free office programs

There are free source office programs that you can use for free. 

Here are two free source office programs:

1- Apache OpenOffice 4.0 : Here are steps to install open office

Step 1: download open office, click here to download 

Step 2: double click on downloaded Apache_OpenOffice_4.0.0_Win_x86_install_en-US.exe

Step 3: Click Next 

 Step 4: Click on Unpack 

Let the program unpack

Step 5: Click  Next 

Step 6: You can put either username or organization name. Select "anyone who uses this computer", and then Click Next 

Step 7: You can select Typical for setup type. It will install

OpenOffice Writer

OpenOffice Calc

OpenOffice Draw

OpenOffice Impress

OpenOffice BaseOpenOffec Math

Programs 

Click Next 

Step 8: Click on Install 

Let it finish installation 

Step 9: Click on Finish 

Step 10: To start open office either you can go start --> All programs --> OpenOffice 4.0.0 or there is also a link on desktop which you can click on it and start the OpenOffice. 

2. LibreOffice: This a free source office program too. 

Here is the link to download it : 

http://tdf.mirror.rafal.ca/libreoffice/stable/4.1.0/win/x86/LibreOffice_4.1.0_Win_x86.msi

installation is almost same as above.

Free Anti-virus software

For windows 8 user:

Windows 8 comes with pre-installed  Windows Defender.
In order to activate it:
Step 1: Press windows key and X key , a menu will pop up on the right bottom corner.

Step 2: Click on Control Panel ; control panel window will pop up

Step 3: Click on Windows Defender: In normal condition the defender should be active and the color should be green. If this is the case your computer is under protection.

If it is in red color: this means your computer is not under protection. All you need to do is click on Turn On (button in red).

while you are on windows defender window you can click on Update and let it to download latest version of windows defender automatically.

It is simple as you see in steps above.

For Windows 7 users:
Option 1: Windows Defender

There are two options for win7 users; win7 comes with pre-installed windows defender too.
If you want to use windows defender go to Start --> Control Panel --> Windows Defender

Windows defender on win7 looks like as seen on pic below:

If you are using it for the first time probably you will need to update it. Click on Check for updates now button and let it install the latest version of Windows Defender.

Once update completed it will look like as seen below

Option 2:

Microsoft Security Essential: to download Microsoft Security Essential please click http://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=5201 link this will take you to official Microsoft download site.

After you installed the Microsoft Security Essential on your window 7,  it will automatically checks for updates. I will recommend you to install Microsoft Security Essential for a better protection.

Protecting your kids with Family Safety

Protecting your kids with Family Safety

Here are some safety options that Windows offers to their users.


Safety for Windows 8 users please click on this link:  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows-8/monitor-kids-pc#1TC=t1

Safety for Windows 7 users please click on this link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows-vista/protecting-your-kids-with-family-safety

If you need any help to set up safety on your PC please contact our IT team via factsts1@gmail.com

FACTSnet Technical Support for parents and students

FACTSnet IT team is here to provide technical support for parents and students.

Our technical support limited to:

- Technical support via remote desktop application -TeamViewer
- Technical support via emails
- Technical support via phone
- Technical support in person requires you to bring your laptop or tower to NAIT on Wednesday at 4:15pm.

Mehmet Budak
Technical Support Technician
factsts1@gmail.com

Technical support via phone

We offer phone support service limited to our IT people's convenient time. Since it is a free service mostly we will be gladly to give you phone service for your PC problem at evening times. For phone support service please contact to FACTSnet IT team through factsts1@gmail.com address to arrange phone support service.

Techinical Support via email

We can help you if you can tell us how your computer reacting. We will try to direct to certain procedure and try to fix the problem. If we can't fix the problem then you will have to install teamviewer program on your PC so we can go in your PC and fix it this way. And if that won't work either then we will ask you to bring your PC to NAIT on Wednesdays at 4:15 pm there we will try to fix your PC.

FACTSnet Information Technology 2013

* IT blogs

* FACTSnet Technical Supports for parents and students

* Protecting your kids with Family Safety



For technical support please contact

Mehmet Budak
factsts1@gmail.com

FACTSnet Technical Support Coordinator

Power of www.ninite.com !

On this blog I am going to teach you how to install some necessary software to your PC. Especially when you purchase a PC you want to add some software. Instead of installing those software one by one here is a solution; check the box which software you want to install on your PC and let the ninite.com take cares of the rest for you. This web site will download and install the software to your PC.

Here how we use it:

1- Go to www.ninite.com  web site.
2 -Click all the applications you want
3- Click Get Installer and run it
Simple as it is...

Here some advice  on some useful applications;
1- Google Chrome : As internet browser I recommend Google Chrome. Especially if you are working on blogs and using lots of Google application. Sign in on your Google account and you are good to use, gmail, Google calendar, Google Drive and any other Google application that requires you to sing in.

