SpreadSheets

     I have used spreadsheets in the past, but for small and not very in-depth worksheets.  I have never really used the formulas, or went much past using a budget.  The closest I have come to using  formula is the AutoSum button.
    I have created graphs from Excel, but that is really the only program I have ever used to create spreadsheets.  This came in handy pretty much for my technology classes in college and high school.  I have not, since then, ever used that function or knowledge.  It was done purely out of the need to complete the assignment.
    The mind trick that is played with the spreadsheet we had to manipulate and find the formula was actually a lot harder than I thought It would be.  It seemed to be much like a suduko puzzle, which it is.  It was just harder than the usual as there are sums to the columns and rows.
    The receipt formula was another challenge for me.  The idea of changing one number to make the other amounts change was hard, but way cool.  That way of cooking would be so easy!!!!  I would love a computer program that would have all the cooking amounts on formulas so I could simply put in the number of people who will be eating and then it will tell me how much to use of each ingredient.
    With these spreadsheets there really is a use for them, outside of class assignments.  Once a person is able to put in the formulas so they work, the possibilities are endless!  It just takes a bit of time to learn how the programming works.  Trial and error is a great way to learn.  

The Internet: Web Searching and Word Processing

     I have used the Internet for years now I have fallen into the trap of using many of the same pages year after year.  With having to look over various search engines and the new to me online word processing, my eyes were opened.
     In looking at different search engines it took me a bit to get away from my ever easy Yahoo.  Yahoo was easy as it did not take me much to get to every thing I need.  Yahoo tells me the news stories, weather, Email, and search.  I can shop, image/video search, get maps and directions all on the page I have set for my homepage.  What I did discover in looking at Bing was a page that is really designed to search.  There is not much else to the page than what is needed to search.  There is no trying to focus your eyes or find where that little search bar is.
     I also took a look over a few of the various online word processing sites.  I can say I have never used this type of technology before, but I love it!  My favorite part is the collaboration that is possible and at even a distance between users.  It does not matter where the collaborators are long as they have the net.  This also cuts down on the emails sent back and forth attachments and downloads.  There is so much that can be done with this online word processing that I can see a decline in the need for the installed software.  I do wish however that there were more to the formatting tools of the online processing.  I would not imagine it would take much more to add some of the tools that are in the software driven programs.
    Overall the Internet is extensive, seemingly endless.  There is not much that is not on the web now and each day there is much more coming.  I look forward to seeing what is next and making sure that I keep up-to-date with the technologies and not sticking with the easy close pages.

A New Class with New Objectives

    Using Productivity Tools Effectively is class that I am excited to get into.  The course overview previews what we will be examining in the future weeks and this peaks my interest.  
    The first week we have dealt with presentations and graphics.  Both types of programs that I have already used in my classroom.  The activities assignments lists several options for the graphics as well as the presentations.  Knowing that there are so many options out there that are almost limitless opens an arsenal for teachers that is unmatched.  The major key for this list as a teacher is that there is a "free" option to use these programs.  With a simple email address and user name, anyone can use this type of program.  
    I chose to go with the graphics program called MagMyPic.  This program puts any picture you choose onto a magazine cover of your choice.  I chose to make one for myself, an outdoors theme.  I chose to make a second cover that was one I have already used with my classroom.  I have a star student of the week, called-Theine's Pines.   I am upload the students picture to the magazine cover and can post it in my room for a display.  When the week is over, I am can send it home for the parents/guardians to enjoy as well.  The nice part is that I can also put it to my webpage for the class.  This way all who wish can be up-to-date with my classroom happenings.
    I am excited about this class as I feel the knowledge we will gain will be practical, readings meaningful, and work will be relevant.  I have seen these three key qualities in the first week alone.  This class has more to come and I am sure that it will prove to be one of the most useful and relevant for the first few months.

How Computers Work Final Thoughts

     After the past few weeks of learning about how computers work I was in awe of what I did and did not know.  I consider myself one of those easy people who want the Plug and Play type computers.  THis class stretched my knowledge and comfort level.
     There were a few assignments that I was really scared to try.  Take apart a computer--Really?  What did I need to do that for?  Well I did not realize I actually needed to clean out the inside.  That is actually pretty gross in there.  Also there are many more fans and cooling systems in there that I had no idea about.  There is so much more in there than I thought.  Although I was really uncomfortable doing it, I really did learn a lot.  VERY WORTH IT!
     Another place I was stretched was the alternate Operating System assignment.  In the assignment explanation we were told not to do it wrong for it could wipe your hard drive.  Well I just bought a new computer for MEIT and I was not sure I was the guy who would be able to do it right without someone looking over my shoulder.  I went for it..........Success.  I was able to do it and not only did I explore a new system, but I learn a lot about install of new items on my computer and what else is out there.
     There was one thing that I really gained from this class when it comes to how computers work and that was CONFIDENCE!  I now know that I am capable of more than just the plug and play.  I know the options that are out there, the history of what is out there, and what I need to make sure I have to protect myself and computer.  It seemed like nonsense at the time.  Something I really did not want to do.....Lets just power up and play right?  NO there is so much power in knowing what you have and can do with it.  I am very empowered with what I have for knowledge and experience now.  Was it worth it the step outside of my comfortable place???  YES!!!!

