Setting up iPad/iPhone to work with DCL's compatible eContent

Overdrive eContent:

In order to successfully download Overdrive eContent, the iPad/iPhone will need the Overdrive App.  To be able to open and read an ePub file, the device will also need to be authorized by Adobe Digital Editions.

1. Access App Store and download free Overdrive app.  Often you will need an iTunes/Apple password to access the App Store.
2. Once installed, access the Overdrive app.  Select "Menu" in order to "Get Books." You will be asked to "add a library."  Search Douglas County.  Select "Douglas County Libraries, Colorado."
3. Select "Douglas County Libraries" from "Get Books" list.  The Overdrive page will appear.
4. Using "Browse" or "Search" button, locate an ePub or MP3 audiobook available for checkout (note: the "Advanced" search feature is only available after selecting the "Search" button).
5. Select "add to cart" button, then "Proceed to Checkout" button.  Select desired lending period: 7, 14, or 21 day checkout. Select "Confirm Check Out" button.
6. Once the title is checked out, you are ready to download.

• If downloading an MP3 file, the download will begin once "Download" is selected.

• If downloading an ePub file, the device will ask for an Adobe ID.  If you do not have an Adobe ID, you will be required to create an Adobe ID.  **You will only need to do this once!**
• Once the device is authorized, select "download" again. 

      7.  Select "menu," select "book shelf" and downloaded items will be listed.

3M eContent:
In order to successfully download 3M eContent, the iPad/iPhone will need the 3M Cloud Library App.  Watch short video on installing 3M Cloud Library App.

1. Access App Store and download free 3M Cloud Library app. Often you will need an iTunes/Apple password to access the App Store.
2. Once installed, access the 3M app. You will be asked to select country, state, and library.    Select "Douglas County Libraries, Colorado."
3. You will be asked to enter library card # and PIN #.
4.  Use "Search" button to locate an ePub available for checkout (note: the "Refine" search feature allows search to locate titles that are currently available for checkout).
5. Select desired item and select "Check Out."  Item will begin to download.  Once download is complete, the item will open to the cover page.
6. **If the device has not yet been authorized with Adobe Digital Editions, you will be asked to enter your Adobe ID before the item will download.**

DCL owned eContent:
In order to successfully download DCL owned eContent, the iPad/IPhone will need the iDCL Reader app.  It's very easy to install the iDCL Reader App on your iPad or iPhone:

1. Turn on device and access App Store. Often an Apple/iTunes password is necessary to gain access.
2. Search for iDCL Reader.
3. Download free iDCL Reader App to device.

Features available when using iDCLReader

How to install iDCL Reader to iPad/iPhone

Installing DCLToGo App on iPad/iPhone

It's very easy to install the DCLToGo App on your iPad or iPhone:

1. Turn on device and access App Store.  Often an Apple/iTunes password is necessary to gain access.
2. Search for DCLToGo.
3. Download free DCLToGo App to device.

Features available when using DCLToGo


DCLToGo screen as it will appear on device:

Pop Up Blockers - The Low Down

Wanting to know more about those little screens that "pop up" while you're working on the Internet?  Some of these screens, known as pop-ups, are annoying advertisements that may lead you to unsavory sites or that might try and install bad things on your computer.  Other pop-ups, however, are helpful additions to the website you're using.  Pop-ups can appear on top of the screen you have open, or they can open behind the screen you have open (this type may also be referred to as "pop-unders").

Most web browsers, such as Internet Explorer and Mozilla, have built-in pop-up blockers that are part of the browsing security settings.  The pop-up blockers are intended to help keep your web browsing experience safer and smoother by stopping pop-up screens from opening.  However, the blockers can sometimes stop pop-up screens that we need to use a website properly.  In these cases, you will want to be able to either override the pop-up blocker or adjust the pop-up security settings for the website you're using.  Browser pop-up blockers may also be supplemented with anti-virus software.

