Dec 11

Creating shortcuts to shared network drives

If you need to access the shared drives from computers from outside ISLI – such as in central classrooms, or over VPN from a laptop or at home – having shortcuts set up (e.g. in your N: drive, or on your Desktop) can be handy.  Or you may already have some shortcuts but need to update them.  This guide will show you quick ways to create new shortcut to the ISLI (I:) drive and edit existing ones (on a Windows 10 PC):

How to create a new shortcut to the ISLI (I:) drive

  1. Go into the folder where you want your shortcut (e.g. in your N: drive, or on your Desktop)
  2. Right-click somewhere in some free space
  3. Click New > Shortcut
  4. Type the location of the item: \\dfs.rdg.ac.uk\collabs\isli$
  5. Click Next (don’t click Browse!)
  6. Type a name for the shortcut, e.g. ISLI drive
  7. Click Finish.

 

How to edit an existing shortcut

If you already have a shortcut but want to update it, you can do this as follows:

  1. Right-click on the shortcut
  2. Click Properties
  3. Clear the contents of the Target field and instead type in: \\dfs.rdg.ac.uk\collabs\isli$
  4. Click OK.

 

Tip: You can also create/update shortcuts to other locations if you know the full folder location.

Need help?

If you need help setting up your shortcuts, you can contact IT Service Desk for support.   Make a note of the folder location (\\dfs.rdg.ac.uk\collabs\isli$) as you may be asked for this.

Permanent link to this article: https://blogs.reading.ac.uk/tellang/2019/12/11/creating-shortcuts-to-shared-network-drives/

May 24

Using VPN to connect to ISLI network drives

To use some University network resources when off-campus or on wi-fi, you need to set up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection.  All university staff are entitled to use VPN.

In this article:
– Connecting to VPN
– Disconnecting from VPN
– Mapping network drives
– Disconnecting a drive

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://blogs.reading.ac.uk/tellang/2019/05/24/vpn/

May 24

FormScanner – Install & configure

FormScanner is open-source OMR software for scanning and grading of hand-completed MCQ forms.

Video tutorials for installation are available, below are summarised instructions in written form for quick reference.  Watch the videos for full instructions & demo.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://blogs.reading.ac.uk/tellang/2019/05/24/formscanner-install-configure/

Mar 15

Playing DVD video on Windows 10

Playing a video DVD disc on a Windows 10 PC is slightly less straightforward than it was on previous Windows versions, as Microsoft have removed the native support for DVD playback.  So, in order to play a DVD you’ll need to install a program that can do this – we recommend VLC media player.

On a University PC, you can install VLC player yourself via Apps Anywhere (click for instructions) – a service provided by IT.  Once you have installed VLC media player from Apps Anywhere, you’ll be able to launch it directly from your PC in future.

When you insert the DVD disc, you may find that it does not auto-play.  If so, open This PC, and double-click the D: drive – this will launch VLC media player and start playback immediately.  Alternatively, you can go into VLC player first, and choose the DVD by going to Media > Open Disc…:

Note that VLC player is also a good choice for playing many different types of audio and video files, including Quicktime files.  If the built-in Windows Media Player cannot play a file properly, try it in VLC player!

Permanent link to this article: https://blogs.reading.ac.uk/tellang/2019/03/15/playing-dvd-video-on-windows-10/

Mar 08

3 steps to monitor your monitors!

Is your PC monitor (or monitors) set up correctly?  Take a moment for a 3-step quick check – correcting any issues now may save you from eye strain and other undesirable symptoms later!

Height and position

Your monitor should be:

  • at a height so the top edge of the screen is roughly at your eye level when you are sat at the desk
  • placed so you do not have to turn your head to look at the main area of the screen
  • at least an arm’s length away from you
  • free from glare – you may be able to tilt your monitor forward slightly if there is glare due to overhead lighting

For more guidance/advice, visit Healthy working with computers.

