Google Apps

AODocs Improvements

Doug Willen

AODocs, which we use here at Swarthmore on top of Google Drive to provide some needed functionality, has been improving their product.  Late yesterday they released Version 42 of AODocs, which brings some nice new features for both ITS Systems Administrators and many users.  For those that connect directly through the AODocs interface (log into https://www.aodocs.com/, not just using the AODocs Smart Bar in Chrome with Google Drive), you can now prevent viewers of your shared content from downloading, copying or printing your shared files.  There are also improvements to the Folder picker interface, allowing you to have more options for … Continue reading AODocs Improvements

Academic Technology, SPEED Program, Workshops and Training

Data Visualization and Projection

Mike Jones

Data visualization involves the presentation of data in a pictorial or graphical format that engages the viewer with information. These visualizations can then be printed, displayed, or projected into spaces to make difficult concepts easier to grasp, reveal patterns that would otherwise be opaque, or provide alternative interpretations of information. They can be used artistically, theatrically or informationally and can change the way people inhabit space. Interactive visualizations may respond to user inputs, or live data feeds and take the concept a step further by allowing you to drill down into charts and graphs for more detail, changing what data … Continue reading Data Visualization and Projection

Social Media, Tips

Little Ways to Make Things Easier

Joel F. W. Price '00

Here’s something you might not have known: For the past 3+ years we’ve been tweeting out little ways to make your digital life easier, especially focusing on often-used software tools here at Swarthmore.  You don’t need to be a Twitter user to see these, either — you can read them right on our ITS front page or on our @SwarthmoreITS Twitter page. On Tuesdays at noon (Eastern) we usually tweet out tips (some recent ones include a cybersecurity phishing quiz and a browser-checking tool to keep your browser(s) and plugins up-to-date easily.  On Wednesdays at noon (Eastern) we usually tweet … Continue reading Little Ways to Make Things Easier

Academic Technology, Faculty/Staff, Media Center, Students

Arduino Inventor’s Kits Now Available for Checkout

Andrew Ruether

Arduino is an open source electronics platform that you can program to interact with the real world: make lights flash, buzzers buzz, and motors spin.  You can use Arduinos to build an invention, animate a sculpture, or automate your house.   ITS has purchased several Arduino-based SparkFun Inventor’s Kits now available for checkout from the Media Center.  These are great for learning about Arduino and come with lots of fun stuff like motors, LEDs, an LCD display, temperature and light sensors, a buzzer, and supporting electronics.  The kit also includes an excellent guide with 16 sample projects starting from the basic blinking … Continue reading Arduino Inventor’s Kits Now Available for Checkout