Recap of New Services

This has been an exciting week for technology related services at Emporia State University! We've unveiled multiple new services that many of you can take advantage of. Find more information about each of the services below and how you can request more information.

Microsoft Bookings

Microsoft Bookings allows your customers (students, employees, public/guests) to schedule a time with you using a simple, mobile-friendly website.  You define the services, times, and the staff members you will assign with a plethora of different options to choose from.  Bookings will also give users the opportunity to have a unified location for scheduling campus appointments–addressing important usability feedback we receive from students. 

If you would like to meet with us to discuss how Bookings might work for you, please visit our own Bookings site to schedule an appointment. 

You can also learn more by watching our how-to video, IT Only Takes a Minute, Episode 23: Microsoft Bookings, and by reviewing our Bookings section of the Web + Digital Guide in Hornet 365.

Hornet TV+

Hornet TV+ is the latest update that will be coming to digital signage across campus this Fall. This update will host a variety of feature updates. Some of these feature updates include...

1. Motion Posters
2. Campus Channel
3. GO Links
4. Hornet Calendar
5. Showcasing Events

Learn more about all the amazing features we're introducing to Hornet TV+ in our video web series IT Only Takes a Minute!

Ready to get started? Welcome to Hornet TV+

Power Search

One of the challenges we encounter across all of the sites that make up the ESU web presence is that they are not all connected. This is due to a number of reasons--most of which are out of our control. It can often leave you looking for content on one site, when, in fact, it's located on another site. We are taking a step forward by introducing a new feature called Power Search!

This new search engine, using Google technology, will only index sites that we control--giving users one place to search all of ESU's web presence. When you need to search for something, give Power Search a try by browsing to search.emporia.edu

Learn more by checking out our IT Only Takes a Minute video all about Power Search!

Virtual Events

We currently run two different types of virtual events; personal events (less than 30 attendees) and public events (more than 30 attendees + pre-registration + live streaming). We are also exploring a third type of event, hybrid events. If you are unsure about what event may be right for you, we offer an opportunity to meet virtually and discuss the right format for your event.

To learn more about this exciting new format and how you can create your own event head over to the Web + Digital Guide, located in Hornet 365. You can also watch our IT Only Takes a Minute video all about Virtual Events!

Google World

If there's one thing I know, I know that we all know the word 'Google'. Generally, people know Google for its search engine which is widely used across the nation and the world. What many people don't know is the vast amount of services that Google provides us! I would like to cover some of those services and how we utilize them at Emporia State.

• Google Sites - Hornet 365, and all of our Hornet Sites, are built using Google Sites. Google Sites are an easy-to-use site-builder that guarantees accessibility while also giving you customization. Google Sites also features YouTube video plugins, Google Analytics integration, and the ability to make them private or public. We've really enjoyed using Google Sites as it allows for a clean designed website in a short amount of time. We can also turn over Hornet Sites to their respective departmental owners and the feedback has been excellent - it's easy to use! Another excellent feature of Google Sites is that it allows you to duplicate the site at any given time, which can be used for backups in the future!

• Google Analytics - Emporia State University utilizes Google Analytics with all of our major sites. Google Analytics allows for real-time analytical data about the audience of your websites. It can break the data down into geographical, demographical, and even technological units. For example, we can see what percentage of our users are using Chrome browser on our website and where our users are from.

• Google Drive - Google offers G Suite for Education tenants unlimited storage for Google Drive. This is possibly one of the best offers that current students will come across. Many cloud storage providers charge people for a certain amount of storage, so to have a Google Drive with unlimited storage is amazing. Utilize this offer by selecting Google Drive in the Google Apps tab while logged into your student email account!

This is only a glimpse of what Google offers us at Emporia State University. If you'd like to check out all of the services that Google provides, just sign into your student email account and check out all of the Google Apps that are available to you!

Sam Derksen
Web Developer
Web and Digital Strategies

Printing Alternatives When Working or Learning Remotely

Students may be missing one common function that was always at the ready--printing.  Now that we are all working and learning remotely, there are a few things that can bring up moments of worry including 1) Not being able to submit the assignment in the preferred format, 2) not being able to collaborate or proof a hardcopy of a document or 3) the document vanishing from digital existence on your computer before you can print a backup copy. (that never happens!)

Here are a few tips that you can do as printing alternatives when you may not be able to have a physical copy. With ESU already providing Google services to students as well as Office 365 for all ESU students and employees to download, there are multiple options available.

The Universality of the PDF

Documents can be sent as PDF files--PDF standing for portable document format. So just as it says, the document can be on different platforms while staying the same for each user receiving the document. To save as a PDF in Google Docs, you would go to File>Download>Download as PDF.  In other applications, you can simply choose to print the document as you would to a physical printer, but instead of choosing your printer you should have an option for "Print to PDF" or something similar.  In MacOS, there is a "PDF" button on the print dialogue.

Google

PDF's are also very good when it comes to storing the documents, especially for archival purposes. ESU students can store your documents in Google Drive, which means you won't have to worry if your documents are safe and secure.  Google Drive is available from Windows, Mac, web browsers and mobile devices, giving you quick access wherever and whenever you need it.  The ability to share from Google Drive also means you don't have to print out and distribute copies of documents--the most current version is always available to you and those you are collaborating with.



