The Google Nexus 7 tablet is an excellent value at $199 for the 8GB model ($249 for the 16GB) with an impressive feature set that feels smooth to use, thanks to Android Jellybean 4.1 with Project Butter, long batter life (over 9 hours of robust use) and tight integration with Google apps and services. The Physical Device The device feels good with a dimpled, rubberized back, aluminum banding around the edges, and a gloss black plastic bezel around the 7-inch screen.  It has a power button and a volume rocker on its right edge, and a micro-USB port and headset jack on the bottom.  It is easy to hold in...

Techsmith announced today the release of SnagIt version 11.1, free to owners of version 11, meaning everyone who has the Palomar College licensed version of SnagIt.  Chief among the new features is the ability to capture system sound when capturing video.  Unbelievably they released version 11 without this ability built-in, and I suspect it was the most commented on oversight ever with a TechSmith product, unless it be the unaccountable dissimilarities between the Mac and PC versions of Camtasia.  Especially in view of the fact the Jing, TechSmith’s free video capture tool, is being deprecated...

We are excited to be starting another semester at Palomar College.  This article will briefly outline some of the major services performed by the Academic Technology department—known as the Academic Technology Resource Center (atrc).  We are physically located on the ground floor of the library building on the San Marcos campus, but most of our work, except for the physical computer labs and in-person training, is virtual. Blackboard First, we maintain the Blackboard system used for online and technology enhanced education.  Actually, it is systems, not system.  In addition to our production...

How does progress happen?  That is the initial question that greets users of IBM’s free THINK app for iPad (the app is also available for Android).  For those who love technology, science  and the history of both, it is the entrée to a fascinating collection of resources put together in an engaging, thought-provoking display. The presentation begins with the 10-minute Think film, which can be downloaded to the iPad (161MB) or streamed (from YouTube—the far better choice if your connection allows it).  The video is a split-screen, multi-camera piece provides a glimpse into four problems that were...

For several years now we have used a vendor-hosted helpdesk system called “Kayako Fusion.”  Kayako is the name of the company, Fusion the name of the software.  It is a great product at a fair price.  It has worked well and has made our organization better able to serve Palomar College faculty, staff and students.  (The company is located in the Punjab, but that is neither here nor there in the Internet age). Being vendor hosted, however, creates some limitations. Beginning August 1st we have taken the next step in making this product more effective by hosting it locally. The good news is...