How to secure files in your PC - ccrypt

Many students and teachers are still unaware that files on one's computer are not secure! Even though you save it on an extra hard disk, it’s still not safe. Some teachers still use the email program to discuss exams and other sensitive material!

Today we’re providing a very small program which can lock files from intruders! One can set his mind at rest that if the worst happens (eg laptop is stolen or pc is hacked), one cannot read his files! They are still secure.

Ccrypt is a utility for encrypting and decrypting files and streams. It was designed as a replacement for the standard unix crypt utility, which is notorious for using a very weak encryption algorithm. ccrypt is based on the Rijndael block cipher, a version of which is also used in the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES, see http://www.nist.gov/aes). This cipher is believed to provide very strong security.

The program could be used in windows, mac, solaris, android, linux, FreeBSD etc….If one needs help for installation and/or use of program, one can visit several sites down below:

Installation: http://ccrypt.sourceforge.net/

FAQ: http://ccrypt.sourceforge.net/faq.html

Video tutorials: http://tinyurl.com/guj3mdw

http://tinyurl.com/qe93txv

Writing a DVD (video)

Some of our students learn faster when the lesson is presented in a video form! Others prefer the video format in order to present their studies/presentations. The American idea of a flipped class is all based on video based lessons. This gives the opportunity to teachers to present content in a personal way. Student would love to listen to their teacher’s voice rather than a strange and unknown one.

Today we’re presenting Open DVD producer. One can edit and generate DVDs on any platform: Ubuntu (linux), Mac or Windows. The main functions of the DVD specification are implemented in the software. For example, one can create a DVD in any supported format, with various menus, with directional buttons, videos with chapters and set sections of videos to play.

There is no need to use some external converter. Open DVD Producer is able to convert from any kind of known video format.

Want to play at some point in the video? No problem, you can set chapter marks directly on the timeline, and also set segmented pieces of video.

If one needs to download the program, here is the link: DVD. There is another link. If one needs help about installation, here’s how to install it.

Graph Visualization Program

Most teachers and students would like to put their understanding or studies in a graphic mode. It seems to be much easier to remember and/or  to study. We are today presenting another free and open source program for graphics - it's called graphviz.

It has important applications in networking, bio-informatics, software engineering, database and web design, machine learning, and in visual interfaces for other technical domains.

The Graphviz layout programs take descriptions of graphs in a simple text language, and make diagrams in useful formats, such as images and SVG for web pages; PDF or Postscript for inclusion in other documents; or display in an interactive graph browser.

GraphViz lets you use simple text or GXL (a variant of XML) to describe charts, and then it does the drawing work for you. See the Gallery for examples of the types of graphics it can create. Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, OS X.

If you need to download it go here. Documentation is found here. Any discussions are carried out in the forum. The Gallery will show you work which could be done using graphviz.

Double Commander

The saying in English goes…..finding a needle in a haystack. When was the last time that one looked for a file (desperately), and couldn’t find it? By time, one adds so many files that it becomes a nightmare to look for it especially before an important exam or presentation!

Today we’re presenting Double Commander. It is available for Linux, Mac, Windows and FreeBSD. It opens up and shows two panels of one’s hard disk. So one can easily find the missing file or else transfer the file from one part of the hard disk to another (or usb).

Besides this, one can use it to split files, pack files, compare or change attributes or permissions.

Its home page is here. If one wants to download it, then click here. For any problems, questions etc...click on the forum.

The computer reads the text for you!

Some students like multitasking. They would like to study as they do other duties like for example cleaning their room, cooking etc…..Other students have impairments with vision.

What’s the solution? Well a program can transform words into sounds where the computer reads the contents of a page and transforms it into speaking...as if a person is reading the text!! Some students would prefer to study in this manner, because it helps them assimilate better the educational content. It helps them to face the lonely days of studying especially if they are living on their own.

Our solution works in Linux, Windows, Solaris, Android and Mac. It is called espeak. It can be downloaded from here. If one needs documentation, it is here. The forum is quite helpful for newbies. 

 

Moodle - Software learning management system

The internet is full of resources, webpages, music, notes etc...Some students do get lost or take a lot of time to find the right tools for learning. Others are easily distracted. Parents feel uneasy that opening the internet for students might lead them to meet other persons who are not teaches and who might teach their kids other subjects, which might hurt their children in one way or another.

How can all three (teachers, students and parents) meet online to continue learning? In other words, can they  have the educational technology all in one, safe place?

All three would like a place on the internet where students could revise the lesson conducted in class and find alternative help too in order to understand the lesson better. One can submit papers/written exercises online. Parents can watch their own child's progress. Teachers can have a private chat both with parents and students at the same time. 

Today we are presenting Moodle, which is a free and open-source software learning management system written in PHP and distributed under the GNU General Public License. Developed on pedagogical principles, Moodle is used for blended learning, distance education, flipped classroom and other e-learning projects in schools, universities, workplaces and other sectors.

To download/ Documentation/ To setup/ To teach with moodle/ To find Support.

Visual Help (YouTube videos).

Open Educational Resources

It's an open secret that not many teachers or students would share their knowledge or experience. Others would never tell anyone from where they are getting all their information. Others seal their information and would make one pay if one wants to make use of it! Hence there would be a financial burden for some.

Through this blog, we have been gaining more attention from more readers towards an outward mentality approach where sharing is truly caring for others. Sharing means enrichment to the very person who shares because one can receive feedback and become richer. Readers would be enriched because the information is being shared. So it's a win win philosophy.

Though the term "open educational resources" has become widely used in recent years, not everyone is clear on exactly what it means.

According to the Hewlett Foundation, whose definition is considered the most official, says Lisa Petrides, the CEO and founder of the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME), "[open educational resources] are teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license that permits their free use and re-purposing by others. Open educational resources (OER) include full courses, course materials, modules, textbooks, streaming videos, tests, software, and any other tools, materials, or techniques used to support access to knowledge."

Just visit the following webpage for further information:

http://www.centerdigitaled.com/higher-ed/What-Are-Open-Educational-Resources.html