2- VLC:  This media player became very popular recently. It almost recognize all video file formats and it doesn't take much space, therefore we can say it is faster then Windows Media Player or iTunes or WinAmp.

3- Runtime : As runtime applications there are Java, .NET, Silverlight, Air, and Shockwave. Select all of them because when using internet, it mostly require those application to be installed in order to run some online videos, flash  etc.

4- ImgBurn : This free image burn gives you option to burn CD/DVDs and create or run ISO files.

5- 7-Zip : If you want to compress a file or unzip a file this application will just serve your needs. It is free and very powerful compress/ archive/ decompress application.

6- Office: If you purchased a PC with out microsoft office installed on it, you can click this one. This free trial version of Microsoft will just serve your office need.

7- Reader : This is free adobe reader program.

8-Notepad ++ : This application is useful if you are using notepad alot. It gives you lots of options such as UI (User Interface)

9- Essential : Microsoft Essential is a free and powerful anti-virus program.

10- uTorrent : This is a torrent downloader free software.

11-DropBox : This cloud storage creates a folder on your PC and sync it directly to your cloud storage.

12- Google Drive: Same as DropBox but created and organized by Google corporation. This application will create a Folder on your PC and will automatically sync to your cloud storage.

How to configure a computer after purchasing?

How to configure a computer after purchasing?

Here is a check list you should follow up:

1 -  Upgrade BIOS   :

You can go to your pc merchandise web site and see if there is any updated BIOS, if there is download and install it.

2 - Install antivirus program:

 For safety and security you should have at least one antivirus or spyware program install on your computer. There a many antivirus program out there online and mostly they require a payment in order for you to use it.
But there is a simple solution for this. You can go to this link : http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/mse.aspx and download Windows Essential Antivirus. This is probably will be the best virus protection for your PC.

3 - Users and Groups :

If there are  more then one users you should set accounts for them and figure it out which account will be administration and which one will be guest account. You can simply go to Control Panel on your PC and click on user's account. From there follow up with the available options.

4 - Device Manage : Go to device manage and make sure all drivers are installed.

5- Date & Time      : Ensure correct time and format is set for your PC.

6 - Power Option   :

You can configure your power options for your convenient. Especially if you have a laptop you can configure your power options so you can have a better battery life.

7 - Internet Options  :

You can either use Google Chrome, Internet Explorer or Safari. Either you can set up your home page.  Go to internet options or setup and check empty temporary, and internet files, folder when browser is closed.

8 - System                :

Go to your system, on remote settings 'Allow connection from any version'

9 - Finally go to Microsoft Updates and your PC is good to go.

Top 12 Blogger Gadgets

Here are some blogger gadgets that might be useful for us to use.

1- Google+ Followers :

Google+ follower shows people in your Google circle who visited your blog.  By default your blogs are private. You can keep privacy withing your Google circle also you can create a new circle and add people on so they will be able to see your blogs.

2- Navbar                    :

 Navigation bar give you options to search within your blog list. It is more like Google search but limited search within your blogs.

3- Labels                      :

Each time you write a blog you can tag it with a label. Labels gadget gives you option to gather all similar labels under one link. Configure labels gives you option to change the name of Label gadget. Also you can show all labels or selected labels.You can pick sorting type. There are two options available for sorting; list and cloud. List will sort labels in alphabetical order and cloud will put labels in random side by side.

4- My Blog List            :

As explain on the gadget name this will show all your blogs. On here you have options to name the title, sort your blogs by alphabetically by blog title or most recently updated. Other option is 'show' which gives you options to show all blogs or 5 blogs or 10 blogs or 25 blogs.

5- Blog Archive           :

On this gadget your blogs will be categorized by date. You can optimize your display options. This is kinda handy if you want to search your blogs by date sorting

6- About Me               :

Is an option to show who the author is. This is a link to your account and will display your account information.

7- Image                       :

Add an image from your computer, or from somewhere else on the web

8 - Slides Show           :

Add a slideshow of your favorite photos to your blog. This will be a good idea for displaying some FACTSnet photos on our web site.

9-  Video Bar               :

 Display YouTube clips for y our readers to watch without leaving the page.

10- Poll                        :

Survey your visitor by adding a poll to your blog. Ex. we can ask users education  level and this way we can find out what education level does our most reader has.


11- Free File Hosting Upload and share your files :

Share files up to 100Mb each. Web or FTP upload. Webmasters can earn money with their shared files.

12- Guest Booker         :

A guestbook allowing visitors to leave comment on your page.

Using Google Drive

Getting started;

Step 1: If you don't already have Google account (gmail account) get one.

Step 2: Once you setup a Google account then you can download Google Drive as a desktop application. (or you can use it online as web application with out downloading Google Drive application)

Step 3: If  you want Google drive desktop application you can download  from https://www.google.com/intl/en_US/drive/start/download.html



Until here are the step how to download or install Google drive.
From here on we will learn how to use it.

