Technology Tips
BlackBoard Tips (top)
Blackboard Tutorial Info
For information on how to use Blackboard for online courses, please click here. This will take you to a tutorial which will assist you in learning the basics of Blackboard.
Microsoft Word Tips (top)
Microsoft PowerPoint Tips (top)
Microsoft Outlook/Exchange Tips (top)
How do you set up a distribution list in Outlook?
There are two ways to create a distribution list in Outlook:
- Using names in the Address Book:
On the File menu, point to New, and then click Distribution List. In the Name box, type a name. Click Select Members. In the Show names from the list, click the address book that contains the e-mail addresses you want in your distribution list. In the Type name or select from list box, type a name you want to include. In the list below, select the name, and then click Members. Do this for each person you want to add to the distribution list, and then click OK. After adding all names, don't forget to name your distribution list. If you want to add a longer description of the distribution list, click the Notes tab, and then type the text. The distribution list is saved in your Contacts folder by the name you give it.
- Copying names from an e-mail message:
In the e-mail message you want to copy the names from, select the names in the To or Cc box. On the Edit menu, click Copy. On the File menu, point to New, and then click Distribution List. In the Name box, type a name for the distribution list. Click Select Members. In the "Add to distribution list" list, right-click, and then click Paste on the shortcut menu.
Now, these e-mail addresses are in the desired distribution list. You should see the distribution list now in your address book. Highlight the list you want and then Go to "File" on the tool bar in your address book window. Next, go to "New" and then to "Message". The distribution list you chose should appear in the "To" section of the letter. Proceed to write the letter and click "send" to give it to all the recipients in your distribution list.
How do I change my Outlook password? Your Outlook password can be changed through the Self-Service Account Maintenance System offered by ECU - ITCS Department. The site can be accessed by clicking here. To change your password, follow the directions on the screen.
I've emptied my inbox and I'm still getting a message saying that my e-mail account is over its size limit. Why?
Your "Inbox", "Sent Items", and "Deleted Items" folders all count against your alloted space. You will need to delete any unneeded messages from all these folders to gain more space.
General Tips (top)
How can I find a file that I've saved somewhere on my computer? It is important to know the name of the file you are looking for; otherwise, it is difficult to find a file. Also, know where you saved the file; meaning on which drive did you save the file, either on the hard drive [C], your floppy disk [A], or a CD Rewritable drive[D]. Go to "My computer" on the desktop and go to the drive that has the file you want and simply double click on the file name, and the file will open. When going to the [C] drive, know in which folder the document is saved. Double click on the folder and then select the file to open it.
If you are still unable to locate the file, you can do a search on your hard drive. Click on Start on the taskbar (located at the bottom of your desktop). Go To Search and when the search menu appears to the right, click on "For files or folders...". A Search Results window will appear. In the left pane of the Search Results window, you will see a search companion pane. Choose what you want to search for and enter the requested information. If the file was saved, it should appear shortly after clicking the Search button. If the file cannot be found, a message indicating that there are zero results for your request will be displayed.
How can I tell where I'm saving a file? When you are saving a file, go to the tool bar and select "File". Next, go to "Save As" on the tool bar. Displayed will be a window and at the top there is a field labeled "Save In". Here you select where you want the file to be saved. After you decide where you want the file and what you want the file to be called; you click on "Save", and the document is saved.
How can I determine the size of a file? If it is an e-mail, next to the name of the attachment should be a parenthesis containing the size. If it is a document or file saved, go to "My Computer" on the desktop and go to where the file is stored. If you click on the file, the computer will tell you how big the file is on the left-hand side of your computer.
How can I transfer large files between my home computer and my computer at school?
CD-R disc
USB Memory key
E-mail
How do I animate features in my PowerPoint presentation? You can choose pictures from the "Clip Art" option of PowerPoint by going to the tool bar and going to "Insert", then to picture, and to "Clip Art". Choose from the "Motion Pictures" to get animated features. Select a picture, highlight the picture, and then click "OK". The picture will appear on your slide. You may need to set up a custom animation by clicking the right hand side of your mouse and ungroup and regroup the object in the order of presentation you choose. Be sure to check the box in custom animation for the animation to be active.
What kind of file is this attachment with a ".wps" extension?
This is a file created in Word Perfect not Microsoft Office.
How can I open a WordPerfect document? Some computers are not able to open WordPerfect documents. If you have Microsoft Office, you may be able to open them by downloading a converter from the Microsoft site. Otherwise, the person who sent the file should save the file in a "rich text format" and send the file again, so that you can open it.