Computer Safety and Backup

I ran two different diagnostic test on my computer this week.  The first test I ran was to see if the internet was running up to speed. The test was simple and it took merely seconds.  As the test was quick I was assuming that the test results would show that my internet was preforming much the same.  After the test was complete I was given the results below.  I tried the test again on a different internet connection, a public coffee shop connection, and found the numbers were almost cut in half.  Seeing the difference between a connection where you are mere feet from the wireless modem, to the connection where is is public use and you are unsure as to where the modem is was rather interesting to me.  

I also ran a test to check for any open ports that outsiders could access to gain entry to my computer.  There were, thankfully, no openings for hackers to get access to my machine.  This test can give one peace of mind if they are worried, yet if your results are unfavorable, you may be scared of what could happen or what has already happened.  Either way running these simple tests on ones computer can make a world of difference in the functionality and protection of their computer.

I have also had the chance this week to work on two Disaster Recovery Plans.  Have never even looked one over before has been rather interesting to me.  The amount of research and planning that goes into these plans, I am sure is directly correlated to the amount of personal and important data to be protected and saved.  My personal plan seemed to be more about preventing virus and backing up my files.  The organizational plan was designed to ensure the companies functionality and protection after a disaster.  I would be ok if my computer was down for a few days, but a company with hundreds of computers, valuable information, and hundreds to thousands of clients/customers needs to be up and running with in hours if not less time.    

Knowing how to use a computer and how one works are two completely opposite things!

    Knowing how to use a computer and how one works are two completely opposite things!  I have found over the last two weeks with trying to get into computers, how they are built, how they start up, how to adapt their operating systems, and even how to protect them, that there really is a lot I do not know.  The work I have done alone and with my team has been both eye opening and has put me in my place.  I have a lot of time at the key board of a computer, but I really have never set one up or really tinkered with it.  I merely run the programs I need.  If it does not work, pass it off to someone who can fix it.
    The course of how computers works is really holding up to its name.  I still admit that I know very little when it comes to the workings of the computers.  But there is a lot of things a person can learn on the internet.  When I wanted to learn how to take apart I googled it.  It gave me tips on how to do it, what screws to loosen, and even gave the tip to lay things out in the way that they are put together.
   I may not know much when it comes to how a computer works, but what I can say is that I have more than tripled my knowledge over the past two weeks.  I am sure that it will continue to grow as I learn more about operating systems and how to install them.  The great part about computers is you can try one thing and if it does work as you like try another.  Give it a shot, try one out, and make it run like you want it to.  You may just learn something along the way!

Below is a link to the presentation I created about Antivirus.  It was my first attempt at an "online" presentation.
http://content.presentationengine.com/ieViewer.php?tid=183803

My Computer History

    Growing up I was lucky enough to work with many different computers.  In elementary school there was a computer lab with 15 computers and we were able to play Oregon Trail and various typing programs.  The first work I ever typed on a computer was supposed to be "as."  Unfortunately I was not very smooth with the keys at the time and I added an extra "s" to the word and as my 1st grade report card tells, I did not have the use of the computers for the next three weeks.
   That trail and error with computers seems to have been the overall feeling with how I have lived with them for the last 20 years.  Moving away from the early computers where the keyboard was attached right to the modem, and you you had to put in you big floppy disks.  We then moved into the 3 1/2 inch disk, various new graphics.  All the time, I was never lucky enough to work with a Mac.  This was mostly due to the fact that my Aunt worked for Microsoft, and my father was/is an I.T. man for a retirement company.  My early use with computers was very limited to the P.C. as those were their operating systems.  As I got into and through high school we were still on the P.C., where the towers were on the floor next to the desk.  By this time we were using many of the removable/transportable hard drives.  It was a transformation that we moving to the more and more mobile computers.  As I entered into college I did get my first laptop which was a Toshiba.  A very simple machine for a simple minded person.  It worked for the most part, and when it would malfunction, I would send it to my father to fix.  Although it was mobile, it did not stay that way for long.  The battery was shot after about 9 months and I could not afford to buy a new one.  Thus I was stuck working within reach of an outlet/power source.  Finally, after graduation I earned a job in Glendale where the school runs all Macs.  It was a change for me, but I now am a proud owner of my own MacBook. Even after all of my years with the various P.C.s I would not leave my Mac.  It is my new favorite and I plan to stay loyal until I find something I feel is better.
    In coming from both the P.C. and now the Mac I have been lucky enough to run both types of operating systems.  I have also seen the idea of mobility of storage and computers transform as the years pasted as well.  I have seen both the positive and negative of the operating systems and I have learned many of the short cuts and system "cheats" from my my father and Aunt.  They are to this day very loyal to their P.C.s, yet with no real connection to them it was easy for me to switch to the Mac.  My father always told me if you want a computer to turn on and get to work, get a Mac.  If you want a computer you can make do what you want, how you want, when you want, get a P.C.
    To sum it all up, I guess the realization that no matter how in-depth you want to get into your computer, what programs you like, or even the overall general look of your computer there a lot of choices out there.  Be careful though for as each day goes by we get new technology, and with that technology our operating systems change.  Do some time and look into it.  I have only been around for 25 short years but have seen changes from the "Green screen" typing to a computer that can fit into a manilla envelop!