Tech Tips and News for May 31, 2019

If you read nothing else in this blog post, take some time to check out the new G Suite Learning Center. This is seriously overdue. Kudos to Google for finally getting there! Summer is coming, and it's the perfect time to enhance your G Suite skills. It will help you be more productive at school, and you'll be better able to help your students on their chromebooks. Start with week 1 or day 1 training and see how much you already know - you might be surprised by the information you didn't know! Then you might move on to the learn by product section, and learn all you can about Gmail, Drive, Docs, etc., to make things easier for you. If you're really feeling adventurous, maybe try learning a product you've never used before. The better you know how to use G Suite, the faster and more efficient you can complete all your work tasks. You'll also be able to pass your mad, ninja, G Suite skills on to your students. As far as reading nothing else goes, you will also want to take the time to familiarize yourself with the 7 signs of phishing and the upcoming Gmail Confidential Mode.

• 'Your Account Has Been Locked' - 7 Telltale Signs of a Phishing Scam
• How Not To Have 100 Browser Tabs Open
• How to Customize Your Icons in Windows
• How to Take a Video on a Chromebook
• How to Delete Contacts From Your iPhone
• G Suite Updates:  Update All Linked Content With One Click in Docs and Slides, Check Out the New G Suite Learning Center, Section Breaks Coming to Docs, Gmail Confidential Mode Launching June 25
• Three Lessons to Learn From the $9.2M Copyright Ruling Against Houston ISD

'Your Account Has Been Locked' - 7 Telltale Signs of a Phishing Scam

'Your Account Has Been Locked' - 7 Telltale Signs of a Phishing Scam, from Security Boulevard by Filip Truta
This article has some great details to watch for if you don't want to fall victim to a scam or ransomware attack. We can never be too prepared or vigilant - that includes you, Mac and iOS users!

How Not To Have 100 Browser Tabs Open

How Not To Have 100 Browser Tabs Open, from How-To Geek by Andrew Heinzman
This is a great way to speed up your computer and simplify your browsing habits. Yes, your device will slow down if you have too many tabs open.

How to Customize Your Icons in Windows

How to Customize Your Icons in Windows, from How-To Geek by Walter Glenn
Just as you would arrange your physical desk to make it the most efficient for you, you can do the same with the virtual desktop on your Windows PC.

How to Take a Video on a Chromebook

How to Take a Video on a Chromebook, from How-To Geek by Brady Gavin
Yes, it's possible, and here's how.

How to Delete Contacts From Your iPhone

How to Delete Contacts From Your iPhone, from How-To Geek by Adam Doud
There are several ways to accomplish this task, read the article for details.

G Suite Updates:  

Update All Linked Content With One Click in Docs and Slides

This is great news for anyone who spreadsheet data or charts into Docs and/or Slides. There will now be a Linked Objects sidebar, where you can updte all links with one button. Check out this post for full details and screen shots.

Check Out the New G Suite Learning Center

This is a HUGE improvement. You can basically go through self-paced G Suite training as a new user (day 1, week 1 etc.), by product (Calendar, Gmail, Drive, etc.) or by task (optimize your inbox, manage a project, get up to speed after a vacation, etc.). G Suite users of all comfort levels should check out the G Suite Learning Center. I've bookmarked it for all ASA users - it's in your "magical bookmark folder". There are also PDF versions of each help article if you prefer reading offline while you practice a new skill.

Section Breaks Coming to Docs

In about two weeks, in addition to being able to insert page breaks, you will also be able to insert or view continuous section breaks. By selecting the Insert > Break menu, you will be able to choose either page break or section break. Here are the full details.

Gmail Confidential Mode Launching June 25

Gmail Confidential Mode provides the ability for the sender to protect sensitive information by restricting the recipient from forwarding, copying, printing or downloading the message, and you can set an expiration date for the message. You can also revoke a recipients access to the message at any time. How does one use Confidential Mode? After opening a new message, in the bottom right of the message window, click to turn on confidential mode. You will then be prompted for the options you'd like to use. It's important to note that if you receive a confidential mode message from an outside email address (not ASA or DOGR), it will not be saved in Google's back up system, Vault. Internal confidential emails will be saved to Vault. While this tool can be useful for adults, I have turned Confidential Mode off for students.

