Category Archives: Technology

Technology

Technology blooms at the library

Happy spring! Here is a sneak preview of some of the new gadgets we’ll have available for you to borrow very soon.

If you prefer working with Windows products, perhaps the Dell Venue 8 is the tablet for you! This is equipped with the Windows 8 operating system and is very similar to the Windows desktop environment.

Dell Venue 8
Our  newest offering–the Dell Venue 8.

Do you love Google’s products, but want a larger screen? Try out the Nexus 10 tablet!

Can't live without Google? Give the Nexus 10 a try!
Another Nexus joins our tablet family.

If you’re curious about eReaders or just want an easier way to read your eBooks, then perhaps the Kindle Paperwhite will fit your needs.

Curious about eReaders? Now you can borrow our new Kindle!
A Kindle Paperwhite for your reading pleasure.

Of course, we purchased new iPads. This  year, we’ll have the iPad Air in addition to the iPad mini available for checkout. The new iPads come with the retina display which creates crisper pictures.

The iPad Air and iPad mini will also available for checkout.
The iPad–our most popular item!
Tech Tip Tuesdays, Technology

Keyboard Shortcuts

This was meant to be posted on Tuesday the 19th, but I was absent and didn’t get to post in time.

Sometimes, it’s easier to complete tasks with a few keystrokes rather than fumbling around a webpage or a program screen to look for a path or menu. Below are some common shortcuts that every PC user should know. Mac shortcuts are a little different and can be found on Apple’s website.

Ctrl+P: Print

Ctrl+X: Cut

Ctrl+Z: Undo

Ctrl+V: Paste

Ctrl+C: Copy

Ctrl+A: Select All

*Ctrl+B: Bold

*Ctrl+U: Underline

*Ctrl+I: Italics

F5: Refresh

Ctrl+Alt+Delete: Lock computer, switch user, log off, switch password, task manager.

Ctrl+Shift+Arrow keys: Control selection

Ctrl +: Zoom In

Ctrl -: Zoom Out

Windows key + left/right arrow: snap windows (Windows 7)

*These shortcuts only work in programs or websites that support rich text format.

Want more shortcuts? An even longer list can be found at Microsoft’s website.

Stay tuned for more helpful tips!

Media Center, Notices, Technology

Borrow an iPod Touch

Need a handy mobile device?  Take advantage of one our circulating iPod Touches.  There are several convenient apps already loaded on the device for both entertainment and educational purposes.  While they are not phones, per se, they do have apps, such as Skype, available that will allow you to contact others. Already available for immediate access is:

  • Zapd – an easy to use webpage creator for photos and text
  • QRafter – scan the QR codes, similar to mazes in appearance, that are posted all around the community.
  • Skype – video/chat application
  • Animoto – create videos with still photos

Come on by the library and ask at the information desk to check one out.  You may borrow it for one week.  It also does require a WIFI access point in order to get to the internet functions. There is an iPod Touch waiting for you. Give it a try!

Tech Tip Tuesdays, Technology

Tech Tip Tuesdays

Welcome to our weekly series, Tech Tip Tuesdays. Each week, we will feature tools and software that will make you say, “Wow! I wish I had known this existed!” or “This has made my life so much easier!”

Our first tips feature various screen capturing software. Sure, you could use the tried and true combo of Print Screen and Ctrl+V, but sometimes, you just want to get a portion of the screen without pasting your image into Paint or Microsoft Office and hoping for the best. The following software will make that task much easier.

Snipping Tool
This basic screen capturing tool comes pre-installed with Windows Vista, 7, and 8. Snipping Tool allows users to capture a portion of the screen. You can then make very basic freehand annotations, save, copy, or email your image to another recipient. This is helpful when you simply want to show parts  of  your image. Below is a screenshot sample taken with Snipping Tool:

Jing
Jing is another useful screen capturing tool. Unlike Snipping Tool, you can make annotations within the program. Jing also comes with labeling tools such as arrows and shapes and a text editing feature. Once you’ve captured and made some annotations in Jing, you can edit the screen cap in SnagIt (a separate pay program). Snagit contains additional annotation and image editing features. A 30 day free trial is available, but the full version is $49.95.

SnapDraw Free
Compared to Jing and Snipping Tool, Snapdraw free contains a little more functionality. Users can capture, edit, and annotate images within the software, thus eliminating the need to open different programs to perform these actions. Unlike Jing and Snipping Tool, users are unable to adjust the size of the screen prior to taking the capture. The final image would need to be re-sized and/or cropped within the program itself. Compared to Jing and Snipping Tool, there is a bit of a learning curve. The program is most useful for capturing sections of webpages and documents.
Screen capture taken with SnapDraw Free programOverall, Jing and Snipping Tool are great programs to use for your daily screen capturing needs. If you need an all-in-one screen capturing program for special projects, SnapDraw Free is your go-to software.

Events, Media Center, Notices, Technology

Technology Petting Zoo

On February 6th the library hosted its semi-annual Technology Petting Zoo which featured a bird’s eye view of all the media equipment available in the library.  Instead of keeping all those great tech tools under lock and key in an inconspicuous cabinet, we enlisted some animal friends (of the stuffed variety) to help display cameras, iPod Touches, tripods, and more.  Teddy Grahams were served to keep visitors, both four-legged and two-legged, from going hungry. Students munched on treats while checking out the wide range of equipment they can borrow to create multimedia presentations for class assignments.  Most equipment is available to be borrowed for one week with a student ID.

Just because the zoo is packed away and the animals are back in their spacious, humane, behaviorally correct enclosures, it doesn’t mean that the cool equipment is out of reach as well.  Come by the Research and Information Desk in the library and ask the staff for assistance.  We’ll be glad to help you start earning, and learning about, your creative stripes.