Operating Your
iStation
Cables: The iStation uses five cables to fully function:
2-Power, 1-VGA (for projector), 1-coaxial (cable
television), & 1 network cable (for computer). Besides
these there’s a second network cable in the room for a
printer. Although cables are
bundled, it is necessary to
lock both wheels once the
iStation is in position. It can
be moved, but only within the distance allotted by the cabling.
Additional care should be taken to not stretch or suspend the
cabling from the floor in order to reposition the iStation.
Use of the Port Replicator: Cabling
connectivity is made possible through the port
replicator. These cables are intended to
remain in these ports to avoid damage that can
occur to both the connectors and the ports due
to excessive plugging and unplugging.
Docking your laptop into the port replicator
occurs only when the laptop is shut down.
Look for the two black retractable pegs that are sticking out of the face of the replicator.
Two rectangular ports at the rear of your
laptop are made to line up with these
pegs. Once lined up, press the laptop
down so that it locks into place.
Line up port with
peg and press
down lightly.
Only remove the laptop from the port replicator when
the computer is completely powered down.
To remove the laptop from the port replicator, press the
button/levers on the top of both sides of the port
replicator, and lift slowly. Do not force the release. If
buttons are pressed firmly down, the laptop will release
without sticking or tension of any kind.
Keyboards: Both keyboards, the one on the laptop and the
battery operated remote may be used while the laptop is in
the port replicator. This is to accommodate both standing
and sitting at the iStation, allowing the iStation to be used as
a desk. The keyboard drawer slides out, allowing access to
the swivel mouse pad beneath
it. The remote keyboard may
be used anywhere in the room
while the laptop remains in the port replicator. The
receiver pictured below must remain on the desktop. An
added feature on the remote keyboard is the number key
pad, allowing for easier grade entries, etc.
Mice: There are three mice that may be
used. 1. The Gyration mouse is the
remote mouse that is used while the laptop
is in the port replicator. It has 16 radio
wave signals that it can broadcast, one of
which is used at a time. Because of this,
it’s possible to be on the same channel as
another teacher in a different room, causing the signal to
interfere with the operations of another teacher’s computer.
If this occurs, mount the mouse on its cradle, wait for the
green light on top to end its flashing, and retry. This will
automatically change channels, although it’s still possible
to conflict with yet another mouse in a different classroom.
The Gyration mouse must sit in the cradle when not in use.
It charges while in the cradle, and will discharge when out
of its cradle, whether it’s in use or not. Over-night placement of the mouse should
always be in the cradle. 2. The laptop
touch pad on is always operational,
even when other mice are in use.
3. A USB mouse may be used by
plugging it into one of the two USB
ports in the back of the laptop when
not docked in the port replicator.
Receiver
for
keyboard
and
wireless
mouse
Projector: The projection unit is mounted, hanging from
the ceiling. Once it has been checked, and
determined operational, no one should
physically touch it for any reason. These are
easily damaged and costly to repair. To turn
the projector on, simply use the batteryoperated remote, green power button to turn it
on. It will project the same screen as seen on
the docked laptop. If the settings are changed on the laptop, cycle through the settings
by holding down the “Fn” key, and pressing the “F4” key until the correct setting allows
the screen to once again be broadcast by the laptop through the projector. To turn the
projector off, use the green button on the remote, pressing it once to receive a prompt on
the screen to press it again if you truly want to turn the unit off. Once off, the projector
fan will continue to operate until the unit has cooled down completely. At this time, do
not turn the projector back on, as it will overheat. (The projector should not allow you to
turn it on again, but if you happen to do this, the life of the bulb will be compromised. A
projector used correctly should have a bulb life of 2000 hours.)
The drop-down screen should only be left down when
in use. Do not tape, modify, or write in any fashion
on this screen.
Video Labs Flex Cam – VCR – Cable TV –
Laserdisc Player (upon checkout) These devices are
activated through
the ATi video tuner. Activate these by using the
right shortcut button at the top of your laptop. On the
TV screen that appears, choose the type of connection
needed by clicking on the button furthest right, as
shown. The button toggles through 3 connections:
TV, Composite, or
Connection:
S-Video. 1. The
TV,
Flex Cam uses the
Composite
or
TV
S-video selection.
