Tech Tips and News for January 11, 2019

Flickr by Matti Mattila

I truly hope you had a joyous and restful Christmas break (for those of you who get a break). New technology is a common Christmas gift, and while we're learning all the new bells and whistles on our new device, we often sign up for lots of new apps and services. There are a few security reminders in this post (there were last week too) to help us keep our shiny, new devices, and our personal information, secure. There are some cleaning tips as well to keep that technology shiny and new! It is flu season, after all, so remember to clean all those electronics everyone touches. There are several other, more fun, tips in this post as well. In other new year news, a large collection of new photos and recordings just became part of the public domain, which means they are usable without paying royalties or obtaining permission. This gives you a larger catalog of free works to use in presentations, publications, projects, etc. Have fun, be safe, and enjoy your new toys.

• Don't Give Apps Access to Your Email (Even to Save Money)
• Secure your Online Accounts by Removing Third-Party App Access
• How to Control a Chrome Extension's Permissions
• How to Create a System Image Backup in Windows 7, 8, or 10
• How to Clean the Dust Out of Your Laptop
• How to Thoroughly Clean Your Dirty Desktop Computer
• How (and Why) You Should Be Cleaning Your Phone and Other Electronics
• How to Use Voice Typing in Google Docs
• Create Your Own "Apps" With Google Slides
• It's Public Domain Day!
• A Tatsulok Puzzle Template
• Five Options for Creating Animated Videos on Chromebooks

Don't Give Apps Access to Your Email (Even to Save Money)

Don't Give Apps Access to Your Email (Even to Save Money), from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
Too many apps as for way too much access - protect your email.

Secure your Online Accounts by Removing Third-Party App Access

Secure your Online Accounts by Removing Third-Party App Access, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
So, now if you're worried about what permissions you've give to various apps, check out how to remove those permissions.

How to Control a Chrome Extension's Permissions

How to Control a Chrome Extension's Permissions, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
Chrome extensions - those little helping applets in the Chrome browser - can be amazingly useful. Now they're even better with the ability to control how much of your data they can access.

How to Create a System Image Backup in Windows 7, 8, or 10

How to Create a System Image Backup in Windows 7, 8, or 10, from How-To Geek by Walter Glenn
Whether your computer is older or brand new, using a computer without a back up image is like driving your car without insurance. If the hard drive fails, or you become a victim of ransomware, you'll lose everything on it. Windows has a built-in utility for this. Recovering your computer from a system image is much quicker than having just a back up of your files. By restoring the image, you won't need to take the time to reinstall your programs and desktop profile settings.

How to Clean the Dust Out of Your Laptop

How to Clean the Dust Out of Your Laptop, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
All tech devices are dust magnets. If the air cannot circulate properly through any tech device, it will eventually stop working. Treat it kindly and it will last longer.

How to Thoroughly Clean Your Dirty Desktop Computer

How to Thoroughly Clean Your Dirty Desktop Computer, from How-To Geek by Patrick Bisch

Desktop computers suck in even more dust than a laptop. If the air cannot circulate properly through any tech device, it will eventually stop working. Treat it kindly and it will last longer.

How (and Why) You Should Be Cleaning Your Phone and Other Electronics

How (and Why) You Should Be Cleaning Your Phone and Other Electronics, from How-To Geek by Craig Lloyd
Read this and you'll be cleaning everything...phones, tablets, mice, remotes, gaming controllers, light switches, any device on/off switch, etc. Now you can do it correctly and safely without harming your electronics. Just remember to apply cleaning liquids to the cloth and not directly on the electronic devices.

How to Use Voice Typing in Google Docs

How to Use Voice Typing in Google Docs, from How-To Geek by Brady Gavin
Need to give your fingers a break? Can't type fast or accurately enough? Voice Typing in Google Docs is your new best friend.

Create Your Own "Apps" With Google Slides

Create Your Own "Apps" With Google Slides, from Shake Up Learning by Kasey Bell (Guest Post by Micah Shippee
Teachers can use this concept to communicate with students and parents. Students can use this concept for an in-depth report.

It's Public Domain Day!

It's Public Domain Day! from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
January 1, 2019 is the first time since 1998 that a large body of previously copyrighted works become available to the public domain - meaning royalty free. This music, film, books, etc., created in 1923 and earlier, can be used for free, without asking for permission, and without paying the artist. This blog post by Nick Douglas for LifeHacker provides a short list.

A Tatsulok Puzzle Template

A Tatsulok Puzzle Template, from A Lever and a Place To Stand by Amy Roediger
Make your own triangle puzzle with the included Google Drawings template. Students can use this to test their skills or review content. This could be used in any content area.

Five Options for Creating Animated Videos on Chromebooks

Five Options for Creating Animated Videos on Chromebooks, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Here are five tools your students can use to show you what they know.