I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter most overall. It was refreshing, new and exciting all at once! It was the perfect excuse for uploading newly created test video from my Digital Camera. I never realized that making a movie could be so much fun. This chapter just added a new hobby to my list!
It was fascinating to learn about adding transitions, effects and music. I thoroughly enjoyed learning how to edit the actual video, and being so intimidated to do anything of this sort prior this chapter, was tickled pink at how easy it really is!
We have all sorts of videos from my sons athletic events over the last couple of years which will keep me busy. It will take some time to master, but I'm sure it will be fun while I experiment and oh what wonderful gifts these will make!
- Kimmy
Intro to Windows - Insights & Opinions
Insights and opinions of my experience in CIS-118601 - Intro to Windows.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Mastering Digital Pictures and Music - Chapter 8
I enjoyed this chapter very much. Generally, I use 'Real Player' for movies and 'Kodak Share' for my pictures. It was interesting to see how versatile Windows Live Photo Gallery, Windows DVD Maker and Windows Media Player are. No promises on changing, but I will explore them all more once the semester is over and I can breathe again.
As a note, 'Real Player' came free with my computer bundle when purchased and the 'Kodak Share' was part of my digital camera bundle. I really have no complaints or questions about this chapter, just my own curiosity which I'll end up satisfying over summer break.
As a note, 'Real Player' came free with my computer bundle when purchased and the 'Kodak Share' was part of my digital camera bundle. I really have no complaints or questions about this chapter, just my own curiosity which I'll end up satisfying over summer break.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Advanced File Searching - Chapter 7
In the beginning, this chapter tested my patience. It took quite a while for the koala and jpg search due to non-indexing. I'd have preferred just reading about it.
The remainder of the chapter was quite interesting, as advanced searching techniques including custom came into play. As far as searching for saved e-mail messages though, I prefer to use my overly organized Outlook rather than run a search. It's much more efficient and less time-consuming.
Only a couple more weeks of class and I'm still learning, which is a positive. I would definitely recommend this class to others!
- Kimmy
The remainder of the chapter was quite interesting, as advanced searching techniques including custom came into play. As far as searching for saved e-mail messages though, I prefer to use my overly organized Outlook rather than run a search. It's much more efficient and less time-consuming.
Only a couple more weeks of class and I'm still learning, which is a positive. I would definitely recommend this class to others!
- Kimmy
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Customizing Your Computer using the Control Panel - Chapter 6
I really enjoyed this chapter for the simple fact that I learned how to use parental controls. Parental Controls are new to me and will most definitely be used in the future. They are a really great feature and my favorite is the Allow/Block feature.
The 'Add a Second Clock' feature is new for me. Using this due to having family and friends in different time zones will sure make communications easier.
Playing with the Mouse Keys was an experience and I've found I prefer to not use they keys on the keypad.
We are more than halfway through the semester and to date, I have learned much more than I anticipated. This class has opened my eyes to a boatload of features I never realized was available. It's been very enjoyable albeit sometimes frustrating.
The 'Add a Second Clock' feature is new for me. Using this due to having family and friends in different time zones will sure make communications easier.
Playing with the Mouse Keys was an experience and I've found I prefer to not use they keys on the keypad.
We are more than halfway through the semester and to date, I have learned much more than I anticipated. This class has opened my eyes to a boatload of features I never realized was available. It's been very enjoyable albeit sometimes frustrating.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Personalizing Your Work Environment - Chapter 5
Happy Spring! I simply LOVED this chapter!
Personalization is important. It's what sets each of us apart from one another and can also define us. Personalizing your PC can also set a mood not only for yourself, but for others around you as well.
I enjoyed "playing" and customizing a desktop theme, the mouse pointer, the screen saver and moving the task bar around! My favorite lesson learned was adding the Address toolbar. What a handy little tool!
Customizing the Start menu can really come in handy and make the individual experience that much better by utilizing programs I use most frequently.
The further we go in class, the more tips and tricks I learn, making this one of the most important classes I've taken to date.
Onward to Chapter 6 - can't wait to see what's next!
