Recent Posts

751

General Software Discussion / Re: Help! Outlook Express problem.

« Last post by techidave on July 22, 2009, 12:46 PM »

This has happened with Outlook on our school email.  I (wrongly) guessed that the same would be true with OE.

752

General Software Discussion / Re: Help! Outlook Express problem.

« Last post by techidave on July 21, 2009, 11:36 AM »

I have seen the first error when a user tries to send group emails and there is one bad address in the bunch.  delete it and resend.

753

Living Room / Re: Help put spare laptop to use

« Last post by techidave on July 20, 2009, 06:22 PM »

uh oh Edbro.  Edvard is on the Linux kick

754

General Software Discussion / Re: powerpoint to dvd software

« Last post by techidave on July 20, 2009, 11:09 AM »

Works for me.  I haven't had much time to spend on this project.  I haven't totally forgotten about it, its just on the back burner for now.

Thanks to all for the suggestions!  I get so much out of this forum and I usually read most of the posts.

Good Job Guys and Gals!   

755

Living Room / Re: linux network question

« Last post by techidave on July 18, 2009, 06:51 PM »

if there are so many options, then surely there must be an idiot proof version!

Well Shades, I looked at your XAMP but I would it say its not for a beginner.  I have noticed that Ubuntu has a server version.  I wonder how well that would work with Edbuntu??

756

Living Room / Re: linux network question

« Last post by techidave on July 17, 2009, 08:12 PM »

Holy cow!  I had no idea there were going to be so many options.  It looks like I should get two computers and put a server on one and a workstation on the other.

this may not be quite as easy as I thought it might be. 

After visiting with my friend last nite, he is only going to start out with 5 or 6 boys at first.  that wouldn't be a huge thing to handle but I need to look toward the future also.

757

Living Room / Re: linux network question

« Last post by techidave on July 17, 2009, 02:17 PM »

I know what a lamp is but what is a LAMP, Edvard?

758

Living Room / Re: linux network question

« Last post by techidave on July 16, 2009, 07:48 PM »

Thanks for the quick reply 40hz.  I had not heard of the Karoshi one before.  I hope it will be as easy to use as it looks.

I was looking for some kind of server software like Active Directory for MS Windows only for Linux.  Just something that would allow for central management of several workstations that are running some form of Linux.  Mostly for user management.

The workstations would need internet access and the ability to run a few educational type games, keyboarding, word processing or presentation training or whatever that might come along. A few years ago I had read about Edbuntu which came with a whole bunch of software that schools might use.  there are probably others by now.

Hopefully this is a start fo the right kind of info you were wanting 40hz.

759

Living Room / linux network question

« Last post by techidave on July 16, 2009, 05:51 PM »

I am a newbie when it comes to Linux (any flavor) so here is what I would like to do.

Set up say 10 desktop computers with Ubuntu or some other flavor that has a windows type appeal.  I also need to setup some time of a Linux server for 5-20 computers, mostly for administration purposes like creating logins etc.  

I have a friend who is starting a "boys ranch" and I have some white box computers without any kind of windows cd keys.  I am trying really hard to be legal and not install xp and server 2003 just because I am familiar with it and I can.

Not sure how old these boys might be but they will need some alternative schooling which they already have lined up and it is web based as well.

Not sure which flavors of Linux I should use for the workstations and for a server.

I am open for suggestions.

Dave

760

General Software Discussion / Re: free scaled down word replacment

« Last post by techidave on July 09, 2009, 07:00 AM »

Boy, I had no idea there were so many alternate programs.  Some I knew about and some I didn't. 

761

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA - The Name Game

« Last post by techidave on July 03, 2009, 09:11 PM »

Looks like a fantastic app skwire.  will the results ever repeat themselves?  I was thinking more as a password generator that might be easier to remember than s1xy47#6 or something like that.

762

Living Room / Re: Where did your DC user I.D come from?

« Last post by techidave on June 30, 2009, 06:34 PM »

One of the locals called me techidave one day.  Dave being my first name and techi coming because I am the computer tech at the local school district.

I was givin the nickname of Jed back in jr hi school a long time ago.  a few of my classmates still call me that more than 40 years later.

I like mouser's fictional story... not sure I could top that one!   

763

Living Room / Re: What's your favorite drink?

« Last post by techidave on June 29, 2009, 05:45 AM »

Cherry Pepsi! 

764

General Software Discussion / Re: free scaled down word replacment

« Last post by techidave on June 28, 2009, 03:54 PM »

All the suggestions listed look really good.  I did d/l a few of them and they were fast and slim on resources.  Softmaker Office is one that I need to look at a little harder.  The new Softmaker Office 2008 does have a presentation program and it offers a site license for education for only $99 US.

