New this year at Kingsland (2024-2025) we have Chromebooks.
They are surprisingly capable little machines that run on a very bare-bones Debian distribution (ChromeOS) that basically allows the users to access the google chrome web browser... that's it. that's all you get. Simple and effective.
-- Basic troubleshooting --
Soft reset:
Here's how to perform a soft reset:
1.) If the Chromebook is on:
Hold the power button: Press and hold the power button until the Chromebook turns off (this may take 4-30 seconds).
Proceed to step two.
2.) Once/If the Chromebook is off:
Press and hold Refresh + Power: While the Chromebook is off, press and hold the Refresh button (usually located above the 3 key) and tap the power button.
Release Refresh: Release the Refresh button when the Chromebook starts up.
-- TestNAV info --
TestNAV is defined by Google ChromeOS as a Kiosk App. and works well as one, because its is a lockdown browser and Kiosks are designed to run without interruption as well.
This is a little confusing at first but easily overcome with a little knowledge.
1.) Find TestNAV in the Apps button in the lower left of the Chrome Login Page.
2.) When you need to exit TestNAV, please press the power button and use the pop-up menu to 'Sign Out'. you will be presented with a TestNAV Splash screen and have a few seconds to Press 'ctrl + alt + s' to Exit Kiosk mode and return to ChromeOS.
[See also this TestNav quick reference Guide]
-- useful shortcuts --
~ Turn Caps Lock on or off: Press Search + Alt.
Or press Launcher + Alt.
~ Lock your screen: Press Search + l.
Or press Launcher + l.
~ Sign out of your Google Account: Press Shift + Ctrl + q (twice).
even more more chromeOS shortcuts
-- Use your Chromebook offline --
To utilize your Chromebook offline navigate to google drive via the browser [drive.google.com] and manually download any google doc/sheet/slide you wish to work on offline (I suggest just doing this as standard practice, because you never know when you'll need to work offline).
from drive.google.com select your file and click download (located in the 3 dots on the right)
navigate to your file browser 'files' app located in the 'launcher' (start button -- lower left)
in files find 'Downloads' on the left hand side.
copy your downloaded file
paste into 'My Drive' (also on the left in files)
Delete your original online file [prevents confusion when accessing your files later]
right click and make the new file 'Available offline'
(you may have to edit some of the formatting, as google [.gdoc] exports to Microsoft [.docx] file types for offline use.)