Monday, August 13, 2007
Install Firefox Browser & Subscribe to Feeds
We are recommending that SCC employees install Firefox as an additional web browser on your computer. Firefox is available for free for Windows and Macintosh computers.
Why do you need an additional browser? I can think of two reasons (more will come to me later I'm sure!):
1) to test that your web content is compatible with other systems and browsers
2) so you can easily read RSS feeds any time you are online
Both Windows and Macintosh users can download the Firefox from http://firefox.com - note that the URL will change but you are in the right place!
Mac users will have an easier install, so I will focus here on the steps for Windows users to install Firefox on their campus computer:
Use Internet Explorer to download the setup file:
The setup file is a small application and you will need to create a new folder inside My Documents to hold both the setup and full application. I'd recommend creating a folder called Local Programs then a folder inside that called Firefox.
As the installation runs, you will be asked if you want to import the Favorites and History from IE. This is your option, saying Yes does not delete them from IE.
Another question will be presented regarding using Firefox as your default browser. This will take effect if you are reading email in the Outlook client and click on a web address, your "default browser" will go to that URL. On the desktop you will still see icons for either IE or Firefox.
Info for both Macintosh and Windows users:
Launch Firefox and set the home page to http://scc.losrios.edu or a better sub-site for your needs. The home page is set using the Tools > Options ... Main tab. Click OK after typing the SCC Home page URL.
The SCC home site will need the Adobe Flash Player installed and Firefox gives you a message about the missing plug-in needed for the content on this page. Click the button to install missing plugins and click the agree radio button to finish this task. Done! Success!
Get the News you Need Now! RSS will become more important to you as this semester progresses. RSS will forever change the way you recieve information. For a preview, view the movie on How to Use Firefox to Read RSS Feeds.
Now you can subscribe to a news feed - how about the SCC Blackboard Blog! First open a new window to the blog site by holding down the Shift key and click to view the BB Status page. On the right side are several links, click the Blackboard Blog link. You are at a new site! Notice the Address Bar (URL) for this site. There is a new orange icon indicating a news subscription is available for this site. Move the mouse over the orange icon and click to bring up the subscription options page. The default option is Live Bookmarks and this is what we want to use. Click the Subscribe Now button. Look for the Bookmarks toolbar under the Address Bar of Firefox. If it is not visible, use the View > Toolbars > Bookmarks Toolbar to enable it.
Remember the movie I suggested watching a couple paragraphs ago? You will find this blog headline "Add RSS feeds to Firefox" on your SCC Blackboard Blog Live Bookmarks list.
Now, no matter where you are surfing, you have easy access to current Blackboard news from your SCC Blackboard Team (Melissa Green & Jory Hadsell).
Why do you need an additional browser? I can think of two reasons (more will come to me later I'm sure!):
1) to test that your web content is compatible with other systems and browsers
2) so you can easily read RSS feeds any time you are online
Both Windows and Macintosh users can download the Firefox from http://firefox.com - note that the URL will change but you are in the right place!
Mac users will have an easier install, so I will focus here on the steps for Windows users to install Firefox on their campus computer:
Use Internet Explorer to download the setup file:
The setup file is a small application and you will need to create a new folder inside My Documents to hold both the setup and full application. I'd recommend creating a folder called Local Programs then a folder inside that called Firefox.
As the installation runs, you will be asked if you want to import the Favorites and History from IE. This is your option, saying Yes does not delete them from IE.
Another question will be presented regarding using Firefox as your default browser. This will take effect if you are reading email in the Outlook client and click on a web address, your "default browser" will go to that URL. On the desktop you will still see icons for either IE or Firefox.
Info for both Macintosh and Windows users:
Launch Firefox and set the home page to http://scc.losrios.edu or a better sub-site for your needs. The home page is set using the Tools > Options ... Main tab. Click OK after typing the SCC Home page URL.
The SCC home site will need the Adobe Flash Player installed and Firefox gives you a message about the missing plug-in needed for the content on this page. Click the button to install missing plugins and click the agree radio button to finish this task. Done! Success!
Get the News you Need Now! RSS will become more important to you as this semester progresses. RSS will forever change the way you recieve information. For a preview, view the movie on How to Use Firefox to Read RSS Feeds.