Google has an online saving that makes your documents easy to keep track of. Google Drive saves your work as you continue to make progress on it, guaranteeing that your documents will be as up to speed as possible. Google also offers Offline Editing which allows you to work without wifi or internet access, this is very helpful for those who might not have home internet! This is also beneficial because it gives you access wherever you go by being able to login to your account wherever there is a computer or mobile device.

Office 365

Office 365 offers many of the same features provided by Google services, but also has the added value of desktop and mobile versions of software. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and the other long-trusted suite for software integrates with your OneDrive personal storage (offered to all ESU students and employees), as well as employee's departmental SharePoint Drives.  With the current realities of working remotely, having a secure "cloud" environment to share, work, and collaborate has greatly improved the productivity and capabilities of our Office 365 users.

Do it LIVE!

We previously mentioned the sharing capabilities of Google, which is also true for Offie 365.  Along with that feature is the ability to edit a document right alongside your group members.  Using Google Docs or Microsoft Word you can each be making and discussing changes live--and seeing them as they happen.  There is no special setup--these are built-in features and they extend to spreadsheets, presentations and other document formats.  If you can create, proof and finalize a document live, there's no need to print it out and markup multiple versions!

Digital Ink

While these apps are great to use, you may choose a hardware solution that can make it seem like you're righting with a pen on paper, too.  Having an Apple Pencil with your iPad or Surface Pen with your Microsoft Surface makes taking notes and editing a document much easier--and completely natural if you're used to doing it on a printed copy. Using Microsoft Office's digital inking capabilities or any variety of mobile apps that support inking, allows you to write on the screen as if the document were actually in front of you as a printed piece of paper.

E-Fax

For ESU departments, E-Fax is a service that allows you to send and receive the document as if they were on an actual fax machine, but on your device. Users can fax from anywhere using your smart device or computer. This makes it a lot easier when sending documents that require printing (when you get back to the office) or are of a nature that require enhanced security.

These are just a few of the awesome applications that are available to use for your benefit! Hopefully, this gave you some knowledge that you can apply when learning or working remotely. Questions and concerns can be answered by contacting the IT Help Desk.
Stay Healthy Hornets!


Dakota Taylor
Social Media Student Assistant
Web & Digital Strategies

Tips For Online Collaboration

Are you all ready for all of your classes to be transitioned to an online setting? Hopefully your years of exposure to technology has you feeling confident, but if not, no need to worry! The Information Technology department at ESU has been putting together resources to simplify this situation as much as possible. Follow this link to the 'Learn Anywhere' site to view all of the resources that we have gathered for you.

While the 'Learn Anywhere' site has a lot of information, I personally wanted to give you some opinions on how to best collaborate with fellow students on group assignments or projects. Two of my favorite options are...

• Google Meet
• This is one of the most popular video communication tools used in the world. It integrates with your Student G Suite account, making it easy to search and invite classmates to your call. It also allows users to dial-in to the call with their personal phone! This makes it one of the most accessible platforms to use for collaboration.
• Zoom
• A world-wide favorite, Zoom is used for video conferencing and meetings. During this situation, Zoom has allowed all users to have unlimited time usage for their calls. This means that you are no longer limited by the 40 minute 'lite version'. This ensures that you and your classmates can collaborate for as long as it takes to finish the assignment!

Most importantly... Communicate!

Communicate with your classmates and figure out what works best for you all! This is an excellent opportunity to learn different methods of collaborating virtually. Make the best of the situation!

If you still having any questions or concerns, please visit the ESU Coronavirus Information page.

Sam Derksen
Web Developer
Web and Digital Strategies

Google Keep - Note Taking

How nice would it be if we were offered a service that would help take notes? How awesome would it be if that service was linked to an email account that has unlimited cloud storage? Well, folks, that time is here. Be sure to download Google Keep, or use it in your browser, to help organize your academic life! Google Keep allows you to create specific labels to help you organize, allows you to add handwritten notes (with supported accessories), add images to notes, share your notes with others, record audio for your note, and more. All of these notes and their attachments are stored in your Google Drive, which has unlimited cloud storage due to us being in higher education!

Be sure to utilize these amazing features that Google gives Emporia State University students. Follow this link to learn more about Google Keep.

Sam Derksen
Web Developer
Web and Digital Strategies

Just Wing'in It

Just Wing'in It

What is Wing?

Wing is a drone delivery service owned by Alphabet, the parent company of Google. Similar to the Amazon drone delivery service, Wing aims to deliver over-the-counter medications and other health related items to your doorstep “within minutes” of online ordering. The company is partnering specifically with Walgreens and FedEx to complete this task, hoping to find a faster and more time efficient method of delivering your medicine.Wing aims to be a pioneer in the drone delivery service, becoming one of the first drone operators certified as a commercial carrier by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).

Where is Wing?

Wing hopes to compete with other companies’ delivery services, such as Amazon Prime and a newly announced CVS drone delivery prototype. The pilot program will launch in October 2019 in Christiansburg, Virginia, allowing residents of the town who live within the “designated delivery zones” to choose from over 100 individual products ranging from children’s snacks to cough and cold medicine. In December, Wing announced the launching of a trial service in Finland, offering free delivery to residents within the capital city; and was just approved to launch the service in 3 Australian cities. Stay tuned, as Wing delivery could be delivering M&M’s to your dorm room within the next few years.

Tyler Parker
Social Media & Marketing Student Assistant
Web & Digital Strategies