The Summer Updates

                                       As we get in to the heat of summer, the update schedule has been set for both Apple and Microsoft.  With Windows 10 being released free on July 29, we are presented with another update of Microsoft's operating system.  This one has a new web browser, the "Cortana" voice recognition system, puts the old and new elements of windows together and allows users from Windows version seven and eight to upgrade for free.   In a perfect world, they would allow my Surface RT to update, however, we do not live in that world.  While I look forward to system improvements in my PC's, the little voice in my head says "caution." My concerns are with the music programs I use to practice and perform with on my tablets and computers.  Changes will obviously occur there, yet there is a little concern.  Another area that I like about Microsoft's coming software is the ability to use holographic technology in your personal life.  The hololens hardware would be a neat addition to the technology I use, however, at their current prices, it will be a while before I can afford it. 
     Apple is updating both it's IOS and OSX operating systems adding new features.  Some of these features announced have me curious, especially in the notepad app.  I am an avid Onenote and Evernote user as these assist me staying on track at home and at work.  Being able to organize notes into notebooks and subsections is the beauty of these notebook systems, imitating the analog paper notebook.  With the searchability of these programs, I can find information in seconds. I even shared this concept with the Chefs at a Culinary school.  They really liked the ability to find information in a hurry.  Apple has stated that I will be able to get reminders, add graphics, checkboxes, etc  in their new notes app.  I hope this is so, as the apple infrastructure works pretty well together. It would be really nice to have the audio recorder feature I enjoy in the other two not programs I use in the "notes" application. It makes it easy to collect musical ideas and motifs with the ability to share with other musicians to develop the musical idea collaboratively.  Will their icloud note program update as well?   It will be one less step in organizing projects on the go in my role as an educational technologist.
     While I anticipate the usual problems with any new update, I am looking forward to see what Apple and Microsoft have done to improve their products usefulness as  a personal and professional productivity tool.  Google, Apple, and Microsoft are listening to the users of their products, which is necessary and beneficial for each of us.  I am looking forward to it.

Google Add Ons

Google has been very proactive in creating add ons that bring power to the basic Google applications such as Documents, Sheets, and Slides.  These add ons create additional tools for people to use in their work. These add on programs are what I use to create work seamlessly and within the Google environment.

In Google Docs, the research add on is terrific.  It will format your writing for MLA, APA styles of writing for student and professional papers.  While I became a master of using the bibliography tools in Microsoft word during graduate school, Google, offers these without having to purchase office for your personal or business account. It allows research access from the web, Google Scholar, everywhere, inages, etc., allowing you to complete your work in the same window. When you cite a source, Docs places it in the appropriate style of your writing.   For you Avery label maker users, there is an add on for Google docs as well.  I have to experiment with this, however working in an elementary setting, our teachers are constantly using labels as fund raising reminders, getting students on the correct bus, and lunch line organizers.

While Excel is my normal go to program for heavy spreadsheets, I have warmed up to Google sheets  The PowerTools add ons allow you to really manipulate data in a meaningful way.  Features include a duplicate finder, separation and merge tools, as well as find and replace functions.  Add the functionality of Google's form tools and there is a simple data collection and administration tool.  With the table add ons, you can create multi colored tables if you desire.  This is much easier in excel, however, each productivity suite has its own set of tools that are available on a specific level of functionality.

Google Slides offers a simple set of template offerings for Slide presentations.  There are currently no add ons that I have found to date, however some creative folks have given you hope to dress up the basic Google slide template options.   Go to  Slide Carnival on the web and make a copy to your Google drive of the many templates available at the site.  You can then create a new presentation from the copy, editing content with your particular slide needs. You can then recolor, adjust, delete, etc till you have the presentation of your dreams.