When your brain runs out of memory... or how to manage a plethora of passwords.

One familiar refrain I've heard as we've been introduced to various websites in our technology class is "So many passwords! How will I keep them all straight??" You can write them all down.... and hope you have the list with you when you need it; or you can employ a password manager. Password managers are something of which I had heard, but I about which I was not very knowledgeable, so off to Google I went!

Wikipedia defines a password manager as software that helps a user organize passwords and pin codes. (Wikipedia.org) There are many types of password managers. Some offer the option to store information other than passwords, such as pin codes or financial account information. Standalone programs can be installed on your computer. This is great if you never need them anywhere but home, but you wouldn't have access to the passwords when you were on the go. Online password managers allow access anywhere, but I had to wonder how safe they are. Who else might have access to those passwords, or how reliable is the site's backup system? How easily might the site be hacked? Does it use "Host-proof Hosting" design, or are the passwords sent over the network where they can be copied unnoticeably during transit? There have been many reports in the news of sites for banks and credit cards being compromised and personal account information being accessed. Another solution offers the ability to download an application to a Blackberry, I Phone, PDA or USB drive. How do you know which option is best for you?

I came across an article in my quest on the Purdue University site, which offers reviews of several different programs listing the main features and rating of each. Ironically, their best pick is a free program!
Purdue University's Password Manager Review

Another site lists the five best password managers based on user votes. After users had submitted their votes for their favorite programs and sites, the people at this site reviewed and ranked them. Lifehacker - The Five Best Password Managers

You can find another list of reviews of various programs at CNet and PCMag, both very reputable sites that evaluate software and technological devices. They also offer the option to download at CNet. CNet.com PCMag.com

These additional sites offer other lists of programs that are available, although I advise you to use caution when dealing with "freeware".
Filehungry.com
Scanwith.com
Sofotex.com

A good password manager must have strong defenses against attack, yet be user friendly as well. In the end, though, it's simply a matter of personal preference.

Smart Board resources

Here are a couple of online resources I found for using with the smart board. You can access lessons, lesson templates, or help in using the smart board.

https://www.exchange.smarttech.com

http://www1.center.k12.mo.us/edtech/SB/templates.htm

http://www.education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Ed+Resource/

Hopefully, you will find something useful!!

Wordle

The focus of the training sessions I have been attending is technology.
Mainly technology as a tool for teaching adult learners, but I'm not an instructor, so my views and needs are a little different than the other students. Last week our class was introduced to a site called "Wordle". You input words in a dialogue box, and it creates a "cloud" with the words scattered about. It can be a fun tool to preserve ideas from a brainstorming session, or list the names of the students in a particular class, perhaps. I decided to use my wordle to create a short definition of what technology can be to the people who use it.

created by Wordle at www.wordle.com

Things to come....

My experience with blogging....so far....

I have to confess, I haven't spent as much time tending to my blog as I should have. I'm still struggling with the issue of remaining anonymous. I have realized, however, that if I think of my blog as a professional tool, rather than a private one, it is easier for me to be able to "put more of myself out there". I'm making progress, I think. Once again, only time will tell.

Trying something new......

I'm a pretty private person, so I pretty much stay as anonymous as possible when surfing the net. Ironic, considering how fascinating I find technology! Anyway, my boss decided that it would be a good idea for a group of us at our Adult Literacy program to learn some new things, and setting up a blog was one of them. Sooooooooooo.......... Here I am... We'll see how it goes....