• Easy to use. The first one came without an instruction book, and we figured it out.
• Uses standard floppy discs which can be immediately placed in computer (usually A drive) without special hookups.
• Quality is good. For example it meets the specs set up by yearbook companies. This year we will try one page using the digital camera just to compare the quality.
• It will also do short video clips.
• Students like to use new toys and this is a great one.

2. Getting started

• First you need to take a picture. I like to use the "Write a poem about myself" lesson so students have text as well as the digital image to work with and master. The camera is set on "still" mode and you will see the word "recording" when the picture is being taken.
• Second you press Eject and place the disc in the A drive of the computer. Go to My Computer on the desktop and double click to open the picture. It will have a name like mv001.jpg. Open the jpeg version.
• Third you will edit the picture (if necessary) using Microsoft Photo Editor, which is what we have, or other similar programs such as Adobe Photo Editor. The picture will usually automatically open in the editing program. If not, you may have to insert it or paste it depending on the program. Finish editing, then use the Save As feature and use the Rename function to label the photo using your name and the jpg extension: Charlotte.jpg. Students sometimes have problems remembering where they saved their picture. Today we are saving on the A drive. Minimize the photo editing program.
• Fourth open Microsoft Word. Choose a new document and type your name or poem, then hit return. Go to Insert and scroll down to Picture. Find the A drive and find your picture. Insert it into the document. Modify as necessary. Then Save and Print. Hint - I have students print a laser copy or black and white copy first, so they can fix any problems before we print using the color printer.

3. Paper - It is best to use photo paper for printing pictures. It does not have to be the top of the line but even cheap photo paper makes a big difference. We have brought samples so you can compare papers.

4. More information

• Check with your district about signed releases for photos of all students. Does your district require a signed release that is kept in the office?
• Camera modes - color, pastel, negative art, sepica, black & white, and video. You can also play back pictures on the camera to make sure you have the right shot.
• Auto focus - There is also a manual focus.
• Microsoft Photo Editor - on most of the PCs with the Office package. Effects may include charcoal, emboss, graphic pen, notepaper, stained glass, stamp effect, texturizer, watercolor.
• Microsoft Word has effects such as watermarks, etc.
• Compression - to reduce picture file size JPEG - (Joint Photographic Experts Groups) Dpi - dots per inch (higher dpi = better quality) Inkjet - some can go to 1440 dpi - need this to get photo quality prints LCD monitor - Best for viewing photos Mega pixel = 1,000,000 pixels (pixel = 1 dot) Nittm = rechargeable battery for camera (about 80 minutes of camera time per charge). Flash and LCD screen use up the power.
• Camera settings for printing 640 x 480 - good starter for 4x6 range 1060 x 768 - good for 5x7s 1280 x 960 - good for 8x10s If just using in computer - use 640x480. You will get 13-15 pics per disc if you use it.
• Computer needs Windows 95 or 98, at least 12MB of RAM, 20 MB of free hard drive space is needed for monitor to display thousands of colors. If you can change compression ratios - remember that less compression is better than more. TIFF- different compression format, better quality - but takes large amounts of memory.
• Printers - We use HP Inkjet printers. Epson - Stylus Photo 700 is good for just photos.