Dave's tech docs

How to print from your Chromebook

2015-04-14T19:28:00.000-04:00

You cannot directly print from your Chromebook because you cannot directly connect it to any printer. However, you can print indirectly through Google Cloud Print, which is an online service that lets you print through the internet. This document can help you set up your printer so that you can print through Google Cloud Print. For more information, please see Connect your printer to Google Cloud Print.

Google Cloud Print lets you print from your Chromebook (or any computer and your Google account) to two printer types:

A classic printer connects to a Linux, Mac, or Windows computer through either USB or WiFi.
A Google Cloud Ready printer needs no connection to any computer.

This document:

Explains how to set up a classic printer.
Outlines how to set up a Google Cloud Ready printer.
Explains how to test Chromebook printing.

Setting up a classic printer

You can print from your Chromebook to a classic printer only after you set it up through a Linux, Mac, or Windows PC. This section explains how to set up your classic printer by connecting it to a PC, and then registering it to Google Cloud Print, which makes your printer available to your Chromebook (and your other computers) through the internet. For more information, see Connect your classic printers with Google Cloud Print.

Note: I developed and tested this classic-printer setup procedure by using:

A Samsung model ML-2525 printer, which is a classic printer
A USB cable
A Linux Mint PC

To set up your classic printer, do the following:

Turn on your classic printer, and make sure it's connected to its Linux, Mac, or Windows computer through either a USB cable or a home WiFi network.
Open a Chrome (or Chromium) browser on the connected computer.
As shown in Figure 1, click the Customize button (three horizontal bars) to display its menu.

Figure 1 - Clicking the Customize button.
Click Settings to open its page in a new tab, scroll to and click Show advanced settings, scroll to the Google Cloud Print section, and then click Manage to display a Devices page.
Click Add printers to display a Google Cloud Print - Printers to register page similar to Figure 2.

Figure 2 - Adding your classic printer to register it.
Select your classic printer, such as Samsung-ML-191x-252x, and then click Add printer(s) to register it with Google Cloud Print.
Close the Google Cloud Print tab, and then test your classic printer according to the TESTING CHROMEBOOK PRINTING section below.

Setting up a Cloud Ready printer

You can print from your Chromebook to a Google Cloud Ready printer only after you set it up through either a Mac or Windows PC. Currently (April, 2015), you cannot yet set up a Cloud Ready printer through a Linux PC.

Note: This section provides general Cloud Ready Printer information and example procedures because detailed information and specific procedures vary according to printer manufacturers and models. For details, please see Cloud Ready Printers.

This section outlines setting up your Cloud Ready printer by performing setup tasks in the following sequence:

Configuring your WiFi network correctly for your Cloud Ready printer.
Updating your printer's firmware.
Registering your printer.

Note: I developed and tested the example procedures in this section by using:

An Epson model WP-4020 Series printer, which is a Google Cloud Ready printer
A TP-Link WiFi router, model TL-WA901ND
A Windows 7 PC

Configuring your WiFi network

Before you can use a Google Cloud Ready printer, you might need to configure your WiFi network for that printer. Here's an example procedure:

Turn on your printer and your Windows PC.
Press the QSS button on your router, and then within two minutes, press and hold the WiFi button on your printer for three seconds.
On your Windows 7 PC, click Start to display its menu, click Control Panel (all items).
In the Control Panel, Click Network and Sharing, and then click Network Map to display a window similar to Figure 4.
Click See full map to display a window similar to Figure 5. Note: if you have configured your WiFi network correctly for your Cloud Ready printer, it appears in the full map; in this example, its printer name is EPSONFCF17.
According to the procedure below, update the firmware in your Cloud Ready printer.

Updating your printer firmware

Before you can use a Google Cloud Ready printer, you might need to update its firmware. Here's an example procedure:

According to the procedure above, configure you WiFi network for your Cloud Ready printer.
On your Windows 7 PC, click Start, click Control Panel (all items), Click Network and Sharing, and then click Network Map to display a window similar to Figure 3.

Figure 3 - Displaying the basic network map.
Click See full map to display a window similar to Figure 4.

Figure 4 - Displaying the full map.
Right-click EPSONF7CF17 to display Management URL, and then click Management URL to display an EPSON WP-4020 Series setup web page similar to Figure 5.

Figure 5 - Display the Epson WP-4020 Series setup web page.
Click Firmware Update to start the update (if necessary). Note: Be patient; the update takes considerable time. When the update completes, it turns the printer off and then on.
According to the procedure below, register your Cloud Ready printer to Google Cloud Print.

Registering your Cloud Ready printer

Before you can use a Google Cloud Ready printer, you need to register it to Google Cloud Print. Here's an example procedure:

According to the procedure above, update the firmware for your Cloud Ready printer.
On your Windows 7 PC, click Start, click Control Panel (all items), Click Network and Sharing, and then click Network Map to display a window similar to Figure 3.
Click See full map to display a window similar to Figure 4.
Right-click EPSONF7CF17 to display Management URL, and then click Management URL to display an EPSON WP-4020 Series setup web page similar to Figure 5.
Click Google Cloud Print Setup to display its page as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6 - Starting the registration process for a Cloud Ready printer.
Click Register, and then follow the prompts to register your Cloud Ready printer with Google Cloud Print.
Test your Cloud Ready printer according to the TESTING CHROMEBOOK PRINTING section below.

Testing Chromebook printing

To test whether your classic or Cloud Ready printer lets you print from your Chromebook, or any other computer, do the following:

According to the sections above, set up either a classic or Cloud Ready printer.
Turn on your printer. Note: For a classic printer, also turn on the computer to which you have connected it.
Turn on your Chromebook and log in to your Google account.
According to the procedures below, print either a file or a web page.

Printing a file

To test whether you can print a file, such as a document or a photo, from your Chromebook, do the following:

In the 'shelf' toolbar, at the bottom of the screen, click the Apps icon to display your Chromebook apps.
Click the Files app icon to display your Google Drive and Download folders.
Double click a file to open it, and then find and click the Print icon to display a Google Cloud Print window.
If the Destination field displays the printer through which you wish to print a test page, set the Pages field to one page to print, such as 1-1, and then click Print to print a test page. Note: If the Destination field does not display the correct printer, click Change and then select the printer you wish to test.

Printing a web page

To test whether you can print a web page from your Chromebook, do the following:

In the 'shelf' toolbar, at the bottom of the screen, click the Google Chrome icon to open its browser.
Open any website, and then right-click (two-finger click) to display a menu.
Click Print to display a Google Cloud Print window.
If the Destination field displays the printer through which you wish to print a test page, set the Pages field to one page to print, such as 1-1, and then click Print to print a test page. Note: If the Destination field does not display the correct printer, click Change and then select the printer you wish to test.

Getting started with Google Drive

2015-03-29T13:48:00.001-04:00

Google Drive is a free, online productivity suite that includes 15 GB of cloud storage. The apps in Google Drive let you create text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, forms and drawings. You need not purchase expensive productivity software; for most people, Google apps are powerful enough for almost all personal and business computing tasks. For more information, please see The new Google Drive.

To help you get started with Google Drive, this document explains how to:

Access Google Drive so that you can use its online apps and storage.
Create folders in which you can store files and other folders.
Create files through Google apps. Note: If you use the Google Chrome browser, you can view and edit Google-apps files offline. For details, see Access your files offline.
Upload files and folders from your computer.
Download files and folders to your computer.
Move (relocate) files and folders.
Name files and folders so that you can easily find them.

Accessing Google Drive

Before you can access (open) Google Drive online, you need a Google account. If you don't already have one, go to Create your Google account. You can access Google Drive by doing either of the following:

Clicking the Google Drive icon in the Chrome App Launcher if you use Google Chrome as your web browser on a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Going to drive.google.com through Chrome or any other browser.

Creating Google Drive folders

Google Drive lets you store files within online folders that are similar to the offline folders on your computer.

Creating folders

A folder can contain files and/or other folders (subfolders). To create a new folder in Google Drive, do the following:

Open Google Drive through to display its existing folders (if any) in the My Drive column (the second column in the Google Drive window) as shown in Figure 1. Note: the My Drive column always displays its folders above (ahead of) its files. Also, within any folder, it displays its subfolders above its files.

Figure 1 - Typical Google Drive folders.
Click New, click Folder, and then type the name of your new folder, such as "001Examples."
Click Create to add your new folder, 001Examples, to the My Drive column as shown Figure 2.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each new folder you wish to add to My Drive.

Figure 2 - Adding a new folder, 001Examples.

Creating subfolders

A subfolder is a folder within any other folder; any folder or subfolder can contain multiple subfolders. To create a new subfolder in Google Drive, do the following:

Double-click the target folder within which you wish to create a subfolder. For example, you might double-click the 001Examples folder to select it as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 - Selecting your 001Examples folder, which is initially empty.
Click New, click Folder, and then type the name of your new subfolder, such as a school subject, "Biology."
Click Create to add your new subfolder, Biology, within your 001Examples folder as shown Figure 4. Note: Immediately above its listing, the My Drive column displays the path to your currently-selected subfolder and its contents.

Figure 4 - Adding a Biology subfolder within your 001Examples folder.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each subfolder you wish to add within your 001Examples folder. For example, as shown in Figure 5, you might add new subfolders for other school subjects, such as Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy.

Figure 5 - Adding Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy
subfolders within your 001Examples folder.

Creating files through Google apps

Google Drive lets you create files directly through the following Google apps:

Docs (text documents)
Sheets (spreadsheets)
Slides (presentations)
Forms
Drawings

To create files in Google Drive, do the following:

Double-click the folder, or subfolder, in which you wish to create one or more files. For example, you can double-click the 001Examples folder to select it and display its subfolders, and then double-click the Biology subfolder to select it for new files.
As shown in Figure 6, click New, and then click the Docs, Sheets, or Slides app icon to open that app. Note: Clicking New, and then More, displays additional apps: Forms, Drawings, and My Maps.

Figure 6 - Creating files through Google apps.
Use the app to create a new file (document, spreadsheet, presentation, form, drawing, or map). For example, you might use the Google Docs app to create a new document file, such as Frogs.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each new file you wish to create within your Biology subfolder. For example, as shown in Figure 7, you might:

Use the Google Sheets app to create a new spreadsheet file, such as Frog expense calculations.
Use the Google Docs app to create a new document file, such as Trees.

Figure 7 - Creating new Google app files in the Biology folder.

Uploading files and folders

You can upload files and folders from your computer into Google Drive.

