Last month, reports the Christian Science Monitor, researchers in Britain decided to find out if people left anything behind when they sold or donated their old computer. They bought 300 used machines in several countries and from a number of sources, including eBay.
What did they find? About one-third still contained personal data on the hard drives, data that was located with just a little digging. Among the items rooted out: the test-launch information for ground-to-air defense missiles; medical records from hospitals; Social Security numbers; and proprietary commercial documents, such as business plans.
The disturbing conclusion: Even large organizations, which have legal obligations to protect their data, are sometimes lax about removing them thoroughly from discarded computers.
Here are some ideas on how to protect yourself and your personal data when discarding an old computer.
Last Topic
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Computer Basics. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Computer Basics. Tampilkan semua postingan
Registration Opens May 11 for Library's June Computer Classes
Registration for the Troy Library’s June computer classes opens at 10 a.m., on May 11.
Each month, we offer 14 classes, taught by the Technology Department staff:
To register, go to our website at troylibrary.info and click on Sign Up for Exciting Classes and Programs at TPL at the bottom of the page. You will be directed to our calendar. From there you can register for any of the above classes, or any of our other great programs.
If you have a question about an individual class, call the Technology Department at 248.524.3542, or email us at techroom@troymi.gov.
Each month, we offer 14 classes, taught by the Technology Department staff:
- Computer Basics 1
- Computer Basics 2*
- Navigating the Internet
- Email for Beginners
- Library Resources on the Internet*
- What is Web 2.0*
- Blogging for Beginners*
- Buying and Selling on eBay
- Selling on eBay Workshop*
- Beginning Word 2007
- Intermediate Word 2007
- Beginning Excel 2007
- Intermediate Excel 2007
- Beginning PowerPoint 2007
To register, go to our website at troylibrary.info and click on Sign Up for Exciting Classes and Programs at TPL at the bottom of the page. You will be directed to our calendar. From there you can register for any of the above classes, or any of our other great programs.
If you have a question about an individual class, call the Technology Department at 248.524.3542, or email us at techroom@troymi.gov.
Why Your Next Computer Should Be a Mac... Or a PC
Thinking about buying a new computer?
Here are eight reasons why your next computer should be a Mac.
And, eight reasons why your next computer should be a PC.
[via Yahoo Tech]
Here are eight reasons why your next computer should be a Mac.
And, eight reasons why your next computer should be a PC.
[via Yahoo Tech]
More Computer Videos in Plain English
Here are three more Common Craft In Plain English videos. They are short and funny and a great way to introduce people to current computer topics.
The World Wide Web in Plain English
Computer Hardware in Plain English
And Twitter in Plain English below.
[See Computer Videos in Plain English]
The World Wide Web in Plain English
Computer Hardware in Plain English
And Twitter in Plain English below.
[See Computer Videos in Plain English]
Troy Public Library Wins World Book/ALA Information Literacy Award
Jumat, 03 April 2009
Label:
ALA,
Awards,
Computer Basics,
Electronic Resources,
Job Searching,
World Book
I am pleased to report that the Troy Public Library has received the 2009 World Book/ALA Information Literacy Goal Award. This annual award of $5,000 is given only to two libraries in the country each year: one public and one school. It is designed to encourage and support innovative and effective information literacy programs.
As you can image, we are excited to be recognized.
Our program – Information Literacy for the Job Seeker – will focus on individuals who have little computer literacy and are seeking jobs. Participants will be trained on how information is organized electronically, how communication is handled electronically, and how job sites are searched on the Internet. They will create an electronic resume and an email account to communicate with prospective employers. The program will include hands-on classes, individualized instruction, and a comprehensive workbook.
This Award will be presented at the American Library Association Award Ceremony and Reception on July 14, during the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. The winning school is the Brockport Central School District in Brockport, New York, for the Brockport Central School District’s Information Literacy Continuum.
No matter your view on federal aid to the automobile industry, in this area we see the impact of the current economic recession in real and personal ways. We all know someone who has lost a job or a house. Those who have limited computer skills are at a disadvantage in this economy. We hope that this program will help at least some of those seeking work to find it.
We will keep you posted on the progress of our project on The Tech Desk.
As you can image, we are excited to be recognized.
Our program – Information Literacy for the Job Seeker – will focus on individuals who have little computer literacy and are seeking jobs. Participants will be trained on how information is organized electronically, how communication is handled electronically, and how job sites are searched on the Internet. They will create an electronic resume and an email account to communicate with prospective employers. The program will include hands-on classes, individualized instruction, and a comprehensive workbook.
