Shady Oak Computer Lab FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

When I press the print button, it prompts me to save and nothing prints out. What is happening?
I have to print out my Power Points for class. How do I do this?
How do I find the computer program that I want to use?
What are some helpful internet tips?
How do I copy and paste from the internet?
How do I print only a selection of text from a web page?
Where can I save my work?
What is "removable media"?
What are some precautions that I need to take when using Floppy disks?

A: By choosing file and then print, a print dialogue box pops up. In this box is the option "Print What:" This allows you to choose either slides, handouts, notes pages, or outline view. Slides prints out one slide per page. Handouts allow you to print multiple slides (1-9 slides) per page. Notes pages are for when an instructor puts in special notes that are not normally visible on the slide itself. Outline view prints just a brief outline of the entire Power Point. Handouts with either 3 or 6 slides per page seems to balance between paper usage and readability. If you are planning to print a 20+ page Power Point, please see the lab aide before printing. This isn't intended to prevent you from printing, but as a courtesy to other lab users.

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Q: How do I find the computer program that I want to use?

A: To open an application that you find on the desktop in the Computer Lab, double click the application. More applications are available from the Start Menu in any of the computers in the Computer Lab. Click on start button then on All Programs. If you see your application, click it. If not, it is probably in one of the program folders. Click on the folder to see if it has your application. Click - Press and release the left mouse button. Right Click - Press and release the right mouse button.

Q: What are some helpful internet tips?

A: Never give out personal information anywhere on the Internet.

• Any and all use of the information obtained on the Internet is at the risk of the user.
• Viruses are known to be downloaded along with the requested files. It is therefore recommended that all disks used when accessing the Internet be scanned for viruses.
• The URL (Universal Resource Locator) is the unique address for each web page. You can go directly to a web page by typing in the URL in the Address (if your using Internet Explorer) or Location (if your using Netscape) box.
• Use www.google.com or www.mamma.com to search the Internet for information.
• Links to FAQs will give you answers to Frequently Asked Questions about a topic.
• Use the BACK and FORWARD buttons to re-display recently visited sites.
• If you only want to print a portion of an article, you can highlight the text, copy it to the clipboard and then paste it into any text editor such as Windows Notepad or Word.

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A:
1. Highlight the text you want to copy (use the left-click button on the mouse and hold it down while moving your mouse cursor over the text)
2. Let go of the left-click mouse button and single right-click. In the new box that appears, move your mouse cursor over "Copy" and single left-click.
3. To paste it into whatever you'd like (i.e. Microsoft Word), single right-click on the area you'd like to paste it to. Move your mouse cursor over "Paste" and single left-click.

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Q: How do I print only a selection of text from a web page?

A:
1. Highlight the text and/or image(s) you want to print (use the left-click button on the mouse and hold it down while moving your mouse cursor over the text)
2. Let go of the left-click mouse button and single right-click on the text and/or image(s) that you just highlighted. In the new box that appears, move your mouse cursor over "Print" and single left-click.
3. In the new bottom-left corner of the new box that appears, change the selected "All" over to "Selection." Click "Print."

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Q: Where can I save my work?

A: Please save all your work on removable media or CD-rom disc. Please report any problems to Laboratory Staff.

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Q What is "removable media"?

A: Removable media is any portable device that will allow you to take your files with you. Floppy disks, USB Thumb drives, Burnable CD's, and Zip disks are all examples of removable media. While most of the computers in the lab have CD Burners built in to them, all do not. If you need to access or save to a disk and one is not present in the computer you are working at, please see a lab technician.

Q: What are some precautions that I need to take when using Floppy disks or CDs?

A

1. Floppy diskettes and CDs are not indestructible. Just throwing them into your backpack with your text books will damage them. Any bending of the disk or damage to the sliding protector can make a disk unreadable.
2. When you are working with applications such as Word, Excel, Power Point, etc., the program is constantly saving a temporary file to your floppy disk. If you remove the disk before closing the program, it will make the disk unreadable.
3. The proper sequence is to save your work, close the file, close the program, then remove the disk.
4. Important: If the disk activity light is on, do not remove the disk!
5. Please read # 2 again . This is the number one reason students lose data in the computer labs. ven if you are just getting a picture off another disk and you plan to put the original disk right back in, there is a good chance that you will corrupt the original disk and lose everything.
6. If you must retrieve data from multiple disks. Ask the laboratory staff for assistance if needed.

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Contacts:
Shady Oak Admin offices: 1-864-277-6060