Three Lessons to Learn From the $9.2M Copyright Ruling Against Houston ISD

Three Lessons to Learn From the $9.2M Copyright Ruling Against Houston ISD, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
If you are unfamiliar with this case, it involves a small company that sells study guides suing Houston ISD for routinely making copies of the study guides - and winning - big. School employees at HISD even went so far as to cover up the copyright notice on each page before copying and sharing. Take a look at this article, and think about it the next time you want to photocopy any books or other purchased materials. If you think no one notices, think again.

Tech Tips and News for May 24, 2019

Once again there is a security issue every Windows 7 user needs to be aware of. There is a serious security flaw in Windows 7 and Microsoft has issued patches for it, so make sure you are running those updates. Either Shut Down or Restart your computer daily until it no longer prompts you to update. There may be several updates, unless you've already run them in the last week. It's always important to stay current on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and hardware updates. These are usually to patch vulnerabilities in your device. It's a good idea to form the habit of checking form them on a weekly basis, or just shutting down/restarting weekly. They'll automatically run on a shut down or restart. You could equate this maintenance habit with the oil changes you get in your car. You need them periodically to keep everything running properly.

• Very Important Windows 7 Update
• Common Craft Explains URLs
• 5 Google Drive Tips for New Users
• EDU in 90:  More Innovation with Google Forms
• 26 Incredibly Useful Things You Didn't Know Google Calendar Could Do
• How To Use the Photo Slideshow Add-on for Google Slides
• How to Make an Animated Timeline in Google Slides
• How To Automate Google Sheets With Macros
• Which is Cheaper:  Printing Your Own Photos or Using a Printing Service

Very Important Windows 7 Update

If you use a Windows 7 computer, please make sure you are properly shutting it down for the next few days. There is a very important security patch that needs to be installed as soon as possible to keep your compter safe. It is very important that you let the Microsoft updates install, if they haven't already. There will be 3-4 of them. The easiest way to make sure you get all the updates is to shut down your computer. When the updates have downloaded, they will automatically install upon shut down. How can  you tell if your computer is running Windows 7? When you turn it on, it will display the version of Windows it is running. You can also navigate to Start/Windows (in the lower left corner of your screen) > Control Panel > System and Security > System. The Windows edition will be displayed very prominently.

Common Craft Explains URLs

Common Craft Explains URLs, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
URLs are the web addresses you enter into your web browser. Did you ever wonder what all the different parts of a URL mean? This is key to helping you determine if a URL is genuine or bogus. This video explains it all in about 3 minutes.

5 Google Drive Tips for New Users

5 Google Drive Tips for New Users, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Does Google Drive confuse you? Are you not even sure what Google Drive is? Google Drive is the filing cabinet for all of your Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc. You can organize your files in My Drive by creating your own folders and sub-folders. It's also possible to share folders and files with others in Drive. This is also where Team Drives are located, so you can find files shared by large groups of users. This article will walk you through some of the basic functions in Drive.

EDU in 90:  More Innovation with Google Forms

26 Incredibly Useful Things You Didn't Know Google Calendar Could Do

26 Incredibly Useful Things You Didn't Know Google Calendar Could Do, from Fast Company by JR Raphael
Seriously, I don't think I could keep my life straight without Google Calendar. Learn you you can make it work for you! Although I've been using Calendar for years, I still learned some very helpful tips, such as how to lose the sidebar and several useful shortcuts.

How To Use the Photo Slideshow Add-on for Google Slides

How To Use the Photo Slideshow Add-on for Google Slides, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
This is a follow up to last week's post about how to create audio slide shows. This is the time of year when many teachers are looking for ways to share all those photos they've taken all year long. Sharing a slide show with parents is an easy way to do it!