Brightness and contrast

Having your PC monitor at a suitable brightness and contrast will help minimise eye strain.  The levels to choose will depend on individual preferences as well as environmental factors e.g. ambient brightness.  You may need to experiment to see what levels work best for you.  Here is a video demonstrating how to adjust brightness and contrast on a standard Dell monitor:

Keep it clean!

Dust, fingerprints and other marks on your monitor screen will make it harder to see and may eventually lead to eyestrain.  Regularly buff away dust with a soft, dry cloth, and use an appropriate screen cleaner with lint-free wipes to gently remove any stubborn marks.  Also try to avoid touching the surface of your screen as you work, to avoid smudgy fingerprints in the first place!

(While you have the cleaning supplies out, why not clean your keyboard and mouse too?)

 

Permanent link to this article: https://blogs.reading.ac.uk/tellang/2019/03/08/pc-monitor-checks/

Mar 06

Converting video files with Handbrake

Why convert video files?

Video files, especially those recorded in high definition, can be very large.  This can cause issues for sharing and uploading, as there may be limits on the file sizes you can store.  Depending on what the purpose of the video is, it may not be necessary to work with such large files.

How can video file size be reduced?

If HD cinema quality is not your main priority, you can vastly reduce the file size by one or more of the following:

  • converting to a video file format that uses good compression (e.g. MP4)
  • reducing the output resolution (i.e. making it a smaller frame dimension)
  • reducing the frame rate (number of frames shown per second) – a last resort unless your video is fairly static, e.g. a simple narrated PowerPoint slideshow.

Read on to learn how to do all this with Handbrake software.

Set up Handbrake software to convert video

HandBrake is an open source application that can be used to reduce video size.   Firstly, download and install HandBrake on your PC – (on a University PC you can do this via AppsAnywhere).  Contact IT Service Desk if you need any help installing HandBrake.

Launch Handbrake.  The Source Selection screen comes up (if not, click Open Source), and looks like this (click image to enlarge):

As it suggests, you can either drag and drop the video file from your PC (known as the “source file”) onto the specified area, or you can use the options on the left side to navigate to a file location.  You can open one file at a time, or if you have many videos to convert, an entire folder full of video files.  This guide will focus on converting a single file.

Handbrake will scan the source file – if very large, this may take a little time.

When the main screen comes up, note the highlighted sections:

  1. Source: shows information about your original file – filename, resolution, frame rate, audio track, subtitle track.
  2. Presets: a quick selection of commonly used file conversion configurations.  For maximum reduction in file size, click and choose General > Very Fast 480p30.
  3. Format: shows what file type your converted video will be.  Leave this as MP4.  Below this, also tick Web Optimized if you will be putting your video online.
  4. Save As: specify a location and a name for your converted file (click Browse to choose the folder).

Audio boost (optional)

If the volume on your video is very low (e.g. this can sometimes happen with recordings made on the Zoom cameras), you can boost it up at the same time as you convert your video:

5. Click on the Audio tab.

6. Click the chevron to expand the information about the audio track.

7. Gain: insert a number from 0 – 20 (max) to indicate how much you want to boost the audio.

Convert your video!

You are now ready to encode (convert) your video:

8. Click on Start Encode to start the process.

9. A progress bar and information including time remaining will appear at the bottom of the window.  The encoding may take a while to complete, and may use your PC’s resources quite intensively.

When the message changes to Queue Finished, your video conversion is complete!

