How to Create Your Own Maps in Google Maps

This tutorial will walk you through how to create a map using Google Maps (and finding latitude and longitude coordinates).

1. Go to http://maps.google.com

2. Type in an address you want to find.

3. To find the latitude and longitude coordinates, type this in the address bar: javascript:void(prompt(”,gApplication.getMap().getCenter())); It will appear in a new window.

4. Click on the point and select: Save to Maps (you will need a Google Account to save this map)

5. Type in a title and a description for the Map (on the left hand side)

6. You can create points on the map by clicking on the placemark tool at the top left of the map.

7. To link or embed this map into a webpage or blog, click on Link to This Page at the top right of the map. You can customize the map size by clicking on the Customize and preview embedded map link.

-Angel Brady

How to do a Simple Mail Merge in Microsoft Office Word: Brief Screencast

The link below will demonstrate how to do a simple Mailmerge in Microsoft Word 2008. The steps are the same if you are using an older version of Office (like 2003). A Mailmerge is an easy way to print and create a bunch of forms, envelopes, and labels, that need info changed like name, mailing address, but are uniformly the same. Why type in each of those fields by hand? You can do it quickly with the Mail Merge manager. You can pool the data from an Excel spreadsheet you created. You then have the option of printing or creating a new document. Click on the link below to see a brief screencast:

Mailmerge in Word

http://www.screencast.com/t/fzro3v7T

FYI-The screencast was done using Jing.

-Angel Brady

How to Restore Portable Apps Backup Files

1. Open PortableApps’ window, click the “backup icon”

2. Click “Restore from BackUp”

3. You will see a PortableApps Backup-Restore window, then click “Next” button.

4. In the PortableApps Backup-Restore/Restore Settings window, find the backup file which you would like to restore, then click “Restore” button.

Note: PortableApps Backup’s app data backup feature only works with apps in PortableApps Format (since their data is in a standard location). For other apps, you should be sure to backup your entire drive. (www.portableapps.com).

–Robin Lu

Creating a Designate in Oracle Calendar: Brief Screencast

Did you ever want to give somebody access rights to your Oracle Calendar so they can delete, edit, and create meetings? This is ideal if you are sharing a calendar to schedule a room for use. This is also a great feature for administrative assistants that need to edit and view an administrator’s calendar. You can learn how to set up a designate with this screencast. This screencast also goes over viewing rights in Oracle Calendar as well.

Oracle Calendar Screencast: How to Create a Designate

-Angel Brady

Rapid Reference: Intro to TrueCrypt: On-the-Fly Encryption

This Rapid Reference will introduce you to you how can encrypt files on your computer, files on your USB key, or your entire USB key. TrueCrypt is a free and open source application that does on-the-fly encryption. This reference sheet will show you where to download the software, create an encrypted container to put files in, mount the container, create a password for the container and more. If you want to make your files on your USB key more secure (in case you lose or misplace the USB key), get TrueCrypt today. Click on the click below to download the PDF:

Rapid Reference: Introduction to TrueCrypt

-Angel Brady

Rapid Reference: Intro to Mac OS X

This Rapid Reference gives you an over view of the basic functions in Mac OS X. If you are switching to Mac OS X from an older version of the Mac OS or if you are switching from another OS and are a fist time Mac user, this is a great reference sheet to have. It discusses topics such as System Preferences, the Finder window, applications, ejecting media, and much more. Click on the link below to download the PDF:

Rapid Reference: Introduction to Mac OS X

-Angel Brady

How to Back Up Portable Apps Files

1. Open PortableApps’ window, click the “backup icon”

2. Click “Backup Files”

3. You will see a PortableApps Backup window, click the “Next” button.

4. In the PortableApps Backup/Backup Settings window, you can choose a: “Complete Backup”, “App Data”, or “Documents”. After you choose what to backup, click the “Backup” button.

5. After that you will see a PortableAppsBackup folder in the “Backup Directory”

Note: PortableApps Backup’s app data backup feature only works with apps in PortableApps Format (since their data is in a standard location). For other apps, you should be sure to backup your entire drive. (www.portableapps.com).

–Robin Lu

Rapid Reference: Intro to Oracle Calendar

This Rapid Reference gives you an over view of Oracle Calendar. It will show you how to use Oracle Calendar to manage your time, set up meetings, set up group meetings, write daily events, notes, and more. This is a great tool for time management and organization. Click on the link below to download the PDF.

Oracle Calendar Rapid Reference (PDF)

-Angel Brady

How to add Apps to the Portable Apps Menu

1. Download the file which you would like to add to the Portable Apps Menu from www.portableapps.com/suite. It’s on the left side of the web page (for example, 7-Zip Portable).

2. Click “7-Zip Portable”. After that, you will enter into “7-Zip Portable” download page, and then click “Download Now” button.

3. Open your Portable Apps Menu. Click “Options” then click “Install a New App”.

4. An “Add a New App” window will jump out, then click “Install” button.

5. Choose “7-Zip Portable” then click “Open” button.

6. Click “Options” then click “Refresh App Icons” within Portable Apps Menu and your new app will show up.

–Robin Lu

What is a Portable Apps? How to use Portable Apps?

“Portable means carried or moved with ease. Apps means a computer program like a web browser or word processor. A Portable Apps is a computer program that you can carry around with you on a portable device such as USB flash drive, portable hard drive and iPod and use on any Windows computer. You can access to your software and personal data just as on your own PC. And when you unplug the device, none of your personal data is left behind” (Source:www.portableapps.com).

1. Go to http://portableapps.com/suite

2. Click “Download Standard” or “Download Lite” button

3. Double-click “PortableApps” icon to install PortableApps Suite

(It’s best to install it to the root of your portable drive and it’ll take from 2 to 20 minutes depending on the Edition you select and the speed of your portable drive.)

4. After you install PortableApps Suite, when you plug in your drive Windows will ask if you’d like to start PortableApps

5. And then you will see the Portable Apps window

Notes:

“When you use portable apps, it’s always a good idea to practice Safe Portable App-ing. Safe Portable App-ing-When you’re done, exit all portable apps and then wait for the activity light on your removable drive to stop flashing. Then select the ‘Safely remove [device]‘ option from the icon in the system tray. If you remove the drive while it is writing, you may lose data” (source: www.portableapps.com).

-Robin Lu