Adobe Digital Editions and eBooks

I have not "checked out" an eBook from the library recently, but found one that I wanted to review for a chapter I writing for the Nursing and Informatics 5th edition.  I made several mistakes, but with the assistance of a wonderful University librarian the problems were solved.

The library eBook required Adobe Digital Editions to read the book.  Because of Digital Rights Management (DRM), you cannot download a PDF email, you "check it out."  On the due date, it disappears from your computer.

The problem was I had an OLD version of Adobe Digital Editions, so when I attempted to download the book, it would not open.  After I updated the software, when I went back to the download screen it worked.  The only problem with the Adobe download is that it also downloaded three different types of bloat ware (unwanted software). It changed my search engine and start-up page, too.  Not good!  I had to disable the add-ins in each of the web browsers I use.  I also had to uninstall the software using the Control Panel.

We figured out the problem using the iPad, which is the only computer that I took to the office today.  On the iPad, I was prompted to open the eBook with BlueFire Reader or Kobo.

There are many different readers.  It depends upon the operating system and device as to which you use. 

Scholarly Writing - Nurse Author & Editor Newsletter is a Must Read

I am working on a revised chapter for the 5th edition of the Informatics and Nursing textbook to replace chapter 6 in the 4th edition.  The focus of the new chapter is scholarly writing. The backdrop of the chapter is using the word process to format the paper with APA 6th citation style.

I revisited a wonderful quarterly newsletter, Nurse Author & Editor, at http://www.nurseauthoreditor.com/default.asp

If you are writing a paper for a class or as a requirement for a nursing degree, you will find the newsletter to be a "pot of gold!"  The September 2013 issue is just one example.

The newsletter is free.  All you need to do is to create a login and password.  I have it on my list of MUST reads. 

Nurse writing for undergraduate nursing classes, a Master's thesis, PhD dissertation, DNP scholarly project or for publication should review the Nurse Author & Editor newsletter.

Often Overlooked Feature: Spelling and Grammar Check in Microsoft Word

For some reason, users often overlook spelling and grammar check in Microsoft Word.  Spelling and grammar check is available on the Review ribbon menu in Microsoft Word 2010 and 2013 on Windows computers.  However, grammar check is not turned on by default.  You need to go to the File -> Option -> Proofing window.  Click the checkbox for checking grammar.

When you run spelling and grammar check from the review tab, Word gives you suggestions on how to improve the document.  For example, it will pick up split infinitives, run-on sentences, and verb disagreement. 

If made changes to the document after you ran spelling and grammar, you need to instruct Word to "Recheck Document" from the Options - Proofing window. 

Word suggestions are not "perfect" but provide helpful, just-in-time assistance for creating a well designed paper. 

Spell-check is a feature in all word processing software; however, grammar check is not.  Use the help menu to learn more.

Reflecting Back to AT&T Ads that Predicted the Future

Students in one the classes I teach studied and researched telehealth this past week.  On shared memories of a series of "You Will" adds that AT&T ran in 1993-4, which predicted the future of technology we use today.  See the video embedded from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MnQ8EkwXJ0&feature=youtu.be below.



Excel Formatting an Axis

Have you ever made an Excel chart where you needed to change the value of the axis?  For example you wanted to show a chart that depicts 100% of the people you surveyed, but when you created the chart the axis value was greater than 100%.  A greater than 100% would not make any sense.

The procedure is easy but a little tricky to find. 

Right-click on the axis you need to edit to get the Format Axis menu shown below. Change the axis value to 100% (or the value you want to display.   Notice that it is possible to edit the minimum value, too (although it is often best for that value to begin with 0.  When you are finished, save and close the window. 

The New MERLOT II (Multimedia Educational Resources for Learning and Online Teaching)

Recently, the staff at MERLOT introduced a new website and it is amazing!  Take a few minutes to explore at http://www.merlot.org
A screen shot of the new MERLOT, MERLOT II is below.  

If you are not a member, please join!  Membership is free.  It allows you to collaborate with others who have similar interests, create Personal Collections, and the ability to use the Content Builder.  The Content Builder allows you to build learning resources that are hosted on the MERLOT servers.

Consider adding new learning resources to MERLOT.  Those resources might be something you created or have found on the web created by someone else.

