Keeping track of sources and producing proper citations can be the most challenging part of writing a paper. Luckily there are a few free options of software and websites that will help you manage your bibliographies.
The UIUC Library has a LibGuide that recommends:
The KnowledgeBase is a database used to manage knowledge documents from many University of Illinois partners. It contains a variety of easily searchable information, including technical directions, documents, procedures, and policies.
The University of Illinois Technology Services is one of the KnowledgeBase’s on-campus partners, meaning there is a wealth of documentation on relevant technologies in the KnowledgeBase. Learn more about the Knowledge Base and its partners here.
LibGuides is an easy-to-use Content Management System used by many thousands of libraries worldwide. Librarians use it to curate knowledge and share information by creating online Guides on any topic, subject, course, on any process, on anything.
You can use LibGuides to create subject, course, or topic guides, use as your library website, store your A-Z lists for easy reuse, create internal guides documenting workflows & procedures, create and maintain staff profile pages, LibGuides is multilingual too, and mobile and tablet-friendly.
If you are ever in a pinch and need to scan a document but do not have immediate access to a scanner, you can use your phone!
Scanbot is one option for a smartphone application that will allow you to take a photo of a document with your phone’s camera. The application will then create a PDF from the photo, which you can send or submit wherever you need. Scanbot works for both Android and iOS, but to see more application options click here.
Kaltura is a platform that allows faculty, staff, and students to store and share multimedia files. The features of Kaltura also include cataloging, lecture recording tools, playlist generator, live stream hosting, caption searching, along with webcam and desktop recording tools.
Illinois Media Space is a campus media sharing platform that is powered by Kaltura. From there you can find multimedia files that have been shared with the public or with you or upload files of your own.
Google search can be an immensely helpful tool in our daily lives, and there are some ways we can take advantage of the full capabilities of the search engine.
You can find some more helpful tips and strategies here.
Now go forth and search away!
Most classes will be switching to using a new video conferencing and collaboration services called Zoom next semester.
But students, staff, and faculty can also use Zoom for meetings or group work as well!
If you go to illinois.zoom.us you have the option to host a meeting, which will allow you to invite others by sharing the Meeting ID, sending an email invite, or calling the person you wish to add to the meeting. Also at illinois.zoom.us, you have the option to join a meeting if you have been given a Meeting ID.
If your computer takes a long time to start, it could be because it is opening a lot of programs at startup. It is possible to stop programs from being automatically opened as the computer starts to allow the computer to turn on quicker. Without these programs running automatically in the background, this could speed up your regular use as well!
In Macs go into system preferences then click on users & groups. From there click on your user and go to the login items tab. Here you will see the programs that open when the computer starts up and will be able to remove them from the login items list.
On Windows open the task manager, which can be done by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc. From there select the startup tab ( you may need to select “more details” first), which will allow you to change the programs you want to open at startup.
iSchool students, staff, and faculty can come to the Help Desk to check out various tech equipment! Laptops can be checked out for four days at a time for a total of fourteen days per semester. Any equipment taken off-campus will require a quick form to be filled out.
The Help Desk on the fourth floor of 614 E Daniel holds all of the loanable laptops, so if you need one of those, inquire there or call us during business hours @ 217-244-4903 or toll-free @ 800-377-1892
Equipment available for check out at the Help Desk includes:
This week’s tech tip is also a life tip.
Take a little time away from your computer or phone or whatever device that can cause you stress.
It is important to bring yourself back to the things you love. Maybe that’s reading a book or watching a movie or catching up with a friend. Whatever brings you joy. Then you can get back to all the emails and the deadlines and various obligations. All those things will still be there whether you take a small break or not.
So take the break. Stay away from technology for just a little bit.
Thank you for coming to our Tech Talk.