How to Make an Animated Timeline in Google Slides

How To Automate Google Sheets With Macros

How To Automate Google Sheets With Macros from How-To Geek by Brady Gavin
If there are tasks you routinely do in Google Sheets, you can automate those tasks to save your self some time. For example:  When I create a new spreadsheet, I usually make the column headers bold, underline the cells, and freeze that row. I can save three steps by creating a macro to do it for me. It's really quite easy to do, as this article shows you, step by step.

Which is Cheaper:  Printing Your Own Photos or Using a Printing Service

Which is Cheaper:  Printing Your Own Photos or Using a Printing Service, from How-To Geek by Andrew Heinzman
You might be surprised by this answer!

Tech Tips and News for May 9, 2019

With Windows 7 reaching end of life next January, you should think about upgrading your Windows 7 PC. What does end of life mean? It means after January 2020 Windows 7 computers will no longer receive security updates. This makes them very vulnerable to malware attacks. After that date, Windows 7 PCs should not be connected to the internet. If you fall into this category of users, or if you are interested in upgrading any device, the first article may interest you so you can sell your old tech. There are also several other PC related tips in this week's post  (sorry Mac users, that's just the way the news stream ran this week). Among the Google tips are a couple useful hints about Gmail that will save you some time:  how to schedule an email and how to use canned responses for those questions you are repeatedly asked. I use canned responses all the time for grading instructions, field trip forms, and Infinite Campus requests. There are also more Chromebook tips for you and your students in a quick 90 minute video. There are always a few gems in those videos to make using Chromebooks a little easier. Finally, what to do with all the photos you've taken of  your class all year? How about a slide show? There are several options for that.

• How to Sell Your Laptop, Phone, or Tablet for Top Dollar
• How to Remove Malware From Your Windows PC
• How to Customize the Taskbar in Windows 10
• Is it Bad to Have Your Desktop PC on the Floor?
• G Suite Updates:  Three New Features for Sheets
• How to Schedule Sending an Email in Gmail
• How to Create & Use Canned Responses in Gmail
• EDU in 90:  More Chromebook Tricks
• What is RSS? How Can You Use It?
• 5 Ways to Quickly Create Audio Slideshows for End-of-Year Events

How to Sell Your Laptop, Phone, or Tablet for Top Dollar

How to Sell Your Laptop, Phone, or Tablet for Top Dollar, from How-To Geek by Andrew Heinzman
A step by step guide to preparing your device, and where to sell it.

How to Remove Malware From Your Windows PC

How to Remove Malware From Your Windows PC, from PC World by Eric Geier and Josh Norem
These step by step instructions will help you get rid of those nasty pop ups.

How to Customize the Taskbar in Windows 10

How to Customize the Taskbar in Windows 10, from How-To Geek by Walter Glenn
The taskbar is the band that runs along the bottom of your screen (unless you've dragged it over to the side. It has the Windows (start) button, search bar, and icons of whatever programs you have open. By customizing this bar with the icons if programs and accessories you use often, they become easily accessible, even from within other program.

Is it Bad to Have Your Desktop PC on the Floor?

Is it Bad to Have Your Desktop PC on the Floor?, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
Find out what you need to look for if keeping your PC on the floor.

G Suite Updates:  Three New Features for Sheets

There are three new features that will make things a little easier in Google Sheets. These include the ability to quickly remove duplicate values, removing anhy leading, trailing or excessive white space from cells with a quick click, and also you can now use keyboard shortcuts from other spreadsheet programs. See all the details and animations here.

How to Schedule Sending an Email in Gmail

How to Schedule Sending an Email in Gmail, from How-To Geek by Chris Hoffman
This is a recently added G Suite update. Find out how to use it, both on desktop or mobile interfaces.

How to Create & Use Canned Responses in Gmail

How to Create & Use Canned Responses in Gmail, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Do you ever find yourself being asked the same question many times and responding with the same answer to different people? Canned responses will save you a lot of time! Compose one canned message, and use it over and over again whenever anyone asks that question. You can create as many as you need.

EDU in 90:  More Chromebook Tricks

What is RSS? How Can You Use It?

