Remaining Technology Classes - Updated Schedule

Traveling with Technology Classes for Technology Tuesdays

 Aug 6  An Easy Photo Slide Show to Share
This free downloadable software will help you create a movie from your still photos.  Music and captions will make it shareable with your friends and family.  (For use with Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops)

Aug. 13  Share a Link  Bring a reference to a site, an app, or a idea that makes staying connected and having fun easy while on the road.

(For use with Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops)

 

Aug 20  Looking Ahead – Ways to see where you are headed
 Here’s how you use GPS and Google Earth to look down on your next destination.  (For use with Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops)

 

Aug 27  Entertainment on the Road
What!  No Cable or TV stations.  Here’s how to solve that problem.  (For use with Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops)

 

Sept.3  Apps – a – Lot :  Smartphones are for More than Calls 
Discover some apps for Smartphones and tablet

July 22 “Grandma Did What?!” Communicating with Friends and Family

 

“Grandma Did What?!”  Communicating with
Friends and Family While on the Road

One of the great aspects of traveling is sharing the fun and experiences with your family and friends!

Let's explore some ways to keep up with family and friends. 

Texting

Using your smartphone, you can send messages with pictures to family members.  The advantage to this is capability of snapping a picture and sending it right away.  Imagine the surprise on the grandkids' face at the photo of Grandma skimming down a zip line! To text, both you and the recipient must have a text capable phone.  Depending on your provider's package, there may be a charge for texting. 

Blogging

This is a on-line opportunity for journaling and story telling.  It provides you a record of your travels and adventures that is available to just those you select or to the whole world.  There are several blog programs.  Two of the easiest are:

Blogger  from Google

With your Google account, you can set up a blog similar to the Blog this post is on.

Blogger Tour  https://www.blogger.com/tour_start.g

Blogger Video  http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5878262115724681302#editor/target=post;postID=6476841698522731768

Setting Security on Your Blog  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmEwlfF3pzk 

Example:  Dixon's Trip Blog  http://anns-trip.blogspot.com/2010/05/hittin-road-again.html

Other Blog programs
Word Press  http://wordpress.com/
Blog Comparison Article http://blog-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

 

Facebook  http://www.facebook.com

Facebook is a popular free social networking website that allows registered users to create profiles, upload photos and video, send messages and keep in touch with friends, family and colleagues. The site, which is available in 37 different languages, includes public features such as:

  ·    Marketplace - allows members to post, read and respond to classified ads.

·    Groups - allows members who have common interests to find each other and interact.

·    Events  - allows members to publicize an event, invite guests and track who plans to attend.

·    Pages - allows members to create and promote a public page built around a specific topic.

·    Presence technology - allows members to see which contacts are online and chat.

Within each member's personal profile, there are several key networking components. The most popular is arguably the Wall, which is essentially a virtual bulletin board. Messages left on a member's Wall can be text, video or photos. Another popular component is the virtual Photo Album. Photos can be uploaded from the desktop or directly from a cell phone camera. There is no limitation on quantity, but Facebook staff will remove inappropriate or copyrighted images.  An interactive album feature allows the member's contacts (who are called generically called "friends") to comment on each other's photos and identify (tag) people in the photos. Another popular profile component is Status Updates, a microblogging feature that allows members to broadcast short Twitter-like announcements to their friends. All interactions are published in a newsfeed, which is distributed in real-time to the member's friends. 

Facebook offers a range of privacy options to its members.  A member can make all his communications visible to everyone, he can block specific connections or he can keep all his communications private. Members can choose whether or not to be searchable, decide which parts of their profile are public, decide what not to put in their newsfeed and determine exactly who can see their posts. For those members who wish to use Facebook to communicate privately, there is a message feature, which closely resembles email.  http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Facebook

Facebook Setup Tutorial  http://www.gcflearnfree.org/facebook101

 Security concerns:  When you log in during your travels, Facebook will find your location and it will be available on your Facebook pages.  Unless you limit your security settings to Friends, anyone can see it.

 

Skype http://www.skype.com/en/ 

With Skype, you can share a story, celebrate a birthday, learn a language, hold a meeting, work with colleagues – just about anything you need to do together every day. You can use Skype on whatever works best for you - on your phone or computer or a TV with Skype on it. It is free to start using Skype - to speak, see and instant message other people on Skype for example.  I was able to attend my daughter's bridal shower in NY via Skype.

http://about.skype.com/

 Requirements:

WiFI or Internet Connections

Device with Camera

 

FaceTime

This is an program for Apple devices which allows video calling so you can communicate face-to-face.  Read your grandchild a bedtime story with Facebook. Show them Thomas the Tank Engine as he chugs out of Chama.  http://www.apple.com/ios/facetime/

FaceTime for PC http://facetimeforpc.net/

 

 

 

 

Music, Music...Wherever you go! July 16, 2013

We all enjoy taking our music with us.  However, big boom boxes and giant systems have given way to cell phones and mpg players.  You can carry a huge music library in 3 X 4 box. 

 Converting Old Media to New Files

 

Converting Records and Cassettes.   

  There are ways to connect your stereo to your computer and using software.  There is, also, self contained equipment that will convert records and cassettes to computer files.

Record converter:  http://www.ionaudio.com/products/details/ttusb

Cassette Converter; http://www.sharperimage.com/si/view/product/Cassette-Tape-Player-And-Converter/200118

All-in-one converter:  http://www.imarketcity.com/grditwvituii1.html

How to convert Cassettes Tutorial: http://www.wikihow.com/Transfer-Cassette-Tape-to-Computer

Taking Your Library with You - July 8

The Better Way
or
"How to carry 25 pounds of books in a 1 pound package."

