Alberta NetBeat : January 2001
ISSN 1481-7640

This is a sample of Alberta NetBeat, a free newsletter designed to provide news, information and opportunities for Alberta libraries and schools to take special advantage of the Internet. January sample issues of Alberta NetBeat are the only ones we post online as the newsletter is sent monthly via electronic mail to subscribers. To subscribe to Alberta NetBeat, please complete the subscription form.

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Alberta NetBeat
An Internet Newsletter for Alberta Schools and Libraries
Vol. 3, Issue 1 January 2001 ISSN 1481-7640
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Happy New Year to you and birthday to us! Another year has passed already and we're thrilled to see that we still have almost every subscriber we have ever gained - we must be giving you what you need. Many thanks for your continued support and we'll continue to work at digging up useful
goodies to help with your technology use.
Cynthia Beuselinck, Editor

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In this issue:
1. Checking the speed of your connection
2. Tech Encyclopedia for all those technology terms
3. Tips for a Successful Technology Night
4. Copyright-friendly Images for Education
5. PD funding - apply early!
6. Library Fundraising: methods for success
7. Need to upgrade your computer lab?
8. Your Beat - tell us what you think!

1. Checking the speed of your connection
If you are wondering how fast your Internet connection is at any given time, check it using a bandwidth speed test. Here are a couple of handy tools that will run a quick test and calculate your current connection speed. The ZD Net test also provides an explanation of why your speeds can vary each time you connect to the Internet.
   http://www.zdnet.com/cc/bandwidth/speedtest500.html (from ZD Net)
   http://webservices.cnet.com/bandwidth/ (from C|Net)

2. TechEncyclopedia for all those technology terms
When you need a quick explanation of what your "techie" just said, do a quick search in the online Tech encyclopedia. With over 14,000 technology terms put into easy-to-understand English, the TechEncyclopedia might be just what you need to keep up.
   http://content.techweb.com/encyclopedia/home

3. Tips for a Successful Technology Night
Connect parents, students, and teachers with a Technology Night! This great article from the Buddy Project walks you through the process of explaining how to plan the event and advertise it to parents, ideas for what you can do, and a sample timeline to keep you on track. An excellent way to get parents involved with your school and a fun way for families to learn together.
   http://www.buddyproject.org/teach/articles/technight/default.asp (no longer active 11/03)

4. Copyright-friendly Images for Education
While there are many images on the Web, most are copyright protected and require permissions and clearances for use, even in a classroom non-profit environment. Created especially for educators, this collection is copyright-friendly. All the images have been donated by the creators and are free for educational use.
   http://www.pics4learning.com/

5. PD funding - apply early!
When it comes to Professional Development funding, there's never enough! A number of professional organizations can help though, and here are a few of them along with the application deadlines. Please read the funding criteria over carefully to ensure you are eligible before making your application.

AALT professional development bursary, deadline March 17, 2001
   http://www.aalt.org/about/bursary.html

ATA course bursaries for PD, deadline May 1
   http://www.teachers.ab.ca/services/awards/trust.html

LAA Grants & Awards for professional development, deadline is May 15
   http://www.laa.ab.ca/grants&.htm

ATLC Chancellor's Group Conference Grant, deadline TBA (usually in March)
   http://www.atlc.ca/chancellor's_group_conference_grant_program.htm (no longer active 11/03)

6. Library Fundraising: methods for success
Libraries can participate many ways in fundraising initiatives. From traditional methods, like giving programs and special events, to new styles of online opportunities, there are a few resources to help get you organized. Whether you are looking for inspiration or looking for a plan, here are some options for assistance.

Fundraising a Virtual Guide... (From BC Public Libraries)
   http://www.bcpl.gov.bc.ca/qc/content.php?page=finsupp/FundraisingVirtualGuide.html

Library Fundraising on the Web: a practical guide
(From Northern Lights Internet Solutions - commercial vendor, not the search engine)
   http://www.lights.com/how-to/libraries.html

Fundraising for Library Web Sites (February 23 workshop from Inet-Toolbox)
   http://www.inet-toolbox.com/training/cr300013.html (description)
   http://www.inet-toolbox.com/training/tr_sched.html (to register)

7. Need to upgrade your Computer Lab?
We have one set of 10 PC's available for an excellent price! If you need 8-10 workstations, this could be the deal you need to make it happen. AMD K6 550 Mhz, 128 MB RAM, 4MB video card, 10.2 GB Maxtor hard drives, Fujitsu Floppy disk drive, Fujitsu keyboard, 17" NEC Monitor, 48x CD-ROM, mouse, Windows 98, Netscape & Internet Explorer, two year warranty. At $1200 each, you can't go wrong! We also build custom units so let us know if you have a special need. Contact Inet-Toolbox for details.

8. Your Beat - tell us what YOU think!
We hope you have enjoyed this issue of Alberta NetBeat. If you have suggestions or questions, we want to hear from you. Although we can't promise a personal response to every message, we guarantee that our newsletter team considers every one. Email us!
   newsinet-toolbox.com

Alberta NetBeat is a free newsletter created to help libraries and schools in Alberta take special advantage of the Internet! Each month Alberta NetBeat will provide you with news, information, and opportunities to help you manage and explore the Net. Topics range from web building strategies, search engines and Internet issues, to contests and projects - anything to help you be a better Internet user and educator.

If you have received this newsletter as a gift, you can subscribe by completing the online subscription form at http://www.inet-toolbox.com/forms/netbeat.htm on our web site. Alberta NetBeat goes out in the middle of each month and is only available via email. We do not sell or share email addresses from our database.
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Alberta NetBeat (c)2001
Inet-Toolbox : Helping You Manage the Net
phone: 403-703-4303 fax: 403-288-7148
email: newsinet-toolbox.com
web site: http://www.inet-toolbox.com