Windows Tablet Standard

The Information Technology Services department has named a standard tablet that runs the Windows Operating System. The standard Windows tablets are Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and Microsoft Surface 3. The tablet selection was made this past May and the review team included members from IT and the Accounting department. This selection of a standard Windows tablet does not effect or replace the standard iPad options.

The review team looked at several different models and several different configurations before narrowing the selection down to just a few. During the initial discussions, it was determined that two options would be available as a standard, a High-End model and a Low-End model. The High-End model included things like a faster and more powerful processor, more memory, larger storage drive, and larger screen size. The specifications could allow a user to use the tablet as laptop and run more power intensive applications without losing function of the tablet, similar to a laptop. The Low-End model included things like a mid-grade processor, less memory, lower storage capacity, and smaller screen. This tablet option was selected for users that wanted/needed a tablet, but didn’t need the power to run resource heavy applications. This tablet is more for email, web browsing, and document modification.

The specifications for the selected tablets are as follows:

• Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (High-End)
  • Processor – Intel Core i5 1.9GHz
  • Memory – 8GB RAM
  • Storage – 256GB Hard Drive
  • Screen Size – 12″ Touchscreen
  • Stylus Included
  • Keyboard Cover Included
  • 3 Year Warranty
• Microsoft Surface 3 (Low-End)
  • Processor – Quad-core Intel Atom x7-Z8700
  • Memory – 4GB RAM
  • Storage – 128GB Hard Drive
  • Screen Size – 10.8″ Touchscreen
  • Stylus Included
  • Keyboard Cover Included
  • 3 Year Warranty

The decision to select two Microsoft Surface tablets for the High-End and Low-End was consistency between the layout and use of the tablet. Also, the ability to image and troubleshoot issues on a single brand is much easier for IT to manage. These tablets are being added to the Sehi purchase portal and to the standard purchase product list within the Ferris State University Technology Purchase Portal. Look for these to be added shortly. If you have any questions regarding the tablet selection or options, please contact the Technology Assistance Center for more information.

 

June Satisfaction Survey Winner

Each time you complete the satisfaction survey emailed to you after the TAC has closed a work ticket, you will be entered into a drawing to win a free lunch at The Rock. The drawings will be held at the end of each month throughout 2014. The winner for the month of June is
Myrna Colon. Thanks Myrna for taking the time to share your experience with us. Enjoy your free lunch at The Rock!

Using Adobe Reader on Touch Devices

Do you ever find yourself with work to do when you’ve only have a smartphone or a tablet handy? Good thing it’s easy to use your mobile touch device to read, comment on, or sign PDF files with the free Adobe Reader mobile app. Take a look!

Getting Started

Open up your PDF file on your mobile device.

Tap the screen to open the menu.
 
To choose viewing preferences, tap the view menu. Choose your view option: Continuous, Single 
Page, or Automatic.


Now open up the commenting toolbar. Here are all of your options for adding comments: Add sticky notes, highlight, strike out, underline, or add text. You can even draw random shapes with your finger.


Close the commenting toolbar to return to the main menu.

Search Feature

You may search a PDF file for a specific term. The results will be highlighted in the PDF file’s text.

Completing and Signing Forms

You can also fill out and sign PDF forms on the go:

Open the commenting toolbar again.

Tap where you want to add text and type it in. 

To Sign, choose the signature tool and tap to add your signature. Draw your signature in, then click “save.” You may format the color thickness of the signature or move the signature to center it.
When you’re done, you have the option to email it right away.

www.adobe.com

Writing Effective Emails

Here are 7 simple rules to follow when writing an email:

1. Use a credible email address.

• Someone may not open your email based on your email address, and make judgments about your credibility.

2. Write short emails.

• Short, sweet, to the point! People like short things to read, not long lengthy paragraphs.  

• Each new thought or idea should start a new paragraph.

3. Limit your email to a single subject.

• Gives the recipient a chance to digest and respond to the subject before moving along to a new one.

4. Make clear requests.

• Summarize at the end of the email, use bullet points, and state the action you would like the recipient to take.

5. Honor requests from others.

• Don’t ignore a direct request in an email, it affects trustworthiness.
• Acknowledge them, even if all you’re saying is, “I’ll get back to you on that” (provided that you do).

6. Acknowledge receipt of emails.

• Let your sender know that you’ve gotten their email (maybe eve thank them for it), even if you aren’t able to respond to it right away.
• People expect a response within 24 hours.

7. Don’t write for yourself, write for your reader.

• Make use of text links to provide them with background information (this helps keep emails short).
• Stay away from jargon, unless the reader knows the jargon.
• Use inline or attached images sparingly.
• Use emoticons sparingly.
• Put yourself in the reader’s place: “What would I need to know in order to understand this?”

Finally, be nice and remember that everything you send over the internet might someday be made public!

Written by Emily Tiesenga

Summarized from: 
http://sierraonlineservices.com/7-rules-for-effective-email/

Workshop Changes for Spring Semester

Due to the training being offered for the transition from Lotus Notes to Office 365, TAC’s Technical Education and Outreach team will be offering fewer scheduled workshops and encouraging the use of online training resources or customized one-on-one and group training workshops during spring semester.

Updates to our website will include a variety of training items: 

• Downloadable quick help guides
• Online training videos
• Links to other training resources 

We are excited about the website changes and are looking forward to the spring semester.

Go to the Technical Education and Outreach website.