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!