This Award will be presented at the American Library Association Award Ceremony and Reception on July 14, during the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. The winning school is the Brockport Central School District in Brockport, New York, for the Brockport Central School District’s Information Literacy Continuum.
No matter your view on federal aid to the automobile industry, in this area we see the impact of the current economic recession in real and personal ways. We all know someone who has lost a job or a house. Those who have limited computer skills are at a disadvantage in this economy. We hope that this program will help at least some of those seeking work to find it.
We will keep you posted on the progress of our project on The Tech Desk.
Great Computer Videos in Plain English
I love the Common Craft In Plain English videos. In particular, I have used RSS in Plain English and Blogs in Plain English in the Web 2.0 classes I teach. They are excellent, brief, funny, and “in plain English,” suitable for beginners and those exploring new topics.
Here’s the latest from Common Craft, Computer Software in Plain English.
Two thumbs. up.
Here’s the latest from Common Craft, Computer Software in Plain English.
Two thumbs. up.
Reopen Closed Tabs in Firefox
For those of you who use Firefox in your Internet browsing, here is a tip I just learned from Lifehacker: if you accidentally close a tab that you still need to use, just click Shift+Ctrl+T and the last tab you closed will reopen.
I often have a dozen or more tabs open, and inevitably, close one I still need. I have used this shortcut several times in the past few days, saving me from retracing many steps.
I often have a dozen or more tabs open, and inevitably, close one I still need. I have used this shortcut several times in the past few days, saving me from retracing many steps.
Improve Your Computer Skills with Troy Library Internet Classes
There are still plenty of seats in Internet classes taught by the Technology Department staff at the Library. You might want to register for one of these:
Navigating the Internet
Do you need to pick up your pace on the Information Highway? This class will show you what the Internet is and how to use it effectively to make your information searches more successful. This is a two-part class; plan to attend both parts.
Tuesday, March 24 and 31, 10:00 am, or Tuesday, April 21 and 28, 6:30 pm
What is Web 2.0?
Whether you want to share your thoughts on a blog, organize a family event using a wiki, read news as it happens on an RSS feed, or swap information with family and friends on social sites, this workshop is for you. You will be introduced to all the latest Web 2.0 technology -- to keep you on the cutting edge.
Wednesday, March 11, 1:00 pm, or Thursday, April 30, 10:00 am
Blogging for Beginners
Do you want to publish a blog? Learn the basics: setting up a blog, changing colors and designs, posting and commenting, uploading images and web links.
Monday, March 23, 6:30 pm, or Wednesday, April 8, 1:00 pm
Library Resources on the Internet
Learn how to access all the Library’s resources at home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Read book reviews, check your account, and place holds on items; download audio books and movies right to your computer or portable device; and search magazines and references on any topic under the sun, all from the Library’s web site.
Wednesday, March 25, 1:00 pm, or Thursday, April 16, 10:00 am
Register here.
For more information, call the Technology desk at 248.524.3542 or email us at techroom@troymi.gov.
Navigating the Internet
Do you need to pick up your pace on the Information Highway? This class will show you what the Internet is and how to use it effectively to make your information searches more successful. This is a two-part class; plan to attend both parts.
Tuesday, March 24 and 31, 10:00 am, or Tuesday, April 21 and 28, 6:30 pm
What is Web 2.0?
Whether you want to share your thoughts on a blog, organize a family event using a wiki, read news as it happens on an RSS feed, or swap information with family and friends on social sites, this workshop is for you. You will be introduced to all the latest Web 2.0 technology -- to keep you on the cutting edge.
Wednesday, March 11, 1:00 pm, or Thursday, April 30, 10:00 am
Blogging for Beginners
Do you want to publish a blog? Learn the basics: setting up a blog, changing colors and designs, posting and commenting, uploading images and web links.
Monday, March 23, 6:30 pm, or Wednesday, April 8, 1:00 pm
Library Resources on the Internet
Learn how to access all the Library’s resources at home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Read book reviews, check your account, and place holds on items; download audio books and movies right to your computer or portable device; and search magazines and references on any topic under the sun, all from the Library’s web site.
Wednesday, March 25, 1:00 pm, or Thursday, April 16, 10:00 am
Register here.
For more information, call the Technology desk at 248.524.3542 or email us at techroom@troymi.gov.
New Review Site for Technology-Related Books
Senin, 10 November 2008
Label:
books,
Computer Basics,
eBooks,
Rachel Singer Gordon,
Reviews,
Technology
Attention librarians and those interested in technology-related books: Rachel Singer Gordon has launched a new blog – The Tech Static – which will review current computer books, DVDs and ebooks; contain prepublication alerts and publisher press releases; and publish articles for librarians who maintain collections of computer titles.