Uploading files

To upload one or more files, do the following:

Open Google Drive to display its folders as shown above in Figure 1.
Select the folder or subfolder into which you wish to upload a file.
As shown above in Figure 6, click New and then click File upload to display an Open files window. the folders and files stored on your computer hard drive.
Select the file you wish to upload. Note: You can select more than one file for upload.
Click Open to upload your selected file(s).

Uploading folders

The procedure for uploading files is similar to that for uploading files. To upload a folder, do the following:

Open Google Drive.
Select the folder or subfolder into which you wish to upload a file.
Click New and then click Folder upload to display a Select Folder to Upload window.
Select the folder you wish to upload. Note: You can select only one folder for upload.
Click Upload to upload your selected folder.

Downloading files and folders

You can download files and folders from Google Drive to your computer. To download a file, folder, or subfolder, right-click it to display its menu, and then click Download.

Google app files download as MS Office files. For example, the Docs file named Frogs downloads as an MS word file named Frogs.docx. Note: If you prefer, you can use LibreOffice Writer to open a docx file and then save it as an odt file.

Folders and subfolders download as compressed folders. For example, the folder named 001Examples downloads as a compressed folder, 001Examples-2015-03-28.zip.

Moving files and folders

If you accidentally place a file or folder in the wrong folder or subfolder, you can easily relocate it. For example, assume that you've uploaded a Snakes.docx MS-word file into your Chemistry subfolder. You would need to move Snakes.docx from your Chemistry subfolder into your Biology subfolder as follows:

Open Google Drive to display its folders as shown above in Figure 1.
Double-click your 001Examples folder to display its contents in the My Drive column, and then double-click your Chemistry subfolder to display its contents.
Right click Snakes.docx to display its menu, and then click the Move to icon to display its menu.
Within the Move to menu, double-click your 001Examples folder to display its contents.
As shown in Figure 8, select your Biology subfolder, and then click Move.

Figure 8 - Moving a file into the Biology subfolder.

Naming files and folders

The names you give your files and folders can make them easier to organize and find within Google Drive. To sort files and folders by Name in the My Drive column, you can click the Sort-options icon (AZ), and then click Name. In an alphanumeric listing, item names prefaced with numerals appear ahead of names with only letters (alpha characters).

If you create many files for multiple projects, consider using numbers to preface the names of your most important files and folders. Two examples:

Use a simple number, such as 001, to place items ahead of others. For example, see the listing in Figure 2, which includes several folders prefaced with 001.
Use numeric dates. For example, if you write a document about tigers on September 8, 2017, you might name its file 2017-09-08_Tigers. Note: Sorting files by date facilitates creating archive folders. You could quickly find any "Tiger" file in an archive folder named 2017Tigers.

Using Python to help write villanelle poems

2015-02-09T18:48:00.002-05:00

Python can help you write a villanelle, which is a 19-line poem that contains five tercets (three-line stanzas) and one quatrain (four-line stanza). After you start your villanelle by writing two rhyming refrains, Python generates the correct pattern for writing the remainder of your villanelle, its other rhyming lines.

Starting your villanelle

Start your villanelle by typing two rhyming refrains (repeating lines) into your Villanelle Helper Python program, which generates the correct pattern for your entire villanelle. As shown in Figure 1, it places all refrains correctly and indicates how the other lines should rhyme.

Figure 1 - After you type two rhyming refrains into the Villanelle Helper window,
Python generates the pattern for your villanelle poem, automatically populating
all refrains, and indicating where it will place other rhyming lines.

Note: Figure 1 is part of my villanelle:Fix the seasons.
I took this screenshot while still writing the villanelle.

To start writing your villanelle, do the following:

Install Python 3 and IDLE for Python 3. For details, see Getting Started with Python Programming. You also need the Tkinter (ttk) graphical user interface. Note: IDLE is the Python integrated development environment (IDE).
Start Python 3 to display it Shell window, click File, and then click New Window.
Click File, click Save As, type VillanelleHelper into the File-name field, select a convenient location, such as Desktop, and then click Save.
Copy VillanelleHelper, paste it into your VillanelleHelper.py window, and then click Save. For more information, see RunningPython Examples.
Click Run, and then click Run Module to display a Villanelle Helper window similar to that at the top of Figure 1.
Type your first refrain (refrain01), press Tab, type your second refrain (refrain02), and then click Display Refrains to generate Python Shell text similar to that in Figure 2. Note: This generated text is the pattern for your villanelle, which has two portions. The top portion is the reference area; the bottom portion is the working area, which contains upper-case lines that you replace by typing over them. Do not type over the top portion; use it as a reference. Type only in the working area.
Finish writing your villanelle according to the procedure below.

Figure 2 - After you copy the pattern of your villanelle poem to
your word processor, you can type in the other rhyming lines.

Finishing your villanelle

To finish your villanelle, do the following:

Copy all text, the pattern of your villanelle, from the Python Shell into your word processor.
Scroll to the working area that begins with COMPLETE YOUR VILLANELLE BY TYPING OVER THE INDICATED LINES.
As shown in Figure 2, type a line into stanza 1, line 2, and type a line into stanza 2, line 1.
Type a line into stanza 2, line 1, and type a line into stanza 2, line 2 that rhymes with stanza 1, line 2.
Type a line into stanza 3, line 1 that rhymes with stanza 2, line 1, and type a line into stanza 3, line 2 that rhymes with stanza 1, line 2.
Similarly type over the indicated lines for stanzas 4, 5 and 6.
Add a title to your villanelle poem, and then publish it.

Using LibreOffice Calc to create pivot tables

2015-01-31T11:31:00.000-05:00

A pivot table lets you provide various data viewpoints for analyses and reports. You can create pivot tables through a spreadsheet application, such as Calc in the LibreOffice productivity suite. This document can help you use Calc to:

Create a practice spreadsheet
Create practice pivot tables
Refresh pivot tables

For more information, please see Pivot Table in LibreOffice help.

Creating a practice spreadsheet

A practice spreadsheet can help you learn to create pivot tables. To create your practice spreadsheet, do either of the following:

Click Stooge Computers potential profit, click File, click Download as, and then click OpenDocument format (.ods).
Open a LibreOffice Calc spreadsheet, and then type a source-data worksheet similar to Figure 1.

Figure 1 - The main (SourceData) worksheet in your practice spreadsheet.
You can analyze this information through pivot tables.

Creating practice pivot tables

After you create your practice spreadsheet according to the section above, you can create one or more practice pivot tables as worksheets within your spreadsheet. For example, to view potential profits, you might create two pivot tables:

Potential-profit data in Warehouse rows and Product columns
Potential-profit data in Product rows and Warehouse columns

Example Warehouse rows and Product columns

To create a practice pivot table that displays potential-profit data in Warehouse rows and Product columns, do the following:

As shown in Figure 2, your SourceData worksheet, select the rows and columns that you wish to make available to your pivot table. In this example, I selected rows 2 through 14 and columns A through H.

Figure 2 - Starting a pivot table.
Click Data, click Pivot Table, click Start, select Current selection, and then click OK to display a Pivot Table window.
As shown in Figure 3, drag Warehouse into the Row Fields frame, drag Product into the Column Fields frame, and then drag Potential Profit into the Data Fields frame.

Figure 3 - Defining a pivot table through a Warehouse row field,
a Product column field, and a Potential Profit data field.
Click OK to display a pivot table similar to Figure 4. This pivot table contains Warehouse rows, Product columns, and Total Results for both.

Figure 4 - A pivot table that displays potential profits
through Warehouse rows and Product columns.
As necessary, adjust column widths so you can see all data correctly.
Rename the pivot-table worksheet according to its content, such as PotentialByWarehouse.
Create a second example pivot table according to the procedure below.

Example Product rows and Warehouse columns

To create a practice pivot table that displays potential-profit data in Warehouse rows and Product columns, do the following:

As shown in Figure 2, your SourceData worksheet, select the rows and columns that you wish to make available to your pivot table. In this example, I selected rows 2 through 14 and columns A through H.
Click Data, click DataPilot, click Start, select Current selection, and then click OK to display a DataPilot window.
As shown in Figure 5, drag Product into the Row Fields frame, drag Warehouse into the Column Fields frame, and then drag Potential Profit into the Data Fields frame.

Figure 5 - Defining a pivot table through a Product row field,
a Warehouse column field and a Potential Profit data field.
Click OK to display a pivot table similar to Figure 6. This pivot table contains Product rows, Warehouse columns, and Total Results for both. Note: Figure 6 shows information that is 'pivoted' from that in Figure 4.

Figure 6 - A pivot table that displays potential profits
through Product rows and Warehouse columns.
As necessary, adjust column widths so you can see all data correctly.
Rename the pivot-table worksheet according to its content, such as PotentialByProduct.

Refreshing pivot tables

When you create a pivot table, it contains only information that is current at that moment. Therefore, you need to refresh a pivot table after you update its source data. To refresh a pivot table, do the following:

Select the worksheet of the pivot table you wish to refresh. For example, you might select your PotentialByProduct worksheet as shown in Figure 6.
Right-click Filter to display its menu.
Click Refresh to update pivot-table information.

Promoting Blogger posts through LinkedIn

2015-01-27T16:39:00.000-05:00

If you use Google Blogger, you might wish to promote your work through LinkedIn. This document explains how to:

Promote a Blogger post through a LinkedIn post.
Copy a Blogger-post image to a LinkedIn post.

Promoting a Blogger post through LinkedIn

To promote a Google Blogger post through your LinkedIn account, do the following:

In your Chrome web browser, open the Blogger post you wish to promote. Note: Open only a single post. For example, if you are promoting your newest post, open your blog and then click on the most recent post title.
In a new, separate tab, open your LinkedIn Home page.
In the Share an update field, click Create a Post (the pencil icon) to display a Your Posts page similar to Figure 1.

Figure 1 - Creating a new LinkedIn post.
Type over the Write Your Headline text to create a headline that differs from your Blogger post title. These should only be similar because your LinkedIn post will contain a link to your Blogger post. For example, my LinkedIn post, Chromebook's photo editor applies to my LinkedIn post that includes a link to my Blogger post, Using the Chromebook built-in photo editor.
As shown in Figure 2, type some text that briefly describes your Blogger post.

Figure 2 - Describing and linking to your Blogger post.
Click your Blogger-post tab, copy its URL (web link).
Click your LinkedIn-post tab, and then create a link as follows:

Type some link text, such as Please see my recent document, Using the Chromebook built-in photo editor.
Select that link text.
Click Add link (chain icon) to display its dialog.
Paste Your Blogger-post URL into the dialog, and then click Add.

