Welcome to the February issue of Ramblings.  Hope you got something out of the last issue.  This time around I want to alert you teachers who use your hard-earned money to buy software for your classes that you can now get some of it back.  Take a look at INCOME TAX TIME NEWS below.  Also, I've been encountering a lot of teachers who need some training on Windows, so I put a little tutorial in this issue to show you how to organize your Windows Desktop.  Naturally, I've posted a monthly piece of software for you to use in your classes.  This one is called Words of Confusion, and it should help get your kids over some of the misuse of certain words and phrases in this language we call English.  The Teacher Humor column this time around is just a single cartoon which will introduce you to a new feature, the Daily Cartoon, that is available from now on at our home page.  If you want to tickle your funny bone or one of your friends', stop by and take a look each day.  As usual, we have a few new products you might be interested in and some general information about Baggetta_Ware Teacher Tech.
  
Hope you have a happy month of teaching in February.  February was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification, via the purification ritual Februa held on February 15 in the old Roman calendar. January and February were the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar, since the Romans originally considered winter a monthless period. (Wikipedia)
Send your emails to abaggetta@comcast.net.  Read on and see what this rambling is all about. 

Have a great month. 
Best,
Al Baggetta

INCOME TAX TIME NEWS
If you are not already aware of it, any software you purchase personally from us can be deducted on your income tax, as long as you are using it as part of your job.  Save up to $250.00. To fill you in on this fact we have an interesting article posted on our site.  Just click on the TEACHER TAX DEDUCTIONS link at the top of our main page to read.  Get yourself some useful software and save money on your taxes at the same time.
 

The Importance of Being Organized (on the Windows Desktop)

 

Computers are supposed to make things simpler -- or so I thought.  As a teacher I'm sure you have accumulated a lot of folders with lessons, tests, notes, etc. in them.  And you probably have a file cabinet or two to organize these folders so you can get to the contents rather easily.  Some teachers set up their file drawers in alphabetical order, others organize them by dates or topics.  In either case the goal is to take all those papers and drawings off of your desk and place them in some kind of catalog fashion that will allow you to access them at a later time, easily.

Well it often amazes me that a lot of computer users (teachers and otherwise) don't apply the same principle when it comes to saving files of information (word processor documents, images, lists of information, etc.). 

Let's take a look at a typical scenario.  Mrs. Place Mystuff typed up three letters to the parents of different students using her word processor.  One was a complimentary letter, one was a problem letter, and one was a letter of recommendation.  She then proceeded to save the letters, one by one.  She clicked on the Save As option and a dialog box opened up.  She typed a name for each file as she saved it, but then just clicked the Save button on the dialog.  This probably saved all of her files to the same folder on her hard drive called My Documents (pretty handy name).  Now this would be fine, but if she collects hundreds of these types of files over the years, wouldn't it make more sense to save them to special folders all located in the My Documents folder.  Maybe a COMPLIMENT folder, a PROBLEMS folder, and a RECOMMENDATION folder. 

  

Look at this as if the My Documents folder were a file cabinet, instead of a digital item on your hard drive.  In the My Documents Cabinet you could create all of the folders above and then anytime you create a file that matches the contents of the folder you could save it there -- keeping all of your content together.

  

Well, the reason I bring this up, is that I've had some conversations with some of my customers on Baggetta_Ware, and they are completely befuddled about the Windows Desktop and Folders.  You could look upon your Windows Desktop (that's the main screen you are staring at when Windows finishes booting up -- you know, the one with all the icons on it).  If you create folders here you can easily see them and get to the contents of these folders easily.

  

Creating a folder on the Windows Desktop is easy.  Let's give it a try.

  

Step 1.    Point your mouse cursor to the middle of the screen, or somewhere where there

                 is  no obstructing icon.

Step 2.    RIGHT click the mouse button, and you will see a pop out menu. 

Step 3.    Slide the mouse cursor down to the NEW option, and another pop out menu appears.

Step 4.    LEFT click the FOLDER option. 

  

And magically a NEW FOLDER appears on the desktop.  Its name NEW FOLDER is probably highlighted in blue, so if you want to change the name of the folder to something specific (a good idea), just start typing.  Keep it short and sweet.  Let's say you will want to store all of your letters to the principal in this folder, so you might call it Mr. Principal's folder.  You get the idea.  Now anytime you use your word processor to create a letter to the principal, do the following:

  

Step 1.    Click Save As on the word processor menu, and a Save As dialog box opens.

Step 2.    At the top of the dialogue, in a small windows labeled Save in... you will probably see

                the My Documents folder as the location.

Step 3.    Click the Save in... window (or the little arrow next to it), and in the drop down list that

                appears, LEFT click Desktop.  The contents window of the dialog should now show

                your new folder Mr. Principal's Folder (along with a lot of other folders)

Step 4.    LEFT DOUBLE CLICK Mr. Principal's folder in the contents window and the folder

                opens.  Notice that the name in the Save in... windows has changed to the new folder.

Step 5.    Now give the file a name as you normally would -- say, Complaint About the Bells, 
                and then click the Save button, and the file will be saved in the proper folder.

  

This little lesson is a first step in becoming organized on the Windows Desktop.  If you now close the word processor and go back to the Windows Desktop (remember it's the main screen you see when you boot up), you can LEFT DOUBLE CLICK the folder on the desktop, and it will open up, showing you the contents -- in this case the file you called Complaint About the Bells.

