Inside This Issue:

• MicroGrade User Tip: Storing Class Files On The Internet
• MicroGrade Versions For The New Vista and Leopard Operating Systems
• Download A Copy of MicroTest Pro

MicroGrade User Tip For Backing Up And Accessing MicroGrade Class Files

Most educators have access to a computer at school and at home and the MicroGrade license permits installation of the program on 2 computers. The problem arises when the class file you need is not on the computer being used. Copying class files to a “travel disk” or a flash drive is a solution, but both represent one more thing to forget or misplace. Several MicroGrade users recommend the use of an Internet-based storage site. There are many storage sites available; the one we use is called box.net. Box.net provides a gigabyte of storage, free of charge. Besides providing a means of accessing your class file from anywhere, Box.net also provides a convenient way to safely back up your class files.

Backing Up And Storing Class Files Using Box.net:

1. Go to: http://www.box.net

2. Click the Signup button at the top of the page to create a new account. (This is a very simple process that takes less than a minute)

3. Once your account is created, log in with the email address and password you specified.

4. Your "My Files" page will now display. At this point, you can begin uploading your MicroGrade files. Click the link labeled "Upload a file into this directory".

5. The Upload Files dialog will appear. Click the "Add Files" button.

6. The "Choose File" dialog will appear and prompt you for the file you want to upload. Locate the MicroGrade program folder (or the location where you saved your files) and click on a file to select it, then click the Open button.

7. The Upload Files dialog will display again. You should see the file you selected is now listed on this screen. If you want to add more files, click the "Add Files" button again.

Note: You can add multiple files at the same time by clicking the "Drag and Drop" link instead of the "Add Files" button. Click the "Add" button in the top-right of the window that appears. In the Open dialog that appears, click and drag to select multiple files to upload or hold down the Control key and click the files you wish to select.

8. Click the Upload button to continue. The "Upload In Progress" screen will appear briefly as the file(s) upload. Once the upload completes, you should receive a confirmation message, then your "My Files" page will display the file(s) you just uploaded.

To download your files to another computer:

1. Go to http://www.box.net and log in with your email address and password.

2. Once you log in, you'll see your "My Files" page with the files you uploaded. Click on the name of a file you want to download.

3. A dialog will appear and ask you if you wish to open or save the file. Choose to save the file.

4. You will be asked for the location to save the file in. Choose a location where you can easily find the file again, such as your desktop, then click the Save or OK button to proceed.

5. The file will now download to your computer. Once the download completes, you can open the file with MicroGrade!

Microsoft And Apple Release New Operating Systems

Just about any new computer you or your school purchases this spring will come with a new operating system. Microsoft’s new Vista operating system is shipping now and Apple will soon release the Leopard version of the Macintosh OSX operating system. Our MicroGrade development team is currently testing a version of MicroGrade for Vista and they will do the same when Leopard becomes available.

MicroTest Pro is Now Shipping

Preparing tests is a labor-intensive process. Test questions have to be created or selected from a document, and then formatted into a test for duplication. MicroTest Pro lets users classify and store questions on their computer, select questions for a test by pointing and clicking, create different versions of the same test and then print the test. You can download a complete version of MT Pro and use it for 30 days free of charge. Please visit: http://www.chariot.com/mtpro/support/downloads.asp to download your copy.

Test Items

Did you know that most textbook publishers create banks of test questions for the textbooks they publish? In most cases, your school or department can obtain these test items without charge. Ask your textbook publisher’s sales representative for details.