If you wish to add an image from your Blogger post, copy that image according to the section below, click Add image (camera icon), click Upload Image, and then click Open.

Copying a Blogger-post image

If you wish to copy a Blogger-post image to a LinkedIn post, you should first copy that image to your desktop, as follows:

In your Chrome web browser, open the Blogger post from which you wish to copy an image.
Right-click the image you wish to copy.
Click Save image as to display a Save File window.
Select your desktop folder, and then click Save to download the image to your desktop.

Using LibreOffice Calc to create an idea matrix

2015-01-25T17:58:00.000-05:00

An idea matrix, also called a verb-noun matrix, can help you organize your initial thoughts about almost any unfamiliar subject. This document explains how to:

Create an idea matrix through Calc, the spreadsheet application within the LibreOffice productivity suite.
Generate new and unexpected ideas through your idea matrix.

Although you can use pencil and paper to create an idea matrix, using a spreadsheet application is easier and faster.

Note: Procedures in this document specifically apply to LibreOffice Calc, and generally apply to other spreadsheet applications, including Google Drive Sheets and MS Office Excel.

Creating an idea matrix

To create an idea matrix through LibreOffice Calc, you need to format matrix cells and then set up matrix concatenation.

Formatting matrix cells

Formatting matrix cells make them easier to use. To format your matrix cells, do the following:

Open a new Calc spreadsheet.
As shown in Figure 1, select cells A1 through F6, and then:

Click Format, click Cells, and then click the Alignment tab.
Under Properties, select Wrap text automatically.
In the Horizontal dropdown menu, select Left, in the Vertical dropdown menu, select Middle, and then click OK.
Click Format, click Cells, and then click the Borders tab.
Under Spacing to contents, set all four sides to 4.0pt, which makes the cells easier to read.

Figure 1 - Selecting cells A1 through F6.

Select cells A2 through A6, click Format, click Cells, click the Alignment tab, and then, in the Horizontal dropdown menu, select Center, and then click OK.
Select cells B1 through F1, click Format, click Cells, click the Alignment tab, and then, in the Horizontal dropdown menu, select Center, and then click OK.

Setting up matrix concatenation

An idea matrix generates each possible idea by using the CONCATENATE() function to combine a verb, a blank space, and a noun into a phrase. To set up matrix concatenation, do the following:

Format matrix cells according to the section above.
As shown in Figure 2, select cell A1, type Nouns at right and Verbs below, and then adjust the width of column A.

Figure 2 - Typing the CONCATENATE() function into cell B2.
In cells A2 through A6, type five placeholders for verbs, v1 through v5; and in cells B1 through F1, type five placeholders for nouns, n1 through n5.
Select cell B2, and then type =CONCATENATE($A2," ",B$1) to display "v1 n1" in cell B2. Note: This cell is displaying the placeholder verb from A2, a blank space, and then the placeholder noun from B1.
As shown in Figure 3, copy cell B2 and then paste it into cells B3 through B6.

Figure 3 - Copying the CONCATENATE() function into cells B3 through B6.
As shown in Figure 4, copy cells B2 through B6 and then paste them into cells C2 through F6.

Figure 4 - Copying the CONCATENATE() function into cells C2 through F6.
Rename the worksheet to Base 5 by 5 and then copy it one or more other sheets, such as Idea 1, Idea 2, and Idea 3. Note: You can make a larger idea matrix by simply copying and pasting new rows and/or columns.

Generating ideas through your matrix

Assume that a professor has asked you to write an essay about steam-locomotive maintenance. Unless you have recently worked on a steam locomotive, you can use your idea matrix to generate new or unexpected ideas that help you start your research. You might use a procedure similar to the following:

Create an idea matrix according to the sections above.
As shown in Figure 5, type as many as five verbs (or verb phrases) into cells A2 through A6, overtyping the placeholders for verbs.

Figure 5 - An example idea matrix for 'steam-locomotive maintenance.'
Type as many as many as five nouns (or noun phrases) into cells B1 through F1, overtyping the placeholders for nouns.
Examine the idea matrix to see whether any of its generated ideas are worth keeping. If so, either write down those ideas or print the idea matrix and then circle its best ideas. If not, repeat steps 2 through 4 until you see one or more useful ideas.

Using the Chromebook built-in photo editor

2015-01-16T20:56:00.000-05:00

Your Chromebook has an easy-to-use, built-in photo editor that launches automatically when you select a photo or other graphics image to view and/or edit. This document can help you learn to use your Chromebook photo editor.

The Chromebook photo editor lets you make basic edits. For more advanced editing, such as converting image file types, you will also need to use a separate editor such as the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP). Please also see How to use the Free Online Photo Editor.

Selecting an image

To select an image, do the following:

Log onto Chromebook.
Click the Apps launcher, at the lower left, to display its window.
Click the Files app to display its window and your Downloads folder.
Find an image file you wish to select for viewing or editing. Note: The file need not be in Downloads; it can be in any folder.
Double click the image file to launch the photo editor and simultaneously display your selected image as shown in Figure 1. Note: You can use the forward and backward arrows to display other images within the same folder.

Figure 1 - Viewing an image file

Editing an image

To edit an image, do the following:

According to the procedure above, select an image you wish to edit.
Click the pencil icon to display seven editing tools centered under the image as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 - Editing-tool icons

Left to right, these editing-tool icons are:

Auto-fix (lightning bolt)
Crop
Brightness (also lets you adjust Contrast)
Left (rotate)
Right
Undo
Redo

Click an editing-tool icon to make a change to your image. For example, you can click Crop, press Enter, and then select a rectangular image segment as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 - Cropping an image
Close the Chromebook photo editor to save your edited image, such as Figure 4, in the same folder in which you have been working.

Figure 4 - Cropped image

How to use the Free Online Photo Editor

2015-01-13T22:19:00.000-05:00

You can use the Free Online Photo Editor to edit your photos and other graphics images quickly and easily. You need only upload an image file, edit it, and then download it.

Uploading an image file

Before you can edit an image through the Free Online Photo Editor, you need to upload an image file into the editor as follows:

Go to FreeOnlinePhotoEditor.com.
Select an image file: from either your computer or the internet:

To select an image from your computer, click Browse to find an image file and display its name in the Choose file field.
To select an image from the internet, type the URL of the image file in the Enter URL field.

Click OK to upload your selected image file into the Free Online Photo Editor as shown in Figure 1.
Edit your image file according the Editing an image file section below.

Figure 1 - An image file uploaded into the Free Online Photo Editor

Editing your image file

After uploading your image file, you can edit it in the Free Online Photo Editor. Its toolbar has six menus (Basic, Enhance, Colors, Borders, Filters, and Effects) and a Text utility. To edit an image file, use the following general procedure.

Click a toolbar item, such as Basic, to display its menu.
Click a menu item, such as Crop, and then follow its instructions.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 to make adjustments to your image until you are satisfied with your edits.
Download your edited image file according the Downloading your edited image file section below.

Note: To create Figure 2, I used the Basic menu to make Resize, Crop, and Brightness/Contrast adjustments; and the Borders menu to add a Colored border.

Figure 2 - An edited image file

Downloading your edited image file

After editing your image file through the Free Online Photo Editor, you need to download it into your Downloads folder on your computer as follows:

In the Free Online Photo Editor, click File to display its menu.
Click Save as (file type) to download your image file. For example, you could click Save as JPG.
Go to your Downloads folder, and then open your edited image file to verify it downloaded correctly.

Taking and uploading Chromebook screenshots

2015-01-07T19:53:00.000-05:00

This document can help you take, inspect, and then upload Chromebook screenshots. When you take a screenshot, Chromebook automatically saves it as a Portable Network Graphics (PNG) file in your Downloads folder. After inspecting the screenshot, you can make it more accessible by uploading it to Google Drive.

Taking a screenshot

To record content displayed on a Chromebook screen, you can take either a full or partial screenshot.

Taking a full screenshot

To take a screenshot of a full Chromebook screen, do the following:

Display the screen that you wish to record.
As shown in Figure 1, press Ctrl+[switch windows] to take the screenshot and display a brief 'screenshot-taken' message.

Figure 1 - Full screenshot keys
Inspect your screenshot according to the Inspecting your screenshot section below.

Taking a partial screenshot

To take a screenshot of only part of a Chromebook screen, do the following:

Connect a mouse to your Chromebook. Note: Though you can use the touchpad for this procedure, I recommend a mouse because it makes drag-and-drop tasks much easier.
Display the screen that you wish to record.
As shown in Figure 2, press Ctrl+Shift+[switch windows] to replace your mouse pointer with a small cross symbol.

Figure 2 - Partial screenshot keys
Select the area of your partial screenshot as follows:

Move the cross to any corner of the area you wish to record.
Click and hold the left mouse button
Drag the cross until the selection box encloses the screenshot area precisely.
Release the left mouse button to take the screenshot and display a brief 'screenshot-taken' message.

Inspect your screenshot according to the Inspecting your screenshot section below.

Inspecting your screenshot

Inspecting your screenshot immediately helps save time; reconstructing your project's current conditions later might be difficult. To inspect your screenshot, do the following:

Take a screenshot according to the Taking a screenshot section above.
As shown in Figure 3, click the Apps launcher (at lower left of the desktop) to display your apps.

Figure 3 - App icons on Chromebook
As shown in Figure 4, click the Files app icon to display its window.

Figure 4 - Downloads folder with screenshots
Within your Downloads folder, double-click your screenshot to view it in Chromebook's built-in photo editor:

If the screenshot appears as you had intended, close the editor, and then take whatever other screenshots you need for your current project.
If the screenshot does not appear as you had intended, close the editor, delete the screenshot file from the your Downloads folder, and then take that screenshot again.

Continue according to the Uploading screenshots to Google Drive section below.

Uploading screenshots to Google Drive

You can use any computer to access your Google Drive applications and files through your Google account. Therefore, uploading your Chromebook screenshots to Google Drive makes them easily available for use in your various projects, such as word-processor documents and web sites. To upload your screenshots to Google Drive, do the following:

Click the Apps launcher to display your apps, and then click the Drive app to open it.
Click New, and then click File upload to display its window.
Select the Downloads folder, and then select one or more screenshot PNG files that you wish to upload.
Click Open to upload your screenshot(s).