Personalization is important. It's what sets each of us apart from one another and can also define us. Personalizing your PC can also set a mood not only for yourself, but for others around you as well.
I enjoyed "playing" and customizing a desktop theme, the mouse pointer, the screen saver and moving the task bar around! My favorite lesson learned was adding the Address toolbar. What a handy little tool!
Customizing the Start menu can really come in handy and make the individual experience that much better by utilizing programs I use most frequently.
The further we go in class, the more tips and tricks I learn, making this one of the most important classes I've taken to date.
Onward to Chapter 6 - can't wait to see what's next!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Personal Information Management & Communication - Chpt. 4
This was an interesting chapter! Mostly overview, but again, one new tidbit I may explore further.
I am a big fan of Outlook which is what I use for my e-mail program. It's very easy to navigate, add contacts, make use of scheduling, organizing e-mails and printing when necessary. I do not use Windows Live Mail. While not at my computer, I have full access to e-mail from my mobile device.
RSS Feeds are a daily part of my life. Though I wasn't really familiar with Web Slices, the interesting tidbit in the chapter.
As far as instant messaging, I prefer to use Facebook to keep in touch with family and friends. It's more popular with my group. Instant Messaging reminds me too much of the original purpose of AOL; it seems most have moved on to texting.
Kimmy
I am a big fan of Outlook which is what I use for my e-mail program. It's very easy to navigate, add contacts, make use of scheduling, organizing e-mails and printing when necessary. I do not use Windows Live Mail. While not at my computer, I have full access to e-mail from my mobile device.
RSS Feeds are a daily part of my life. Though I wasn't really familiar with Web Slices, the interesting tidbit in the chapter.
As far as instant messaging, I prefer to use Facebook to keep in touch with family and friends. It's more popular with my group. Instant Messaging reminds me too much of the original purpose of AOL; it seems most have moved on to texting.
Kimmy
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Chapter 3 - File and Folder Management
This chapter was mostly review, but I still learned a couple new items. The Details Pane is something I never noticed before. I like it's accessibility and ease of use. Handy, that's for sure!
As far as displaying various windows, I prefer the showing windows Side by Side feature as opposed to Cascading and Stacking. It's more organized and neat, which I like.
I also appreciated the refresher on Switching Folders using the Address Bar, as this is a very useful tool which I often forget about.
The Activities were interesting but I did not see how the questions contained in Activity 2 really pertained to the chapter. They were a review of something similar in a Computer Ethics class I took previously. Nonetheless, it was still interesting.
The www.smarties.com site gave me some difficulties finding a logo to 'Save As' which matched the logo in the book.
Rhapsody (www.rhapsody.com) looks like an interesting service which I will do a bit more research on. My son has also been asking about it, so this seems like a good time to find out more.
As far as displaying various windows, I prefer the showing windows Side by Side feature as opposed to Cascading and Stacking. It's more organized and neat, which I like.
I also appreciated the refresher on Switching Folders using the Address Bar, as this is a very useful tool which I often forget about.
The Activities were interesting but I did not see how the questions contained in Activity 2 really pertained to the chapter. They were a review of something similar in a Computer Ethics class I took previously. Nonetheless, it was still interesting.
The www.smarties.com site gave me some difficulties finding a logo to 'Save As' which matched the logo in the book.
Rhapsody (www.rhapsody.com) looks like an interesting service which I will do a bit more research on. My son has also been asking about it, so this seems like a good time to find out more.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Chapter 2 - Working with the Windows 7 Desktop
Hello again! Most of this chapter was review with the exception of a couple items. Until now, I had never used WordPad. It's not a bad little program, but I wish it offered the spellcheck feature. Did I miss something? While I really don't need to rely on spell check, sometimes while fingers are flying across the keyboard, they tap a key that shouldn't get tapped and voila - error! It just makes proofreading that much more important.
I also had never thought of using the Address Bar to navigate through locations before. It's a convenient feature which I'll probably use more often.
Appendix B Activity 2 frustrated me a bit, as it took a while to open Windows Update to get the the information for Windows Defender because it all looked quite different on my screen. It all worked out though.
