iPad App of the Week: PDF to Word

On Flipboard I stumbled across an interesting article called, "iPad App of the Week: PDF to Word". It was about an app that takes any PDFs document you have and converts it into a Microsoft Word file. I  have not had a chance to try it out for myself just yet, but the idea is very interesting. There have been plenty of times where I have a pdf of questions I need to answer. To get around that problem, I normally open Notability then type in the answers in a text box. If I could take a pdf, then type directly into it it would be so much easier. Also a Microsoft Word document is more universal than a Notability document. This app would make my school life easier.

Hour of Code

During help desk this week, our class participated in the Hour of Code. The goal was to use basic html as an introduction to computer science. I had already had experience with computer science, but not with html. The coding was not too complicated too understand, but using an iPad to type in Khan Academy was difficult. It is nice to know that there is a national effort to teach kids about computer science. Overall I enjoyed my hour of Code experience.

Topcon and DAQRI

On Flipboard there was an article titled, "Topcon and DAQRI Collaborate on Wearable Tech for Construction." This article talked about how two companies are making a new construction helmet to assist construction workers. What I found most interesting about the article was one of the companies I had heard of. DAQRI is the same company that made the app Elements 4D. I just assumed they specialized in app making, but in they actually have reality augmentation software that they use for multiple purposes. They help turn paper blocks into interactive learning tools, and help construction workers stay safe and work efficiently. I am interested to see what the future holds and how reality augmentation help improve the world around us.

Senior Center Excel

Every Tuesday me and a few friends go to the Mendon Senior Center to help people learn about technology. Normally everything works, and all of their problems can be solved. Yesterday one repeat customer came in and had a few questions about Microsoft Excel. There were four people there and none of them knew how to help this lady. Throughout all of middle school we were taught PowerPoint and Word, but never Excel. I was upset I could not answer the simplest of questions about a common piece of software. I think it is important for kids to learn Excel at a young age because of how integrated it is in adult life.

Introduction

Hello everyone, my name is Jake Barefoot. I am part of the Nipmuc help desk team. I will be posting here at least once a week about what we are doing in help desk. I will post any issues or completed projects. Stay tuned for more.