Internet Safety Tips

The following is a really well done video by Cisco Chief Security Officer John Stewart on Internet Safety for Kids and Parents. It is a must see.

Internet safety is a very important concern.

For more info on Internet safety for children, visit: PBS.org or NetSmartz Kids .

If you have not signed an Internet Safety Contract with your children, you can find a good (printable) one here.

Happy surfing!

Entering simple VBA code in an Access form

To enter code for an access object, open the form (or other entity that needs code) in Design view.
Right click on the object (in this example, a button) that will require the code. Select the event tab and the property where the code will be used, such as "On click" if you want to make a button do something.

Once you have opened code builder for the desired property, you may enter code to make it all work.

The code example below is actually not meant for a button, but is one of the handiest lines of code I have ever used. It is perfect to add a date /time stamp in the 'txtupdated' (calculated) field. If me.dirty refers to if the object, such as record within a form, and specifies if it has been changed, then txtupdated = now() adds today's date/time to the txtupdated field. Now this useful code is great if you ever need to look at new entries or edits from a certain date range... or just as a nice way to track when data entry has been done. Especially useful if there is more than 1 person using a database.

To create a search dropdown for a form in Access, begin by adding a combo box (with the wizard turned on) to the form header.
In the first screen, select “Find a record on my form based on the value I selected in my combo box”.


Next, select the field you want to search on. If you have a unique identifier, this is the best one to use. I often add an additional field or two to visually help me be sure I am selecting the record I want. (Additional fields are displayed, but serve no other role.)


After the fields have been selected, you have the option to hide the key column (which MS recommends), but if this is what you are searching on - - you can’t hide this field, so make sure it unchecked. You can adjust columns size here by dragging the columns to fit.


Click Finish and you have a search drop down. Don’t forget to test to make sure it changes the entire record, not just the field you are searching on.

Note: This was written for Access 2007, but this works the exact same way in Access 2003, 97... and prior versions.

Ever think about what you want to be when you grow up?

Ever think about what you want to be when you grow up?
I do. Of course, I am grown up. In today's society, when jobs change (or may be subject to change at any minute), it is always a legitimate question, no matter how old (or young you are.)
I took my oldest with me to work for "Take your son/ daughter to work day" last week. It was neat to be able to show her "what Mommy does". I want my children to understand all the opportunities that still exist in our society and to inspire them in school. Okay, I teach so it is really important to me.
With this in mind, I received an interesting email encouraging continued education recently.
It lists 10 hot IT skills in 2009. So for any of you searching for what you want to be when you grow up, how to reinvent yourself, or just want some direction for continuing education, click on the link above for the full article.

A quick list is:
1. Virtualization
2. Web 2.0
3. Networking/Windows Administration
4. ITIL: The Information Technology Infrastructure Library
5. IT Architect/Project Management
6. IT Security
7. Wireless
8. Telecommunications
9. Programming Languages (C, C++, C)
10. Business Skills:

Social Media

I read an excellent blog post today about social media. strangers-with-business-cards by Brian Link.

The question posed (in my words), should you share your *brand*, meaning you, with anyone you meet? The parallel was like handing business cards to strangers.

While Brian was focusing on professionals twittering, blogging, posting to social networking sites, etc., this can hold value for both professionals and people enjoying Facebook, MySpace and other sites to connect with friends as well.

My take? Careful what you post. I have personally done online searches for people I am going to meet professionally before that first meeting and I know this is a common practice. Linked in now even offers reference searches. Anything posted may be there in eternity - or could at least be searched in backup files for an online provider if presented with a search warrant. More importantly, save yourself potential embarassment about that great party last night and think before you post.

Cool MS Office Tip

I discovered a fun tip in MS Word today... I already love the Quick Access Toolbar. It lets you put frequently used buttons at the very top to save changing back and forth within the ribbons quite as much.

I just stumbled upon an easy way to get buttons onto the Quick Access Toolbar. Right click on ANY button and one of the choices is Add to Quick Access Toolbar.

This may be a little thing, but it allows you to spontaneously add something to this, while you are in the middle of doing something else, and then continue working.

Small things can make a big difference...

Fear not

Today I want to pass along someone else's smart ideas:

I'm Afraid This Culture of Fear Must End

Written by Terry Sweeney

4/1/2009

http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?doc_id=174629&f_src=securitysentinel

The basic concept in this article is vigilance (take care of your online life), but get beyond fear. Anyway, he says it far better, so check out what Terry has to say.

Julie :-)

For students only

If you are a student and are in need of MS Office 2007, here is a really great (and very legal) deal.

http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx
It is 59.95. You will be asked to enter your school email address and I am pretty sure it will be verified for accuracy.

So, if you qualify, this is worth doing (if you need this).

Happy computing!

Lions, Tigers, and Worms?

Ok, that was not a very good pun. Here is an article I was tipped off to by reading my Linked In update today.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/157876/protecting_against_the_rampant_conficker_worm.html

Protecting Against the Rampant Conficker Worm by Erik Larkin, PC World on Jan 16, 2009. There are links warning of a new strain due on April Fool's Day.

My rationale for writing this (since there are too many threats to bother writing about) is this:
1. Make sure you are current on all your OS updates and patches (this is free) and critical to safe computing
2. Be sure you have anti-virus software that is current, has updates .dat files, and is scheduled to run regularly
3. Install and run spyware software on your computer
4. If you have broadband internet (such as Road Runner or whatever is available in your area) - you really need a router to act as a fire wall.
5. Do your research - take time to learn a little about security and keep your computer(s) running healthy.

To all my students - PLEASE follow my advice above to prevent sending me infected files to grade.

E-books

As an instructor, I often assist students on finding the best book deals. Ironically, the campus bookstore where I teach has some of the better local textbook deals.

I have recently learned though that e-textbooks are a new, popular (and greener) alternative to the super expensive textbooks, especially for those who use them mostly to find things as opposed to relaxing reading.

In the classes I teach, students do need to work through chapter exercises using their books, so this may not be the preferred method for all.

If you are ever interested in purchasing an e-textbook, visit the book manufacturer's site to see if that book is available for download, often at about 60% of the paper price. (This is not a plug for any particular company as many offer this alternative.)

Happy learning!

A Plug for your Local Library

I found a link recommending this article for job seekers, so I wanted to reference it...

http://www.prospectingweekly.com/PW35_a_goldmine_of_information.htm
A Gold Mine of Information…Paid For in Full by Keith F. Luscher - Author, Prospect & Flourish

the basic gist of the article is to use your library. I have heard this advice from other sources as well. Reference librarians are a very valuable resource, so ask for their advice.

Plus, I am a huge fan of the library. (I like bookstores too, but the library is like a candy store with fewer calories.)

Looking for familiar commands in MS Office 2007?

For any of you who knew where to find what you were looking for in Office 2003 or earlier versions, but discover that you can't find what you are looking for now (even if you are staring right at it) - then this is for you!

I discovered the coolest links from Microsoft to help find things in Office 2007.
These links are to interactive command guides in these apps. Once you have the links loaded, click on the menus to do what you are looking for in 2003 -- and then it will show you in 2007.

Excel: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HA101491511033.aspx?pid=CH100648241033

Word: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA100744321033.aspx

Access:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access/HA102388991033.aspx?pid=CH100621861033

PowerPoint:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/HA101490761033.aspx?pid=CH100668131033

Enjoy!

The Beginning

Today I am starting my first blog...

After years in IT, I am finally getting more involved in the online world -- web 2.0

I will update this blog periodically with IT tips and links and other ramblings.