Working offline through your Chromebook

2015-01-02T18:19:00.000-05:00

You can work offline to perform various tasks through your Chromebook. For example, you can create and edit Google Drive documents offline. This document can help you practice using Chromebook to edit a document offline. To demonstrate offline editing, you can concurrently edit the same document through both Chromebook and any other computer.

Temporarily taking Chromebook offline

To test working offline through your Chromebook, you can temporarily disconnect its Wi-Fi. To take your Chromebook offline, do the following:

Click your user icon at the lower-right corner of the Chromebook screen to display a window similar to Figure 1.

Figure 1 - Click your active network to start disconnecting it.
Click Connected to (your_network_name) to display a window similar to Figure 2.

Figure 2 - Click your network name to continue
disconnecting Wi-Fi (if online), or to connect it (if offline).
Click your_network_name to display a Connected window similar to Figure 3.

Figure 3 - Click "Disconnect" to take your Chromebook offline.
Verify that Automatically connect to this network has been selected (check marked). Note: This automatically reconnects Wi-Fi when you boot your Chromebook.
Click Disconnect to take your Chromebook offline.
Continue according to the Using Chromebook offline section below.

Placing Chromebook back online

Any time after going offline according to the Temporarily taking Chromebook offline section above, you can place your Chromebook back online as follows:

Click your user icon at the lower-right corner of the Chromebook screen.
Click no network to display a window similar to Figure 2.
Click your_network_name to reconnect Wi-Fi and put your Chromebook back online.

Using Chromebook offline files

Even while your Chromebook is offline, you can use its Google Drive app to create and/or edit files in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Drawings. You can see these files only while Google Drive is open. When you go back online, your internal (offline) Drive files sync with your external (online) files.

As shown in Figures 4 through 6, I have experimented with Chromebook writing and editing, both offline and online, and with a separate computer. To make similar experiments, try the following:

Take your Chromebook offline according to the Temporarily taking Chromebook offline section above.
Open the Google Drive app, and create or edit a test document, such as offline test. Because your Chromebook is still offline, you cannot yet see your offline test, or its edits, through a separate computer, such as a Linux PC.
Place your Chromebook back online according to the Placing Chromebook back online section above. You should now be able to see, and edit, offline test through a separate computer.
To make and observe more edits to offline test, repeat steps 1 through 3 as often as necessary.

Figure 4 - Writing through Chromebook, offline then online.

Figure 5 - Adding a third paragraph through a separate computer,
and then a fourth through the offline Chromebook.

Figure 6 - The green marker indicates that I am a separate user.

How to keep your Chromebook cool

2015-01-02T11:55:00.000-05:00

Most Chromebooks (and other laptop computers) have underside cooling vents. If you accidentally block these vents, even partially, you risk overheating your Chromebook. This brief document can help you avoid that problem.

This is the left-front cooling vent under my Chromebook.

I am sharing this information through personal experience. Two years ago, when my Chromebook was new, I tried keeping it on a folded blanket while using it.

A soft surface, such as blanket can block
your Chromebook's vents, which causes overheating.

The soft, fluffy surface blocked the vents and overheated my Chromebook. When it failed suddenly and completely, I wondered whether I had ruined it. Fortunately, I was able to recover it according to the instructions in Google's Use the Chromebook Recovery Utility.

To avoid blocking your Chromebook's cooling vents, use it only a solid surface, such as a table or any other flat surface. For example, I found an inexpensive cutting board on which to place my Chromebook.

A plastic cutting board, or similar flat
surface can keep your Chromebook cool.

Making a headers template for Google Blogger

2014-12-28T21:33:00.000-05:00

Section headers can help make your Google Blogger posts (documents or articles) more readable and clear. This document shows how you can create section headers, and then use them in any document that you think requires them.

Although you need not use headers in every post, they can enhance any document in which you wish to highlight its organization. For example, in this document, I am using section headers to present two topics:

Creating your headers template
Using your template headers

Creating your headers template
You use this procedure to create a headers template similar to Figure 1.

Figure 1 - Example headers template

These are only example header styles; modify them as you wish. To create your headers template, do the following:

If you haven't yet created a blog (weblog) through Blogger, go to the Blogger Getting Started Guide.
Open Blogger, click Design, click New post, and then type Headers template in the Post title field.
Create your level-1 section header as follows:

Type your level-1 header in the default style (Normal), type some text for your new section immediately below its header, and then select (highlight for editing) the level-1 header text.
Using the icons in the Blogger formatting toolbar, set Font to Ariel, set Font size to Large, click Bold, and then set Text color to dark red as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 - Formatting text in level-1 template header

Create your level-2 section header as follows:

Type your level-2 header, type " - " (space, dash symbol, space), type some text for your new section, and then select the level-2 header text and its dash symbol.
Set Font to Times, set Font size to Large, click Bold, and then set Text color to dark blue.

Create your level-3 section header as follows:

Type your level-3 header, type " - " (space, dash symbol, space), type some text for your new section, and then select the level-3 header text and its dash symbol.
Set Font to Times, set Font size to Normal, click Bold, and then set Text color to dark green.

Click Preview to verify that your headers appear correctly.
Click Save and then click Close.
Go to the Using your template headers section below.

Using your template headers
You never publish your headers template because you only copy its template headers and paste them into other documents that you do publish. To copy your template headers into a new document, do the following:

Open Blogger, click Design, click Posts, click Draft, and then click Headers template to open it
Select all three headers, press Ctrl+C to copy them, and then click Close.
Click New post, type a document name in the Post title field, and then press Ctrl+V to paste the template headers into your new document.
If you need headers while writing your document, copy each header, paste it where you need it, and then type over its header text. Start with at least two level-1 headers. Likewise, if you need any subheaders, use at least two level-2 subheaders under any level-1 header; and at least two level-3 subheaders under any level-2 subheader.
When you finish writing your document, remove the template headers.

Creating a Google Sites website

2014-12-23T17:20:00.000-05:00

Google Sites lets you create and manage a free, simple, thoughtful, and elegant website. You need not write or edit any XHTML code. You can instead focus on creating website contents. This document contains procedures that explain how to:

Create website pages
Set up page hierarchy
Add a logo
Change font colors
Add images
Add internal links
Add external links

Although this short document cannot cover all features available in Google Sites, it can help you create a powerful website that you can later modify, and add as many features as you need. For more information, see Google Sites Help.

Creating website pages

You begin building your Google Sites website by creating its pages. To create your website pages, do the following:

Log into Google Sites through your Google Account, such as your Gmail account, and then click Create new site to display its page as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 - Create-new-site web page
Select Blank template, and then type a name for your website, such as Luddites Online.
Type a unique suffix to your new website URL, which begins with https//sites.google.com/site/- - -. Use only letters and/or numbers, such as - - - LudditesOnline57.
Select a theme, such as Crystal Panel. Choose a theme according to the purpose of your website and what you think its visitors might like.
Type the displayed security code, and then click Create to create your website and display its Home page. Note: As shown in Figure 2, while you are signed in to your website, each page has three icons at its top right: The pencil icon for Edit page, the page+ icon for Create page, and the gear icon for More actions.

Figure 2 - Icons for Edit page (pencil), Create page (page+), and More actions (gear)
Click Edit page, type appropriate text into your Home page, and then click Save. You can edit and reformat this text later.
Click Create page (page+ icon), type a name for your new page, such as Animals, click Create Page, type text into your new page, and then click Save.
Repeat step 7 for each new page you wish to add. For example, as shown in Figure 3, Dave's Example Website includes pages named Animals, Cats, Lions, Tigers, Bears, Plants, Trees, Grass, Minerals, Rocks, and Sand.

Figure 3 - All pages are initially at level 1
Click Sign out to close your Google Sites session. Optionally you can leave your session open if you wish to immediately change your website page hierarchy according to the Setting up page hierarchy section.

Setting up page hierarchy
To help your website visitors find information more easily, you should set up proper hierarchical levels for your website pages. To set up the hierarchical levels of your pages, do the following:

If you are not already logged into Google Sites, log in, and then click your website name.
Click More actions (gear icon), click Manage site, and then click Pages.
Use drag and drop to set up the hierarchy of each subpage by moving it into the Home page or any appropriate page to which you assign greater hierarchy. A page can be a subpage that has lower-level subpages as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 - Pages at hierarchical levels 1, 2, 3, and 4

In this instance, Dave's Example Website includes:

A level-1 Home page that has greater hierarchy than its level-2 Animals, Minerals, and Plants subpages, which have been dragged into Home.

A level-2 Animals page that has greater hierarchy than its level-3 Bears and Cats subpages, which have been dragged into Animals.

A level-3 Cats page that has greater hierarchy than its level-4 Lions and Tigers subpages, which have been dragged into Cats.

A level-2 Minerals page that has greater hierarchy than its level-3 Rocks and Sand subpages, which have been dragged into Minerals.
A level-2 Plants page that has greater hierarchy than its level-3 Grass and Trees subpages, which have been dragged into Plants.

Click your website name to return to its Home page.
Click More actions (gear icon), click Edit site layout, and then click Navigation (in the sidebar) to display the Configure navigation dialog.
Set the Level of pages to show to all, click OK to close the navigation window.
Click Close to save your changes and redisplay your website.

Adding a logo

A logo enhances your website. To add a logo through Google Sites, do the following:

If you are not already logged into Google Sites, log in, and then click your website name.
Click More actions (gear icon), click Edit site layout, place your mouse pointer within the header until it displays an Edit site header prompt, and then click the header to display a Configure site header window.
Select Custom Logo, browse for and select your logo image file (such as LuditeLogo.jpg), and then click OK to close the header window.
Verify that your logo displays correctly.
Click Close to save your changes and redisplay your website.

Changing font colors

Changing certain font colors can enhance your website. Be careful to use no more than a few colors; too many can be distracting. To change font colors, do the following:

If you are not already logged into Google Sites, log in, and then click your website name.
Click More actions (gear icon), click Manage site, and then click Themes, Colors, and Fonts to display a window, similar to Figure 5.

Figure 5 - Font-color dropdown pallet

Here, you can make changes to:

Entire page
Header area
Content area
Content area gadgets
Sidebar gadgets
Horizontal navigation

Select an area to change (such as Content area), select an item to alter (such as Page title) select the Color dropdown pallet, and then select a color.
As needed, repeat step 3 for any other areas and items, and then click Save.

