Tips to speed up your Mac if it is running slow

Here are some things you can do to help keep your Mac running smoothly.

1. Shutdown unwanted apps
2. Use Activity Monitor
3. Get rid of preference panes
4. Cut down on Login items
5. Free up hard drive space
6. Software update
7. Verify Disk and Repair Permissions
8. Turn off visual effects
9. Reboot

Google Docs Offline Editing

HOW TO ENABLE OFFLINE EDITING

If you and your class are using Google Docs on a regular basis on a Mac or Chromebook, you should consider enabling the offline editing feature.  This will allow you and your students the ability to create and edit Google Docs, Sheets, Presentations (Slides), and Drawings without an internet connection.

*To edit Google Docs and Sheets offline on your mobile device, you must have the Google Docs and Sheets apps installed. All other files can be viewed using the Google Drive app.

Google Gadget-Slideshow Maker

If you want to add a rotating image slideshow on your Google site a quick way is to add the Slideshow Maker gadget.  The first thing to do is follow the link below to the Slideshow Maker Template I have created below.  Copy the template by selecting "File" and then "Make a Copy" so you can edit it and add your own photos.  When using the template do not move the blue frame!  This is very important or your final project will not be correct.  Delete my photo from the slide. From there insert one of your photos to the first slide.  Control click the photo and select Order, then Send to Back.  This will put your photo behind the frame.  Move, crop or shrink the photo so the image you want on the final product is visible inside the frame. Again, don't move the frame over the picture, move the picture behind the frame. Duplicate the slide and repeat the process above.  Continue with this until you have all the photos for your slideshow in the presentation.

Use Gmail as an RSS Reader

Many people would like to subscribe to RSS feeds to get news and updates from sources they find on the internet, but don't know how to use an RSS reader, or would rather get the updates in their gmail.

This post addresses both issues.

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Excerpt:
One interesting alternative to Google Reader can actually be found right within Google’s own services — one that you know won’t be going anywhere: Gmail. With a few easy steps, you can turn part of your inbox into an RSS reader, accessible on your desktop computer, mobile phone, or just about anywhere you can access your Gmail account.

Including iMovie video in a Google Slides presentation without resorting to Youtube.

My students were working on Google Slides presentations and wanted to insert some video they had recorded.  Upon checking they found Google slides only wanted YouTube video links.   Possible, if they already had a YouTube channel to upload the video to, but not what they wanted to do.

I experimented and found a way to include the video without using YouTube.

Here's my work around to include the video without using YouTube

Adjust image color and filters in Google Slides

Google Update

People working with images in Google Slides on the web will now have the ability to adjust their color, transparency, brightness, and contrast.