“I have to work with ancient manuscripts and find that the online Open Library record interpreter is really helpful when it comes to Latin roots. I use two screens and scan the manuscript into Word and then add notes in comment boxes.”
The Open Library offers books and papers that can be read online and in several other formats including PDF, Plain text, DAISY, ePub, DjVu, MOBI as well as sending a copy to a Kindle
Becky – Medieval Renaissance Culture.
“I have changed the look and feel of Blackboard to make it easier for me to find my way around, read course titles and find documents. I set it up how I like it and then you can personalise your page (top right of the menus). I chose the forest theme because I found it had quite subtle shades and it was easy to see and use and it wasn’t too stark. Then you click on submit at the bottom of the page, and it puts it all into place for you. But then I was working with someone who did not like my colours so I used the Internet Options in Internet Explorer to quickly make it easier for her to read content with a blue background.” (High Contrast mode is also available through the My Places menu on Blackboard)
Sarah – nursing
“I use Opera rather than Internet Explorer to go back a page – right click and a left click, straight one after the other, that makes going back so much easier! Not using Alt / L & R Arrow. I also used Firefox a bit, but Opera is much nicer. You have to do right click followed by left click very quickly!”
” I prefer the layout so much more and the keyboard and mouse shortcuts are so useful. For instance I use right click followed by left click to go back a web page or just the z key.” The YouTube video below illustrates what is possible with mouse gestures.
I find the automatic reloading of a page useful when working on forums which you can customise to however many minutes or seconds you want. Opera also allows you to add your chosen search engines as part of the menu. There is also a function called ‘speed dial’ that provides you with your 4 most important web sites”
Chloe – Psychology
“I found the mouse I was using was really uncomfortable and I was getting RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) so I used some Blu-tac and moulded it to fit precisely under the palm of my hand.”
10 Tips for Using a Computer Mouse
Fiona – Multimedia and Design
I find that when I am trying to read very small sized text the free LED light app can be incredibly useful. It can act as a torch and also has a flashing option and SOS setting!. Just double tap the touch screen to turn it on providing you are not using VoiceOver – when you have select the icon first and then double tap. The menu items can be read back with voice. The battery drains pretty quickly if the light is used for too long.
Jane – Researcher
“Text to speech is really useful when you are writing and proofreading – it makes me stop when I leave out words and when I create words that don’t exist., I was given TextHelp Read and Write Gold and I use the scanning for my manuscripts. Add the picture to Word and make comments in the margins.”
Becky – Medieval Renaissance Culture.