* Click on Create
  You can create Folder, Document, Presentation, Spreadsheet, Form, Drawing and Text Document.

* To share a file or folder

  Click on file or folder and go to share from there it will give you two options. 

Either you can click on share which will give you option to share via link. You can send this link via email, Google plus, Facebook or tweeter account. Also you manage who can have access to your file/folder. Also you can add people to share the file/folder. Click on Share and Save button. 

What is Google Drive?

Google drive is a cloud storage service. You can store your documents, photos, music, videos, etc all in one place. It can sync with your mobile devices and your computer, so if you change any documents, it will automatically change it in your other devices too.
Another cool thing about Google Drive that you can use Google Docs with out needing any microsoft office programs. You can create a new excel, word, power point documents, edit and save it in your computer as well as in your mobile devices.

Google Drive offers you 5GB free space from the start. You can upgrade to get more space at any time.
 The great advantages of using Google Drive, you don't have to carry your documents and files in USB stick anymore. You can access to your Google Drive almost anywhere where you can use internet connection.


Here is a link to download Google Drive:  https://tools.google.com/dlpage/drive

Electronic Recycling (E-Waste)

Any electronic devices such as television, computers, computer accessories, cell phones, game consoles, remote controls, printers,  adapter, batteries ... etc items which contains hazardous materials like lead, mercury and cadmium pose a threat to the environment if buried in landfill. There are special methods to dispose them in recycle centers.

Electronic waste recycling processes varies from place to place. Most common recycle systems are:
- Centrifugal separation
-Plastics shredder
-CRT processing
-Chain shredder
-De-Reeler
-Baler


There are recycling places where accepts your electronic waste at no charge for recycling.
Here are some recycling centers where you drop your electronic waste
- Edmonton City GEEP Electric and Electronic Waste Recycling Facility
- Era
- Alberta Recycling 
- SCRI
- Futureshop
- Strathcona 
- Staples 


GO GREEN :)

How to use Screen Recorder

In the previous blog pose we learned how to install Screen Recorder.
In this blog post we will learn how to use Screen Recorder

Step 1: Click on the Screen Recorder shortcut.

Step 2:  You will see the screen recorder interface.

If you want to record Audio check the Audio box. If you don't want a flashing border then check No Border Flashing. If you use more than one monitor you will have the option to select the screen you would like to capture. In the drop down box the option "FULL SCREEN" will allow you to capture all monitors. Clicking on the drop down arrow you have the option to record individual monitors (or windows). Click OK once you have configured your desired options.

Step 3:  Screen Recorder will give you your control menu. From here you have options such as start, pause, 

stop, and file name

. 

Click on "Please click here to specify filename" to name the file and specify a file location to save the file to.

Screen recorder only offers to save in the WMV file format (Windows Media Video).

Step 4: Click on "START" and Screen Recorder will start capturing. Clicking "PAUSE" will pause recording and clicking "STOP" will end the recording. Once you click on "STOP" it will give you the option to playback the recording by clicking on the "PLAY" button on the bottom left-hand corner. 

PS: After you have named the file in step 3, the file name will no longer show up on the interface of the software. It will still show "Please click here to specify filename". Please ignore this if you already named the file and saved it.

This software is very handy for education.

Have a good day!

How to install screen recorder software

In this blog we will learn how to use screen record.

Step 1: Download the free software from the link blow:  http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/d/0/fd05def7-68a1-4f71-8546-25c359cc0842/UtilityOnlineMarch092009_03.exe

The file name is " UtilityOnlineMarch092009_03.exe "

Step 2:  Double click on the .exe file. I will ask you where to unzip the files.

After you choice location. then click ok button.

Step 3: go to the location you unzip the files.  There will be a folder calls UtilityOnlineMarch09;
double click it. There will be 2 folder in it. Depends on your operating system either choose 32-bit or 64-bit.

Step 4: In one of these folder there is 3 files. Click on setup.exe file.

on coming screen click Next

Choose location or leave it default.

Confirm installation

Click on close once installation completed.

Your screen recorder  is now ready to record.

Have a good day!

How to use a shared dropbox folder

I am going to teach you how to share  a folder on dropbox.

1- Create a dropbox account from www.dropbox.com

2- Create a new folder

3- Right click on the folder you created or click on the link on the right side of the folder.

4- Add emails on the bar and click on send. This will send a link to the emails you added. When they click on the link they will be able to add and remove files from this shared folder.

How to share your calendar with your google group

Sharing Google Calendar with google group can make your communication faster within your group. 

Everyone on the group can add events on this calendar and these notifications will show on your google group's calendar.

