Tag Archives: 202312

Elevate Your Skills This Winter with LinkedIn Learning

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Discover the Power of Continuous Learning

As winter break beckons, it’s an opportune time for personal and professional development. Enter LinkedIn Learning, an online platform offering a diverse range of courses spanning business, technology, and creative fields. With its expert-led tutorials, LinkedIn Learning stands out as a flexible and practical tool for skill enhancement. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast keen on exploring AI and machine learning, a creative mind diving into graphic design, or a business professional looking to sharpen your leadership or analytical skills, this platform has something for everyone.

Why LinkedIn Learning is Your Ideal Winter Companion

LinkedIn Learning’s greatest strength lies in its vast library of courses, taught by industry veterans, providing both theoretical knowledge and practical insights. The platform’s integration with LinkedIn allows learners to easily add completed course certifications to their profiles, bolstering their professional online presence. What sets LinkedIn Learning apart is its personalized approach, offering course recommendations based on your interests and career goals, making it a tailored and efficient learning journey.

Embrace the Opportunity for Growth

This winter break, transform your downtime into a productive learning experience with LinkedIn Learning. The skills you acquire could significantly impact your career trajectory, open new opportunities, or simply boost your confidence in your professional abilities. Start your learning journey on LinkedIn Learning today and take a significant step towards enhancing your skill set and future-proofing your career.

Visit LinkedIn Learning, explore its extensive course catalog, and embark on a journey of self-improvement and professional development. Your future self will thank you for this investment.

December’s Cybersecurity Focus: Charity and Disaster scams

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Are you following the Israel-Gaza crisis in the news and want to help by donating to a charity? Scammers follow the news, too, and are at the ready. Just like in the wake of a natural disaster, scammers set up fake charities and fake websites to take advantage of your generosity. Here’s how to avoid charity scams and make sure your donation counts.

First, slow down and take some time to research and plan before you donate to make sure your money helps real people in need and not the charity scammers.

Here’s where to start:

  • Donate to charities you know and trust with a proven track record with responding to a humanitarian crisis.
  • Research the organization — especially if the donation request comes on social media. Search the name plus “complaint,” “review,” “rating,” or “scam.” And check out the charity with the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or Candid. If the message was from a friend, ask them if they know the organization themselves. Find out exactly how much of every dollar you donate goes directly to the charity’s beneficiaries.
  • Be cautious about giving to individuals on crowdfunding sites. Some scammers pretend to be concerned citizens collecting for a cause but their true intentions are to pocket your money rather than give it to the cause. Giving to someone you personally know and trust is safest. Review the platform’s policies and procedures. Some crowdfunding sites will check out postings asking for help after a humanitarian crisis to confirm they’re legit. Others don’t.
  • Donate money rather than goods unless you confirm what’s needed. If you want to send goods like clothing or supplies, it’s a good idea to confirm with the charity what items they are collecting.
  • Don’t donate to anyone who insists you pay by cash, gift card, wiring money, or cryptocurrency. That’s how scammers tell you to pay. If you decide to donate, pay by credit card, which gives you more protections.
  • Confirm the number before you text to donate. Go straight to the charity to confirm the number. If it’s not their number, use a number you know is real or go to the charity’s website to donate.

To learn more, go to ftc.gov/charity. Source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/10/safely-donating-response-israel-gaza-crisis

Winterizing Your Laptop: Essential Tips for the Cold Season

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Keep Your Tech Toasty: How to Protect Your Laptop This Winter

As the chill of winter sets in, it’s not just your wardrobe that needs adjusting. Your laptop, a crucial companion in your daily life, also needs special care to combat the cold. Here are essential tips for winterizing your laptop:

  • Temperature Control: Laptops are sensitive to extreme temperatures. When moving from a cold environment to a warm one, condensation can form inside, which might damage the internal components. Allow your laptop to acclimatize gradually to indoor temperatures before turning it on. 
  • Battery Care: Cold temperatures can drain battery life more rapidly. Keep your laptop fully charged and consider carrying a portable charger. Avoid leaving your laptop in a cold car for extended periods, as this can significantly impact battery health.
  • Moisture Management: Winter means more moisture, be it from rain, snow, or condensation. Ensure your laptop bag is waterproof or has a protective sleeve. If your laptop does get wet, turn it off immediately and let it dry thoroughly before use.
  • Static Electricity Precautions: The dry winter air increases static electricity, which can be harmful to electronic devices. Use an anti-static wrist strap or regularly ground yourself by touching a metal object to prevent static discharge.
  • Regular Cleaning: With more indoor time, your laptop might accumulate more dust and debris. Regularly clean the keyboard, screen, and vents to ensure optimal performance and to prevent overheating.
  • Software Updates: Keep your software up-to-date. Winter is a great time to perform necessary updates and backups, ensuring your laptop runs smoothly.
  • Heating Solutions: Avoid using your laptop in excessively cold areas. If you must, consider using a laptop heating pad to maintain a stable temperature.
  • Travel Considerations: If you’re traveling, ensure your laptop is securely stored in a padded compartment. Sudden jolts or drops in temperature during travel can be damaging.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your laptop stays safe and functional throughout the winter season. Remember, a little care can go a long way in maintaining the health and longevity of your tech devices. Stay warm and connected this winter!

Printer Fleet Refresh Update: Moves Beginning This Week

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This week marks the start of our Printer Fleet Refresh at Simmons, as we begin relocating and reducing printers across campus. This move, a part of our strategy to optimize printing resources, will see a 50% reduction in devices, focusing on high-need areas and incorporating advanced features like ‘Tap to Print’ and enhanced scanning. For any queries or assistance, please contact the Technology Service Desk. Thank you for your support during this transition!