Now you can subscribe to a news feed - how about the SCC Blackboard Blog! First open a new window to the blog site by holding down the Shift key and click to view the BB Status page. On the right side are several links, click the Blackboard Blog link. You are at a new site! Notice the Address Bar (URL) for this site. There is a new orange icon indicating a news subscription is available for this site. Move the mouse over the orange icon and click to bring up the subscription options page. The default option is Live Bookmarks and this is what we want to use. Click the Subscribe Now button. Look for the Bookmarks toolbar under the Address Bar of Firefox. If it is not visible, use the View > Toolbars > Bookmarks Toolbar to enable it.
Remember the movie I suggested watching a couple paragraphs ago? You will find this blog headline "Add RSS feeds to Firefox" on your SCC Blackboard Blog Live Bookmarks list.
Now, no matter where you are surfing, you have easy access to current Blackboard news from your SCC Blackboard Team (Melissa Green & Jory Hadsell).
# posted by Melissa @ 9:35 AM
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Google Docs & Home Page + Web 2.0
Oh my goodness - I'm experiencing Pop Rocks for the Mind. I've just found a tutorial on using Google Docs and Spreadsheets delivered as a WINK movie with audio narrations (Pop Rock #1). Then to see how easy it is to import Word, edit and format text, view past revisions, invite others as editor, AND get an RSS feed of edits (Pop Rock #2).
One of tasks I dread each year is to develop the Instructional Development Unit Plan. I'm thinking that by keeping an online document based on a Unit Plan Word Template, then the last processing of the document would be easy (Pop Rock #3).
I am looking forward to Fall 2007 as a time of renewal and dynamic communication with students, staff and community at Sac City. Wow!
Oh, if you want to see Angel Brady (Rider University) Google Docs tutorial Part 1 and don't miss her blog for many other references on Blackboard or Turn-It-In. I'll be referring to her work for my own professional development.
One of tasks I dread each year is to develop the Instructional Development Unit Plan. I'm thinking that by keeping an online document based on a Unit Plan Word Template, then the last processing of the document would be easy (Pop Rock #3).
I am looking forward to Fall 2007 as a time of renewal and dynamic communication with students, staff and community at Sac City. Wow!
Oh, if you want to see Angel Brady (Rider University) Google Docs tutorial Part 1 and don't miss her blog for many other references on Blackboard or Turn-It-In. I'll be referring to her work for my own professional development.
# posted by Melissa @ 11:55 AM
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Blogging, Web 2.0 and more
SCC has several bloggers ... people keeping online journals. Pam Posz (Library), Nick Miller (Sociology) and Jory Hadsell (Distance Education/LRC) come to mind. Now I'm on the bandwagon.
In 2003 when SCC adopted the Manila server, it is capable of blogging but we have just used it to easily manage personal, department and service websites (because we didn't need Dreamweaver or FrontPage, just a web browser). I have been looking for a partner to help me understand the subscription features of Manila and to plot out a direction for SCC. When Jory Hadsell was hired as our Distance Education Coordinator, he took an active interest in Manila and what it could do for podcasting and the underlying technolgy RSS (real simple syndication). To see what's up with SCC Podcasts, visit http://web.scc.losrios.edu/podcasts.
Fast forward to 2007 and the campus has adopted Ingeniux as a content management system that will move our institutional content under a new server. We are looking forward to using packaged Web 2.0 features to better communicate with students, staff and community.
Jory and I have initiated a pilot project for iGoogle, details coming soon. We are using Blogger to manage the blogs hosted on our campus webserver.
As we explore this new way to communicate, we'll be looking for your ideas on how blogging can be the technology powering the marketplace of ideas between students and between students and teachers. Drop by my office to share how you are using blogs with your students.
In 2003 when SCC adopted the Manila server, it is capable of blogging but we have just used it to easily manage personal, department and service websites (because we didn't need Dreamweaver or FrontPage, just a web browser). I have been looking for a partner to help me understand the subscription features of Manila and to plot out a direction for SCC. When Jory Hadsell was hired as our Distance Education Coordinator, he took an active interest in Manila and what it could do for podcasting and the underlying technolgy RSS (real simple syndication). To see what's up with SCC Podcasts, visit http://web.scc.losrios.edu/podcasts.
Fast forward to 2007 and the campus has adopted Ingeniux as a content management system that will move our institutional content under a new server. We are looking forward to using packaged Web 2.0 features to better communicate with students, staff and community.
Jory and I have initiated a pilot project for iGoogle, details coming soon. We are using Blogger to manage the blogs hosted on our campus webserver.
As we explore this new way to communicate, we'll be looking for your ideas on how blogging can be the technology powering the marketplace of ideas between students and between students and teachers. Drop by my office to share how you are using blogs with your students.
# posted by Melissa @ 1:23 PM
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