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TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS FOR OHIO NONPROFITS
DECEMBER
2006
The
Electronic Newsletter of Project Connect
330-315-1335
800-780-8299
connect@infolineinc.org
www.infolineinc.org/connect.htm
Info Line relocates with support of Corbin Foundation, Akron Community Foundation
Foundation Center resources now available in Akron
Are you getting the best deals for your technology dollar?
How can Project Connect help you?
Info
Line/Project Connect moves to 703 South
Main Street # 211, Akron OH 44311
Community experiences NO interruptions to service due to Corbin
Foundation, Akron Community Foundation support
Info Line and its critical programs--including 211 Summit,
Lifeline, Child Care Connection, MedAssist, HMIS of Summit
County, and Project Connect--have moved to the south side of the
United Disability Services building. The Center for Nonprofit
Excellence is co-locating with Info Line, providing an
opportunity for shared resources. Info Line, CNE, and UDS
are now
able to share conference, training and Board meeting rooms; the
meeting rooms will also be available for use by other community
organizations. In addition, Info Line and CNE will be sharing
receptionist, mailing, copying, and waiting room services as
well as Info Line’s state-of-the-art computer network and
telephone systems to enhance office productivity and customer
services. This collaboration dramatically reduces the need for
duplicate facilities and technology infrastructure, thus
minimizing the overhead costs of operations.
This collaboration will help to insure that each organization
makes the best possible use of charitable dollars it receives
from the community by creating opportunities to critical assets.
The result will be more resources directed to the
services to the public.
Both the Corbin Foundation and Akron Community Foundation ensured that clients of Info Line's critical services--211, Lifeline, and Project Connect's Remote Advantage Plan--experienced no disruptions in service. They funded the wiring of the new facility (telephony and network) and relocating, installing, and testing its technology infrastructure. We are deeply appreciative of their support.
Info Line's new address is:
703 South Main Street # 211
Akron, OH 44311-1019
All telephone numbers remain the same. Directions can be found at http://www.infolineinc.org/directions.htm. Please feel free to stop by and see our new offices if you are in the downtown Akron area!!
Foundation Center co-locates fundraising information at Akron's Main Library
The Foundation Center is pleased to announce the establishment of a new
Cooperating Collection at
the
Akron-Summit County Public Library. The new Grant Center provides free
access to FC Search (The Foundation Center's Database on CD-ROM) and
additional funding information through a core collection of Foundation Center
publications and a variety of supplementary materials and services.
The Grant Center is located in the History & Humanities Division, on the third floor of Main Library, located at 60 S. High Street. Trained staff people are available to assist visitors during regular hours of operation:
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Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
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Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
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Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
For more information, call 330-643-9040.
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Register for Upcoming Classes ...
Project Connect now offers classes "on demand": just call 330-315-1335 or e-mail training@infolineinc.org to have your name added to the list, and as soon as we have enough folks registered, we'll schedule the class. This way, we can run whatever classes you need, when you need them!
Classes in
our Training Lab at 703 South Main Street #211, Akron OH 44311:
Click here to register for Training Lab classes
Click on the class name for a description of the class ...
1/16/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
1/23/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
- This course is designed for those who feel they aren't using Microsoft Word to its full
1/30/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
- Learn how to design forms which you can send to staff, clients, volunteers, etc., to complete and return to you for tabulation. We will also cover advanced finds/replaces, special characters, and headers/footers. Prerequisite: Skills covered in Microsoft Word 1 & 2.
2/6/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
- There's no need to buy an expensive desktop
publishing package if you have Microsoft Word. Learn how
to insert and manipulate graphics, use columns, and
other cool tools. After this course, you will be able to
develop professional-looking flyers and brochures.
Prerequisite: Skills covered in Microsoft Word 1, 2, and
3.
