intro to Macs

by Cathy Rodriguez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published July 29, 2008

Sarah Silva will present an eTips session on "Intro to Macs" at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 31, desktop webinar via Wimba. This session will give a basic overview of the Mac and will include tips on navigation, the Dock, keyboard shortcuts, copying and pasting, the Finder, the Close, Minimize and Expand buttons, and System Preferences.

eTips registration is required at least 24 hours in advance to allow time to add you to the session and ensure your workstation is configured properly for accessing the session.

August IT training calendar to focus on K-State Online topics

by Cathy Rodriguez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published July 29, 2008

There will be many opportunities in August to learn about the newest changes in K-State Online and to get a refresher if needed. Both instructor-led and online sessions via Wimba will be conducted. The following K-State Online training topics are scheduled:

  • New Features. This session will focus on the many enhanced features in K-State Online, such as improvements to the Message Board, Roster, Student Groups, general navigation, and additional options for using the Voice Recording tool.
  • Getting Started with K-State Online. Create your course and import your roster.
  • Creating Manual and Online Assignments. Create assignments that can be manually scored as well as create online assignments that are automatically graded.
  • Managing Your Content. Learn how to upload and organize files within your course.
  • Enhancing Course Communication with E-mail, Announcements, Calendar, and more.
  • Managing Student Groups. Create an online space for student group projects.
  • Overview of Voice Tools. Create audio files that can be placed throughout your course.

Specific dates and times will be posted in the IT training calendar on Aug. 1. Enrollment is required. If you can't make any of the scheduled sessions and need assistance, contact Cathy Rodriguez (cathyr@k-state.edu) or Sarah Silva (gr8ful@k-state.edu) to set up an appointment.

eTips to resume in September; send ideas for topics

by Cathy Rodriguez, Betsy Edwards, Information Technology Assistance Center
published July 29, 2008

During August, K-State Online will be the focus for both instructor-led workshops and Wimba sessions. Regular eTips sessions will resume in September. If you have topics you'd like to learn in eTips sessions, contact Cathy Rodriguez at cathyr@k-state.edu.

eTips are 30-minute online sessions that allow attendees to easily gain "how to" information on various aspects of technology use, all from their desktop. Presentations are typically 15 minutes, followed by Q/A. Sessions run a bit longer when attendees have more questions, and participants can sign out at any time. The sessions are presented using Wimba technology, and attendees just need prior access to the eTips module in K-State Online.


Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 tip: Eye-catching themes, customizable designs

by Shalin Hai-Jew, Office of Mediated Education
published July 22, 2008

Microsoft Office’s PowerPoint 2007 has enlivened the design look and feel of its range of designs with some new features. The new MS Office Ribbon below shows some of the slide designs with pre-set color palettes and font mixes. Be sure to scroll down the list using the arrow keys to the right of the template designs.

Image of PowerPoint Ribbon

Color templates may be applied to the selected slide designs via the Colors button. These come with names like Equity, Solstice, and Verve. You can also add textures to slides by clicking the Background Styles button. Theme fonts and effects may also be applied to your slides. Themes created by users can be saved as an Office Theme file type in order to reuse that unique combination of slide design, colors, fonts, and effects.

Watch brief animated slideshows (click the Show Me button next to the images) that demonstrate ways to use these theme design elements.

K-State Online

My Profile tool lets students, instructors share personal side

by Cathy Rodriguez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published July 29, 2008

I want my students to share a little bit about themselves with the rest of the class. Is this possible in K-State Online?

Yes, by using the My Profile tool. My Profile allows students to share personal information about their background, interests, hobbies, and tastes. You must install the My Profile component in your course. Once the component is installed, the instructor and each student can create a profile. Everyone who has created a profile has the option to choose whether or not they want to make their profile available.

To create a profile, do the following:

  1. On your My Organizer page in the menu, click the My Profile link.
  2. In the My Picture section, choose to Upload a picture or select a photo.
  3. In the My Profile section, choose to Show this information and fill out any or all of the boxes.
  4. In the Fast Facts section, choose to Show this information and fill out any or all of the boxes.
  5. In the My Profile Colors section, choose the color theme you want for your My Profile.
  6. In the Publish Profile section, select the checkboxes next to the course or courses you want to publish and share your profile in. (Note: You can unpublish your profile at any time.)
  7. Click the Save button.

What Word/Office version used in labs, InfoCommons?

by Betsy Edwards, Nick Brown, Information Technology Assistance Center
published July 29, 2008

What version of Microsoft Word is in the university computing labs and InfoCommons?

The Windows computers in the K-State InfoCommons and university computing labs are being upgraded this summer to Office 2007. All computers will be upgraded by the time classes start Aug. 25. The PCs in the K-State InfoCommons are already running Microsoft Office 2007, which includes Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

As an alternative, the Open Office suite is also available in the labs and InfoCommons. This freeware suite is considered to be mostly compatible with Microsoft Office formats.

Spotlight

MeetUp.com for everyone and all interests

by Aimee Hagedorn, Information Technology Assistance Center
published July 29, 2008

Whether you've lived in a town for 10 days or 10 years, MeetUp.com is the place to find and make new friends. Once you've created an account, you can search for groups that you would like to join based on location, interest, concerns, and more. Still haven't found what you're looking for? Create your own group and schedule a "meet up" instead.

For more information. see www.meetup.com. As they say on their site, "use the Internet to get off the Internet!"