HCC Distance Learning Help Desk

What is Rich Text Format (RTF) and how do I use it?
Rich Text Format (RTF) is a file type that can be opened by almost any computer with a word processing program. When you save your file, choose Save As instead of Save and you'll be given the option to choose RTF as the file type. If you want more information about RTF, including illustrations for how to Save As a different file type, click here. There is also an RTF video in the Blackboard Help Videos (use the link at the left to access the videos).

Why Can't I open Office 2007 documents? Why can't other people open my Office 2007 Documents?
Office 2007 saves files in a new file format. The file type is different from the old Office 2003 type. For instance, Office 2003 saves Word files as DOC while Office 2007 saves Word files as DOCX. The good news is that there is a free converter that will allow the old and new Office to talk to each other. Click here to download instructions for installing the converter.

What is Print Screen and how do I use it?
Print Screen is a computer feature that allows you to transform whatever is currently on your computer screen into a picture file taht can be e-mailed or submitted electronically. To use the Print Screen feature:

Make sure that your screen is showing exactly what you want your instructor to see.
Hold down the SHIFT key and hit the PRINT SCREEN key on your keyboard (located near the upper right on most keyboards).
In a Word file, image editor, or other program that allows you to manipulate images, select PASTE from the toolbar (or use the CTRL-V shortcut). A picture of the screen should appear. You can now manipulate the picture just like any other or may save the file to submit to your instructor.

Important note: Be sure that you don't COPY anything between Steps 1 and 2. This will cause you to lose the image that your print screen command captured.

What are Zip files and how do I use them?
Zip files are a way of compressing a lot of files in order to save space. Once retrieved, however, these files cannot be used unless you UNZIP them. Your course may require that you UNZIP files. It may also require you to ZIP a collection of files before turning them in for a grade. Many computers already have a Zip program, but yours may not.

If your computer has a Zip program, it should run automatically when you try to open a Zip file by double-clicking on it. If it does not, you can trying right-clicking on the file to see if one of your options is UNZIP. If you do not have this option, then it is likely that a Zip program is not installed on your computer. That's okay -- you can download one free from the Internet.

The most popular Zip program is WinZip. You can purchase WinZip online at http://www.winzip.com, but you can also download a trial copy of the program free of charge. There are many other free Zip programs available for download. To locate these programs, go to Google and type "zip files" into the search area. Any of the programs you find should work just as well as WinZip for the purpose of your online course.

What are Reviewing, Track Changes and Markup and how do I use them?
Microsoft Word has the ability to "track changes." This feature allows you to record any changes you have made to a document and also see what changes other people have made to the same document. If you are collaborating on a project or paper with other students, or if you are receiving assistance from the Teaching & Learning Center (TLC) or your instructor, you may wish to use these features. To do so, use your View dropdown menu in Microsoft Word. Select Reviewing from the toolbar. This will open the Markup Toolbar.

You can experiment with the Markup Toolbar to see its capabilities, but for a quick overview, visit http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/trackchanges/HowTrackChangesWorks.html

What is SafeAssignment and How do I use it?
SafeAssignment is a plagiarism detection service. For step-by-step instructions, please click the SafeAssignment link at the left and download the attached PDF file.