Aliens stole my Student Response System software

If, one day, your Smartboard Student Response System (aka, clickers)  is gone, don't blame aliens for it. It's just that it is time to update your notebook software to version 11. The process requires to uninstall manually each and every component of Smart software and then install the brand new package.

If you do not use the Student Response System, you can keep using Notebook 10. But I have to tell you, you'll love the Notebook 11 improvements.

How to update: The daring ones can do it entirely by themselves. Download Notebook 11 here, and remember to uninstall first every part of Smart software, including a printer driver called Black Ice. Plan a couple of hours. You will not need to enter a license number, it is stored in your computer. When the installation package starts, choose only the software you already have (notebook, drivers, smart tools, and  math tools if you are a math teacher) For the less daring ones, just send me a tech request.

There is a good news: starting this year, all updates from Smart Technologies will be sent in June, so they can be installed after the end of the year.
                                                                                                     Jude

Access to filtered websites

Access to filtered websites

- For occasional, on the fly access, teachers can override the filter for a default period of time of three hours. You do not need to enter the amount of time, these three hours apply automatically when you override the filter.

- Only teachers can override the filter. Also, they need to be logged in with their own credentials to the computer that will acess filtered sites. In other words, it is not possible for a student to override the filter, and it is not possible for a teacher to override the filter from a computer if someone else has already logged in this computer.

- If there is a need for permanent access to a blocked website by the general student population, please do call Dan Inghram (x 219) in advance to unblock this site. There is no guarantee that the site will be unblocked as various factors may be involved, some being technical, other requiring administrative or policy approval. The earlier you contact Dan, the better. 

Jude

Harvard Business School Blog

I never thought I would ever do this one day but, in all fairness, I must admit that  the Harvard Business School Blog Network features excellent entries on professional strategies which are quite transferable to the world of education. So, as the saying goes, "if the shoe fits..."
                                                                                 Jude

Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint File Formats

Unless you keep up with the newest and pricey version of Microsoft Office, you need to install this patch to your existing Microsoft Office software (if you have it on your computer), in order to open Office files created with a newer version.

Jude

Free documentaries for the classroom

SnagFilms.com  is a web site where you can watch full-length documentaries for free. Sort by subject, grade level and channel (PBS, National Geographic, Explorer...). They also have an ipad app. 

from Stan Freeda, NH-DEO

"Security log is full"

It looks like this issue is reappearing. The fix is easy and remains the same:

Teachers:
If this messages appears on your login window and you are still able to log on, use this fix (scroll down to "fix it for me", and restart your computer. You'll be all set. If you cannot logon anymore at all, send a tech support request and call me at ext. 226.

Students:
Same process, but bring your netbook directly to the Media Center instead of using the Tech support form

Jude

Latest Smartboard update requires Windows Installer 4.5 - How to download it

If your latest Smartboard update failed to install, it is most likely because you need the latest version of Windows Installer. You can get it from the Tech Stuff folder in the Staffshare folder, or directly from the Windows website here.

Download the last one on the list: WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe

Jude