What is RSS? How Can You Use It?, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
What to do when you find a blog you really like that doesn't have the option to subscribe via email? You can subscribe via RSS feed. Learn how in this article.

5 Ways to Quickly Create Audio Slideshows for End-of-Year Events

5 Ways to Quickly Create Audio Slideshows for End-of-Year Events, From Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Here are several options for creating slideshows of photos, including Google Slides. I haven't seen the Insert>Audio option appear yet in our ASA accounts, but I do see it in my

Tech Tips and News for May 3, 2019

I cannot stress enough how important it is to be skeptical of everything online and in your emailbox. You cannot be too careful out there, my friends. Maybe I'm too cynical or paranoid, but I haven't been compromised...yet. (Knocking on wood now - I've probably just jinxed myself.) If you haven't been caught by any phishing or hacking scam yet, good for you! You're obviously being sufficiently cautious as well. We must continue to learn about the latest scams to remain safe online. The first two articles touch on the latest twists to Phishing scams and spam. If only those scammers would use their talents for a good purpose! They could probably end war and world hunger.

• How Phishing Scams are Evolving - And How Not to Get Caught
• How Email Bombing Uses Spam to Hide an Attack
• How to Wipe Your USB Drive Before Throwing it Away
• How to Update Google Chrome
• G Suite Updates:  Team Drives is Being Renamed to Shared Drives
• 5 Ways to Prevent Cheating On Your Google Form Quiz
• Google Earth Timelapses and Historical Imagery
• 10 Ideas for Digital Exit Tickets (and some analog ones too)
• Make Trading Cards for Historical and Fictional Characters

How Phishing Scams are Evolving - And How Not to Get Caught

How Phishing Scams are Evolving - And How Not to Get Caught, from Gizmodo by David Nield
Because if you are going to be online - ever - you need to be aware of the latest scams so you don't fall for them. There's an online Google Quiz included in the article if you want to test your phishing smarts.

How Email Bombing Uses Spam to Hide an Attack

How Email Bombing Uses Spam to Hide an Attack, from How-To Geek by Josh Hendrickson
I'm truly grateful I haven't encountered this particular attack, and I hope none of us ever do. It's good to be forewarned just in case!

How to Wipe Your USB Drive Before Throwing it Away

How to Wipe Your USB Drive Before Throwing it Away, from Tech Republic by James Sanders
It's important to wipe any old technology before discarding it. Anyone who ends up with your old device or drive can access your files if you don't.

How to Update Google Chrome

How to Update Google Chrome, from How-To Geek by Brady Gavin
Your browsers update on a regular schedule, just like your operating system does. This is what keeps them running properly and securely. Although the updates will download automatically, they won't be applied until you close and reopen your browser. It's a good idea to get in the habit of doing this on a regular basis. This article will show you how to check to see if Chrome needs an update, and how to run them.

G Suite Updates:  Team Drives is Being Renamed to Shared Drives

Be aware that on May 31, you will no longer see Team Drives in your Drive, instead you will see Shared Drives. It's just a simple name change, they will still work the same way.

5 Ways to Prevent Cheating On Your Google Form Quiz

5 Ways to Prevent Cheating On Your Google Form Quiz, from The Electric Educator by John Sowash
Prevent students from looking at someone else's screen or previewing the quiz before class. It's also possible now to keep them from opening other tabs.

Google Earth Timelapses and Historical Imagery>

Google Earth Timelapses and Historical Imagery from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
This feature has been available in the desktop version of Google Earth for quite awhile, it has recently been added to the online version, which the Chromebooks use. See how to access it in this article.

10 Ideas for Digital Exit Tickets (and some analog ones too)

10 Ideas for Digital Exit Tickets (and some analog ones too), from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
These are quick check-ins with students before class wraps up. Did they understand what was covered today?

Make Trading Cards for Historical and Fictional Characters

Make Trading Cards for Historical and Fictional Characters, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
Using the Read Write Think Trading Cards free tool, students can create trading cards about people, places and events, both real and fictional.