T5 - Customizing Widget Backgrounds in D2L

D2L has added a new feature to the Customize Widget Style dialog window.

About half-way down the dialog listing, there is a Widget Background section.  Its only control is a check box with the word Transparent next to it.

Checking this box makes the Widget Background transparent and greatly improves the appearance of widget-based banners and other items.  Previously, banner widgets were surrounded by a white border, which detracted from their appearance.  Setting the widget background to transparent eliminates the border and greatly improves the appearance of banners.

If you'd like to talk more about customizing your D2L site, visit the CTE or contact John Thommen at thommej@star.lcc.edu.

T5 - Excel Shortcuts

When using Excel there are two quick key combinations that I consider “massively useful.” 

The first copies the contents of the cell above into the current cell. This action is activated by pressing the <Ctrl> + “ (quote key next to the Enter key). Press this combination and the contents of the cell above is copied into the cell below. 

The second quick key combination is used to enter the current date into the selected cell. To enter the present date, press the <Ctrl> + ; (semicolon key) combination and the date appears in the current cell. 

For more information, visit us in the CTE or email John Thommen at thommej@lcc.edu.

T5 - Tabbed Browsers

Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox all support “tabbed browsing.” Tabs allow users to open new websites without starting separate browser windows and jumping from site to site is accomplished by clicking the tabs. 

Tabbed browsing has one disadvantage; it is easy to inadvertently click the “x” icon on the right of each tab. Closing the tab unintentionally could result in lost work. 

Fortunately, a recently closed tab can be resurrected by pressing the Ctrl+Shift+T combination (hold down the control and shift keys and tap the “T” key). This tip works for all three browsers.

For more information, visit us in the CTE or email John Thommen at thommej@lcc.edu.

T5 - How to Escape the Download Folder

Have you ever downloaded an internet file to your computer and then wondered, “Where did it go?”

The default locations for Internet Explorer (IE), Firefox (FF) and Chrome is: c:/users/your_tuid/downloads.


I often prefer to have the default location set to the Windows desktop. If you want to change the location go to the page indicated below and type or browse to indicate the new location:

• IE - Settings Icon > View Downloads item > Options link
• FF - Open Menu Icon > Options item/icon > General page
• Chrome - Customize and Control Google Chrome icon > Settings item > Show advanced settings… item (bottom of page)

For more information, visit us in the CTE or email John Thommen at thommej@lcc.edu.

T5 - Opening PDF Files

A new feature that is often overlooked in the 2013 version of Microsoft Word is that word can open, edit, and save Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) files.

To do this using MS Word Go to File > Open > Computer > Browse and change the All files (*.*) to PDF files (.PDF) find the acrobat file and click the Open button.  Word will convert it and open it as an editable document.

If the Acrobat file is a scanned graphic of text, the procedure above will not convert the graphic; it will remain an image of a page of text.

For more information, visit us in the CTE or email John Thommen at thommej@lcc.edu.

Secure Your Mobile Device

Many mobile devices provide little to no security when accessing personal apps.  Often access to a web app involves nothing more than a simple tap on the app icon to open it under your account resulting in minimal security.  The notion behind this choice is that “convenience trumps security.”

I have borrowed a number of tablets from the Library and have noticed that previous users neglected to clear their logins to various apps and even left their home network login credentials intact.

If you access Facebook, Netflix, Lynda, Twitter, or any app that requires an initial login, then subsequently provides access with a tap, you need to log off of these services before returning the loaner mobile device.  If you are unsure how to log off a particular app, I have found a quick Google query “how do I log off the App_in_question on the device_name,” usually gets an answer.

For more information, visit us in the CTE or email John Thommen at thommej@lcc.edu

AUP Tip - Locking Your Computer

In the college’s Acceptable Use Policy, one item of “inappropriate conduct” is defined as: “Failing to log off any secure, controlled-access computer or other form of electronic data system to which you are assigned, if you leave such computer or system unattended.”

With IT making access to systems more seamless (fewer logins), this policy is prudent.  If a user wants to leave the computer temporarily and return shortly thereafter, locking the computer makes sense.  Windows Users can lock their computer using a single key combination, Windows_Key+L.  When the user logs back onto the computer, it returns to the exact state where they left it.  While locking is not available for an Apple OSX user, an equivalent state can be achieved if the user first sets their computer to require a password to unlock a sleeping computer or a screen saver and then uses the Control+Eject key combination.  This invokes sleep mode and effectively locks the computer similar to Windows.

For more information, visit us in the CTE or email John Thommen at thommej@lcc.edu.

Regrade in D2L More Efficiently

When fulfilling student email requests to regrade online tests, I open the test listing in a new browser tab, perform the regrade, then return to the tab containing the email to complete the transaction with the student.  Moving between tabs saves a great amount of time over clicking multiple links to traverse the system.
To open a link in a new tab quickly, hold down the Shift and Ctrl keys and then Click_the_link.  The link will open in a new tab within the browser.
For you Apple users Command+Shift+Click_the_link will achieve the same result.

For more information, visit us in the CTE or email John Thommen at thommej@lcc.edu.