https://pages.charlotte.edu/andy-voelker/
AUTHOR

Andy Voelker

Parallels

February 09, 2015 by Andy Voelker
Categories: Productivity & Utility

parallels_desktop_logo

Availability: Download
Comparable: VMware Fusion

Parallels is a virtualization utility that allows you to run a Windows operating system environment within the MacOS.  The platform shares your computer’s hardware resources with the guest operating system according to customizable specifications.  Users can dedicate a set amount of memory, number of processors, and other computer resources to the virtual instance according the resources needed for the intended software.  Parallels also streamlines the interface between the two for an integrated experience.  It allows the user to use a Windows application without necessarily having to see the windows desktop and start menu.

Parallels is a competitor to VMWare Fusion.  View the Parallels website for more information.

Tags: hypervisoroperating systemvirtualization

Wordpress

February 04, 2015 by Andy Voelker
Categories: Design & Visualization

wordpress_logo

Availability: Contact CLAS OAT
Comparable:  Drupal, Omeka

WordPress is a powerful web content management system (CMS) that allows users flexible web design, abilities, and extensibility without necessarily learning to code a programming language.  Since WordPress is open source and open for development thousands of templates, plugins, modifications, and extensions have been developed, and some have been brought into the core product.  Wordpress installations serve an estimated 23% of the world’s most popular websites.  In fact, this website uses WordPress.

WordPress gives users the ease of making quick website changes using a WYSIWYG (What You  See Is What You Get) rich text editor and easy link and image placement.  Users can also choose from thousands of community templates and layouts which provide a professional look and feel without having to use code.  Plugins can be added to provide additional functionality such as wiki functions, multimedia embedding, permissions control, shopping carts, checkout systems, and much more.  All code within WordPress can be edited by advanced users.

The Office of Academic Technologies in CLAS uses CLAS Pages as their standard Wiki platform, which makes deploying new instances very quick and easy.

Tags: webweb design

Hangouts

February 04, 2015 by Andy Voelker
Categories: Network & Communications

Hangouts-Logo

Availability: Free Download
Comparable:  Skype, Saba Meeting, WebEx

Google Hangouts is an application that allows real-time chat, voice, and video communications between users of Google accounts.  While Hangouts is not yet part of the UNCC google apps package (coming in July 2015), you may run across it due to its popularity.  Hangouts is free, a part of all privately google accounts, and is sometimes used as an alternative to Skype.  Features include:

  • Real time textual chat and/or video communication between two users on computers or mobile devices (Android, iPad, etc)
  • Dial calls from computer to phone
  • Group chats for text or video
  • Ability to send files to others (integrates with Google Drive via drag and drop)
  • Integration with Android OS to blend Hangouts communication with text messages
  • Integrated into the Chrome browser and Chrome notification center

Hangouts works on a variety of devices and requires only a Google account enabled with hangouts to function.  A webcam and microphone are necessary for video chat functions.

Hangouts also has a suite of apps within the video chat system that allow users to share screens, play games together, draw on the screen, and collaborate on documents.

“Hangouts on Air” is virtual conferencing software similar to GoToWebinar or Adobe Connect.  It integrates with YouTube for recording and live streaming and allows for a multitude of users to connect to a single session.

Tags: video conference