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New to You: The Hidden Value in Refurbished Electronics

by Carlo Cannavale

     With the cost of everything skyrocketing nowadays, it’s critical now, more than ever, to make sure we stretch our dollars as far as they can go.  Technology plays an important role in our daily lives and that means investing our hard-earned cash into quality personal tech that will provide us reliable service.  That can be an expensive proposition but there is a great way to save money and still get a quality product.  Say it with me folks: RE-FUR-BISHED! Now for some, the word “refurbished” is a dirty word.  New from the factory is the only thing they buy and that’s fine.  I personally have been buying refurbished electronics for years and I can only think of one time a refurbished item has failed on me. Even then, it was still covered by a warranty from the manufacturer. It’s a great way to save money but before you jump on the refurb bandwagon, it’s important to understand what kind of “refurb” you are buying.  The first and most common one is “manufacturer refurbished”.  This means the product was sold new, had some sort of defect and was returned to the manufacturer.  The defect could be something mechanical or simply cosmetic (a scratch for example). The item is repaired, inspected and is technically new but can’t be sold as “new”.  They are labeled as “refurbished” and sold at a discount. They still include a warranty, possibly the original warranty or a shorter one. These are typically sold directly from the manufacturer. The second type is what’s known as “seller refurbished”. These are usually repaired by a third-party company with in-house experts.  You can find these items on sites like Amazon and Ebay. These types of refurbs can offer even deeper discounts but have a shorter warranty or no warranty at all.  I have purchased many of these as well over the years and have had mostly good luck with them. It’s up to the consumer to judge if the discount is worth the risk of having little to no warranty protection.  Aside from the monetary savings, you are also helping the environment by keeping these devices out of our landfills.  Imagine an iPad getting returned to Apple because of a volume button sticking and it just getting trashed. A quick and easy part replacement along with a full inspection and the device is essentially as good as new and ready to provide years of use.  So the next time you are out hunting for your next tech purchase, don’t discount refurbished products because they may just be the best bang for your buck.   

 


Apple iOS Shortcut

by Justin Smith

Routines. Daily habits. Time savers. When it comes to my iPhone or iPad, I find myself accessing the same couple apps in succession. Turn up the volume, open the Music app, select a playlist, shuffle the songs, play, open the MAPS app, etc. Thanks to the power of a shortcuts, these 6 actions can all happen at the tap of one button. This isn’t by any means a NEW feature for apple, but it is one that has been updated over the years. Some apps even come WITH shortcuts, and they show up after you install a related app... such as Amazon or Zoom. Check out this article by apple if you would like to free up some time in your day and automate, or otherwise program, your device.

iOS Shortcuts App

 


Tech it to the Next Level: Requesting Quotes for New Technology

by Oliver Sumampong

Want to level up your area with new tech and would like to explore your options? Whether it be desktops, laptops, tablets, monitors, or anything tech-related, send your quote requests to helpdesk@canyons.edu and we’d be happy to help!

To help us identify everything you will need for your purchase, be sure to include the following with your quote request:
1. Specify all the equipment you are looking to purchase along with their quantities.
2. Describe what will this equipment be used for.
3. Who will be using the equipment?
4. Where will this equipment be installed/used? Include the building name and room.
5. Specify any accessories you might need to complement the equipment. (Extra chargers, storage carts, stylus, etc.)

From there, we will be able to discuss your options and quote the appropriate equipment. If you are unsure of exactly what you need, feel free to request a meeting. We would love to help curate the equipment you need and make sure your tech dreams become a reality!

 


What's New in Windows 11: Key Differences from Windows 10

by Mat Camara


As IT prepares to roll out Windows 11 to the campus, you may be curious about what sets it apart from its predecessor, Windows 10. Windows 11 brings a host of new features and improvements that aim to enhance user experience, performance, and security. While the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 may require some adjustment, the benefits and modernizations make it a compelling upgrade for many users.  Here’s a rundown of the major differences and enhancements to help prepare you for upcoming upgrade.

1. User Interface
One of the most noticeable changes in Windows 11 is its redesigned user interface. The Start Menu and Taskbar are now centered, giving a fresh, modern look. Windows 11 also introduces rounded corners, new animations, and updated icons that contribute to a more visually appealing experience.

2. Performance Improvements
Windows 11 promises better performance compared to Windows 10. It includes enhancements such as improved memory management and better battery life for laptops.

3. Snap Layouts and Snap Groups
Multitasking is made easier with Snap Layouts and Snap Groups. Snap Layouts allow you to quickly organize open windows into different layouts, while Snap Groups save these layouts, making it simple to switch between tasks without losing your workflow.

4. Microsoft Teams Integration
Windows 11 comes with Microsoft Teams integrated directly into the Taskbar, making it easier to connect with colleagues, friends, and family. This feature supports both personal and professional communication, enhancing productivity and connectivity.