Adding images

Images can help your website visitors understand the subjects your website presents. To add images, do the following:

If you are not already logged into Google Sites, log in, and then click your website name.
Select a page into which you wish to add an image, such as a photo or drawing, as an image file. An image file is typically a JPEG or GIF file.
Click Edit page (pencil icon), and then place your insertion point (blinking cursor) wherever you wish to add the image. For example, you might wish to place the image between two paragraphs.
Click Insert, and then click Image, to display an Add an image window.
Select either Uploaded Images or Web Address (URL)
Select the image file you wish to add (such as 03_LudditesOnline.jpg), and then click OK to add the image.
Click the image to display its menu, in which the first three icons let you align the image. For example, you would click Align center (second icon) to center the image.
The next five icons let you resize the image. For example, you can click L to resize the image to large.
Repeat steps 2 through 8 for each image you wish to add, and then click Save.

Adding links

You can add both internal and external links to your website:

An internal link lets your website visitor click on that link to display another page within your website.
An external link, which is also called a hyperlink, lets your website visitor click on that link to display another website.

Note: To compare an internal link with an external link, see Sample Links.

Adding internal links - To add internal links to your website, do the following:

If you are not already logged into Google Sites, log in, and then click your website name.
On any page in your website, click Edit page, select (highlight) any word or phrase that you wish to link to another page within your website.
Click the Add or remove link icon to display a Create Link window.
Click Sites page, type a page name or use the Site map to select a page, click OK, and then click Save.
Repeat steps 2 through 4 for each internal link you wish to create.

Adding external links - To add external links to your website, do the following:

If you are not already logged into Google Sites, log in, and then click your website name.
On any page in your website, click Edit page, select (highlight) any word or phrase that you wish to link to another website.
Open the website to which you wish to link, and copy its URL.
Click the Add or remove link icon to display a Create Link window.
Click Web address, type or paste a URL, click OK, and then click Save.
Repeat steps 2 through 5 for each external link you wish to create.

Mouse dongles interfere with Chromebook touchpads

2014-12-19T14:07:00.000-05:00

A dongle (USB connector) for a wireless mouse can cause intermittent problems with the touchpad on a Chromebook. Therefore, as explained in this document, you should always unplug the dongle before using the touchpad.

Note: This document applies to all portable computers, specifically to Chromebooks and generally to laptop PCs.

While getting started with your Chromebook, you might plan using only a wireless mouse, never the touchpad. You might decide to leave the dongle plugged in at all times as shown in Figure 1. However, should you later want to use the touchpad, it will almost certainly not work properly until you unplug the dongle. Your touchpad should always work as described in Chromebook touchpad tips.

Figure 1 - While using a wireless mouse (instead of the touchpad)
with your Chromebook, connect the dongle to a USB port.

Note: When I started using a Chromebook, I didn't want to bother with the touchpad. Therefore, I never unplugged the dongle. When I gradually started using the touchpad, and having intermittent problems, I thought I was just too clumsy for the touchpad. Recently, I wondered whether removing the dongle might let the touchpad work correctly. To my astonishment, it immediately worked properly and smoothly.

Each wireless mouse works only with its own dongle. If you lose the dongle, your mouse is useless. Therefore, while not using the dongle, you should keep it in its storage slot, which is inside the mouse as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 - While using the touchpad (instead of a wireless mouse) with
your Chromebook, disconnect the dongle and store it in the mouse.

Enhancing Python GUI through ttk styles

2014-12-17T12:35:00.000-05:00

This document can help you enhance your Python graphical user interface (GUI) windows by applying styles to your data-entry ttk widgets. For more information about ttk widgets, please see Tkinter (ttk) graphical user interface for Python. For more information about applying styles to ttk widgets, please see Python Software Foundation Library - ttk styling.

This document presents two example Python programs that you can download, install, and run. The first generates a window that contains ttk widgets without styles. The second generates ttk widgets with styles.

Note: Before you can download and run the example code in this document, you need to download and install Python 3 and IDLE for Python 3. IDLE is the Python integrated development environment (IDE). For details, see Getting Started with Python Programming.

Running example ttk widgets without styles
To download and run the Python code for example ttk widgets that have no styles, do the following:

In a new browser window or tab, go to Ttk_Widgets_Without_Styles.
Select the entire program, and then press Ctrl+C to copy the code.
Start Python 3 and open a new window in IDLE.
Click File, click New File, and then press Ctrl+V to paste your copied code into your new file.
Save your new file with an appropriate file name, such as ttkWidgetsNoStyles.py.
Click Run Module to verify that the code generates a Ttk Widgets Without Styles window similar to that in Figure 1.
Test the window by experimenting with its buttons and its numeric-value entry field.

Figure 1 - Example ttk widgets to which styles have not been applied.

Running example ttk widgets with styles

To download and run Python code for example ttk widgets that have styles, do the following:

In a new browser window or tab, go to Ttk_Widgets_With_Styles.
Select the entire program, and then press Ctrl+C to copy the code.
Start Python 3 and open a new window in IDLE.
Click File, click New File, and then press Ctrl+V to paste your copied code into your new file.
Save your new file with an appropriate file name, such as ttkWidgetsWithStyles.py.
Click Run Module to verify that the code generates a Ttk Widgets With Styles window similar to that in Figure 2.
Test the window by experimenting with its buttons and its numeric-value entry field.

Figure 2 - Example ttk widgets to which styles have been applied.

Comparing the example programs
To help you get started with ttk styles, the two subsections below let you compare example Python code fragments that generate ttk widgets without styles and with styles.

Note: Figures 3 and 4 show example Python code fragments as copied into word-processor text.

Generating ttk widgets without styles - The code fragment in Figure 3 generates ttk widgets for labels and buttons shown in Figure 1. This code does not define or apply styles to these widgets.

Figure 3 - Example code fragment that defines ttk widgets without styles.

Generating ttk widgets with styles - The code fragment in Figure 4 generates ttk widgets for labels and buttons shown in Figure 2. As shown in highlighted text, this code defines styles for the label and button widgets. It also applies a custom style to the Exit button.

Note: You can define a default widget color as a literal string in double quotes, such as "red." You can define a custom color as a hexadecimal string in single quotes, such as '#afd' in the Exit.Tbutton style. You can define a widget border relief as a literal string in double quotes, such as "solid," "flat", "raised", "sunken", "groove" or "ridge."

Figure 4 - Example code fragment that defines ttk widgets with styles.
The highlighted code defines the styles.

Fixing a LibreOffice Calc 3D spreadsheet problem

2014-12-13T13:20:00.001-05:00

If you use LibreOffice Calc for one or more 3D spreadsheets, they might recently have stopped working correctly. If you have this problem, this document might help you fix it.

I use LibreOffice on a Linux PC. Recently, my Calc 3D spreadsheet lost its ability to share information among its separate sheets. Sheet names disappeared from the formulas that referenced cells in other sheets. I don't know what has caused this problem; it could be a bug in an update to LibreOffice Calc.

If you also have this problem, your might see either incorrect data or an error message similar to that in Figure 1. In this example, the original formula in cell E8 was '=Qtr1.E8+E7,' which adds the value in cell E8 of sheet Qtr1 (First Quarter) to the value in cell E7 of this sheet, Qtr2. The problem caused 'Qtr1.' to disappear.

Figure 1 - The missing sheet name causes an error, Err:522.

To correct this problem, you would simply type Qtr1. (including the period) after the '=' sign and prior to the 'E8+E7' in formula field as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 - Restoring the sheet name, 'Qtr1.' corrects the error.

Tkinter (ttk) graphical user interface for Python

2014-11-30T17:37:00.001-05:00

This document shows how to program a Python Tkinter Themed Tk (ttk) graphical user interface (GUI) for both text and numerical data entry. Tkinter ttk provides enhanced widgets that can simplify creating GUI windows.

Note: Before you can program and run ttk data-entry widgets, you need to download and install Python 3 and IDLE for Python 3. IDLE is the Python integrated development environment (IDE). For details, see Getting Started with Python Programming.

Creating a ttk planning grid
Before you start programming your ttk GUI window, you should create a planning grid that helps you organize your Entry, Label and Button widgets into rows and columns. To create your ttk grid, you can either make a pencil sketch or use a word-processor table similar to Figure 1.

Figure 1 - You can use a word-processor table to create your ttk planning grid.

Note: Compare Figure 1 with Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows the initial example window. Figure 3 shows the results of entering data into that window.

Figure 2 - Example ttk GUI window prior to data entry.

Figure 3 - Example ttk GUI window after data entry.

Programming a ttk GUI window
The example Python program in Figures 4 and 5 contain Python code that defines the example ttk GUI window in Figures 2 and 3. Note: A # character precedes each comment.

Figure 4 includes code that:

Imports both tkinter and ttk.
Defines callable GUI functions using the get() and set() control-variable methods:

The texter() function gets input data for variable 'textin,' and sets the output data for variable 'textout.'
The adder() function gets input data for variables 'a' and 'b,' and sets the output data for the variable 'total.

Figure 4 - This ttk example code includes function definitions.

Figure 5 includes code that:

Sets up a self-sizing GUI window based on the example ttk planning grid in Figure 1.
Defines two ttk.Button widgets:

According to planning grid row 3, column 3, 'command=texter' calls the texter() function in Figure 4.
According to planning grid row 7, column 3, 'command=adder' calls the adder() function in Figure 4.

Figure 5 - This ttk example code sets up the GUI window
and defines two button widgets.

Running the ttk example
Before you can run the ttk example Python program, you need to either download (or type) it into into a new file.

Downloading and running the ttk example - To download and then run the example ttk, do the following:

In a new browser window or tab, go to Tkinter ttk Data Entry.
Select the entire program, and then press Ctrl+C to copy the code.
Start Python 3 and open a new window in IDLE.
Click File, click New File, and then press Ctrl+V to paste your copied code into your new file.
Save your new file with an appropriate file name, such as TtkExample.py, and then click Run Module.
Test the ttk example by entering text and numerical values. See Figures 2 and 3.

Typing and running the ttk example
If you are new to Python, you might wish to type the example ttk as extra practice. To type and run the example GUI, do the following:

Start Python 3 and open a new window in IDLE.
Click File, click New File, and then type the code from Figures 4 and 5 into your new file.
Save your new file with an appropriate file name, such as TtkExample.py, and then click Run Module.
Test the ttk example by entering text and numerical values. See Figures 2 and 3.

Tkinter graphical user interface for Python

2014-11-27T19:15:00.000-05:00

Tkinter is the most popular graphical user interface (GUI) for the Python programming language. Tkinter automatically installs with Python. This document describes example code through which you can create a new desktop window that contains active buttons and dynamic labels.