Give this system a bit of practice, when you have some time.  Create several other folders on your Windows Desktop; and use them to save specific files you create whether text, music, images, or other.

If you found this lesson useful and think other lessons like this might be of help in this spot, please drop me an email at abaggetta@comcast.net.  I'll be glad to hear from you in any event.

By the way, we have an easy-to-follow video lesson posted on our site which will also take you step by step through the process of Making A New Folder On Your Windows Desktop.  You can also learn some tricks to use on the web by visiting our Teacher Window Web Tips page.

  

 

Words of Confusion-- Free Program of the Month

 

Hmmm.  Should I say accused, or should I say alleged?  Is it proper to say I advice him, or should I say I must advise him?  Will it be a while, or will it be awhile?  Should I bring my friends to the hockey game, or should I take my friends to the hockey game?  The people emigrate, or will they immigrate?  And my favorite:  Is it done good, or is it done well. 

 It seems like the English language is constantly out to get us – so your students might think.  Well (not good), this month I’m offering a free Windows PC program called Words of Confusion.  It doesn’t cover all the foibles of the language, but if you sit your kids down with this program for a spell, I think they will come away understanding some of the more common word problems writers and speakers often encounter, and they will be smarter students.  And that's what you want, isn't it?  This program is for Windows PC, and it doesn't cost anything.  Just download from our main page: www.baggetta.com


Teacher Humor

Instead of some jokes about teachers or school this month, I've included a nice cartoon which will also introduce you to a new feature on the Baggetta_Ware home page.  Every day you visit we will display a new education cartoon that you might like to post on your bulletin board or pass around to your fellow teachers for a chuckle.  Drop by when you get a chance to see our latest Andertoon.  Here's one to get you started.

 

  

 

NEW TEST GENERATORS
We are pleased to announce the release of A Separate Peace Test Generator.  The A Separate Peace Test Generator for Windows PC will help you generate tests, worksheets, and puzzles easily.  With a databank of over 150 questions, the program will let you create tests selectively, randomly, or sequentially.  If the databank is not large enough for you, you can add your own questions to the mix.  Each time you click the generate buttons a different test is created, offering you dozens of variations for all your classes.  You can modify and print the tests directly from the program, if you choose -- or copy the information into your favorite word processor for formatting.

Additionally, we have built in a Multiple Choice Test Maker, which will let you create multiple choice tests and then morph them into multiple variations of the test, so that no tests will be duplicated.  All this at the touch of a mouse button or two. 

We have also released another test generator called the Wreck of the Hesperus Test Generator.  As with all of our test generators, you can create dozens of worksheets, tests, or puzzles in selective, sequential, or random combinations -- giving you a great variety of sheets to use in different classes, and all of the sheets are accompanied by teacher answer keys. 

You can view more information about these programs by clicking the links above.

IMPORTANT UPGRADE INFORMATION
Of course we never charge for upgrades to our software if you have purchased an earlier version.  All new Literary Test Generators have a supplemental Multiple Choice Test Maker included in the programs.  However, many of our older Literary Test Generators did not include this new improvement.  Until we update all of our Literary Test Generators, we are offering a stand alone copy of the Multiple Choice Test Maker to all of our customers who have purchased older versions of Literary Test Generators in the past.  If you own an early version of one of our Literary Test Generators, please contact us at abaggetta@comcast.net  telling us which LTG you purchased, when you purchased it, and from where.  Once we verify you are a legitimate owner we will send you a link so that you can download My Multiple Choice Test Maker at no charge.

WE NOW OFFER PRINTABLE TESTS RIGHT FROM YOUR WORD PROCESSOR
As you probably know by now we offer ready made exams for lots of literary works, for immediate download at our site.  For those who need ready-made tests, take a look at our two newest sections called Literary Exams: Long Fiction and Literary Exams: Short Stories  You will find dozens of tests ready to go for many popular classics you use in your classes.


Instructional Step-By-Step Videos Available for Download from Baggetta_Ware – No Charge.

            We have some instructional videos on our website, so if you'd like to view them, go to the Baggetta_Ware Computer Lessons via our main page.  Just click on the logo and start viewing.  You can download the files to your machine if you like (use right click and Save Target), and you can even download a printed version of the video, if you need to slowly study it.  Most of the material is relatively simple and geared toward new users of Windows and our programs, but anyone is welcome to view and comment.

    I'd like to also direct your attention to our library of Interactive Reading Programs.  I've developed these programs in hopes of helping slower readers to comprehend the great classics of literature.  We have short stories, poems, novels, plays, etc. available -- many of the popular classics by Poe, Hawthorne, Twain, Shakespeare, and others.  Install these on your Windows PC machines or network and you won't have to correct tedious tests again.  Each unit can be used as an electronic worksheet or test.  Student progress is tracked and a neat report card is issued at the end of the reading.  Great for individual or group work.  Come take a look at our listings.

We'd like to spread the news about Baggetta_Ware and we hope that you will help us.  We also have another software gift for you, if you recommend our site to one of your colleagues or friends.  Just click the button on our main page and you can fill out the simple form.  We won't nag your friends, but if they are interested they can come and visit us too.  Thank you for your help.