S-Video
Channel
To use the Flex
Cam, turn on the
power button on the
Flex Cam and use
Power Button
the dial on the lens
to focus. 2. The VCR &
E-mail
Video Tuner
Laserdisc player use the
Focus
Composite connection.
3. The laserdisc player plays
Internet
InkNote
through the VCR. To
accomplish this, a tape must be
in the VCR. Press play and
stop on the VCR to allow video
from the laserdisc player to play through the VCR.
Ink Link: Activate the Ink Link by finding the shortcut in
the Productivity Folder or by using the √ shortcut button
next to the Video shortcut at the top of the laptop. The
InkNote Manager will appear, allowing you to configure
your on-screen paper. If no modifications are required,
select File/New for the first page to appear.
Fastening Ink Link’s receiver to the upper-left, top corner of
any paper tablet will allow the transmitter in the pen to be seen.
The paper can be situated in any way you feel best meets the
purpose of this instructional
resource. Batteries wear out
quickly, but are easily replaced. A
limited supply of replacement
batteries and ink cartridges will be provided to GHS. The
pen itself should only be used for
this purpose, kept in the case
provided with one battery removed
when not in use, and stored safely
in the locking compartment of the
iStation.
Saving files: There are numerous ways to save files while
using your iStation: 1. to the Desktop, 2. to Local Files, 3. to
“My Documents”, 4. to the Y drive, 5. to a 3 ½” floppy, 6. to a CD-R, 7. to a CD-RW,
and 8. to a USB key. All operate in a similar fashion as what you are accustomed to,
except for a new feature in Windows XP that allows the user to synchronize files.
Synchronize Files: There is a folder in your existing Y drive called “My Documents”.
All of your current Y drive folders and files should be moved to that folder, except your
PST file (used for e-mail) and any Access files you may have stored, in order to take full
advantage of synchronization. While the “My Documents” folder exists on your Y drive,
there exists another folder with the same name on the desktop of your iStation laptop.
Any time you save a file to “My Documents” on the desktop of the iStation, the file will
be copied to your Y drive automatically when you log off or onto your laptop. This
works in reverse as well. For instance, when you take your laptop home to work on a
document and open up “My Documents”, you’ll see everything that exists there from
your Y drive. You may modify, add, or delete to this folder while not on the network,
and when you next log onto the network at school, all these modifications will
automatically sync to your personal Y drive.
Files that are too large to have stored in your Y drive should not be placed in “My
Documents”. They may be saved in the Local Files folder or on the Desktop. However,
if you save files to your Desktop, anyone in the room may view the fact that they are
saved there if you use your projector to broadcast your laptop screen. Example: If you
create an instructional digital video that is 700MB in size, it is too large to store on your
personal Y drive. Because of that, we certainly wouldn’t want something of that size to
be synchronized every time you log on or off of the network. It may be too large for the
CD burner on your laptop, although you may find CD-RWs that hold 800 MB of
information, making that a saving option that would work. Your only other options are
the Desktop or Local Files. If you aren’t interested in letting students know the file(s)
exist yet, you should store it in Local Files. If it doesn’t matter if students see the file(s),
it can be stored in either Local Files or the Desktop.
CD-RW/DVD ROM: The laptop comes equipped with digital copying software. Nero
and Windows XP give you the ability to read and write to a CD-R & CD-RW. Windows
XP will automatically create a multisession CD-R using drag and drop.
Using the drag and drop method, it will place a shortcut for the file(s)
to be burned at the time you desire by choosing File/Write these files to
CD. A downward pointing arrow will appear on the shortcut, indicating
that it is not yet on the CD, but is ready to be copied. The CD drive also
plays DVDs.
Floppy Drive: Externally may be plugged
into the USB port either on the back of the
port replicator when docked, or directly into
either of the USB ports at the rear of the
laptop.
Other features: Text-to-Speech; Voice
Recognition; Windows Movie Maker;
Windows Media Player (latest version
allows copy of music CDs); on screen
keyboard; & on screen magnification, just to
name a few.
Security: All teachers have keys that will open an
iStation. It is the responsibility of the teacher to keep the
unit locked when unattended or not in use. A laptop can
be used with any iStation.
Printers will be named after the room number they
are located in. In the event that you need to print to a
printer other than that which is located in your room,
you may choose to select the library LaserJet or inkjet
printer. Printers should not be moved from one room
to another.