Tablets and E-Readers make it easier to take reading material with you.  There are many different types:  IPad, Kindles, Nooks, Nexas and Androids.  These will hold many, many books that can be accessed for reading whenever you have time.  They also allow for adjusting font size for vision needs and are backlit for reading in low light.  Most books come with dictionary and note taking capability.

Class Requirements:

       Tablet

        Internet Connections

        Apps for downloading books

 

Goal of Class:

            Explore Apps for downloading various books
            Explore places to find inexpensive reading materials

 

 

Apps Needed:

 

        OverDrive  http://omc.overdrive.com/  Download the version for your E-reader.  This allows you to download books from your library.

 

        Kindle 

Download Kindle app for your tablet and laptop at this site. Choose the one for your type of equipment.
 http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_63949822_11?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=left-1&pf_rd_r=16TFFW9BPRF8SPW9S0FF&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1414821162&pf_rd_i=2245146011
 

 Places to Download Books

       Libraries Many libraries now have a digital component.  You can remotely download a book and the library will reclaim when the loan period is over.  No library fines!  Hooray!

1.  Find your library online.  Type the name of your library and city into Google.  You can also add "online services".
2  Check for on-line loans information and your eligibility information.
3.  Download the app needed such as OverDrive
4.  Choose your book and download.

Information online: 

CNET  How-to      http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20109806-285/how-to-get-free-library-books-on-your-kindle/

Amazon How-to     http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=200747550

 

       Kindles, I Pads, etc.  Books to Purchase and for Free

 

Most of the tablets and e-readers will allow you to download an app that can read books in other formats.  The Kindle app which allows you to download books from Amazon is very popular.

 

Download Kindle App here

Download Kindle app for your tablet and laptop at this site. Choose the one for your type of equipment.http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771

 

      Book Bub

This is a free email and list of free books that are available through Amazon.  You do have to set up an account with Amazon but you can choose just the free books and not be charged.  An email arrives everyday with at least 2 free books.  These are often from new authors or the beginning of a series to get you to purchase books later. You will own these books and can keep them for a long as you want or delete them if you chose.

http://home.bookbub.com/landers/index2.php?source=gakn354&gclid=CPer7JPknrgCFeRZ7Aod8E4AOw

 

      Amazon --How to locate free books

Go to the Kindle Store
http://www.amazon.com/kindle-store-ebooks-newspapers-blogs/b/ref=topnav_storetab_kstore?ie=UTF8&node=133141011

Enter term free books or $.00  and see what you can find.  Download to your heart's content.

 

Public Domain Books

These are books that have been scanned by volunteers. These books are out of copyright and so you can find many classics and obscure texts from the 1700 and 1800s.  They can be downloaded and printed.  These are good for research.  You can take notes on the computer with these.  Some can be read on-line.

 

     Project Gutenberg: Free eBooks

www.gutenberg.org/
A digital library of free ebooks which includesBook listings, search engine, newsletter, articles and information on how users can help add to the library.

     Google Books

books.google.com
Search and preview millions of books from libraries and publishers worldwide using Google Book Search. Discover a new favorite or unearth an old classic.

 

     Internet Archive

http://archive.org/

An extensive library of books, audios, texts, and videos are available.  Some can be downloaded or read on-line.   

 

     Fifty  Places to Get Free Books

http://education-portal.com/articles/Free_Books_-_50_Places_to_Find_Free_Books_Online.html

A list of different places to look for a free books.

 

You'll never have to load heavy books in your RV again!

 

 

Can't bear not to have a physical book --

Make a book cover for E-reader

http://www.umpcportal.com/2010/04/turning-the-ipad-into-an-ibook/

 Please comment and leave your own ideas and information on this topic for others to share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

Proposed Classes

Join our Technology Tuesdays for Traveling with Technology

 Tuesdays 2:00 -3:30 at
Rio Chama RV Park Adult Recreation Center Building

Bring your tablet, laptop or smartphone to participate in the class. 

Check out the Blog each week for a list of information and downloads needed for the class.

http://www.traveling-with-technology.blogspot.com/

 

Traveling with Technology Proposed Classes for Technology Tuesdays

July 8   Taking Your Library with You

This class will cover setting up your tablet or smartphone for finding and downloading current and public domain books from various sources.  Downloading Audio books will be covered as well .  (For use with Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops) 

July 15  Music Wherever You Go 

Like music?  Learn how to create and organize your music files so you can bring them with you.  Also, check out some of the free music available online.  (For use with Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops)    
      

July 22   “Grandma Did What?!”  Communicating with Friends and Family
 Explore some ways to keep up with family and friends.  Texting, blogging, Facebook etc. (For use with Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops) 

July 29  Apps – a – Lot :  Smartphones are for More than Calls  
Discover some apps for Smartphones and tablet that will amaze you. (For use with Smartphones, Tablets)

Aug 5  An Easy Photo Slide Show to Share
This free downloadable software will help you create a movie from your still photos.  Music and captions will make it shareable with your friends and family.  (For use with Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops

Aug 12  Organizing and Editing Photos  Explore simple easy ways to make simple corrections to your photos.  (For use with Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops)

Aug 19  Looking Ahead – Ways to see where you are headed
 Here’s how you use GPS and Google Earth to look down on your next destination.  (For use with Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops)

Aug 26  Entertainment on the Road
What!  No Cable or TV stations.  Here’s how to solve that problem.  (For use with Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops) 

Sept. 3  Share a Link  Bring a reference to a site, an app, or a idea that makes staying connected and having fun easy while on the road. (For use with Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops)

For more information or to register:

adixon2003@suddenlink.net Ann Dixon

ughtas@gmail.com  Tom Stewart