Using Norton Connect.Net Efficiently and Effectively

 

Although many of you have already successfully installed Norton Connect.Net on your home computers, others cannot for a variety of reasons. These guidelines should help those who cannot use the program from home do their work more easily and conveniently.

Scenario 1: I have a Mac with an Internet connection. What should I do? You have several options, depending on your Mac and your operating system. The simplest way is as follows.

    1. Go to the lab at the beginning of each unit (science, social science, humanities) and print the assignments.
    2. Do each at home on your computer and send the result to your umail account.
    3. Before each assignment is due, go to the lab, go to your email and look at the assignment you mailed yourself. Copy it by highlighting the text and going to "Edit" and "Copy" on the menu bar.
    4. Log off your email and start Connect.
    5. Go to the correct assignment and position the cursor where you want the text to go.
    6. Paste the text in the assignment space using the Edit menu.

Scenario 2: I have a computer, but no Internet connection. What should I do? First, if your computer is a Mac, determine whether your Mac can read IBM disks. Second, identify your word processor. If it is Microsoft Word or Wordperfect, there is a good chance you can transfer files directly from your computer to the assignment space in Connect. However, this method does not work with Clarisworks or Appleworks. So, if your Mac can read IBM disks, or if you have an IBM-based PC, and it has Microsoft Word or Wordperfect, use the following steps, which may look complicated, but are actually very simple:

    1. Go to the lab at the beginning of each unit and print the assignments.
    2. Do each at home and save the file on an IBM disk.
    3. Bring the disk to the lab along with your Connect disk.
    4. Put the disk with your assignment on it in the A (floppy) drive.
    5. Double-click "My Computer," then double-click "A Drive."
    6. Highlight the file that contains your assignment by using a single click, then click the right button on the mouse, then "Copy" from the menu that appears.
    7. Close the "A Drive" and "My Computer" windows by clicking the X in the upper right hand corner of each window.
    8. Put the pointer over the desktop, click the right button on the mouse, then "Paste."
    9. Remove your floppy disk, put in the Connect disk, and start Connect.
    10. Go the right assignment, and put the cursor where you want your text to go.
    11. Go to the "Insert" menu, then down to "File."
    12. Find the file with your text on the menu that appears, and click OK.
    13. Your text should appear in the assignment space. Fix any errors and post it.
    14. When you finish using Connect, drag the file on the desktop into the recycle bin, then empty the bin.

Scenario 3: I have no computer, I don’t like computers, and I’m finding this whole thing really difficult and scary. What should I do? First, calm down. The whole point of Writing 2 is to make writing an easier and less scary task, and that includes writing with computers. You have a number of options, which I will list below, in no particular order of effectiveness or desirability.

    1. Read the manual. It has a full description of all of Connect’s functions, as well as a concise description of Microsoft Word and how it works.
    2. Attend one of IC’s free classes in Microsoft Word or the Windows 98 operating system. The IC people are helpful and smart.
    3. Visit me during office hours so I can help you with Connect, word processing, and the course in general.
    4. Send me a message via Connect or regular email with questions.
    5. Ask questions in class. You are allowed to ask any question you like.
    6. Write first drafts by hand, then type them into the computers. That way, you can focus on the assignment without the distraction of the computer.

Scenario 4: I’m on a team, and we travel a lot. What should I do?

    1. Give me a copy of your schedule.
    2. Plan your quarter carefully, and send me a message well in advance when you think there will be a schedule conflict.
    3. Take the assignments with you on the road, and make handwritten drafts of them. Type them into Connect when you get back.

Scenario 5: Connect isn’t the problem; writing is. What should I do?

    1. Set aside plenty of time for reading and writing assignments, and plan things in advance. Many problems will vanish if you don’t feel rushed.
    2. Visit me in my office or CLAS.
    3. Identify specific problems and read the manual, either in book form or on-line.
    4. Write outlines, and revise them. Write drafts out by hand, revise them, then print out drafts, and revise them, too. Good writing is mainly the result of careful planning and revision.