Spring 2005 Series
February 11 - Cool and Useful Free PC Tools
Overview: Give Windows a boost with several of these fun and productive freeware tools such as Desktop Sidebar (contains a media player link, Quicklaunch, Newsroom with live news feeds, track computer performance, forecasts from The Weather Channel, and even a Stock market ticker), Stickies (it's like having your own computer Post-its), Picasa Photo Organizer (sort and edit your digital camera images), JetToolBar (an alternative way to launch programs), My Corkboard (a vitural corkboard), and many other useful tools.
Presenters:
Cathy Rodriguez - Information Technology Assistance Center
Gerry Snyder - Department of Communications, Information and Educational Technology
Resources:
Streaming Video of the Presentation - (Videos are viewed using the Windows Media Player at 283, 109 and 43 kbps band rates.)
Cathy's Tools
CorkBoard - personalize your desktop by having a screen saver that you can add object to such as clocks, calendars, name plates, decorations, etc. A fun utility!
Bulk Rename Utility - rename groups of files simultaneously
Jet ToolBar - a different way to organize your programs for quicker lauching
SynchBack - file backup/synchronization utility
Stickies - post-it notes for you desktop. Extremely useful!
Gerry's Cool Tools
Many of these tools and others are availabe at...
February 16 (Wednesday): Apple Festival
Overview: Apple's Tech. Rep visited KSU and presented a TechByte on...
" Everything a PC User Needs to Know About a MAC."
They will also be discussing some of Apple's latest prodcuts. To quote the sales rep, " Apple today isn't your dad's old oldsmobile." Following the TechByte will be a showcase of some of their products.
Presenter:
Cliff Neuman - Account Executive, Higher Education
Resources:
February 18: Scanning
Overview: Get the best type of scans from your flat-bed scanner.
Presenter:
Ernie Perez - iTac, Information and Technology Center
Resources:
Streaming Video of the Presentation - (Videos are viewed using the Windows Media Player at 283, 109 and 43 kbps band rates.)
February 25: Adobe Acrobat Basics
Overview: This session is a great overview of many of the powerful features of Acrobat
This session showed how to:
Use Acrobat 6 to convert MS Word to Acrobat and back
Use Acrobat on web including file names, file size
Optimizing files
Doc Info - title needed, if you want it on web
Acrobat + Browser
Print versions - art quality
Copy/paste from Acrobat
Frequently Asked Questions
Shrinking files
Minor changes
Lock files
Presenter:
Amy Hartman - Dept. of Communications, Information and Educational Technology
Resources:
Streaming Video of the Presentation - (Videos are viewed using the Windows Media Player at 283, 109 and 43 kbps band rates.)
Acrobat Pro vs. Standard Comparision Chart (pdf, 44kb)
March 4: Adobe Acrobat Forms
Overview: This somewhat advanced program will cover creating interactive forms and other useful features. Amy will cover:
Using Acrobat 6 - get Pro version if you want to make forms.
About Acrobat 7 - forms will change a lot (** make sure your users are on v. 7 if you want to make forms in v. 7)
Filling out forms
Creating form fields
Duplicate fields
Fields that calculate
Presenter:
Amy Hartman - Dept. of Communications, Information and Educational Technology
Resources:
Streaming Video of the Presentation - (Videos are viewed using the Windows Media Player at 283, 109 and 43 kbps band rates.)
March 11: Adobe Photoshop Elements, version 3.0
Overview: Looking for a program that works well with all your digital camera photos? This program showed many of the features in Elements with importing images from your digital camera, organizing them using a user friendly database (calendar view and time-line view), fixing images using the Auto Fix, Basic Fix and the more advanced Photoshop interface, and finally outputting your images to print, slide show, screen saver, and Web gallery.
Presenter:
Gerry Snyder - Department of Communications, Information and Educational Technology
Resources:
Streaming Video of the Presentation - (Videos viewed using Windows Media Player at 283, 109 and 43 kbps band rates.)
Adobe Photoshop Elements Web site - information and help for Photoshop Elements including some tutorials
About.com's Photoshop Elements Tutorials and User Resources - lots of help, tips, tutorials, and free downloads for Adobe Photoshop Elements
April 1: Microsoft PowerPoint
Overview: New tips and ideas on how to better use PowerPoint. Is PowerPoint evil? This program gives many ideas on how to spice up your PowerPoint presentation with interactiveness and the use of digital media.
Presenter:
David Swisher- K-State Salina, Information Technology
Resources:
Streaming Video of the Presentation - ( 1 hour in length)
Microsoft's PowerPoint Web site - includes help, templates, and other resources
The PowerPoint FAQ - many frequently asked questions about PowerPoint with lots of help and tips
BC Schools PowerPoint 2000 Tutorial - for those needing basic PowerPoint on-line training
April 8: Microsoft Excel
Overview: Tips and ideas for intermediate and advanced users of Excel. This program covered forumulas, interactive cells, and information in creating complex spreadsheets.
Presenter:
Roberta Johnson- Assistant Director, KSU Computer and Network Services
Resources:
Streaming Video of the Presentation - (1 hour in length)
Microsoft's Excel Web site - includes help, templates, and other resources
Excel User Tips - lots of information that covers charts, graphics, formulas, formatting and printing
John Lacher Excel Help Page - many advanced examples with help and tip information
BC Schools Excel2000 Tutorial - for those needing basic Excel on-line training
Joesph Rubin's Excel Tips - from basic to advanced tips to get you going with Excel
April 15: Computer Security
Overview: What's wrong with my computer???
Spam, viruses, worms, ad-ware, patches and more will be covered with the latest news on computer threats and how to deal with them. Find out what free tools are available to combat viruses, pop-up ads and more.
This is a great program!!! Don't miss it!
Presenter:
Tim Ramsey - Information Technology Security Coordinator, CNS, Computer and Network Services
Resources:
Streaming Video of the Presentation - (1 hour in length), Http version
KSU's official IT Security Website - includes basic security info., e-mail risks, identity theft, spam and phishing, and more.
April 22: Going Wireless
Overview: Are you interested in turning your house into a computer wireless network? This session will cover how to set up a home wireless system including tools and equipment and the ever important cost of getting started.
Presenter:
Scott Finkeldie - KSU Office of Mediated Education
Tweed Ross - Professor, KSU College of Education
Resources:
News Info. (http://www.palowireless.com/i802_11/news.asp)
Virginia Tech. (http://www.computer.org/students/looking/summer97/ieee802.htm)
April 29: Tech Gadgets
Overview: Our "open house" demonstrations include some of the latest techie toys such as iPods, thumb/flash drives, PDA's, mini-notebooks, portable drives, and more.
Presenter:
Scott Finkeldie - Office of Mediated Education
Chris Loehr - KSU Computer Store Manager
Jason Deehr - KSU Student Representative, Apple Computers
