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August 2001, Volume 1, Number 6

 WHAT'S NEW
* Update old e-mail addresses on Web

UPDATES
* Subscribe to Lifelearner Line

QUICK TIPS
* Communicators guide is on Web
* How large is that digital photo?
* Use new Scout CD
* Windows and other training CDs available

What's old ... but still useful? Check the archive and index. lt red dotted line

WHAT'S NEW

* Update old e-mail addresses on Web
A year ago, ISU Extension switched from using the Exnet e-mail service to the University-wide e-mail service. As part of this change, the University agreed to automatically forward your old “x1” e-mail account to your new University account (user@iastate.edu) for one year. The University has informed us that as of Aug. 17, this automatic forwarding will stop. A recent review of ISU Extension Web pages showed more than 6,000 web pages still using the x1email@exnet.iastate.edu type addresses. On Aug. 8, we notified Web authors about the need to make the following changes:

  • Check all Web pages for x1email@exnet.iastate.edu links and change them.
  • Review your Web directories for old or outdated Web pages and delete pages as appropriate.
  • If a Web directory needs to be deleted (e.g., it’s outdated), please notify Jeanne Wiebke at jwiebke@iastate.edu so she can remove it from the web server.

Many search engines still will find old Web pages if they are on Extension's web server. So it is best to download any old Web files that you need to your local computer and then delete them from the Web server.

 

UPDATES

* Subscribe to Lifelearner Line
Lifelearner Line is a bi-weekly e-mail newsletter with news and updates about upcoming conferences, Iowa State off-campus courses and ISU Extension educational materials for learners of all ages. If you are not already receiving this newsletter, you can subscribe by contacting Lynette Spicer, lspicer@iastate.edu.

 

QUICK TIPS

* Communicators guide is on Web
This online resource may help you with your communication needs. It was developed by the Federal Communicators Network for Federal, State, Regional and Local Communicators. (The url is http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/npr/library/papers/bkgrd/communicators.html.)

You’ll find tips to help you work with the media (e.g., what to do when a reporter calls), write for the Web and prepare effective newsletters and other messages. Suggestions for communicating risk and developing a crisis communication plan also are discussed. Other topics include marketing, distance learning, measuring effectiveness and public speaking.

 

* How large is that digital photo?
How large will an image from your digital camera appear when used in various media? That question was answered at the recent National Extension Technology Conference held in Toronto jointly with the annual conference of Agricultural Communicators in Education.

John Wozniak, photographer with Louisiana State University AgCenter Communications, provided data on images from digital cameras commonly available. Most cameras will take an image that is at least 640 pixels by 480 pixels. An image of that size displayed at 72 pixels per inch will be 8.9 x 6.7 inches. Images at 72 pixels per inch are suitable for display on a computer monitor, in e-mail or on a Web page. (However, an image with these dimensions, even at 72 pixels per inch, is a rather large file for Web use. Keep the image at 72 pixels per inch but crop it or reduce the dimensions to the image size you need so that the file size is smaller and won’t take as long to load.)

That same original image displayed at 130 pixels per inch will be 4.9 x 3.7 inches and is suitable for use in a newspaper that uses a 65-line printing screen. At 170 pixels per inch, the image will be 3.8 x 2.8 inches and is suitable for a newspaper or a computer printer that uses an 85-line screen. At 300 pixels per inch, your image will be only 2.1 x 1.6 inches, suitable for a magazine with a 150-line screen.

Because many printed uses for photos require larger sizes, you will need a camera that shoots at a higher resolution for better quality large photos. A high-end camera that shoots an image that is 1,280 x 1,024 pixels can be used for a 7.5 x 6 inch photo at 170 pixels per inch or a 4.3 x 3.4 inch photo at 300 pixels per inch.

The higher resolution photos create files that are much larger than the low resolution versions. For example, a photo taken at 1,024 x 768 pixels creates a file that is about three times as large as the same photo taken at 640 x 480 pixels.
Wozniak noted that compressing images to reduce file size can degrade the quality. He also said it's important to get as close to your subject as possible because small digital images don't allow much room for cropping.

 

* Use new Scout CD
MicroNet Scout is an installation package used to automate the distribution and installation of standard networking software packages (such as Eudora, Netscape, Virus Scan, etc.) used by ISU Extension staff. Usually Scout is used to download and install these applications over our statewide network, but doing so from a field office takes a great deal of time.

The Scout Software CD that was sent to you in the Aug. 10 transmittal packet will allow you to install these software packages directly from the CD in a fraction of that time. Of special note, the CD includes the most recent release of the Virus Scan software. If you can't remember the last time you updated your virus software, please update Virus Scan from the new Scout CD right away.

The Scout program itself should already be on your computer (you can find it under Start--Programs--Scout). If you run Scout with the new Scout CD in your CD drive, you can update Eudora, Netscape and Virus Scan without having to download the programs across the Extension network. However, your computer must still be connected to the network for Scout to operate.

You must have Scout on your computer to use the new Scout Software CD. If you don't have Scout on your computer, you can install it from the Scout Software CD as follows:
1. From your desktop, double click on "My Computer."
2. Open the CD drive marked "Scout CD."
3. Open the "Install" folder.
4. Double click on "setup.exe" to install Scout.

For more information on Scout check the Web site (http://www.ait.iastate.edu/micronet/download.html).
The Scout Software CD is part of our efforts to simplify and quicken the process of setting up new computers and updating older software packages. We plan to send out a new Scout CD periodically as needed, but we also plan to evaluate the effectiveness of this new approach.

If you have difficulty using this new CD, please call the Technology Support Hotline at (515) 294-1725.

 

* Windows and other training CDs available
Many new, interactive, computer-based training CDs are available through Extension's Information Technology lending library. Items are available for a two-week checkout period at no cost. For information about the following CDs or other items, please contact Extension Information Technology at (515) 294-8658.

  • Windows 2000 - Volume 1: Components, Advantages, Desktop Anatomy, Mouse Functions, Window Anatomy, Views, Launch Application, Save Documents, Windows, Help Menu, Internet Help, Shut Down


  • Windows 2000 - Volume 2: Control Panel, Display Settings, Create Folders, Organize Files, Rename, Delete Files, Recycle Bin, Window Properties, New Features, Search, Sharing Data, Scraps

Check the Continuing Education and Communication Services Web site. Also visit the ISU Extension Web site. Send your comments or questions about this newsletter to Laura Sternweis (lsternwe@iastate.edu).

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