Our trusty volunteer will log in questions here that would need more research and then be answered later.
They will also list things you want to learn to do but are not within the scope of this workshop.
Questions
Do I have to back up my own laptop?
If you save documents to your own laptop and do not archive them on the District server, yes, you should back up your documents. You do not need to back up any applications that the District put on your laptop, only your documents, any movies you created, and photos.
The Mac comes with an application that will automatically back up for you each time you connect to an external hard drive that you purchase for backing up. This video will give you more information about setting up this "insurance".
Can I take my laptop with me when I go on vacation?
Use good judgement when traveling with your laptop and treat it as if it were your own.Don't leave it in your car overnight and don't leave it unattended.
Can any other software be loaded on these machines?
You will be the "admin" of your laptop so here are no physical restraints on what you download. But of course, be ethical in what you place on the computer.
Can I set up the Mac mail application to pick up my school mail? What are the settings?
You will need to ask your District administrator if this something they will allow. Using the Mac mail client will allow you to pick up your district mail and you will also be able to use the web to get to your same mail account as usual. Setting up the Mac mail application will allow you to mail directly out of applications that use the new share icon that looks like this
Can I use my laptop in another school in the District?
How do you enlarge the screen?
That depends on the application. Apple applications like Safari, and iPhoto can use the" double tap" gesture as well as the "pinch to zoom" feature. Some applications, like Word, also have there own zoom feature, usually in the "view" menu.
You can also set up keys in the Accesibility preference pane (Zoom tab) to use keys to zoom.
How do I set up an iTunes account?
An iTunes account is the same as an Apple ID. It allows you to purchase music, books, and more. If you don't have an Apple ID, you can set up an account at this link.
You can also find out there if you already have an account. You can also manage your account information there. note that the District has an Apple ID that might be used for specific cases to download applications. Kathy Haack may be able to tell you later what the policy for this will be.
How do I use the Macbook air with the Interwrite board?
Basically, the same way you did with your PC. You connect the USB cable from the board to your laptop and use the Interwrite software installed on your Mac.You then hook up your projector using a "dongle" or adapter that will be given to you that will fit in the mini VGA port on the side of your new Mac Air.
Can I have step by step directions to change my screen saver?
Sure! Just click here.
Which translator should I use to translate letters to a different language?
Although the Mac has a translate feature built into many apps, you might want to use Google Translate instead. Google's language database is dynamic, constantly updated by native speakers. You are less likely to get strange idiomatic translations using Google. Go to the Google translate site now and place the URL in your bookmark bar for future reference.
How do I change the speed of the track pad?
Go to your System Preferences in the dock and click on trackpad. In the Point and Click tab in the bottom you will see a slider for tracking speed.
How do I set up my wifi at home?**
To connect to your wifi network at home, simply click on the wifi icon in your upper right menu bar (looks like a windshield). You will see all wifi networks in your area. Select yours. Enter your password if it asks for one.
Your Mac will remember this connection any time you try to connect in that location.
Learn at another time
Set up iCloud to synch my other Apple devices with my laptop (my mail, calendar, photos, etc.)
Pages application for desktop publishing to replace Publisher
Q and (Hopefully) A
Our trusty volunteer will log in questions here that would need more research and then be answered later.
They will also list things you want to learn to do but are not within the scope of this workshop.
Questions
Do I have to back up my own laptop?If you save documents to your own laptop and do not archive them on the District server, yes, you should back up your documents. You do not need to back up any applications that the District put on your laptop, only your documents, any movies you created, and photos.
The Mac comes with an application that will automatically back up for you each time you connect to an external hard drive that you purchase for backing up. This video will give you more information about setting up this "insurance".
Can I take my laptop with me when I go on vacation?
Use good judgement when traveling with your laptop and treat it as if it were your own.Don't leave it in your car overnight and don't leave it unattended.
Can any other software be loaded on these machines?
You will be the "admin" of your laptop so here are no physical restraints on what you download. But of course, be ethical in what you place on the computer.
Can I set up the Mac mail application to pick up my school mail? What are the settings?
You will need to ask your District administrator if this something they will allow. Using the Mac mail client will allow you to pick up your district mail and you will also be able to use the web to get to your same mail account as usual. Setting up the Mac mail application will allow you to mail directly out of applications that use the new share icon that looks like this
Can I use my laptop in another school in the District?
How do you enlarge the screen?
That depends on the application. Apple applications like Safari, and iPhoto can use the" double tap" gesture as well as the "pinch to zoom" feature. Some applications, like Word, also have there own zoom feature, usually in the "view" menu.
You can also set up keys in the Accesibility preference pane (Zoom tab) to use keys to zoom.
How do I set up an iTunes account?
An iTunes account is the same as an Apple ID. It allows you to purchase music, books, and more.
If you don't have an Apple ID, you can set up an account at this link.
You can also find out there if you already have an account. You can also manage your account information there.
note that the District has an Apple ID that might be used for specific cases to download applications. Kathy Haack may be able to tell you later what the policy for this will be.
How do I use the Macbook air with the Interwrite board?
Basically, the same way you did with your PC. You connect the USB cable from the board to your laptop and use the Interwrite software installed on your Mac.You then hook up your projector using a "dongle" or adapter that will be given to you that will fit in the mini VGA port on the side of your new Mac Air.
Can I have step by step directions to change my screen saver?
Sure! Just click here.
Can I have directions to link all my e-mail accounts?
You can access your various email accounts (like google mail and yahoo and optimum mail) using the Mail application on the Mac.
You will need to set up accounts for each of these accounts first. To do so, see these instructions.
You can also use the Mail Setup Assistant found here.
Which translator should I use to translate letters to a different language?
Although the Mac has a translate feature built into many apps, you might want to use Google Translate instead. Google's language database is dynamic, constantly updated by native speakers. You are less likely to get strange idiomatic translations using Google.
Go to the Google translate site now and place the URL in your bookmark bar for future reference.
How do I change the speed of the track pad?
Go to your System Preferences in the dock and click on trackpad. In the Point and Click tab in the bottom you will see a slider for tracking speed.
How do I set up printing for home?
Click here for complete step-by-step instructions.
How do I set up my wifi at home?**
To connect to your wifi network at home, simply click on the wifi icon in your upper right menu bar (looks like a windshield). You will see all wifi networks in your area. Select yours. Enter your password if it asks for one.
Your Mac will remember this connection any time you try to connect in that location.
Learn at another time