In preparation for the trip to India for the Indian Cancer Congress 2013, we are adding learning content related to India and cancer to MERLOT.

Protecting Your Privacy When Using Facebook and Twitter

A couple of my friends have had their Facebook or Twitter account hacked.  As noted in an earlier post, cyber criminals have a variety of motives and some are malicious.  For example, the criminals may fraudulently assume your identity or use your account to send spam.  The best way to protect your account is to proactively change the account settings to require two-factor authentication for any account changes.

Two-factor authentication requires the user to identify secondary factor for account changes.  Sending a code to your cell phone and requiring that code be entered before making account changes is an excellent way to protect your account.  Computing World has a very good article, Protect your Facebook account from hackers with two-factor authentication online at http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9243428/Protect_your_Facebook_account_from_hackers_with_two_factor_authentication?source=rss_latest_content&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+computerworld%2Fnews%2Ffeed+%28Latest+from+Computerworld%29

A similar process can be used for other social media accounts, such as Twitter.  If you are using other social media sites, be sure to search for the ability to create two-factor authentication. 

Visit to India

I leave for an eleven-day trip to India in less that 4 weeks. I represent MERLOT (Multimedia Educational Resources for Learning and Online Teaching) along with a team of oncology nurse faculty member and physicians.  As you may know, I am the editor for the MERLOT Health Sciences Editorial Board. The team is a part of Open Educational Resource Cancer (OERC).  OERC representatives will make presentations at the Indian Cancer Congress 2013 and also at academic medical centers in Kochi. The visa is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.  I am not certain about Internet access for blogging.  In case of access problems, I will plan to tweet during the trip.  I will be flying into New Delhi and out of Kochi.  I am excited to meet nursing colleagues in my travels.  Look for more information on how to access India travel tweets later. 

APA Formatting the Running Head

As I review work submitted by students, I recognize that formatting a running head for APA 6th edition style is a mystery to many.  There are four main points:
  • On the title page the words "Running head" are used before the colon.  The "h" in head is not capitalized.
  • The running head name must be in all capital letters and not exceed 50 characters (letters and spaces).
  • The page number should be flush right on the SAME line as the running head.
  • The running head on the second page does not have the words "Running head:"
Since Microsoft Word is often used by nursing students in the United States, the information below addresses using Word.  If you understand the rationale for the steps, you should be able to replicate the process using other word processing software.

    To format the running head on the first page:
      • Click Insert in the Word Ribbon Menu
      • Click Insert page number
      • Select flush right and insert
      • Change the formatting of the page number to flush left
      • Type Running head:THE NAME OF THE PAPER RUNNING HEAD
      • Click on the space at the end of the running head and use the tab key to move the page number to flush left.  If you accidentally move the page number to a second line, click Ctrl+Z to undo
      • THIS IS IMPORTANT - click on the checkbox for Different First Page  (See screen shot below)






      • Exit the Edit & Footer menu.

      The middle of the title page includes the full title of the paper, the author(s) names, and affiliation.  Author notes are optional, depending upon the purpose of the paper.

      • Right-click on the header on page two to edit the header.  The header & footer tools should appear in the menu.
      • Remove the check from the checkbox for Different First Page
      • Remove the words Running head from the header
      • Exit the Header & Footer menu - you are done
      • Go to page 3.  The edited page header without the words Running head should appear

        Writing with APA Style - Changing the Default Font to Times New Roman in Microsoft Word

        When writing using APA style, change the default font style from Calibri to Times New Roman to prevent Microsoft Word from attempting to use Calibri.  It take only a few seconds to make the change. 

        First change the font in the Home menu to Times New Roman, size 12.

        Next click the little down-arrow in the bottom right of the Font menu.

        Click the Set as Default button in the bottom left corner of the window.

        Done!

        If you use another word processor, now that you understand the procedure, you should be able to replicate it someway.

        History of Professional Networking

        I am working on a chapter about professional networking for the 5th edition of the Nursing and Informatics textbook.  The historical development of social media and networking is fascinating.  I enjoy reading posts on Twitter and Facebook.  The shared information helps me to feel connected to what is important. A video cartoon from Time.com is below.  A very nice infographic on the history is at http://www.creativeramblings.com/social-media-history-infographic-updated/
        (It has code for embedding, but I could not get the code to work)

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