Highlights of Professional Day Presentation
Google Docs & Calendar
1. Create a Google account Gmail is a great home email program (8GB storage) that combines email with gtalk (built-in chat), Picasa (picture sharing), Docs and Calendars.
As most of you realize by now, this account is not primarily for mail. It's for functions such as calendars and document creation and sharing. Sample Calendar, Sample Docs . (jpegs Cal and Docs)
2. Start using Google Docs http://docs.google.com
Create spreadsheets, documents and presentations. Share these with your contacts (they must have Google accounts as well). Sharing privileges can include just viewing or you can allow others to edit your documents. 1 GB of storage (any kind of file, not just documents). Docs can be uploaded from or downloaded to your computer. For those that use OpenOffice rather than Microsoft, upload and download is seamless.
3. Start using Google Calendar http://calendar.google.com Share your calendar with others and allow them to view and or edit your calendar. Google Calendar will synchronize with other calendars that you use like Outlook, Windows Mail and others.
4. Edit and Share pictures with Picasso Web http://picasa.google.com
5. Download free programs like Google Earth http://earth.google.com
6. Google Sketchup http://sketchup.google.com (Architectural program)
These are just a few of many but the one that I would like you acquire at this time is Google Docs. After setting up an account send me your Gmail address so that I can add you to my contact list.
Security
For security tips go to http://www.rattanisd.org/clduncan/malware.htm
Keep in mind that if your computer is infected by one of the bad malware programs out there, I cannot save your pictures, documents, favorites, emails, contacts or programs that your have installed. Your computer will have to have a new operating system installed. Which brings us to the next topic...
Saving Your Data
1. Free online backup software (Click)
2. Use a USB backup drive. You can save large amounts of information quickly and easily. If you now use Windows 7 you can quickly save (and restore if necessary) your entire operating system and all your personal information using the built-in backup program. This saves not only data but valuable installations. But remember that the same malware that may destroy your computer can be transferred to your USB backup drives.
Firefox Add-ons
Firefox is a browser that will do things the Internet Explorer will not do. Two of the many useful add-ons are Cooliris and Video download programs. You can find these add-on by "tools", "add-ons" and "get add-on". Just search for cooliris and video download.
You can download videos that are blocked at school and bring them up and show them to your students. There are many interesting and educational videos on Youtube and other similar sites. These can be downloaded and played on free players like Sothink FLV Player or converted to other formats with Freez converters.
Microsoft has a competing product called Workspace but it is still in beta. It is due out later in 2010. Initial reviews of the product indicate that it may have functions not yet available in docs.