Advanced tips

This guide has explained the very basic procedure to convert a video file.  Handbrake has much more functionality that you may wish to explore further, including:

  • Presets: do experiment with the different presets – there may be times when you want slightly better video quality, even if it does mean a slightly bigger video file size.  Sometimes converting from one format to another (e.g. MOV to MP4) is enough to reduce file size sufficiently without needing to sacrifice any other settings.
  • Audio: As well as boosting audio as above, you can even delete the audio track completely if it is not necessary – this will also help reduce file size.
  • Queue: if you have more than one file to convert, you can add them to a queue to be processed consecutively.  For each file, when you have configured the settings, click Add to Queue. Once you have queued them all up, you can start encoding, go and have a cup of tea, and leave Handbrake to work its way through the files.
  • Batch conversion: if you have a number of video files to which you want to apply the same settings, you can add them to the queue to be processed automatically.   You’ll first need to edit Tools> Preferences > Output Files to enable automatic file naming and a default location to save the output files to.
  • Top and tail: use the Range > Seconds settings to specify a start and end time for the converted video.  You’ll need to make a note of the timestamps on your original video to work this out, but this can be a quick way to chop off the unwanted bits at the beginning/end of a video, thus making your video shorter and reducing file size.

Permanent link to this article: https://blogs.reading.ac.uk/tellang/2019/03/06/converting-videos-with-handbrake/

Feb 07

Blackboard Collaborate – quick start (participants)

This guide will show you how to join a Blackboard Collaborate session as a guest participant.

1. Get the link

The session organiser will provide you with a web link to follow to join the session.  Use the link to launch the session in your browser – Google Chrome or Firefox browser recommended (more info).

2. Join the session

Type your name and click Join Session.

Time to check your equipment! Collaborate online sessions allow interactivity including via video and audio.   You will need headphones or speakers to listen to the session.  To participate using video or voice, your device will need to have a camera and microphone connected (more info).

If you will only be using the on-screen text chat or merely observing, you will not need a microphone or camera.  Check with the session organiser if unsure.

3. Browser permissions

If your browser asks for permission to use your microphone/camera, click Allow.

(If you won’t be using your audio or video, you can close any browser prompts, and click the white X inside the top right of the window to skip the audio & video tests.)

4. Audio Test

Check that your microphone is working – the purple bar should move when you make a sound.

If not, make sure the correct microphone is selected in the drop-down box, and/or check your computer’s settings. (Click No – I need help to launch Blackboard Collaborate support page)

Once successful, click Yes – it’s working.

5. a) Video Test – no camera

If you don’t have a camera connected, you might see this message.

(If you won’t be using a camera, you can click Skip video test.)

5. b) Video Test – with camera

Check that your video camera is working – you should see a preview of your camera on screen.

If not, make sure the correct camera is selected in the drop-down box, and/or check your computer’s settings.  (Click No – I need help to launch Blackboard Collaborate support page)

Once successful, click Yes – it’s working.

6. Tutorial

You may now be asked if you want a quick tutorial of the Collaborate features.  To do this, click Start Tutorial, otherwise, click Later.

7. Navigation

You are now in the session!  This is the main Collaborate screen.  Content will appear in the middle area. Also notice the three control areas highlighted above:

  • Top left: Session menu. Access help, tutorial, leave session.
  • Bottom centre: User settings. Change status, turn audio/video on/off (if enabled), raise hand.
  • Bottom right: Collaborate panel (purple). Expand to access chat, participant list, shared content, settings.

Take a few moments to familiarise yourself with the controls before the session starts.

8. Collaborate Panel

When the Collaborate Panel is open, use the four tabs at the bottom (L-R) to access chat, participant list, shared content, and settings.  Click the X on the purple button to collapse the panel again.

Further information

Blackboard Help for Students: Collaborate (Virtual Classroom)

Permanent link to this article: https://blogs.reading.ac.uk/tellang/2019/02/07/blackboard-collaborate-quick-start-participants/

Jan 31

View two (or more) windows side-by-side on your screen

Windows 10 Smart SnapSometimes you want to see two or more windows at once on your PC screen, for instance if you need to compare data or refer to one document whilst writing another.  A feature called Snap Assist in Windows helps you do this easily – see the linked article for more information:

How to use Snap Assist and 2×2 Snap on Windows 10  (How-To Geek)

The technique is largely the same in Windows 7 too, but you can click below for Windows 7 specific instructions:

View two windows side-by-side using Smart Window (Computer Hope)

 

Permanent link to this article: https://blogs.reading.ac.uk/tellang/2019/01/31/view-two-or-more-windows-side-by-side/

Jan 16

Pinning favourite folders in Windows 10

In Windows 10, File Explorer looks a little bit different.  If you’ve previously used Favourites in Windows 7 to make links to your most useful folders in the left menu, this area is now called Quick Access and is in the main part of the window. 