The need for such a resource became apparent when October 15, marked the last installment of Library Journal’s “Computer Media” review column, which Singer Gordon had been writing since 2002. This left a gap in the library literature: No other librarian-targeted publication currently reviews computer books on a regular basis. To fill that gap, The Tech Static was born.
“I’m pleased to continue providing — and expanding on! — coverage of technology titles,” said Singer Gordon. “Anyone involved with collection development in this area is invited to subscribe to this new free resource.” The Tech Static is available online at www.thetechstatic.com; readers can also subscribe via RSS or email.
The Tech Static is also currently seeking writers for technology-related collection development articles.
Contact Rachel Singer Gordon with any questions or comments at rachel@thetechstatic.com.
The need for such a resource became apparent when October 15, marked the last installment of Library Journal’s “Computer Media” review column, which Singer Gordon had been writing since 2002. This left a gap in the library literature: No other librarian-targeted publication currently reviews computer books on a regular basis. To fill that gap, The Tech Static was born.
“I’m pleased to continue providing — and expanding on! — coverage of technology titles,” said Singer Gordon. “Anyone involved with collection development in this area is invited to subscribe to this new free resource.” The Tech Static is available online at www.thetechstatic.com; readers can also subscribe via RSS or email.
The Tech Static is also currently seeking writers for technology-related collection development articles.
Contact Rachel Singer Gordon with any questions or comments at rachel@thetechstatic.com.
Not so fast...
There is an old saying information technology pros know well (remember when it was called data processing?), "We never have time to do it right, but we always seem to have time to do it twice."
The point of that saying is the truism that sometimes you have to go slow to go fast. Seriously. And that is never more true than when you are going too fast and are too busy to back up all your hard work.
Not a day goes by in the old Technology Center at the Troy Public Library when we aren't consoling some poor person who has just lost all their hard work due to going too fast. I'm not even talking about backing data up here, just simply saving it. I often walk around the room and notice people who've worked for hours on a document and they haven't even saved it yet! This is a disaster waiting to happen. Remember, save your documents early and often.
And speaking of backing up files, this is another area we often see tragic consequences. These days it's so easy to simply copy your important files to a flash drive or burn to a CD that there is really no excuse to lose your data to a catastrophic system failure. And believe me, it happens more than people like to think. It's not if the system crashes, but when. Save, save, save.
The point of that saying is the truism that sometimes you have to go slow to go fast. Seriously. And that is never more true than when you are going too fast and are too busy to back up all your hard work.
Not a day goes by in the old Technology Center at the Troy Public Library when we aren't consoling some poor person who has just lost all their hard work due to going too fast. I'm not even talking about backing data up here, just simply saving it. I often walk around the room and notice people who've worked for hours on a document and they haven't even saved it yet! This is a disaster waiting to happen. Remember, save your documents early and often.
And speaking of backing up files, this is another area we often see tragic consequences. These days it's so easy to simply copy your important files to a flash drive or burn to a CD that there is really no excuse to lose your data to a catastrophic system failure. And believe me, it happens more than people like to think. It's not if the system crashes, but when. Save, save, save.
Computer Basics: Saving Passwords and Usernames in a Web Browser
At the Troy Public Library's Technology Center, we teach several classes that cover basic computer skills. However, in these classes we can't cover everything. Using our blog, I hope to cover some of those topics about which we receive many questions, but can't always address in classes.
2. Click on the Privacy tab.
3. Make sure that there is a check next to "Remember what I enter in forms and the search bar." Also make sure there is no check next to "Always clear my private data." If this is checked, all saved data (information in forms, passwords) will be erased every time you close Firefox!
3. Make sure "Forms" and "User names and passwords on forms" is checked.
One common question that we are asked is: How can my web browser remember my password information so that I don't have to type it in all the time? Follow the steps below to have Firefox 3 or Internet Explorer 7 remember this data to make life a little easier!
For Firefox 3:
1. Click on Tools, then click Options.For Firefox 3:
2. Click on the Privacy tab.
3. Make sure that there is a check next to "Remember what I enter in forms and the search bar." Also make sure there is no check next to "Always clear my private data." If this is checked, all saved data (information in forms, passwords) will be erased every time you close Firefox!
For Internet Explorer 7:
1. Click on Tools, then click Internet Options.
2. Click on the Content tab, then click on the Settings box under AutoComplete.3. Make sure "Forms" and "User names and passwords on forms" is checked.
