Written by Todd on May 10th, 2010
The more computers you introduce into your home, the more need you will find to connect them through a network, and the more you will want to have one computer that controls your home network. If you have only a single computer for your family to share, this series of articles probably won’t matter to you at all. But I admit to being an alpha geek when it comes to having multiple computers in the home. This is mostly due to my career as a technical writer; I spend a lot of time learning multiple computer software products by getting hands-on with them on my own computers.
Adding a server computer to your home network can be a huge benefit, but can also be very expensive, depending on the options that you choose. For the sake of this series of articles, a server computer is a computer that is dedicated to running the software that will control and define your home network. I am not suggesting that you purchase a server computer such as those found running in a network datacenter; those server computers are prohibitively expensive for home use in almost every case. Instead, I’m suggesting a computer that has the following attributes: Click to continue »
Posted in Computers, Hardware, Home School, Network | Comments Off
Written by Todd on April 25th, 2010
If you read about computers and Internet technologies at all, you’re seen the term “cloud storage.” People love to talk about the cloud as if it is some mystical solution to all that ills us. If you’re the type of person who uses some computer technology but who doesn’t really want to spend a lot of time learning about it, what you really need to know about the cloud is that it can be a cheap way to safely store files.
Click to continue »
Posted in General | 1 Response »
Written by Todd on December 14th, 2009
I know that many families involved in home schooling share a single computer, or maybe don’t even have a home computer. Since the theme of this blog is applying technology to home schooling, I’m going to assume that you are “ok” with having a computer for your child to use with school work. I will admit to being a big fan of giving each child a computer of their own for their work. I will also admit that in these trying economic times, that seems like an impossible task at times.
Our son is spoiled in this regard; since Dad is such a computer geek and can buy Microsoft software cheap, many of the roadblocks to having a computer are removed. He actually has a laptop and a desktop computer, the desktop being more for gaming and the laptop being for school work and Web research for school work. The decisions for a laptop or a netbook in our house is much more pertinent to my own computing needs than his.
Click to continue »
Posted in Hardware, Home School | Comments Off
Written by Todd on November 13th, 2009
Our favorite software tool for home schooling is OneNote from Microsoft. OneNote is part of Microsoft Office, and is also available separately.
The problem with OneNote is describing to someone exactly what it is and what you use it for. I had learned about this program while working on a technical writing contract at Microsoft a few years ago and gave it a try. I fell in love with this oddball program almost immediately. Now for the hard part, to describe to you what it does.
Click to continue »
Posted in Home School, Review, Software | Comments Off
Written by Todd on November 13th, 2009
Home schooling used to be for people who travelled too much for their children to attend public school, or people who wanted their children to learn a different curriculum. Today, more and more families are choosing to home school their children because they feel they can provide a better education than public school provides.
Two years ago, my wife Suzanne and I made the choice to home school our son Cory because the public school system was unable to focus enough attention on him to meet his needs. End result, a smart kid was falling father and farther behind. Suzanne does the day to day teaching and Cory has been thriving. I’ve been sitting on the sideline observing and helping out wherever I can.
Click to continue »
Posted in General, Home School | Comments Off
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}
Click here for copyright permissions!