2/13/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
- A nonprofit's communication strategy should always include ongoing communications with its clients, client families, volunteers, donors, funders, etc. The most professional way is through newsletters. This course will focus on what you need to know to develop newsletters that get read. Prerequisite: skills covered in Word 1, 2, 3, 4.
1/11/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
- Learn how to set your options, use toolbars, navigate through a spreadsheet, fill down and across, AutoSum, and more. After this course, you will be able to create a basic spreadsheet from scratch, write basic sum and average formulas, and create simple charts from your data. Prerequisite: Skills covered in Introduction to Computers 1 & 2.
1/18/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
- Learn how to enter and edit
formulas-such as right and left, date and time, lookup,
and IF statements. Also covers essential spreadsheet
tools: grouping, naming, freeze/unfreeze panes, and
references to other worksheets. Prerequisite: Skills
covered in Microsoft Excel 1.
1/25/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
- Learn essential spreadsheet tools: grouping, naming, freeze/unfreeze panes, and references to other worksheets. Prerequisite: Skills covered in Microsoft Excel 2.
2/1/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon
- For those of you who are ready to go the next step: subtotals and pivot tables! These tools consolidate your data and point out critical relationships. Also, advanced chart techniques will be covered. Prerequisite: Skills covered in Microsoft Excel 1, 2, & 3.
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Online classes
click here for more details
click here to register
for online training classes
Click on the class name for a description of the class ...
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Microsoft Outlook
1/10/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon- Learn how to take advantage of Outlook's powerful features … including managing contact lists, scheduling appointments, arranging meetings, and using notes. Emphasis is placed on organization techniques. Prerequisite: Skills covered in Introduction to Computers 1 & 2.
The Database Developers Series
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Microsoft Access 1: Database Planning & Set-Up
1/18/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon-
This first session will focus on identifying what needs to be included in a nonprofit-related database and how to structure it so that the database will be easy to use and easy to retrieve useful information. Attendees will plan the database they need for their own organization. Prerequisite: Skills covered in Microsoft Excel 2.
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Microsoft Access 2: Database Tables & Relationships
1/25/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon-
In the second session, we will actually set up the database planned in the previous session. Tables will be closely examined, especially field properties. We will also do quick searches, filters, and sorts. Relationships between tables will be a major focus. Prerequisite: Skills covered in Microsoft Access 1 and completion of homework.
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Microsoft Access 3: Database Queries & Basic Forms
2/1/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon-
Queries are used to analyze data, combine data from different tables, and retrieve data from one or more tables using criteria you specify. Forms can be created to "pretty up" your data, make data entry easier, and combine data from different tables and queries. We will also integrate the data into Microsoft Word and Excel for file exchange and publication. Prerequisite: Skills covered in Microsoft Access 2 and completion of homework.
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Microsoft Access 4: Database Forms & Reports
2/8/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon-
More extensive work on the forms will be covered. We will also cover creating and editing reports, which present your data in meaningful ways. Sub-forms and sub-reports will be discussed. Skills covered in Microsoft Access 3 and completion of homework.
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Microsoft Access 5: Troubleshooting the Database
2/15/07 - 9:00 AM - Noon-
This class will focus on troubleshooting the database and other useful tools. Also covers the important compact-and-repair tool. Prerequisite: Skills covered in Microsoft Access 4 and completion of homework.
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How online
training works ...
Learn from your office -- no travel involved!!
In response to myriad requests for training throughout Ohio, Project Connect is implementing ONLINE TRAINING!! Here's how it works:
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Visit http://projectconnect.webex.com and click on the [Registration] button for whatever class you want to register for. Enter your information into the form and click on the [Register] button again. Click [ok] and exit.
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You will get a confirming email with all the information: date, time, session number, phone number, etc. Copy this to your calendar for that date starting at 8:45 AM.
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On the day before the class, I will send you the handouts for the class. Please print them and have them with you on the day of training.
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You must have the software you are training in loaded on the computer that you use to connect to the training session.