Here is how to share your calendar: 

1- Click on your calendar when you are logged in with your google account ( your gmail account)

2- Click on setting image 

3- From the menu, go to settings

4- When on setting page, click on 'Calendars'

5- Then click on your account name that is under calendar

6- From there click on 'HTML' 

7- Calendar Address will pop-up. Copy that link and email it to your group. 

And who ever click this link will have access to your google calendar.

Use Google Calendar with Google Groups

https://support.google.com/groups/answer/60652?hl=en

Using google calendar with google groups will make your communication with group members easier and efficient.

Here is some tips how to use google calendar for group use:

1- Click on calendar on when you are on your google account. Click on arrow on your 'My Calendar',
then click on Create an event on this calendar.

2.  Then fill up title, date and time, location, description, event color, reminders, and privacy. (leave privacy on default)

3. Add guests: add email address who you want to invite for the event.

4. Click on SAVE, and you are done.

This way everyone on the group can add events on this calendar and these notifications will show on your google group's calendar.  .

Team Viewer

             Team Viewer and IT help:

For example you have some problem with your DeskTop or Laptop at home or at work ...etc. And you don't have IT department or person to help you. In this case best option is to use TeamViewer and ask help from somebody who is good at computer ( IT ).

Here is how to use Team Viewer step by step:

1: Download Team Viewer from www.teamviewer.com
   Here is the link for instant customer software to download
   http://downloadus2.teamviewer.com/download/TeamViewerQS_en.exe

   Simple and small customer module runs immediately without installation and does not require administrative rights. (which means this program can run through all firewall, and security setups on your PC)

2: Click on the .exe file and it will run immediately and will look like as seen in the pic bellow.

  Team Viewer will generate 9 digit ID and password that a combination of digits and letters. 

  PS: Each time you run this program it will generate a new password so it is safe to use. 

3: Pass your ID and Password to the helping person. The person who help you on the other side will have teamviewer running and will add your ID and Password to the opened Team Viewer application. 

4: From this point the helping person will connect to your computer remotely and have control of your PC. This program is also give you options for video, audio and chat options. So you can explain the problem and chat with the person while he/she fixing your computer.

Video Archiving

I am going to teach you a cool way to archive your videos without losing quality and a format that all video player softwares can play it.  The best and free way is to use windows movie maker to convert your video files into wmv (windows media video) format.  Converting your files to wmv will compress your videos files less than 5 times their original, without losing any quality video and audio.

Here are the steps: 

1: Open Window Movie Maker

2. Click on Tasks, see the right side of the screen, There is an option for import video. Click on import video and then find where your video is located, select your video and click on import. (it might takes few minutes to upload your video file to windows movie maker.

3. Click on Tasks again and see the right side of the screen there is an option "Save to my computer", click on that then name the file and choose the location where you want your file to be saved, and hit next and next again. It will take few minutes to finish. 

4. After completion of conversion click finish. Go to location where you saved for your video files there is your compressed file with wmv file extension. Less data same quality. 

This is one way of archiving video files. 

(example is based on windows movie maker on window 7 operating system. You may have different options for importing and saving on different OS of windows )

How to scan documents

For scanning we need a device calls scanner. Scanning is transferring physical documents or images to a digital image. This is done using the same technology a copier uses by taking an intense snapshot of the document. However, instead of printing off copies of that snapshot, a scanner transfers it to a computer. Nowadays 2in1, 3in1 or all in one printers and photocopy machines has capability to scan any documents.

How to use a scanner:

Steps:

1: You need a scanner that connected to your computer. All-in-one type printers offer you scanning and emailing, or saving the digital images to USB drive; in this case you don't need a computer.

2: You need proper softwares to run the scanner. All scanner comes with software CD or DVD's, or they will direct you to their web site where you can download drivers and softwares. Assuming you installed drivers and software ready to go.

3: Place your document face down on the glass of the scanner and close the lid. Make sure you placed the document on the right edge where arrows shows the beginning of the scanning.  Open your scanner software, go to property setup. Here you can select the resolution of your your digital image, size of it, name and type of the image.

4: Preview your scan: You will have two options, one is, to preview your scan. If you click on preview, this will run scanning very quick and preview you how it will look like. If you are not happy with the scan you always can go back to settings and change setups.

5: Scan: If you are to happy with preview, now you can click on scan the image and wait until the process done. The complete image with they name and type and resolution we wanted will pop-up right after scanning process.

6: Edit: after scanning there will be options to edit your digital image. You can trim, crop, resize, change resolution, name and type of the image with this tool.

IT in Education and Arts

Nowadays, with the fast technological development IT became an essential in our lives, especially  in education. E-learning will be a great example how much we use technology in education, the other name of the technology in education is multimedia learning. Internet is the tool for technology in education. Through internet we can browse sites, connect to server (databases) in different locations, create educational-networking within any distances and institutions. Educational networking is the use of social networking technologies for educational purposes.