Topics in this edition of WSD Tech eNews for August 26, 2011
1. Phone Doesn't Work? Move It Back!
2. Can't Sign In? Check Your Network Cable, please.
3. Pop-Up Blocker May Keep You From Signing Into WESPaC
4. New Wireless Network at WHS
5. Nightly Computer Shutdown (Still) Scheduled for Energy Conservation
6. Turning Off a Vacation Message
7. Using SchoolDude Helps You
8. Tech Committee Opening at Jemtegaard
9. New Teacher Computers Coming Soon at WHS
10. Course List For Tech Professional Development on Website
1. Phone Doesn't Work? Move it back!
WSD uses a digital phone system, not an analog phone system. This means that each phone has a specific port into which it's programmed to work. The other ports or "network jacks" aren't connected, which means you can't simply move your phone from one port to another in your classroom and expect it to work.
If you want to move your phone, please leave it in it's current location, and put in a SchoolDude work order. Sean or Anthony can help you move it, but it's far better to leave it in a working state while you're waiting. Also, note that you cannot use a phone from home in your classroom, and plugging one in may damage the phone system as they draw more current than the digital phones we use.
If you want to move your phone, please leave it in it's current location, and put in a SchoolDude work order. Sean or Anthony can help you move it, but it's far better to leave it in a working state while you're waiting. Also, note that you cannot use a phone from home in your classroom, and plugging one in may damage the phone system as they draw more current than the digital phones we use.
2. Can't Sign In? Check Your Network Cable.
If your usual login password isn't working, or you're getting "the shake" from your Mac, please check your network cable to make sure it's plugged in. If it's not, you will not be able to sign in, which can look the same as a bad password. Also, make sure you're signing in with your username as first.last
3. Pop-Up Blocker May Keep You From Signing Into WESPaC
Note a new change to WESPaC! If you are signing in, and get an error in WESPaC asking you to turn off your pop-up blocker, here are the directions to do it. You'll need to know which Internet Browser you are using (Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari)
In Safari on the Mac it's under the "Safari Menu" then Pop-up blocker
On Firefox for Mac, it's under the Firefox menu, then Preferences, then under the Content Tab.
On Firefox for Windows, it's under the Tools menu, then Options, then on the Content Tab.
On Internet Explorer for Windows, it's under the Tools Button, then click Pop Up Blocker. Click the option to "Turn off pop-up blocker."
4. New wireless network at WHS/District Office/Excelsior
Money from the tech fund was used to purchase a new wireless network for Washougal High, District Office, and Excelsior. This network has been put into place, and will eventually be opened up to student as well as staff use. WHS staff who wish to connect to the wireless network should use their Windows login information to sign in. District Office staff should ask Cassi Marshall for the wireless password, and Excelsior staff can contact Les Brown for a password. Please feel free to roam about the building!
5. Nightly Computer Shutdown Scheduled for Energy Conservation Continues
Just like last year, staff are expected to shut down computers at night. Computers left on will be shut down by the system around 5 PM. For PC users, if you are working late, you will get a pop-up message with a 60 second timer that warns you the PC is about to shut off, and can choose to defer shutdown. Mac computers will give the logged in user 120 seconds to defer shutdown.
While scheduling this shutdown will save about $3.50 per month per computer that gets turned off each night, it’s preferable for you to shut down your computer when you’re leaving, since it won’t be in use after you leave.
This scheduled shutdown will help ensure your files get backed up completely, too!
6. Removing a Vacation Message
If you set up a vacation message which automatically responded to your e-mail over the summer, don't forget to turn it off!
Go to the district web page. http://www.washougal.k12.wa.us
Click on For District Employees
Click on the E-mail server link in the left-hand sidebar.
Log in as yourself (first.last) with your password e-mail password.
Click Preferences in the left hand sidebar.
Click the brown tab for Vacation message.
Un-check the checkbox for Enable, then delete anything you've typed into the message box.
Make sure you click save (just below the district logo).
Click Logout.
7. Using SchoolDude Helps You
Sean and Anthony are hard at work getting all the computers back up and running, and Les is working on creating student accounts for all of the 6-12 grade students. If you have a tech problem, please put in a work order using the SchoolDude system. Contact Sean, Anthony or Les to get the password. Here's the link to get started, please use your e-mail to sign in.
8. Tech Committee Opening at Jemtegaard
If you teach at Jemtegaard, are interested in technology, and would consider serving on the Tech Committee, let Ron Carlson know. Committee members help create the classroom standards for technology, create a vision for technology use in classrooms, and guide the district’s selection of new technology equipment. The tech committee meets four times per year, for around 2 hours, and participating teachers get a half-day sub while they’re at the meeting.
9. New Teacher Computers Coming Soon at WHS
WSD Tech funds have purchased new teacher computers for all the classrooms at WHS. Anthony is working on setting them up, and will be moving your files over the new computers in the next few weeks. These new computers have more memory, bigger hard drives, and are considerably faster than the 5 year old ones they're replacing. Those PCs will go into the WHS library to replace machines that are now over 6 years old.