I thank Webucator for creating an excellent video presentation based on this document, and including it in a free lesson, Python Solutions from the Web. Webucator also provides commercial Python Online and Onsite Training Classes.

Note: Before you can create and run the example program in this document, you need both Python 3 and IDLE for Python 3, which is its Integrated Development Environment (IDE). For more information, see Getting started with Python programming.

Example GUI overview
Figjures 1, 2 and 3 contain the example GUI example code. Note: In these figures, # characters precede red comment text that shows how Tkinter widgets define these example buttons and labels.

Figure 1 - This code defines the Button Test window,
its instruction text, and its Exit Program button.

Figure 2 - This code defines the GREEN and BLUE buttons.

Figure 3 - This code defines the Reset button.

Downloading and running the example GUI
To download and then run the example GUI, do the following:

In a new browser window or tab, go to Tkinter Buttons and Labels.
Select the entire program, and then press Ctrl+C to copy the code.
Start Python 3 and open a new window in IDLE.
Click File, click New File, and then press Ctrl+V to paste your copied code into your new file.
Save your new file with an appropriate file name, such as TkinterExample.py, and then click Run Module.
Test the buttons according to the Testing the example GUI section below.

Typing and running the example GUI
If you are new to Python, you might wish to type the example GUI as extra practice. To type and run the example GUI, do the following:

Start Python 3 and open a new window in IDLE.
Click File, click New File, and then type the code from Figures 1, 2, and 3 into your new file.
Save your new file with an appropriate file name, such as TkinterExample.py, and then click Run Module.
Test the buttons according to the Testing the example GUI section below.

Testing the example GUI
After downloading or typing the example GUI, test it as follows:

Click the GREEN button to display "You clicked the green button" in its label field.
Click the BLUE button to display "You clicked the blue button."
Click the RESET button should clear the label fields for the GREEN and BLUE buttons.
Repeat steps 1 through 3 to verify that the print() functions display correctly in the Python Shell. For example, clicking the BLUE button should also display "Thank you for clicking the BLUE button" as shown in Figure 4.
Click the Exit Program button to close the Button Test window.

Figure 4 - Clicking the BLUE button should display one message in the
Button Test window, and another in the Python Shell window.

Using Python to generate humorous memos

2014-10-23T18:50:00.002-04:00

The Python programming language lets you generate humorous memos automatically. This document includes an example Python 3 program that generates random humorous memos. This code includes word lists (arrays), function definitions, and nested while loops. The word lists contain various verbs, adverbs, objects, adjectives and subjects for use in sentences. The program code defines functions that select random words to generate sentences. The nested while loops generate paragraphs and sentences.

Python is free to download, install, and use. It's easy to program and delightful to run. Before trying the example program in this document, you need to install Python 3 on your computer. For more information, see Getting started with Python programming. For information about random functions, see Using Python random functions to create new words.

Example Python program for automatic memos

Figures 1 through 3 show example Python code that can generate automatic memos. To run this code on your computer, do the following:

Install Python 3 if you've not already done so.
Run the interface development environment (IDE) for your Python 3.
Copy AutomaticWriter and then paste it into an appropriate Python 3 window.
Run the program and, at the prompt, type the number of paragraphs you want in your memo, such as 4.
Press Enter to generate and display a random memo with a random title, such as 'Radically Downsize Plaintiffs."
Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the program generates a sufficiently humorous memo. You can save your memo by copying its text to a word processor.
Experiment with this program by modifying your copy of it. For example, you can add words and phrases most appropriate to your friends.

Word lists

The Python lists in Figure 1 contain the possible words and phrases that can appear in a memo generated by this Python program. The name of each list describes the grammatical function of its items:

ucverb -- upper-case verbs, such as Exploit or Ridicule
lcverb -- lower-case verbs, such as exploit or ridicule
ucadvrb -- upper-case adverbs, such as Carefully or Instantly
lcadvrb -- lower-case adverbs, such as carefully or instantly
objct -- objects, such a customers or safety inspectors
adjctv -- adjectives, such as uninspired or repugnant
sbjct -- subjects, such as We or Human resources
auxlry -- auxiliaries, such as should always or must
ttlobj -- title objects, such as Regulators or Wall Street Brokers

Figure 1 - These lists contain words and phrases as verbs, adverbs, objects,
adjectives, subjects, auxiliaries, and title objects. When the the Python code in
Figure 3 calls the title () function, it randomly chooses title words,
concatenates them, and then returns the title to the function caller.
The sntnc01 () function similarly defines sentence type 01.

Function definitions

The functions defined in Figures 1 and 2 make random.choice () function calls to return random words or phrases for the title and six sentence types. For example, the title () function is:

def title (ucadverb,ucverb,ttlobj):

a = random.choice (ucadvrb)
b = random.choice (ucverb)

c = random.choice (ttlobj)
r = a + ' ' + b + ' ' + c
return (r)

When the code in Figure 3 calls the title () function, it makes three random.choice () function calls that select:

One upper-case adverb from the ucadvrb list
One verb from the ucverb list
One title object from the ttlobj list

The title () function then concatenates these words and returns them as the title of the automatic memo. Likewise, when the code in Figure 3 calls one of the sentence-type functions below, it returns an appropriate sentence:

The sntnc01 () function makes three random.choice () function calls that select three words for sentence type 01, concatenates those words, and then returns them as a sentence type 01 within the automatic memo. Note: Figure 1 includes the sntnc01 () function. Figure 2 includes the sntnc02 () through sntnc06 () functions.
The sntnc02 () function makes three random.choice () function calls that select three words for sentence type 02, concatenates those words, and then returns them as a sentence type 02 in the automatic memo.
The sntnc03 () function selects, concatenates and returns four words for sentence type 03.
The sntnc04 () function selects, concatenates and returns five words for sentence type 04.
The sntnc05 () function selects, concatenates and returns four words for sentence type 05.
The sntnc06 () function selects, concatenates and returns five words for sentence type 06.

Figure 2 - These functions define sentence types 02 through 06. [Note: Figure 1 includes the sntnc01 () function.] When the Python code in Figure 3 calls any sentence-type function, sntnc01 () through sntnc06 (), it randomly chooses sentence words or phrases, concatenates them, and then returns them as a sentence.

Nested while loops

The Python code in Figure 3 generates a random memo as follows:

The title () function generates a random title.
The outer while loop generates a user-specified number of paragraphs. Each pass through the outer (paragraph) loop:

Calls the random.randint () function to specify between three to nine sentences as the paragraph length.
The inner loop generates sentences. Each pass through the inner (sentence) loop:

Calls the the range (1,6) function to set the switch value to 1 to 6.
Calls the random.choice (switch) function to call a sentence-type function, sntnc01 () to sntnc06 (). The sentence-type function generates its random sentence.
Concatenates the sentence to the paragraph.

Calls the print () function to display the paragraph.

Various print () functions display ending text, such as corporate guidance and manager names.

Figure 3 - These nested while loops create paragraphs and sentences. The user specifies the number of paragraphs; the outer while loop runs for each paragraph. The inner while loop calls 3 to 9 sentence-definition functions for each paragraph.

Example reformatted memo

If you wish to format any random memo generated by your Python 3 program, simply copy its text and then paste it into a word processor document as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 - This automatic memo was copied to a word-processor
document, and then exported as a PDF.

Using Python random functions to create new words

2014-10-17T18:03:00.000-04:00

The Python programming language lets you randomly select syllables and then concatenate (combine) them to generate new words. This document explains how to control syllable concatenation through Python random functions.

Python is free to download, install, and use. It is easy and fun to program. Before trying the examples in this document, you need to install Python 3 on your computer. For more information, see Getting started with Python programming.

Using Python random functions

Python random functions generate random values that you can use directly or for other purposes, such as selecting list items randomly. For more information, about random functions, see see Wikibooks: Python Random Numbers. For really geeky details, see Python Library: Random Numbers.

Figure 1 shows how you can use a few fundamental Python random functions. If you want try this code, you can either type it from Figure 1 or copy it from its NwWrdsRdmBasics online example.

Figure 1 - This example Python code demonstrates a few random-function
capabilities, such as basing random values on the computer clock,
returning a random floating point value, returning a random integer value,
and returning a random item from a list.

In Figure 1:

The 'import random' statement imports the Python random module so that you can use random functions in this example code.
The random.seed() function bases all random functions on the computer clock.
Each print() function displays the number or string returned by its random function.
The random.random() function returns a random floating point (decimal) value, 00 through 1.0.
Each random.randint(a,b) function returns a random integer (whole number) value, in the range a through b.
The random.choice(y) function randomly selects and returns one item from list y.

Figure 2 demonstrates how you can use two Python random functions to create a large random decimal value. If you want try this code, you can either type it from Figure 2 or copy it from its NewWrdsRdmLgFloat online example.

Figure 2 - This example Python code demonstrates
creating a large random decimal value.

In Figure 2:

The 'a = random.random()' statement assigns a floating point value, 0.0 through 1.0, to variable a.
The 'b = random.randint(0,999)' statement assigns an integer value, 0 through 999, to variable b.
The 'c = a + b' statement assigns the sum of a and b to variable c.
The print (c) function displays a large random decimal value, such as 467.33257201.

Concatenating Strings in Python

A string is a variable that consists of one or more characters. Python lets you concatenate strings by placing them in sequence with no spaces among them. In Python, plus signs let you either add numerical values or concatenate strings.

Figure 3 demonstrates adding numerical values and concatenating strings.

Figure 3 - This example Python code demonstrates
using plus signs to either add values or concatenate strings

In Figure 3:

The 'd = a + b + c' statement assigns the sum of a, b, and c to variable d. Variables a, b, and c must be numerical values; for addition, none can be strings.
The 'h = e + f + g' statement assigns concatenated strings e, f, and g to variable h. Variables e, f, and g must be strings; for concatenation, none can be numerical values.

Creating New Words in Python

To create a new word in Python, you need to randomly choose syllable strings from a list, and then concatenate those syllables.

Note: Beyond demonstrating Pythom random functions and concatenation, creating new words can be useful. For example, if you write science fiction, you can use a Python program to create new space-alien expletives, such as "tulktokloogkek," "garfblugtonk," and "loogblug." However, you need not write science fiction. For example, if you are expecting a baby, why not give him or her an original name, such as "Depgarf?"

Figure 4 shows how you can use Python random functions and concatenation to create a two-, three-, four-, or five-syllable new, random word.