Both the Internet Explorer and Mozilla websites have great FAQs pages about pop-ups and how to adjust settings on and override the built-in browser pop-up blockers.  The Mozilla page also has a good section called "Is it a true pop-up window" that discusses why some weird ads and other things that look like pop-ups cannot be blocked by the pop-up blockers.  If you're really wanting to know more about the history and inner-workings of pop-ups, Wikipedia, has an entry about pop-up ads that may tell you more than you want to know!

 

Image from Wikipedia

Self-Paced Learning on the DCL Website

Need to know more about what self-paced learning options DCL provides on the website?  The DCL eLearning page is the place to go!  You'll find some cool options, including Mango and Ed2Go. 

What is Adobe Reader?

Adobe Reader is free downloadable software that enables the user to open, view and print PDF files or documents.

Adobe Reader allows a document that has been created, to be opened, viewed and printed on a computer that does not have the same software program in which the document was created.  As an example, a document that is created in Microsoft Word on a Windows device (Windows OS) can be converted to a PDF file, and then opened on a Linux device (Linux OS).  The Linux user can use Adobe Reader to open, view and print the document; they do not need to have Microsoft Word on their device. 

What is Adobe Digital Editions?

Adobe Digital Editions is a free, downloadable software (from Adobe.com) that allows the user to aquire, view and manage ebooks, digital newspapers, and other digital content.  Using Adobe Digital Editions, ebooks can be downloaded from a library website or popular bookseller, and can be read online, offline, or on a personal device.

Adobe Digital Editions uses a proprietary digital rights management software that limits the number of devices on which the user can view digital content.  The user is allowed to view content on as many as six devices.

Get Started with Adobe Digital Editions

Returning eBooks Through Adobe Digital Editions

Calculator accessory

If you ever need to do some quick math and need a calculator, look no further than the accessories menu on your computer.

You can use calculator to perform simple calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Calculator also offers the advanced capabilities of a programming, scientific, and statistical calculator.

You can perform calculations by clicking the calculator buttons, or you can type calculations by using your keyboard. You can also use the numeric keypad to type numbers and operators by pressing Num Lock.

Using Task Manager to Shutdown Applications

Windows: End Task on the Task Manager

To close a program that's frozen on Windows:

• Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to directly open the Task Manager.
• In the Applications tab, click on the program that's not responding (the status will say "Not Responding") and then click the End Task button.
• In the new dialog box that appears, click End Task to close the application.

These instructions were found on LifeHacker.com.  If you've never used the Task Manager to close applications before, I would recommend opening a few programs (Word, Internet Explorer, etc) and try closing them using Task Manager.  Don't forget that this feature is often helpful when a program has frozen and will not let you close it down in the regular fashion.

File Extensions

Here's a list of some common file extensions: .doc - Microsoft Word document .docx - Microsoft Word open XML document .txt - plain text document .wpd - WordPerfect document .pps - PowerPoint slide show .ppt - PowerPoint presentation .xml - XML file .mp3 - MP3 audio file .wma - Windows Media audio file .flv - Flash video file .mov - Apple QuickTime movie .mpg - MPEG video file .wmv - Windows Media video file .bmp - bitmap image file .jpg - JPEG image .pdf - portable document file format .xls - Excel spreadsheet .com - DOS command file .exe - Windows executable file .htm/.html - hypertext markup language file Check out this website for more extensions, as well as detailed explanations of all of these file types.  If you need to search for a specific extension on the web page, don't forget Ctrl F!

Windows Media Player

The following link will take you to the Microsoft website page that explains basics of the what, how and why of Windows Media Player:

Getting Started with Windows Media Player

QuickTime PictureViewer - QuickSummary

PictureViewer is a component of QuickTime for Microsoft Windows and the Mac OS 8 and Mac OS 9 operating systems. It is used to view picture files from the still image formats that QuickTime supports. (from Wikipedia)

Windows: If you have QuickTime Pro, you can use PictureViewer to import and export various types of still image file formats and to rotate images. PictureViewer is in the QuickTime folder on your hard disk. (from Apple.com)

Google Earth

Google Earth allows you to virtually travel the world.  Google Earth’s geographical content includes satellite imagery, maps, and terrain, as well as 3D building imagery. A few things you can do with Google Earth: discover the Earth, explore the sky, dive in the Ocean, walk on the moon, and even visit Mars!

