Some advice, hints, and answers to a few frequently asked computer, Internet, and digital photography questions.
Pearson Success Math Help
Click HERE for the latest PearsonSuccessNet.com Minimum System Requirements. Use this list to ensure that your computer at home is equipped with all of the hardware and software that is required to access and utilize the PearsonSuccessNet.com website. If you are not sure if your computer meets the browser and plug-in requirements for Pearson Math, click HERE for auto-diagnostics.
USB Flash Drives
At Our Savior's, students in 4th and 5th grades may find the need to have a USB Flash Drive for transporting assignments between their classroom computer and their home computer. Our classroom computers in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades currently use Microsoft Windows 7 Professional. Any flash drive that your child will use needs to be compatible with Windows 7, as well as be compatible with the operating system that you use on your computer at home. It is also recommended that the Flash Drive be rated USB 2.0; however, if you already have an older USB 1.1 Flash Drive it may work. There is also a new USB 3.0 technology available, but USB 3.0 drives will be limited to the USB 2.0 speeds on our school systems. As for capacity, a flash drive with a 1 Gigabyte storage capacity is more than sufficient.
Word Document Compatibility
3rd, 4th and 5th grade classroom computers at Our Savior's are Windows PCs using Microsoft Word 2010 for word processing. Word 2010 creates a <.docx> file type that is created by default in Word for Windows 2007 and 2010, and in Word for Mac 2008. This may cause some compatibility issues if a student is using a different version of Word, such as 97, 2000, 2002 (Office XP), or 2003, as well as Word for Mac 98, 2001, X, or 2004 at home.
If your home computer's Word application is version 97, 2000, 2002 (Office XP), or 2003 for Windows or 98, 2001, X, or 2004 for Mac, and saves documents as a <.doc> file type by default, you can download a free Word Viewer application from Microsoft that will allow you to open and read <.docx> file type Word documents in your older version of Word. To download this application CLICK HERE.
Apple/Mac users may experience some compatibility issues when transfering Word documents that contain graphics or tables.
If your home computer uses Microsoft Works, a word processing application that usually comes free with a new computer, please let your student's teacher know so that the teacher can have your child save documents created at school in a Works-compatible file type.
Basic Internet Security
While using computers at school, students at Our Savior's are protected from malicious users and inappropriate content by firewalls, content filters, anti-virus and security applications, and by the watchful eyes of our staff. This same level of protection and oversight should also be in place when students operate a computer at home.
Be sure that your home computer is safe by installing a Firewall Router, loading top-of-the-line antivirus and Internet security software that includes a firewall and parental controls, and by using the parental controls and content filters provided in most routers, Internet security applications and web browsers. Also keep in mind that no electronic security is foolproof, which means that the most effective security tool for your child is you. Keep your child's computer screen in your sight, monitor your child's activities, and don't be afraid to ask questions or to intervene if you don't feel comfortable about the content your child is accessing.
When choosing an Internet security suite, do not use price as a determining factor. After all, your computer, the data on your computer, and your child's well being are all more valuable than the cost of the most expensive security application. For 2011, PC Magazine's top choice for home users is Norton Internet Security 2011, based on excellent firewall performance, superior anti-malware and anti-phishing protection, and the best overall parental controls.
Student Software Discounts
Our Savior's Lutheran School purchases and licenses the majority of our computer software through Journey Education, an authorized educational reseller for Adobe, Avid, Corel, Microsoft, Norton/Symantec and many other popular software publishers. Journey Education also offers educational discounts to individual students. To see what applications are available to students at a discounted price, visit www.journeyed.com
Are Hackers Targeting Your Kids?
Kids are crazy about Neopets, an online game and virtual community that lets players adopt pets, collect rewards and “buy” special items for their virtual furry friends. But the game’s popularity hasn’t gone unnoticed by bad guys, who are targeting Neopet users with a number of scams. Here’s how to protect your kids -- and yourself.
An article by Kim Boatman of the San Jose Mercury News, and reposted by Norton Cybercrime News: Read More