Alamo Heights ISD: Technology Department: MAC Laptops

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Laptop FAQs
	1.	How do I right-click?
	2.	How do I connect to a projector?
	3.	How do I burn a CD on the MAC side?
	4.	How do I burn a DVD on the MAC side?
	5.	What software is included on this laptop?
	6.	What if I want to install software?
	7.	How do I clean the laptop screen and keyboard?
	8.	What happens to the desktop computer in my classroom?
	9.	What if the laptop gets stolen?
	10.	What if the laptop gets broken?
	11.	What accessories am I getting?
	12.	What if I leave the district?
	13.	What if I transfer to another campus?
	14.	Is there an Apple helpline to call?
	15.	What do I do if something is not working?
	16.	What if I just want to use Windows?
	17.	May I take the laptop home?
	18.	May I take the laptop to a conference or workshop?
	19.	How do I connect to the network/Internet at school?
	20.	How do I connect to the Internet at my house?
	21.	How do I connect to the Internet at a hotel?
	22.	Be diligent about the care of your laptop:
	23.	How do I back up my documents?
	24.	Is there virus protection on this laptop?
	25.	How do I determine which OS to start: WindowsXP or MacOS?
	26.	Where can I find more information on using a Mac?
	27.	How do I transfer favorites from Explorer to my new laptop?
	28.	What should I expect the laptop’s battery life to be? How should I care for the battery?
	29.	Who should I contact if I have more FAQ ideas that need to be posted?
	30.	How do I set my laptop to automatically boot up to Mac?
	31.	How do I use a keyboard shortcut to switch between applications on the Mac side?
	32.	Where is the Print Screen Key to take screen shots on the Windows side?
	33.	Where is the Print Screen Key to take screen shots on the MAC side?