A New 3D Frontier In Google Earth  For Mobile 

iTunes

iTunes is installed on all DCL public computers and is widely used by patrons.  Check out the following videos for basic information regarding what iTunes is and how to use it.

Introduction To using iTunes     

How To Download Music With iTunes  

How To Add Files to iTunes Library 

What is Microsoft SharePoint?

Although Microsoft SharePoint is not one of the software programs installed on DCL public computers, it is referred to in the Microsoft InfoPath videos.  Also, SharePoint is currently installed on all DCL staff computers.

So what is SharePoint?

SharePoint is a software framework that was developed by Microsoft to support the development of websites and web applications that can be useful for most orgaizations, backed by a common technical infrastructure. SharePoint has a Microsoft Office-like interface, and it is closely integrated with Microsoft Office suite.  The tools available are designed to be used by non-techy users.  SharePoint can be used to provide intranet portals, document and file management, collaboration, social networks, extranets, and websites.

Microsoft InfoPath Designer & InfoPath Filler

Microsoft Office InfoPath is a software application for designing, distributing, filling and submitting electronic forms containing collected data.  InfoPath was initially released as part of Microsoft Office 2003.  In 2010, Microsoft released a new version that split InfoPath into two applications: InfoPath Designer 2010 is used to create forms and define data structures; InfoPath Filler 2010 is used to fill out and submit forms.

Check out the following videos to learn more about InfoPath.

InfoPath 2010 Overview  

Difference Between InfoPath Designer and Filler 2010

QuickTime Player

What is QuickTime?

A powerful multimedia technology with a built-in media player, QuickTime lets you view Internet video, HD movie trailers, and personal media in a wide range of file formats. And it lets you enjoy them in remarkably high quality.


With its simple design and easy-to-use controls, QuickTime Player makes everything you watch even more enjoyable. Its clean, uncluttered interface never gets in the way of what you’re watching. Want to speed through a movie or slow things down? A handy slider lets you set playback from 1/2x to 3x the normal speed. And you can search through individual movie frames quickly.

Software Applications on Public Computers

Here is the list of software applications that are available to our patrons on the public computers with which you should be somewhat familiar:

Windows DVD Maker
Windows Media Player
Snipping Tool
Sticky Notes
Google Earth
iTunes
Microsoft Suite 2010, which includes

• Access 2010
• Excel 2010
• InfoPath Designer 2010
• InfoPath Filler 2010
• OneNote 2010
• PowerPoint 2010
• Publisher 2010
• Word 2010

OverDrive Media Console
Picasa 3
Quick Time Player
QuickTime Picture Viewer
Adobe Digital Editions
Calculator
Adobe Reader

Internet Storage - Article "How Cloud Storage Works"

If you're wanting to get a better understanding of Cloud Storage (aka Internet Storage), this article has a good amount of information:

How Cloud Storage Works

Don't forget that there are some cloud storage services you may already use (like Google Docs or Flickr) that you might practice saving items to in order to be ready to help patrons with them in the future!

My current favorite cloud storage site is DropBox, which is great for documents you want to access from multiple computers or that you need to share with other people easily.

OverDrive Media Console Review

If you need to review OverDrive Media Console, you might check out the Emedia: A Brave New World document (F) and (G), both of which are Part 3 in the LT_Documents, Emedia A Brave New World folder on the G-Drive.

OverDrive Media Console program installation

For a quick refresher on OverDrive Media Console installation and basic uses, visit the folder below in the G-Drive and select (H) OverDrive Install Presentation

G:\ALL_STAFF_ACCESS\LT_Documents\Emedia A Brave New World