Regional Library Computer Center

What is Brainboost? Brainboost is an answer engine which will find web pages which will answer your question directly. With a search engine, they find web pages that has your search terms somewhere in their text. Brainboost is just one example of an answer engine.

How do you use an answer engine?

• Type in your question in plain English.

• If I was wanting to know where “Birmingham, Alabama” was located I would type in: “Where is Birmingham, Alabama”, without the quotation marks. There is no need to type in question marks.

Here are some results that I received:

On the left hand side of the screen there is a list of related questions.  To the right is the answers the “Brainboost” found to the initial question. Beside each answer there is “thumbs-up” icon which you can use if the information that was found was helpful. Beside that icon is another icon which looks like two pieces of paper overlapping. This is used to open the results in a new window. Also there is the words “Read More”. When clicked on, it will display the results right beneath the answer.

If you want to know how BrainBoost works and how to be able to use it to the maximum, click on the “How is BrainBoost different from other search engines?” link, which is located on the Home page. Then be sure to read the comprehensive description.

http://bplolinenews.blogspot.com/2007/08/bpls-first-podcast-building-blocks-for.html

The Birmingham Public Library will be closed on Sunday, September 2nd and Monday, September 3rd for Labor Day observance. In conjunction with the Birmingham Public Library’s closing, the RLCC will be closed on those two dates as well. The RLCC will reopen to the public on Tuesday, September 4th @ 2 p.m.

Need a poster but don’t have any graphic art software programs?

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=a121ce581499d7b70166

We get a lot of questions about whether we offer typing or keyboarding classes. Although we don’t offer a keyboarding class, there is a web site that I recommend for anyone wanting to brush up on their typing skills. Learn2type.com is a site that I have used off and on for years now and have found it to be a very valuable tool in my quest for better keyboarding skills.

The site is free to use but in order to keep up with your keyboarding progress, you will need to create an account.

It offers:

• Typing test to check your speed
• Typing and Ten key certification
• Ten key test
• and much more

from the heat and take a class or two at the Regional Library Computer Center. With the heat bearing down on us and the kids heading back to school, what better time to come and brush up on your computer skills by enrolling in one of our many classes.

You can get a glimpse of what we have to offer by clicking on the links at the top of the page. A list of classes offered by the RLCC can be found by clicking on “Classes”. Also, you can visit your local library and pick up one of our computer brochures, which lists all classes which are offered by the RLCC, Springville Road and Five Points West libraries.

To register for classes at the RLCC, please call 205-226-3799 or 205-226-3798.

Everyone knows about Google the search engine but not everyone is aware that Google offers FREE web-based word processing and much more. It is true! Google offers a web-based alternative to Microsoft Office or other office suites. When several people start sending documents back and forth to each other over the Internet, it is easy to lose track of what version of spreadsheet or word processor you are using. Google Docs and Spreadsheets keeps documents current and lets the people you chose update files from their own computers.

You can:

1. Create basic documents and spreadsheets from scratch.
2. Upload your existing files.
3. Choose who can access your documents and spreadsheets.
4. Share instantly.
5. Edit with others in real time.
6. Organize your documents.
7. Edit from anywhere.
8. Safely store your work.
9. Easily save and export copies.
10. Publish your work as a web page.
11. Control who can see your pages.
12. Post your documents to your blog.
13. Publish within your company or group.

 Check out this link:

google-docs-spreadsheets.pdf