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On the day of training at 8:45, sit comfortably at your own desk with the handouts and any necessary refreshments. Go to the email link that you pasted in your calendar. Fill in the information (the password is also in that information you pasted) and then join the session.
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Once you join, you will be given a phone number to call. Call that number and enter the codes from the screen.
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You will see my screen on your computer and be able hear me from your phone!
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We'll keep the class to three hours with a break in the middle.
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Get ready to have fun!!
Other details:
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Online training is limited to 12 students per class. Classes fill quickly, so be sure to register early.
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Cost is $60 per person. We will invoice you or you can call 330-315-1335 and pay by credit card.
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The registration deadline is 2 business days before the class. Payment must be made by the date of the class; checks, cash, and Mastercard/Visa are accepted. Cancellations must be received by 4:00 pm two days before the class in order to be eligible for a refund.
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Those who register for a class but do not attend will be charged for that class.
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If you attended a class previously in the past year, you can repeat the class at no charge.
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Ryan's PC Tip:
Microsoft Word Annoyances ...
Here's my top five annoyances in Microsoft Word ... and how to get rid of them!
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When I open Word, the document doesn't look the way it will print.
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Solution: (1) Go to Tools/Options and select the /General\ tab. Turn OFF Allow staring in reading pane. (2) Go to View/Print Layout.
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I only see some of the options on my menus. It takes me forever to find the one I want because it doesn't show up when I first open the menu.
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Solution: Go to View/Toolbars/Customize and select the /Options\ tab. Make sure Always show full menus is checked. While you are here, check Show standard and formatting toolbars on two rows. Note: This also works in Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.
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I only want to select a couple letters from a word, but it keeps highlighting the entire word.
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Solution: Go to Tools/Options and check OFF When selecting, automatically select entire word. Note: This also works in PowerPoint.
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Whenever I try to add an AutoShape, I get an outlined box with Create your drawing here. The words go away, but the outlined box stays. It makes it really difficult to resize the graphics and do text wrapping.
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Go to Tools/Options and select the /General\ tab. Turn OFF Automatically create drawing canvas when inserting AutoShapes.
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When I send Word documents through email, the recipients get it with all the editing history -- what's been deleted, added, etc.
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Solution: Before you send a document, go to View/Toolbars and select the Reviewing toolbar. Select the option Final Showing Markup. Click on the drop-down box of the button showing a pencil and a checkmark and select Accept all changes in document. All the editing history will disappear. It does not go away completely--someone with the know how can get it back--but at least you'll avoid sending embarrassing mark-up emails!! If you want to learn more about removing hidden data, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/834427#2.
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Alternate solution: If you don't have a PDF creator, go to www.pdf995.com and download their free utility. Instead of sending the original Word document, File/Print it and send the PDF version. If you do this, they will not be able to make changes to your document.
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If you need any help with this, go to www.pclivehelp.org and complete the form. We'll walk you through these excellent time-savers!!
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You and your staff have more important things to do than fight
with your technology! Instead of spending hours of frustration
trying to do it yourself, let us help you!
Project Connect offers Live Help for staff of all Ohio
nonprofits! If you are having problems with a Microsoft Office
or Adobe product, simply go to
www.pclivehelp.org and complete
the form. Follow the directions, and then we'll be able to see
your computer from our office. We can then walk you through the
problem.
Cost is $15 per increment of 10 minutes.
Answers for
sale!!
Don't buy anything technology-related until you've visited these
three websites first!! They offer significant discounts for
nonprofits with Microsoft, Dell, CDW, Adobe, and more!
www.techsoup.org/stock/
www.giftsinkind.org www.techfoundation.org
Are you
getting the best deals for your technology dollar?
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How can Project Connect help you?
As always, we
are interested in hearing from you to learn how we can best meet
your technology and connectivity needs. Give us a call at
330-315-1335 or e-mail us at
connect@infolineinc.org.
Enjoy!