Figure 4 - This example Python code demonstrates
randomly selecting syllables from a single list of strings,
and then concatenating them to create a new word.
Syllables can repeat sequentially

In Figure 4:

The 'w = random.randint(2,5)' statement assigns an integer value, 2 through 5, to variable w. This determines whether the new word contains two, three, four, or five syllables.
The 'c = random.choice(y)' statement assigns one random syllable string, from list y, to variable c. Likewise, the 'd = random.choice(y)' statement assigns one random syllable to variable d. Note: Variables c and d apply to words that have two or more syllables. Variable e applies to words that have three, four or five syllables. Variable f applies to words that have four or five syllables. Variable g applies to words that have five syllables.
The 'if w == 2:' control flow statement executes the 'print (c + d)' function, which concatenates and displays a two-syllable word, only if w is equal to 2.
The 'elif w == 3:' control flow statement executes the 'e = random.choice(y)' statement and the 'print (c + d +e)' function, which concatenates and displays a three-syllable word, only if w is equal to 3.
The 'elif w == 4:' control flow statement executes the 'e = random.choice(y)' statement, the 'f = random.choice(y)' statement, and the 'print (c + d +e +f)' function, which concatenates and displays a four-syllable word, only if w is equal to 4.
The 'elif w == 5:' control flow statement executes the 'e = random.choice(y)' statement, the 'f = random.choice(y)' statement, the 'g = random.choice(y)' statement, and the 'print (c + d +e +f +g)' function, which concatenates and displays a five-syllable word, only if w is equal to 5. Note: If you wish, you can edit the syllable strings in list y. You can also add or delete them.

Figure 5 shows how you can modify the example code in Figure 4 so that it prevents sequential duplicate syllables. (After all, many kids might ridicule one named 'zotzot.')

Figure 5 - This example Python code demonstrates
randomly selecting syllables from two lists of strings,
and then alternately concatenating the strings to create a new word.
Syllables cannot repeat sequentially.

In Figure 5:

The 'x = random.randint(0,1)' statement assigns either 0 or 1 to variable x.
Lists y and z each contain half the syllable strings.
The if and else control flow statements determine which list provides the first syllable. If x is 0, list a is a switched copy of list y, and list b is a copy of list z. If x is 1, list a is a copy of list z, and list b is a copy of list y.
The remaining code in Figure 5 is similar to that in the Figure 4.

Getting started with Python programming

2014-10-14T11:09:00.000-04:00

Python is a powerful, high-level, object-oriented programming language. It's free to download and install because it's open-source software. In comparison with other programming languages, it has a simpler, more-intuitive syntax. Therefore, as this document shows, Python is easy to learn and fun to use. For more information, see the following Python tutorials:

You can choose either of two Python versions, 2 or 3. Python 2 is primarily a legacy version. Therefore, you should probably choose version 3 unless you specifically need Python 2. For more information, see Should I use Python 2 or Python 3?

Python is probably already installed on your computer. If not, you can install it according to information in Python Setup and Usage. Currently, in October, 2014, Python 3.4 is the newest version.

Note: Though tested on Xubuntu 14.04, the procedures in this document generally apply to Python on all PC operating systems; Linux, OS X, and Windows. Xubuntu is an XFCE-desktop distribution of the Ubuntu Linux operating system.

This document can help you:

Install IDLE, which is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Python.
Write your first Python program.
Run your first Python program.
Run example Python programs that demonstrate:

Math operations
While loops
Nested while loops

Installing IDLE
Although you can program Python through your command-line terminal, programming through IDLE is easier. Install IDLE according to your particular operating system. For example, to install IDLE on Xubuntu 14.04, do the following:

Click Applications Menu (a white-mouse icon at the upper left of the screen) to display the Applications Menu.
Click Ubuntu Software Center to display its window, type python into the search field, and then select IDLE (using Python 3.4).
Click Install to display the Authenticate window, type your password, and then click Authenticate.
After you have installed IDLE, close the Ubuntu Software Center window.

Note: The Ubuntu Software Center has a nice feature that can display the path to a software package you have just installed. For example, after you install IDLE (using Python-3.4), you can click More info to display Applications > Programming > IDLE (using Python-3.4). Of course, this applies only to software that you can launch through the Applications Menu.

Writing your first Python program
To write your first Python program through IDLE, do the following:

Install IDLE according to the section above.
Create a folder in which to store your Python programs. For example, you can create a MyPython folder within your home folder.
As shown in Figure 1, click the white-mouse Applications Menu, select Development, and then click IDLE (using Python 3.4) to display a Python Shell window as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1 - Starting IDLE

Figure 2 - Python Shell
Click File, and then click New Window to display an Untitled program window.
Type a Python program, such as the Example Python Hello code shown in Figure 3. Note: To enter a comment into a Python program, type # before the comment text. Computers do not execute comments. The Python interpreter ignores all comments while converting your program statements to machine code.

Figure 3 - Writing your first Python program
Click File, click Save as, select your MyPython folder, type a file name such as hello.py, and then click Save.
Close both IDLE windows, which are the Python Shell and the program window.
Test your program by running it according to the section below.

Running your first Python Program
To run your first Python program through Idle, do the following:

Click Applications, select Programming, and then click IDLE (using Python 3.4) as shown in Figure 1.
In the Python Shell, click File, click Open, select your MyPython folder, select the program you want to run, such as hello.py, and then click Open to display the program window.
Click Run, and then click Run Module to run your program. It displays its output in the Python Shell as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 - Testing your first Python program
Close both IDLE windows, which are the Python Shell and the program window.

Running example Python programs
After writing and running your first Python program according to the sections above, you can copy and run other example Python programs, such as those that demonstrate:

Math operations
While loops
Nested while loops

Running example Python math operations - The Example Python program in Figure 5 demonstrates a few Python math operations and functions:

Included math operations let you enter two variables for:

Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Raising a value by an exponent
Finding the root of a value

Included functions are:

float(), which defines a decimal value function
input(), which lets a user enter a value
print(), which displays data on a computer screen

Figure 5 - Example Python math operations

To enter a value for a variable, you can use an input() function nested within a float() function. An input() function can contain text in quotes to prompt data entry. The nested float(input()) function defines its data as a decimal value. For example, if you type 3, the data is 3.0.

The print() function displays data in a window, it does not print on paper. The print() function can display text in quotes, one or more variables, or both. Additionally, the print() function can contain and display a math operation, such as x+y.

To write and run the Example Python Math Operations program, do the following:

As shown in Figure 1, click the white-mouse Applications Menu, select Development, and then click IDLE (using Python 3.4) to display a Python Shell window as shown in Figure 2.
Click File, and then click New Window to display an Untitled program window.
Type the Example Python Math Operations code shown in Figure 5. Note: As a new programmer, you can learn more by typing all this code. However, as an alternative, you can copy the code from XmplMathOperations and then paste it into the program window.
To save your program for later use, click File, click Save as, select your MyPython folder, type a file name, such as xmplmath.py, and then click Save.
In the program window, click Run, and then click Run Module to run your program in the Python Shell window. While your program is running, follow its prompts to enter data and/or make selections.
Run the program multiple times, experimenting with different values for the x and y variables.

Running an example Python while loop - The Example Python program in Figure 6 demonstrates the Python while and if statements.

Figure 6 - Example Python while loop

Variable t is the total. Variable m is maximum total limit. The while statement defines the start of the while loop, which loops while t<=m (the total is less than the limit). Each time the loop runs, you can add a value to the total. As soon as the total exceeds its limit, the if statement ends the loop, and stops printing the Current Total.

To write and run the Example While Loop program, do the following:

As shown in Figure 1, click the white-mouse Applications Menu, select Development, and then click IDLE (using Python 3.4) to display a Python Shell window as shown in Figure 2.
Click File, and then click New Window to display an Untitled program window.
Type the Example Python While Loop code shown in Figure 6. Note: As an alternative, you can copy the code from XmplWhileLoop and then paste it into the program window.
To save your program for later use, click File, click Save as, select your MyPython folder, type a file name, such as xmplwhile.py, and then click Save.
In the program window, click Run, and then click Run Module to run your program in the Python Shell window. While your program is running, follow its prompts to enter data and/or make selections.
Run the program multiple times, experimenting with different values for the t, m, and v variables.

Running example Python nested while loops - The Example Python program in Figure 7 demonstrates how to run one while loop within another. The outer while loop is new. The inner while loop is the same as the Example While Loop in the section above.

Figure 7 - Example Python nested while loops

The variable i counts how many passes the outer loop has made. The variable p defines how many passes the outer loop can make. The int() function defines p as an integer value (no decimal point). Within each outer loop pass, the inner loop runs while t<=m (the total is less than the limit). Each time the inner loop runs, you can add value to the total. As soon as the total exceeds its limit, the if statement ends the inner loop, and stops printing the Current Total. The outer loop stops running after i is equal to or greater than p.

To write and run the Example Nested While Loops program, do the following:

As shown in Figure 1, click the white-mouse Applications Menu, select Development, and then click IDLE (using Python 3.4) to display a Python Shell window as shown in Figure 2.
Click File, and then click New Window to display an Untitled program window.
Type the Example Python While Loop code shown in Figure 7. Note: As an alternative, you can copy the code from XmplNestedWhileLoops and then paste it into the program window.
To save your program for later use, click File, click Save as, select your MyPython folder, type a file name, such as xmplnestedwhile.py, and then click Save.
In the program window, click Run, and then click Run Module to run your program in the Python Shell window. While your program is running, follow its prompts to enter data and/or make selections.
Run the program multiple times, experimenting with different values for the i, p, t, m, and v variables.

Reformatting text that you've copied into Blogger

2014-10-12T17:03:00.000-04:00

Copying text among writing tools can interfere with various text formats. For example, if you copy word-processor text and then paste it into Google Blogger, it is not formatted the same as text that you type directly into Blogger. This document can help you work around the formatting incompatibilities among writing tools. For example, it can help you reformat text that you've copied into Blogger.

Note: Although this document specifically applies to reformatting text copied into Blogger, it generally applies to reformatting text copied among other writing tools. No two writing tools, whether online or off, are fully compatible. Online writing tools include Google Blogger, Google Docs and Wordpress. Offline writing tools include LibreOffice Writer, Microsoft Word and Appache OpenOffice Writer.