One question I do have though is regarding our creation of a new user from Chapter 1. Why did we do this? When I sit down to do homework, as most of my classes are online, it throws off my momentum having to switch users. I sometimes want to just log-on to CIS118 from my normal user, but then wonder if somehow, Mr. Rasmussen will know - so I don't.
Looking forward to Chapter 3!
Kimmy
I also had never thought of using the Address Bar to navigate through locations before. It's a convenient feature which I'll probably use more often.
Appendix B Activity 2 frustrated me a bit, as it took a while to open Windows Update to get the the information for Windows Defender because it all looked quite different on my screen. It all worked out though.
One question I do have though is regarding our creation of a new user from Chapter 1. Why did we do this? When I sit down to do homework, as most of my classes are online, it throws off my momentum having to switch users. I sometimes want to just log-on to CIS118 from my normal user, but then wonder if somehow, Mr. Rasmussen will know - so I don't.
Looking forward to Chapter 3!
Kimmy
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The Fundamentals - Chapter 1
Websters.com defines fundamental as serving as, or being an essential part of, a foundation or basis. My thoughts are Windows 7, pretty basic, easy for me to navigate, how much more is there really to learn. Well let me say that this Intro to Windows class has already surprised me and we're only at Chapter 1!
Where shall I begin? Let's start with the Accessories Folder. I've used Calculator and Notepad on a daily basis forever or so it seems. Now I learn about Gadgets (I can now track Earthquakes around the world), Wordpad, Snipping Tool, Sticky Notes and more. Wow! Windows XP was my favorite version, as I had absolutely no use or patience for Vista. Since enrolling last semester, I decided to upgrade my system with Windows 7 as well as Office 2010. As I am learning though, there is so much I am unaware of.
Windows Aero is new for me and makes flipping through programs less boring. Sizing windows, collapsing folders or lists, deleting items, all old hat. The book itself though, at least as far as Chapter 1 is concerned is easy to understand and the illustrations are very much appreciated.
I was frustrated with the "To Browse for Help Topics in Windows Basics" section, as my computer defaults to an HP help table so it took me a while to navigate to the actual Windows Help & Support as shown in the book. It all worked out though.
One other frustration was creating a new user. Creating the new user was easy, what is annoying is that everything defaults to box basics and I am still figuring out an easy way to share files as all of my MCC files are in the default user. As many other enlightenments have come from Chapter 1, I'm sure this too will eventually happen for file sharing.
Blogs are new for me. This is the second blog I have to update regularly this semester. I was very intimidated in the beginning, but that is slowly waring as I'm beginning to enjoy having a captive audience - even if it's an audience of 1! So please bear with me as I hope you enjoy the semester as much as I believe I will!
Kimmy
Where shall I begin? Let's start with the Accessories Folder. I've used Calculator and Notepad on a daily basis forever or so it seems. Now I learn about Gadgets (I can now track Earthquakes around the world), Wordpad, Snipping Tool, Sticky Notes and more. Wow! Windows XP was my favorite version, as I had absolutely no use or patience for Vista. Since enrolling last semester, I decided to upgrade my system with Windows 7 as well as Office 2010. As I am learning though, there is so much I am unaware of.
Windows Aero is new for me and makes flipping through programs less boring. Sizing windows, collapsing folders or lists, deleting items, all old hat. The book itself though, at least as far as Chapter 1 is concerned is easy to understand and the illustrations are very much appreciated.
I was frustrated with the "To Browse for Help Topics in Windows Basics" section, as my computer defaults to an HP help table so it took me a while to navigate to the actual Windows Help & Support as shown in the book. It all worked out though.
One other frustration was creating a new user. Creating the new user was easy, what is annoying is that everything defaults to box basics and I am still figuring out an easy way to share files as all of my MCC files are in the default user. As many other enlightenments have come from Chapter 1, I'm sure this too will eventually happen for file sharing.
Blogs are new for me. This is the second blog I have to update regularly this semester. I was very intimidated in the beginning, but that is slowly waring as I'm beginning to enjoy having a captive audience - even if it's an audience of 1! So please bear with me as I hope you enjoy the semester as much as I believe I will!
Kimmy
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