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January 15, 2002
What's New
Hardware
ELMO has introduced the EV-4400AF Visual Presenter that permits the capture of documents and flat art up to 16.1" x 12.2" and offers a high-speed 18X optical zoom with auto focus, electronic image magnification, and screen scroll capability.
ELMO Mfg. Corp., 1478 Old Country Rd., Plainview, NY 11803-5034; (516) 501-1400
Software
FrontLine Data has launched AESOP, a substitute teacher management system that allows teachers to post their absences online for district-approved substitute teachers to view and accept as assignments become available. (Substitutes without Internet access can get the same information via a toll-free phone number.) Other features include online administrative tools for analyzing absenteeism trends, and the ability for teachers to post lesson plans and notes for the substitute to download. Pricing is based on the number of teachers in the district.
FrontLine Data, 5 Great Valley Pkwy., Ste. 300, Malvern, PA 19355; (610) 722-9745
OnScreen Science Inc. announced the release of OnScreen Particle Physics 1.3. Available for both Macintosh and Windows, this interactive program simulates a particle-detection chamber in which students can observe how particles behave in response to changing magnetic fields. Designed for both the basic and advanced science classroom, OnScreen Particle Physics 1.3 requires no advanced math skills. $134 single user; $469 for a 10-computer site license; upgrade-only pricing is also available.
OnScreen Science, Inc., 46 Wallace St., Somerville, MA 02144; (617) 776-6416
Glassbead Software recently released SnapTalk 2.0, an affordable instant messaging program designed for intranet use. SnapTalk, unlike other instant messaging services, does not require an Internet connection. In addition to the safety and privacy afforded by LAN communication, SnapTalk 2.0 lets users archive conversations and attach files, and now includes features such as text styling and time stamp, which notifies users when the last message in a conversation was sent. Mac only. Pricing varies depending on number of users: $140 for 25 users; $236 for site licenses.
Glassbead Software, 9 Martin St., Acton, MA 01720; (978) 263-9956
Books
The Big Pocket Guide to Using & Creating Virtual Field Trips, by Kim Foley, provides an introduction to virtual field trips, ideas for using them in the classroom, considerations when creating your own, an analysis of sample trips available on the Web, and more. The book also features a companion Web site. $19.95.
Persistent VISION, P.O. Box 20106, Spokane, WA 99204
Network Troubleshooting Tools from O'Reilly is written primarily for first-time system administrators who have learned the basics of TCP/IP, attached a server to a network, and now realize they have to keep it running. The book helps administrators sort through the tools available to debug networks and choose those that are best for the job at hand. $39.95.
O'Reilly, 1005 Gravenstein Hwy. N, Sebastopol, CA 95472; (800)998-9938
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