It’s the first screen you see when you open File Explorer, and it’s made up of a combination of:

  • Frequent folders
    • Pinned folders (default and manually added)
    • Recently used folders (automatic)
  • Recent files
    • The most recently accessed files, with newest at the top (automatic).

To manually add a folder to Quick Access, browse to that folder’s parent folder.  Right-click on the folder you want, and choose Pin to Quick access.  Next time you open a new File Explorer window, that folder will appear in the main part of the window.

Alternative: You can also add a tile to the Start menu.  Right-click the folder and choose Pin to Start.  Next time you open the Start menu, you’ll see a new tile for your folder.

Permanent link to this article: https://blogs.reading.ac.uk/tellang/2018/01/16/pinning-favourite-folders-in-windows-10/

Sep 18

Sharing Calendars in Outlook

Sharing your Outlook calendar with colleagues is a way to let them know your up to date schedule.  There are several levels at which you can share information, depending on how much detail you want to make available:

  • Availability only – time shown as Free, Busy, Tentative, Working elsewhere, or Out of Office
  • Limited details – includes availability (as above), and subjects of calendar items
  • Full details – includes availability, and full details of calendar items (subject, location, details).

Only need to see availability?

By default, any staff member in the University can already view the free/busy time information of another colleague’s calendar, without having to receive a sharing invitation.  So if that is all you need to know, you can simply find and open your colleague’s calendar from the Global Address List:

  • Go to the Calendar view in Outlook > Open Calendar > From Address Book…
  • Make sure the Global Address List is selected from the Address Book dropdown menu
  • Start typing the person’s name. When you see it in the list, click to highlight the name
  • Click the Calendar ->  button
  • Click OK.

The calendar will be added to your calendar view.  You can toggle the view by ticking or unticking the name in the Shared Calendars list in the left pane.  The calendar remains in that list until you remove it (right-click, Delete Calendar – don’t worry, it only deletes it from your own calendar view!).

Sharing more details

You can choose whether to share limited or full details, but be aware that this will share your entire calendar – past, present and future – unless you later revoke the sharing.  If there are specific events that you do not want to share the details of, you can mark these as Private when you add them to your calendar.  Only the free/busy information will be displayed, and further details of these private events will not be visible, even to those you have shared limited/full details with.

How to share your calendar

Click to enlarge view

To share your calendar with a colleague, you can send them a sharing invitation as follows:

  • Go to the Calendar view in Outlook > Share Calendar
  • Click To… and choose your recipient from the Global Address List*:
    • Make sure the Global Address List is selected from the Address Book dropdown menu
    • Start typing the person’s name. When you see it in the list, click to highlight the name
    • Click the To ->  button
    • Click OK.
  • Ticking ‘Request permission to view recipient’s Calendar’ will ask your recipient to share their calendar back (optional)
  • Ensure ‘Allow recipient to view your Calendar’ is ticked
  • Click the Details dropdown menu to choose the sharing level (an explanation and example appears below it)
  • Write a message (optional)
  • Click Send

*Caution! You must choose recipients from the Global Address List.  If you type email addresses manually or choose them from your Auto-complete list the sharing will not work.

Further reading: Beginner: How to Create, Manage, and Share Calendars in Outlook 2013 (section: Managing and Sharing Calendars)

Permanent link to this article: https://blogs.reading.ac.uk/tellang/2017/09/18/sharing-calendars-in-outlook/