Computer Chronicles
Version 7.5, Welcome 2018!
Happy New Year!
- Got a tech problem that won't go away?
- Need some one-on-one time to go over new tech?
- Heard about a great Chrome extension and want to try it out, but not sure where to begin?
- New or old equipment getting you down?
- Want to chat over a cup of coffee?
Whatever you might need, I can find the time. Use the link in my profile at the bottom to set it up.
Tech Support is Not Calling YouThe winter holidays, from Chanukah through the Solstice, Christmas, and into the New Year, are prime time for help desk support scam calls. It's a familiar con: someone cold calls you, tells you they're with the "Microsoft" or "Windows" help desk, and that they've detected a problem with your computer. They'll help you fix the issue if you give them your password, turn over control of your machine, etc. Of course, they're not, they haven't, and they won't. They're after your credentials, your identity, or your credit card. This old scam has grown more sophisticated. The scam now often begins online, with a popup notifying you of a problem and voice overs that start to sound realistic and inviting you to call a number to get it resolved. | Certify’emHere is an add-on that fully extends Google Forms power. Certify’em not only helps you create online exams, it will also send a PDF certification via email to everyone who passes the test! Additional features make Certify’em a complete online exam tool: Choose a certification template, store each exams in Google Drive, track your candidates success with Sheets… More about Certify’em: certifyem.com/home Certify’em has been created by Dave Abouav, the creator of Flubaroo which is the most popular add-on for Google Sheets as of now, with more than 887 000 users! | PalettiLast September, Google finally launched add-ons for Google Slides. As this is the newest store there are not yet many add-ons available, but more and more are coming! Last month, we have noticed the release of Paletti, a great way to make beautiful Slides. Pick a color palette among 200 predefined collections or create one and apply it to your whole presentation. You can also extract a color palette from a selected image! More about Paletti: zenlan.com/addons |
Tech Support is Not Calling You
The winter holidays, from Chanukah through the Solstice, Christmas, and into the New Year, are prime time for help desk support scam calls. It's a familiar con: someone cold calls you, tells you they're with the "Microsoft" or "Windows" help desk, and that they've detected a problem with your computer.
They'll help you fix the issue if you give them your password, turn over control of your machine, etc. Of course, they're not, they haven't, and they won't. They're after your credentials, your identity, or your credit card.
This old scam has grown more sophisticated. The scam now often begins online, with a popup notifying you of a problem and voice overs that start to sound realistic and inviting you to call a number to get it resolved.
Certify’em
Here is an add-on that fully extends Google Forms power. Certify’em not only helps you create online exams, it will also send a PDF certification via email to everyone who passes the test! Additional features make Certify’em a complete online exam tool: Choose a certification template, store each exams in Google Drive, track your candidates success with Sheets…
More about Certify’em: certifyem.com/home
Certify’em has been created by Dave Abouav, the creator of Flubaroo which is the most popular add-on for Google Sheets as of now, with more than 887 000 users!
Paletti
Last September, Google finally launched add-ons for Google Slides. As this is the newest store there are not yet many add-ons available, but more and more are coming! Last month, we have noticed the release of Paletti, a great way to make beautiful Slides. Pick a color palette among 200 predefined collections or create one and apply it to your whole presentation. You can also extract a color palette from a selected image!
More about Paletti: zenlan.com/addons
Magni Momenti Notitia
- MHS Teachers: Please do NOT put the Chrome carts to the right of my office. The roof leaks when it rains and will ruin the devices. I have signs there to remind you.
- Sign up for txt messages from SchoolMessenger here.
- End of Life Chromebooks will be available soon for use in your classroom. Keep an eye out for the email.
- "Think before you click."
- If you have a technical issue, you must submit a help desk ticket here: https://sapublicschools.freshdesk.com/helpdesk (Be sure to use the Google button to login.)
- Be sure to visit the Technology Intranet page as your first stop for tech in the district. FAQs & other general info is stored here to help you find answers to many questions you might have.
- Where can you get the best hollandaise sauce? Gnome, Alaska of course. Because there's no place like Gnome for the hollandaise.

Stuff I have been reading apparently:
- Meltdown and Spectre CPU Flaws Affect Intel, ARM, AMD Processors
- Global ransomware damage costs predicted to exceed $11.5 billion annually by 2019
- Social Media Best Practices For Online Teachers
- School virtual shooter training program aimed at survival
- As poverty rises, one Maryland school system tries a longer school year
One kind word can warm three winter months.
Michael Elson
Book some time: https://melson.youcanbook.me/