Copying text into Blogger
To copy text from a word processor into Blogger, do the following:

Write the text in the word processor in any online or offline word processor, such as Google Docs in Google Drive, Writer in LibreOffice, or Word in Microsoft Office.
In your word processor, select (highlight) the text to copy, such as the example LibreOffice Writer text in Figure 1, and then press Ctrl+C to copy that text.

Figure 1 - Selecting text within LibreOffice Writer
In Blogger, place you cursor where you wish to insert the text, and the press Ctrl+V to paste the text into Blogger as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 - Pasting text from LIbreOffice Writer into Blogger.
Remove the formatting from the copied text according to the section below.

Removing the copied formatting
To remove all formatting from your pasted text, do the following:

Add several blank lines below the text you had copied from your word processor as shown in the top portion of Figure 3.

Figure 3 - Copying word-processed text (top portion) from within Blogger,
and then pasting it as text-only text (bottom portion) to within Blogger.
Select the copied text and then press Ctrl+C.
Below your copied text, place your cursor at the start of a blank line.
Press Ctrl+Shift+V to paste the text as text-only, which removes its formatting as shown in the bottom portion of Figure 3.
Reformat your new text-only text according to the section below.

Reformatting your new text-only text

After you make a text-only copy for you word-processor text according the section above, you need to reformat that text. As demonstrated in the Example subsections below, separately select each item (such as word, phrase, or list) that you need to reformat, and then use the icons in the Blogger Compose toolbar (Figure 4). Tool-tip text describes each icon as you move your mouse pointer over it.

Figure 4 - The Blogger Compose toolbar consists of formatting icons.

Example italic formatting - In the first paragraph of the word-processor-text, within the top portion of Figure 3, you find an italicized sentence, "This sentence is italicized." To match that formatting within the bottom portion, you would do the following:

Find the same sentence in the first paragraph of the text-only, bottom portion.
Select This sentence is italicized, and then click the Italic icon.
Verify the reformatted italic text as shown within the first line of Figure 5.

Figure 5 - Text-only text reformatted to italic.

Example bold and italic formatting - In the first paragraph of the word-processor-text, within the top portion of Figure 3, you find a bold and italicized sentence, "This sentence is bold and italicized." To match that formatting within the bottom portion, you would do the following:

Find the same sentence in the first paragraph of the text-only, bottom portion.
Select This sentence is bold and italicized, click the Bold icon and then click the Italic icon.
Verify the reformatted bold and italic text as shown within the second and third lines of Figure 6.

Figure 6 - Text-only text reformatted to bold and italic.

Example list formatting - The word-processor-text in the top portion of Figure 3 includes both an ordered, numbered list and an unordered, bulleted list. To reformat these lists in the bottom portion of Figure 3, you would do the following:

Find the text for the numbered-list items in the text-only, bottom portion.
Select the numbered-list items, and then click the Numbered list icon to number and indent the items.
Find the text for the bulleted-list items in the text-only, bottom portion.
Select the bulleted-list items, and then click the Bullet list icon to bullet and indent the items.
Verify the reformatted lists as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7 - Text-only lists reformatted to numbered and bulleted lists.

Deleting unwanted line spaces from lists
If the text you've copied into Blogger includes any numbered or bulleted lists, you need to delete all unwanted line spaces from those lists. For more information, see Deleting unwanted line spaces from Blogger lists.

Note: As shown in Figure 7, you cannot see the unwanted line spaces in your lists until after you have closed your post for the first time after reformatting your pasted lists. Therefore, to avoid possible future confusion, you should immediately delete your unwanted line spaces.

To delete unwanted line spaces from the lists in your pasted text, do the following:

Click Save and then Close. This initial closing makes the unwanted line spaces visible.
Reopen your post to edit it. You should now see unwanted line spaces similar to those in Figure 8. When there are no unwanted line spaces in each list, there is only one line space above, and one below.

Figure 8 - Unwanted line spaces in Blogger lists.
Above each list, place your cursor immediately below the preceding paragraph, and then press Backspace.
Below each list, place your cursor immediately above the following paragraph, and then press Backspace.
Verify that line spacing is again correct, as shown in Figure 7.

Note: After reformatting all your text-only text, such as the bottom portion of Figure 3, you can delete the text you had originally copied from your word processor, such as the top portion of Figure 3.

Deleting unwanted line spaces from Blogger lists

2014-10-08T17:46:00.000-04:00

Currently, as of October 2014, Google Blogger adds an extra, unwanted line space both above and below each new ordered (numbered) or unordered (bulleted) list. These unwanted line spaces cause confusion because they are invisible, even in Blogger preview, until you close your post for the first time after adding one or more lists.

This document explains how to create lists in a Blogger post, and then delete the unwanted line spaces before they can cause confusion.

Creating an ordered list
To create an ordered list in a Blogger post, do the following:

Type the list items between two paragraphs.
As shown in Figure 1, select (highlight) the items in a list to which you wish to add numbers, and then click the Numbered list icon in the Compose toolbar.

Figure 1 - Creating a numbered list
Either make additional edits, such as adding more lists, or go to the Deleting unwanted line spaces section below.

Creating an unordered list
To create an unordered list in a Blogger post, do the following:

Type the list items between two paragraphs.
As shown in Figure 2, select (highlight) the items in a list to which you wish to add bullets, and then click the Bullet list icon in the Compose toolbar.

Figure 2 - Creating a bulleted list
Either make additional edits, such as adding more lists, or go to the Deleting unwanted line spaces section below.

Deleting unwanted line spaces
After writing a post in which you have created one or more lists according the sections above, you need to delete the unwanted line spaces from those lists.

Note: You cannot see the unwanted line spaces in your lists until after you have closed your post for the first time after creating your lists. Therefore, to avoid possible future confusion, you should immediately delete your unwanted line spaces.

To delete unwanted line spaces from your lists, do the following:

Create one or more lists according to the sections above.
Click Save and then Close. This initial closing makes the unwanted line spaces visible.
Reopen your post to edit it. You should now see unwanted line spaces similar to those in Figure 3. When there are no unwanted line spaces in each list, there is only one line space above, and one below.

Figure 3 - Unwanted line spaces in two lists
Above each list, place your cursor immediately below the preceding paragraph, and then press Backspace.
Below each list, place your cursor immediately above the following paragraph, and then press Backspace.

Bypassing animated Google doodles

2014-08-28T17:23:00.001-04:00

Google often replaces its browser logo with a graphical variation, which it calls a Google doodle. Occasionally, Google animates a doodle. If you use a Chrome or Chromium browser, or a Chromebook, you probably enjoy most Google-browser startup doodles. However, you might not appreciate Google's animated startup doodles because you find them distracting.

This document explains how to bypass animated Google doodles easily in either Chrome or Chromebook.

Bypassing animated doodles in Chrome
If you use either a Chrome or Chromium browser, you can bypass animated Google startup doodles as follows:

As shown in Figure 1, click the Customize button (three horizontal bars) to display its menu.

Figure 1 - Clicking the Customize button.
Click Settings to display its page.
In the On startup section, select Open the New Tab page as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 - Setting each Google-browser startup as a new tab page.
Close the Settings page.

Bypassing animated doodles in Chromebook
If you use a Chromebook, you can bypass animated Google startup doodles as follows:

As shown in Figure 1, click the Customize button (three horizontal bars) to display its menu.
Click Settings to display its page.
Scroll to the bottom of the page, and then click Show Advanced Settings.
Scroll to the On startup section, and then select Open the New Tab page. as shown in Figure 2.
Close the Settings page.

Creating an online archive through Google Drive

2014-07-16T11:30:00.000-04:00

If you publish articles, essays, stories or poems through an online publisher, and it shuts down its website, you lose all documents you haven't archived. While you are creating any online document, you might write text directly into a publisher's website. Although this is convenient, you risk losing your work forever if you don't make a backup copy. Therefore, you should archive all your online documents.

You can create an archive either in cloud storage, through an online productivity suite such as Google Drive, or offline on your PC drive or its external media, through an offline productivity suite such as LibreOffice. This document can help you build an archive by creating archive folders, creating portable document files (PDFs), creating archive text files, and archiving image files.

Note: This document specifically applies to creating an online archive through Google Drive, and generally to creating an online or offline archive through other software suites. Therefore, this document can serve as a guideline regardless of your particular writing tools and preferences.

Creating archive folders

Archive folders are appropriate folders and subfolders that help you organize your archive files. You can create a main folder, a subfolder for each publisher, and a sub-subfolder for each document. Here's an example hierarchy:

MyOnlineArchive (main) - contains three publisher folders:
AcmePubs (publisher)
FlyByNitePubs (publisher) - contains two document folders:
HowToWaxYourCeiling (document)
UnderstandingArcticAlligators (document)
GizmochePubs (publisher)

Figure 1 shows the above hierarchy as created in Google Drive folders.

Figure 1 - Example archive folders

Creating archive PDFs

An archive PDF is the primary backup file for your online document because a PDF preserves your original formatting. You should start creating your archive PDFs after creating your archive folders according to the section above. For each online document you wish to archive, create a PDF and then save it in that document's archive folder. Later, if necessary, you can use the archive PDF as a source for a new document that you publish on another website.

Note: You shouldn't simply copy text from your online document and paste it into a text file because this does not preserve your original formatting

The specific procedure for creating a PDF varies according to your PC and its operating system. Generally, you can create an archive PDF as follows:

Right-click anywhere in the document to display a Print menu as shown in Figure 2.
Click Print to display its window, and then select Print to file. If the window displays a Destination field, and it does not contain "Save as PDF," click Change to display a Select-a-destination window, and then click Save as PDF.
According to the title of your online document, name its archive PDF appropriately, such as Understanding_Arctic_alligators.pdf.
Click Save, select your target folder, such as UnderstandingArcticAlligators, click Open, and then click Save to generate your archive PDF.
Verify that your archive PDF is in its appropriate folder, such as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 2 - Selecting your print menu

Figure 3 - An example archive PDF in its appropriate document folder

Creating archive text files
After creating your archive folders and archive PDFs according to the sections above, you can create archive text files. To create an archive text file, do the following:

Open the archive PDF from which wish to create a new document.
Create a new word-processor document, such as a new Google Docs document in Google Drive.
Copy text from your PDF and then paste it into the word-processor document that is your archive text file.
Rename the archive text file to match your archive PDF.
Save your archive text file into its appropriate document folder, such as UnderstandingArcticAlligators, as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 - Adding a text file to a document folder

Archiving image files

As shown in Figure 5, you can add image files to any document folder.

Figure 5 - Adding image files to a document folder