	1.	How do I right-click? You may use the mouse or control-click to right click. If you have set the preference on the Mac side under System Preferences>Keyboard & Mouse>Trackpad to allow two fingers on the mouse pad to right-click, that feature is available on the Windows side also.
	2.	How do I connect to a projector? Use the VGA dongle that was provided with your laptop.Insert the small end of the dongle into the laptop port and attach the large end to the VGA cable of the projector. Turn on the projector if it is not already on. Windows: right-click on the desktop and choose Graphic Options > Output to > Dual Display Clone > Notebook + Monitor. You should have to do this only once.
	3.	How do I burn a CD? 1. Insert a blank recordable disc into the optical drive of your computer; the disc appears on your desktop. 2. Double-click the disc to open it, and drag the files and folders you want on it to its window. The Finder places aliases to the files in the disc's window. The original files are not moved or deleted. 3. Arrange and rename the files exactly as you want them. 4. When burning the disc, the Finder gives the items on the disc the same names and locations as the aliases in the disc window. After the disc is burned, you cannot change them. 5. Choose File > Burn Disc, and follow the instructions. 6. The files that the aliases point to are burned to the disc. In addition, if any folder you copied contains aliases, the original files for those aliases are burned to the disc.
top	4.	How do I burn a DVD? See #3
	5.	What software is included on this laptop? On Windows MS Office, Inspiration, Internet Explorer, FirstClass, Quicktime, Google SketchUp, WavePad, Audacity, and additional software by department or campus (dependent on license) is included. On the Mac side, NeoOffice, Inspiration, FirstClass, iLife (iMovie, iPhoto, iDVD, GarageBand), Safari and Firefox (browsers), and additional software by department or campus (dependent on license) are included.
	6.	What if I want to install software? If you own the license for additional educational software, please contact the Technology office by phone or email before installing.
top	7.	How do I clean the laptop screen and keyboard? Use a small amount of water on a soft rag to clean the laptop screen and keyboard. Never spray anything onto the screen or keyboard.
	8.	What happens to the desktop computer in my classroom? Any classroom computers will continue to be used by your students.
	9.	What if the laptop gets stolen? Please file a police report immediately, and then contact the Technology Office.
top	10.	What if the laptop gets broken? Please report any damage to the technology department immediately.
	11.	What accessories am I getting? You will receive a monogrammed carrying bag, a VGA dongle for connecting to a projector, a mouse, a remote control and a power cable. All accessories are listed on the agreement you signed.
	12.	What if I leave the district? The laptop and all accessories must be returned to the Technology Dept. promptly if you leave the district.
top	13.	What if I transfer to another campus? The laptop is checked out to you and will go with you as long as you are in the district. Please notify the Technology Office of your transfer.
	14.	Is there an Apple helpline to call? Apple’s help number is 800-800-2775. Contact your ITS for a diagnostic disc prior to calling Apple. You will need to know your laptop’s serial number which can be found under the Apple menu>About this Mac>More info…
top	15.	What do I do if something is not working? Turn in an electronic work order on the AHISD homepage to report problems with your laptop.
	16.	What if I just want to use Windows? If you wish to use Windows only, simply power on the laptop and use it. It is set to automatically start up in Windows.
	17.	May I take the laptop home? Yes! Taking the laptop home will allow you to work on school projects and activities if you wish; however, the laptop must be at school with you every day.
top	18.	May I take the laptop to a conference or workshop? Yes! The laptop may allow you to take notes and participate appropriately at conferences and workshops.
	19.	How do I connect to the network/Internet at school? The laptop is set to recognize TXA1, the district’s wireless network. Logon with your district username and password.
top	20.	How do I connect to the Internet at my house? Windows: -Start >right-click on Network Places, choose Properties –Double-click on Wireless Network Connection –choose View Wireless Networks –select your network name and enter WEP password, if applicable Mac: -Click on Airport icon in menu bar -Choose Other... -Enter your wireless network name or select it from the dropdown menu -enter WEP password, if applicable
	21.	How do I connect to the Internet at a hotel? Some hotels offer free Internet access while others charge a fee for the service. To access the hotel's Internet service, start your browser, then follow the instructions for connecting. If there is a charge, the instructions may include entering a credit card number.
top	22.	Be diligent about the care of your laptop: Lock it up! It’s mobile! Do not place food or drink near the laptop Do not write on the laptop Do not use a magnet near the laptop Do not place stickers or labels on the laptop Do not expose the laptop to extreme heat or cold. Use the laptop on a flat, solid, dry surface Try not to touch the screen Do not place anything on the laptop keyboard. (closing it with something inside will destroy the screen) Carry the laptop in the provided bag. Only the laptop should go into the padded slot. Put all other accessories and paperwork in other departments.
top	23.	How do I back up my documents? Network drive CD Flash drive
	24.	Is there virus protection on this laptop? AVG is active for virus protection on the PC side. Macintosh computers are at present not very susceptible to viruses; however, it is always wise to practice safe computing online no matter which platform you are using.
top	25.	How do I determine which OS to start: WindowsXP or MacOS? The operating system you choose will depend upon the activities and programs you wish to use. Your Instructional Technology Specialist and campus facilitators will offer frequent opportunities to explore programs and capabilities of your laptop throughout the year.
	26.	Where can I find more information on using a Mac? Excellent tutorials can be found at: http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/tour and http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/work/
	27.	How do I transfer favorites from Explorer to my new laptop? Exporting Internet Explorer Favorites File > Import and Export… the Import/Export Wizard will open Choose Export Favorites Select the Favorites folder (it will probably already be highlighted) Choose Export to a File and click Browse to locate your back-up folder (or personal network folder) The file will be saved as an Explorer document named Bookmark Importing your Favorites: File > Import and Export… the Import/Export Wizard will open Choose Import Favorites Navigate to your Bookmark.htm file and select it
	28.	What should I expect the laptop’s battery life to be? How should I care for the battery? Your MacBook battery should run for 4-5 hours under ideal circumstances. Please see http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html for more information about caring for your laptop battery.
top	29.	Who should I contact if I have more FAQ ideas that need to be posted? If you have suggestions for other Frequently Asked Questions, please email Tricia Corey at triciac@ahisd.net.
	30.	How do I set my laptop to automatically boot up to Mac? Go to System Preferences (under the Apple menu) Click on Startup Disk Click Mac OS X. Either click Restart or close the window to restart later on the Mac side.
	31.	How do I use a keyboard shortcut to switch between applications on the Mac side? On Windows you use alt-tab to switch between open applications. On the Mac side, use -tab to switch.
	32.	Where is the Print Screen Key to take screen shots on the Windows side? You have to hold down the Fn key and simultanesouly press the F11 key. To print only the active window you have to use the Option + Fn + F11.
	33.	Where is the Print Screen Key to take screen shots on the MAC side? + Shift + 3 This will take a screenshot of your entire screen. + Shift + 4 This will bring up a selection tool so you can make a rectangular screenshot of a certain area. + Shift + 4 + Space Bar This will turn your cursor into a tiny camera. Use this camera to take a picture of the Dock, a menu, or a window and it will crop the background automatically for the resulting image.

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