BellNET Technology Network

Friday, March 3, 2000

Learning to use a digital camera, a GPS receiver, and an AlphaSmart computer companion.

The Digital Camera

Easy to use!Easy to understand.Fun to operate.

Turn on the Camera. Review the Settings.Change the Settings as Needed.Frame the Picture.Take the Picture.Review the Stored Image.

How to take pictures and review them on your camera:

Downloading and Viewing Images On Your Computer

Install the Agfa PhotoWise software onto your computer. Using the serial cable provided, plug the jack at one end of the

serial cable into the serial port on your camera. PC- Plug the other end of the cable into the serial port on your

computer. Macintosh- Connect the other end of the cable. Then plug the

end of the adapter into your computer’s printer or modem port. Launch PhotoWise (In Start Menu> Programs> Agfa

PhotoWise> PhotoWise).

In PhotoWise, click on the View Camera Images icon. The images appear as a filmstrip.

Click on the Get Camera Images icon to download all images.

Once the images are downloaded, you can edit, print, and organize them.

What can you do with your images?

Insert them into documentsPut them on home pagePrint them like pictures

AlphaSmart Computer Companionnables users to type, edit and electronically store text, and to practice keyboarding without having to be at a computer.Its portability allows students to use it anywhere and anytime.Transferring text is simple.Great lesson plans are included on the website: http://www.alphasmart.com

Using Your AlphaSmart 3000 Computer Companion

Turn on the AlphaSmart by pressing the On/Off key and start typing. Your text will appear in the window.

Use the arrow keys to move your cursor in the text. Use the Delete key to erase.When you would like to open a new folder, press the F1-F8 file keys at the top of the keyboard. Your work will be saved.

File 1 is 16 pages long.

Files 2-5 are 8 pages each.

Files 6-7 are 6 pages each.

File 8 is 4 pages in length.

Transferring Text to A Computer

Install the AlphaSmart software. After the software is installed, start up any application that

accepts text and open a new file. You must have a file open in this application in order to transfer files from the AlphaSmart.

Connect the AlphaSmart to your computer using the Y cables that are included with the AlphaSmart package.

Press the Send key on the AlphaSmart. Make sure you are in any application that accepts text input before pressing the Send key. If you press Send while in the Finder, you will rename the files on your desktop to the text that is in your AlphaSmart.

Your text will appear in the screen. To finish the process, save the new file. At the AlphaSmart, press the Clear File key to erase the

text. The AlphaSmart will automatically power off after 3-4

minutes of non-use.

GPS: Global Positioning System

GPS: Global Positioning System24 Satellites orbit the Earth at an altitude of about 12,000

miles.Every point on Earth can be identified by using two sets of

numbers called coordinates. One represents a horizontal (latitude) line and a vertical (longitudinal) line crosses it.

The GPS receiver uses information from at least three satellites to determine the coordinate position.

The information can be displayed in several ways: longitude/latitude, Universal Transverse Mercator, or Military Grid.

GPS 300Using your GPS for the first time:

Press PWR to turn the GPS 300 on.

SELECT REGION. Use the ARROW pad to change the flashing text to select the appropriate region for your present location. Press ENTER.

SELECT COUNTRY or STATE. Use the ARROW pad to change the flashing text to select the country or state for your present location. Press ENTER.

ENTER ELEVATION. Use the ARROW pad to enter the approximate elevation for your position. If unknown, leave the elevation at 0. Press ENTER.

ENTER TIME. Use the ARROW pad to enter your present time.

ENTER DATE. Use the ARROW pad to enter the date. Press ENTER.

The GPS 300 will then start searching for satellites. As the GPS scans the sky, the arrow in the circle will swing around pointing to a satellite. The center of the circle displays the satellite’s elevation above the horizon.

When the GPS 300 has a position fix, the word “TRACKING” is displayed in the lower right corner.

To Save a Position Fix:Position fixes can be saved for use later when you

want to return to that position. Saved position fixes are referred to as landmarks or LMK.

1. To save your current position, press MARK.2. Either enter a name or accept the receiver-

generated name (LM01-LM99) and press ENTER. (To create a name, use the UP/DOWN and LEFT/RIGHT arrows. After you have entered the name, press ENTER.)

Viewing the POSITION Screen:

The position screen displays the coordinates for your last computed position and information about any satellites that are visible.

1. Press the NAV key.

2. The navigation screen displays your heading and the speed at which you are traveling. The lower portion of the screen displays a moving compass. The triangle at the top of the compass points which direction you are traveling and the arrow points north.

3. If you have indicated that you would like to go to one of your saved landmarks, the navigation screen will also display the bearing and distance to your destination.