Directions for Intermediate Level User Questions
I use a Macintosh computer. Will LiveText work on my computer?
YES, Because this is a website, LiveText supports both Windows and Mac OS X operating systems. LiveText's first browser recommendation for a Mac computer is Firefox. The second recommendation is Netscape 7.2+. LiveText does not recommend the use of Internet Explorer or Safari 1.2.2+.on a Mac computer.
Do you recommend I type directly in LiveText or first in my word-processor?
It is always best to type and save as much as possible. This is best done by saving your work first as a document, and then copying/pasting or attaching it into Livetext. You never know if you are going to be knocked off the internet or have some other problem arise. So be sure to have documents on your computer also. This means that you always have a backup: if your computer crashes, you have your files in your LiveText account. There is NO LIMIT TO THE AMOUNT OF FAILES YOU ADD TO YOUR LIVeTEXT ACCOUNT.
Can I add graphics to LiveText?
YES. An explanation for inserting graphics into a page in LiveText is available here on the Step-by-Step Directions for Beginners page.
For best results, insert images in the .jpg or .gif file format.
It is also recommended that you temporarily disable any pop-up blocking software running on your browser before attaching an image.
When I add pictures to my portfolio, the picture is very large? What should I do?
The ‘resolution’ of the picture you are using may be set too high. This means you have more detail in your picture than needed. Resolution is set when you scanned or took the picture. On a scanner, you only need to set the resolution for 72 dots per inch (DPI). On a digital camera, set it for the smallest size, often 640X480. When you attach a graphic with the lower resolution, it should be a more appropriate size.
If your picture is still too large with a low resolution, you will need to resize your image using a photo editor. Most computers have some type of photo or image editor already installed. If you cannot find photo or image editing software on your computer, you can download a free image editor called the GIMP from http://www.gimp.org. Frequently asked questions for installing and using the GIMP are available at http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/faq.html.
Open your image in the photo or image editor and look for an option such as Resize or Scale in order to change the size of your picture. About 400 pixels wide may be a good size for many images on LiveText.
Where can I find a Sony Mavica Digital Camera at NLU?
The AV department on each campus has several digital cameras that you can check out for on-campus use. Please contact:
- Chicago: ext. 3205
- Wheeling: Jefferson at ext. 2592
- Evanston: Jefferson at ext. 2592
- Lisle: ext. 4458
- Elgin: ext. 8011
How do I use a Sony Mavica Digital Camera?
- Bring a 3.5 inch floppy disk with you.
- Place the floppy disk into the camera.
- Turn the camera on and choose to take a still picture or a video.
- Take your pictures.
- Take your floppy disk out of the camera.
- Your photo images are now on your floppy disk.
- If you need to take several pictures, bring more than one floppy disk. Image files are rather large, and it is possible that floppy disks will only hold one or two photo images.
Can I get a virus from LiveText?
As with any website, yes, you can. Files you download are potentially virus infected. Therefore, it is your responsibility to keep your virus 'definitions' up to date. Generally, LiveText cannot create a virus, only proliferate an existing one.
I’m confused about how to get started. Where can I go for help?
- Please remember: Nothing substitutes for active use of the site. Everyone is encouraged to familiarize themselves with the various features. As with many software programs, individual practice is expected.
- While logged into your LiveText account, a Help button appears in the upper right of the screen. Click that "help" button. On the next webpage, click on the most recent "User Guide". This will bring you to 60 pages of LiveText help.
- Once familiar with the product, additional requests for troubleshooting may be sent to livetext@nl.edu.
- Check our website at http://www.nl.edu/portfolios for LiveText Support Walk-in dates on NLU campuses.
- To contact LiveText directly send an email to Support@livetext.com or call (866) L-I-V-E-T-E-X-T, that's (866) 548-3839.
My instructor wants to see my work in Livetext. Can I just print it out?
Yes. Sometimes it is easier to prove that you are keeping up with your portfolio development by printing the page you would like your instructor to see. While in you portfolio, click on 'More' and then on 'Print...' in the upper right of the screen. A pop up window will appear. You can click on only the sections you wish to print. Of course, if your instructor would like to review your portfolio online, you will need to properly submitt it for Review it to that instructor as a Reviewer/Assessor. Steps for sharing are available here on the Step-by-Step Directions for Beginners page.
