Tech Tidbits
Basics
SHUTTING DOWN/RESTARTING:
To shut down a Chromebook, press and hold the power key (upper right) until the screen goes black. Then press it once to start it up.
TROUBLESHOOTING NETWORK CONNECTIVITY:
Open your settings page (bottom right of desktop, click on your user icon)
Select Settings to see everything you can adjust on the device.
Click No Connectivity (if it's connected, it will read "Connected to HHS Trusted")
Select network HHS Trusted.
If your Chromebook fails to connect to the network, shut it down and restart. Don’t worry about time, Chromebooks take 8 seconds to boot!
Q: Where do the files go?
A: There is a small amount of local storage (handy when, for example, an assignment involves gathering a bunch of pictures -- students can accumulate them quickly by saving locally, then upload some or all of them to Google Drive at the end.) The local storage is also utilized if you enable Offline Docs, which lets you work on Google Docs without an Internet connection (your changes get synced to Drive once you get back on wifi.)
Q: Bookmarks?
A: They follow your Google account; so if you make a bookmark on Chromebook #1, then log in to Chromebook #2, your bookmark will be there! This is true of most of your settings (background image, which apps you pin, etc.)
Q: Can it do Flash? Java?
A: YES Flash; NO Java.
Q: Can you use a mouse?
A: Yes, any USB mouse (even an Apple mouse) works. There are two USB ports and it has Bluetooth. Check the manufacturer's requirements!
Q: Can I use an Ethernet cable?
A: Yes, if you buy a low-cost USB adapter such as this.
Q: Does it have a camera?
A: Yes, and a microphone. You can record directly into YouTube, and there is some degree of video editing possible, but for a serious project you’d really want to use a Mac or iPad.
Q: What about photos from a separate camera?
A: If the camera uses an SD card (most do), you can stick the card in the Chromebook’s SD slot and put the photos in your Drive.
Q: How long does the battery last?
A: Like any device, it depends on how you’re using it. Independent reviewers have reported 7 hours while looping playback of a high-definition video (very battery-intensive); for lighter duty (research, writing, etc.) it definitely lasts the whole school day.
Q: Apps?
A: The Chrome Web Store has a slew of free and paid apps and Chrome Extensions; again, they follow you, so if you install an extension using one Chromebook, it’ll be there if you log in on another. We also pre-load certain handy extensions for everyone in the domain -- you can read a bit more about that here. If you see an app/extension that would be great for others, let us know!
Q: Projector?
A: The Chromebooks have an HDMI connector for using an external display/projector; but they can also use a Chromecast for wireless projecting (kind of like an Apple TV.)
Q: Skype or similar?
A: Google Hangouts! You can do individual or group videoconferencing.
Other questions? Please ask!
Ten Chromebook Keyboard Tips
10. Take a Screenshot on a Chromebook
To take a screenshot of the entire screen press the Ctrl key and the Switcher key at the same time:
Just need a bit of the screen? Pressing the following keyboard combo will allow you to select a section of the screen to snap:
9. Minimize
To minimize your open windows, hit:
8. Open Task Manager
Is Chrome suddenly running slow? it could be a rogue extension or webpage sucking up your resources. Identify the culprit using the task manager.
7. Launch Apps on the Shelf
Applications pinned to the Shelf (the bar at the bottom of the screen in Chrome OS) can be opened using a keyboard shortcut.
The first app in from the left – count the Chrome icon as 0 – is 1, the next 2, and so on until you reach 8.
6. Lock the Screen
If you’re going to leave your computer unattended for a short period (say, whilst you go grab a coffee refill) you may wish to lock your screen to prevent anyone else meddling with your session.
To do this just press the following key combo:
5. Open the Hotdog
Opening the Hotdog menu (used to be a wrench) in Chrome isn’t exactly hard, but if you’ve hooked your device up to a huge monitor it can be a fair ol’ scroll up. Save some time and open it with the following command:
4. Toggle Caps Lock On/Off
Most Chromebooks don’t come with a dedicated Caps Lock key. So how do you turn it on when you need to rant in the internet type in capital letters?
Just hit the following key combo to turn it on, and turn it back off when you’re done.
3. Logout
In a rush to quit your session? Some finger gymnastics will have you out in a snap.
2. Mirror Monitor
If you plan on connecting your Chromebook to an external monitor (or TV) at some point then the ‘Mirror Monitor’ shortcut is a neat one. Rather than add an additional workspace it simply mirrors the Chromebook’s screen.
1. Show Keyboard Shortcut Overlay
It’s a little bit meta, but the ultimate keyboard shortcut is the one that reveals all keyboard shortcuts!