5. Widgets
Windows 11 introduces a new Widgets feature that provides at-a-glance information such as news, weather, calendar, and more. These customizable widgets are accessible from the Taskbar and can be tailored to your preferences.

All new devices will come with Windows 11 pre-installed. Currently, Computing Support Services is rigorously testing the deployment of Windows 11 on our existing devices. Upon successful validation, we will commence a phased campus-wide rollout. Our helpdesk team will be available to provide comprehensive support, including training and troubleshooting. Additionally, we will offer in-person training sessions to ensure a smooth transition.  Stay tuned for dates and times.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this upgrade process. For further assistance or inquiries, please contact our helpdesk.

 


Free Snagit and Camtasia Training

by Jim Temple

Several campus community members use Snagit and Camtasia to capture screenshots or record whatever is happening on your screen. These are great tools to create “how-to” videos for software applications or to capture something on the screen to use in a document, video, or email. While we do not have a campus-wide license for this software, Snagit runs about $40 annually. Camtasia is about $240 to purchase, with the ability to add an annual maintenance contract after the first year to receive information and updates. Whether you are a current owner or considering purchasing the software, the company has recently scheduled several free trainings you might want to check out here:

TechSmith

 


Website PDF Accessibility Remediation Project Surges Forward

By Scott McAfee

We're thrilled to announce a significant breakthrough in our ongoing PDF accessibility remediation project, funded by the COVID Block Grant. Our team has just completed an impressive "mega batch" of 468 files (out of a total of 819 inaccessible files), marking a major step towards campus-wide digital accessibility.

This latest batch encompasses a diverse range of documents:

  • 200 simple files: These files are straightforward and require minimal remediation efforts, typically involving basic text and simple formatting.
  • 150 medium-complexity files These documents have moderate complexity, with some elements like tables, images, or links that need additional attention during the remediation process.
  • 118 complex files These files are highly intricate, often containing multiple layers of formatting, extensive tables, graphics, and interactive elements that require significant effort to ensure accessibility.

Each document has been meticulously processed to meet the District's accessibility standards, ensuring that our digital content is inclusive and user-friendly for all.

 

 


Better Sleep with the Help of a Smart Watch

by Phillip Trujillo

You got a smart watch some time ago and now find yourself wondering “Now what?” I had the same question once all the novelty of the fancy charts and graphs wore off. I can see all the stages of my sleep, what days I hit my sleep goals, how long I sleep, how many times I wake up in the middle of the night, how erratic my sleep schedule is; but how is it useful? What do I do with this data to improve my sleep?  I went to the internet to find out. 

Sleep trackers generally use motion sensors, heart rate monitors, and secret sauce algorithms to give a best guess about our sleep. Great, so my watch is making an educated guess at my sleep quality. How is that even useful?  While the data isn’t going to be used by a doctor to diagnose a sleep condition, it is still useful for you to spot long term patterns. One point of data isn’t very useful, but your smart watch is great at passively collecting a lot of long-term data. You can experiment with your life habits, try one change for a few weeks, and see how it impacts your sleep data. 
Some simple things you may try experimenting with:

  • Adjust your caffeine intake after a set point in the day. 
  • Move your routine around. Try going to sleep earlier or later. What things do you do at night that you might be able to move to the morning before work or visa versa? For example, does working out, showering, or doing house work before bed or early in the morning make a difference?
  • Limit your screen time/doom scrolling/stream bingeing an hour before bed. Another option is trying a blue light filter and see if that works for you. Some phones have bedtime mode or parental controls to help you with this.
  • Set an alarm for when you want to go to bed to help maintain a constant sleep schedule. You use one to help you wake up on time, why not try one to help you go to sleep on time?
  • Adjust when you eat before going to bed. Maybe enjoy your snack while you stream the show that just dropped, instead of right before bed
  • Try adjusting your thermostat.  Sometimes a little cooler setting helps you sleep better. If you have a smart thermostat you could automate it with a routine.

The end goal is to have a better night sleep, and feel more refreshed. You don’t need a smart watch to try any of this, but I find it feels a bit more real when I can see an external value showing something changed. 
 
Further Reading/reference material:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/do-sleep-trackers-really-work

https://www.thensf.org/

 

 


dark room with spotlights

Employee Spotlight: Mat Camara

by Jim Temple

Please join me in welcoming Mat Camara to the College of the Canyons’ IT family. Mat is the new Director of Technology Services overseeing hardware, software, and Audio/Visual support across the District. No stranger to Higher Education technology, Mat comes to us after an 18 year career at Pasadena City College (PCC) where he served as an Audio/Visual Specialist and, most recently, the Assistant Director, Technical Services.  Mat lives in Castaic with his wife and 2 daughters. Not a stranger to College of the Canyons, he has done audio work for his church when they have hosted events in our Performing Arts Center. Mat’s office is located in Bonelli Hall 107. If you are in the area, please stop in and say hi!

Family Photo