How do I protect my privacy while using LiveText?
Your LiveText files are private unless you decide to share them with others. To maintain this privacy and protect your account information:
- Do NOT respond "Yes" if you are asked if your password should be saved on a lab computer or any computer other than your own.
- Logout of LiveText after each use by hitting "logout" on the upper right of the screen.
- When in a lab or on any computer other than your own, logoff or restart the computer after using it.
I’m done with my portfolio and want to get rid of the “Guidelines” and instructions. Can I hide these?
Yes. Follow these steps in order to hide a whole page in your portfolio.
- On the main page (click the MyDesk button to get there), click on the name of the document you would like to hide a page within.
- On the menu at the left of the screen, click on the name of your portfolio (this should be the first link in the menu).
- Click on the 'Edit document' link in the upper right.
- Check the page(s) you would like to hide.
- Click the 'Hide' button.
- The page's name will then appear in light gray, and the page will no longer appear in your portfolio.
- To unhide a page that you have hidden, check the page you would like to unhide and click the 'Unhide' button.
- Click the 'Finish' button in the upper right after you have hidden your page.
Follow these steps in order to hide only a section on a page in your portfolio.
- On the main page (click the MyDesk button to get there), click on the name of the document you would like to hide a section within.
- On the menu at the left of the screen, click on the page your section is in.
- Click on the 'Edit page' link in the upper right.
- Check the section(s) you would like to hide.
- Click the 'Hide' button.
- The section's name will then appear in light gray, and the section will no longer appear on the page in your portfolio.
- To unhide a section that you have hidden, check the section you would like to unhide and click the 'Unhide' button.
- Click the 'Finish' button in the upper right after you have hidden your section.
How do I sort the documents I've created?
- Go to the main page (click the MyDesk button to get there).
- Click on "Title", "Type", "Created", or "Modified" in order to sort your documents according to that property.
- You can sort your documents in any folder in LiveText such as your "Inbox", "Sent", or "Reviews".
How do I search for one of my documents in LiveText?
- Go to the folder you would like to search such as your "My Work" or "Inbox".
- Click the "Search" button on the upper right of the screen.
- Select the fields of documents which you would like to search such as "Title" or "Description".
- Type your search words into the text box next to the "Search" button, and hit enter on your keyboard.
- Only the documents that match your search will now be listed.
- To see all of your documents again, simply click on the folder you would like to see such as "My Work" or "Inbox" in the menu on the left side of the screen.
How do I organize my documents?
- Folders in LiveText already created for you are:
- My Work: all work YOU HAVE CREATED OR EDITED
- Inbox: all work SHARED WITH YOU (as viewer and/or editor)
- Sent: all work SHARED BY YOU with others
- All: ALL work to which you have access (others and your own)
- Trash: all work you have DELETED
- You can create you own Labels in LiveText to further organize your documents:
- Labels are like tags attached to your documents. All documents with the same label will be grouped together. A single document can be given more than one label.
- Go to the main page (click the MyDesk button to go there).
- Click the "Create" button, and choose "Label".
- Enter a Title and Description for your label and click "Save".
- Your label will now appear in the menu at the left of your screen on the main page.
- To add a label to a specific document, check the box next to the name of your document. Then click "Apply" and choose the label you would like.
- You can create Smart Labels which will automatically label specific types of documents:
- Go to the main page (click the MyDesk button to go there).
- Click the "Create" button, and choose "Smart Label".
- Enter a Title and Description for your Label.
- Choose conditions that documents must satisfy in order to be given this label. For example, if you would like all of your portfolios to be given this label, enter "Document Type" "is" "Portfolio" for your condition.
- To create more than one condition, click the "Add" button.
- Add as many conditions as you desire.
- Select whether your documents need to match either "any" or "all" of the conditions you specified in order to be given this label.
- Click "Save".
- All documents that match the conditions you specified will automatically be given the label.
- To edit your Labels and Smart Labels:
- Go to the main page (click the MyDesk button to go there).
- Click "edit labels..." from the menu on the left of the screen
- Click "edit" to the right of the specific label you wish to edit
- Make any changes and click "Save".