765

General Software Discussion / Re: alternatives to Powerpoint for educational use

« Last post by techidave on June 26, 2009, 12:17 PM »

tsaint, do you have an english link for kingsoft?  I seem to only find the "other" language sites that I cannot read.

I am not opposed to either OpenOffice of MS Office 2003, its just I wonder if their isn't something easier than these.  I am the only tech person for our district and most of my teachers are somewhat challenged when it comes to computers.

oh well... we have gotten by the way we are in the past, perhaps we can continue this way.  If nobody complains, why change? 

766

General Software Discussion / alternatives to Powerpoint for educational use

« Last post by techidave on June 26, 2009, 07:46 AM »

After starting a topic on word replacement alternatives,here it got me to thinking about the other part of office software.  In our grade school computer lab they are currently using Office 2003 Pro which is probably over kill for 5 to 10 year olds.

They use only Word and Powerpoint which leads me to think maybe there is something easier and much much cheaper out there.

With the budget crunches going on in the education sector, we lost our computer lab teacher for the next year.  so that means the classroom teacher will be instructing them.  I have looked at OpenOffice 3 in the past but decided the "look" was enough different that they might be confused after using Office.

It was easy enough to find Word replacement thanks to Zaine's wonderful review. here  But I had a very hard time finding replacements for Powerpoint that were free, even on Google.

Any recommendations?

Dave

767

General Software Discussion / Re: free scaled down word replacment

« Last post by techidave on June 26, 2009, 06:58 AM »

Dave

-tsaint (June 25, 2009, 11:27 PM)

What "bells and whistles" do you mean?
[/quote]

He doesn't like the automatic stuff.  I personally have that turned off as well but he says he has to do it for each document.  I guess I don't understand why he has to do it for each one and I don't.

The school does own Microsoft Works 4.5 for Windows 95.  Maybe I should have him try that.

768

General Software Discussion / free scaled down word replacment

« Last post by techidave on June 25, 2009, 10:48 PM »

I have a teacher that doesn't like all the bells and whistles of Word 2003.  Is there a free replacement that just does basic word processing?  Perhaps AbiWord or something like that?

Dave

769

Living Room / Re: Upgrading Video and Power Supply on an Dell XPS 400

« Last post by techidave on June 18, 2009, 09:39 PM »

If you have an old or even a new standard ATX PSU laying around, you could plug it in and see if the computer will boot.  If it does, then you could see if it is the same size as the old one.  That would be a bit more work though, especially if it doesn't fit.

770

Living Room / Re: is this how you can tell if a powerstrip is bad

« Last post by techidave on June 16, 2009, 02:20 AM »

Before you toss them out, cut the mains lead into 150mm lengths starting as close to the plug and the strip as you can so they can't be used.  This should apply to anything mains powered that you throw out.

I have learned to do this on everything I throw out, otherwise people will dig it out of the trash and try it at home.

771

Living Room / Re: is this how you can tell if a powerstrip is bad

« Last post by techidave on June 15, 2009, 06:27 PM »

How about a power strip with an indicator light that flickers constantly?   I plug several others into the same outlet and they don't flicker.  So does this mean there might be something wrong internally?

772

Living Room / Re: is this how you can tell if a powerstrip is bad

« Last post by techidave on June 15, 2009, 06:26 PM »

Wow, if I knew somebody was going to throw 2 books at me, I may not have bothered to ask the question.   

Thank you to both 4wd and 40hz for your very detailed explanations.  Your "when in doubt, throw it out" advise will give me a greater peace of mind.  So far I have found only 4 out of about 20 or so that I am not comfortable with.  For a price of $10 or so apiece, its not worth worrying about.

773

Living Room / is this how you can tell if a powerstrip is bad

« Last post by techidave on June 15, 2009, 10:04 AM »

Just wanting to double check what I read on the internet over the weekend.  It said if you are using a working powerstrip that the power light doesn't work anymore, then its bad.  it could be a possible fire hazard.

Anyone have any experience or thoughts dealing with this subject?

I could not find the site I read that on today.   

774

General Software Discussion / Mac OS Tiger vs Leopard

« Last post by techidave on June 14, 2009, 08:22 PM »

Our school has some Macbook computers (Intel) that came with Tiger on them.  I have the DVD to install Leopard on them.  But I was wondering what the advantages of 10.5 over 10.4 would be. Aside from Time Machine which is what most of the forums rave about but they also say it is slower.

What are some of thoughts of the Macheads here?   

775

General Software Discussion / Re: computer repair software

« Last post by techidave on May 29, 2009, 07:12 PM »

Thanks for the database wr, I will see if I can figure it out this weekend.