[techtalk] GRAPHICS - A Clever Way to Use the Alphabet

Wed Dec 8 07:24:59 PST 2021

Welcome to the latest issue of Tech-Talk!
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Create letters with images

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/470df2da-b8fb-4b32-95fb-8f6331e9910d.png]

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/ca1e4261-f48b-4c55-9ea7-2c16cbe3ac14.png]<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fymQ-oX6nR9BY44RhEHCy2rfiB1CSIx4YbI-lAiwuFPwqzNKxqAwkhVqaaEO6gDkT6hKqM8KZYkbXcYuKbGtM6uHWrwRouueQ4pcQZEuI4vogszcgBp1B02QtA3dZRRWHefgmKf7Vbd2WzrWNGhYioSq9XYR5Wrr&c=Zyx5MryWOPWngbdyBCdaPeNYCFFadArE8zDcaR52PiI2jbxbKSY-0w==&ch=r9uHzy_XgBYp9cRt12vRuOPU414y0YokPqM5GHtCcf75yXnChY8ibg==>
See DECEMBER THEME

Fun & Games Month!

·     Generate a Crossword and Other Puzzles With a Free Web Tool
·     Make PPT Presentations Fun and Interactive with Games
More ..<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fymQ-oX6nR9BY44RhEHCy2rfiB1CSIx4YbI-lAiwuFPwqzNKxqAwkhVqaaEO6gDkT6hKqM8KZYkbXcYuKbGtM6uHWrwRouueQ4pcQZEuI4vogszcgBp1B02QtA3dZRRWHefgmKf7Vbd2WzrWNGhYioSq9XYR5Wrr&c=Zyx5MryWOPWngbdyBCdaPeNYCFFadArE8zDcaR52PiI2jbxbKSY-0w==&ch=r9uHzy_XgBYp9cRt12vRuOPU414y0YokPqM5GHtCcf75yXnChY8ibg==>.

This Week's Topic: GRAPHICS

1. ARTICLE & VIDEO ... A Clever Way to Use the Alphabet
2. COMMUNICATING ... Avoid Superlatives
3. LEADERSHIP ... Create a Motivational Environment
4. WEBINARS ... (Yes, Patrons, Students, Staff join with library's username. No fee.)

·     Dec 15: [Excel] Best Tips for Working in Excel (Basic & Inter)
·     Jan 5: [Google] Create Dynamic Forms That Produce Individualized Certificates
·     Jan 19: [Desktop] Organizing Your Desktop and Email to Start the Year

Register for Webinars<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fymQ-oX6nR9BY44RhEHCy2rfiB1CSIx4YbI-lAiwuFPwqzNKxqAwksxooT9UddHmw5TGp9HRhTC8rvms9i138no_bAkITXP3HEjXimZ2FsXuuhUKNc03xBpr3zyb0Jy2r5mZQIP-BbjlZQhLnnfLXrZQmnUH60nS&c=Zyx5MryWOPWngbdyBCdaPeNYCFFadArE8zDcaR52PiI2jbxbKSY-0w==&ch=r9uHzy_XgBYp9cRt12vRuOPU414y0YokPqM5GHtCcf75yXnChY8ibg==>

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/e1d8f8e9-d30b-4997-b72c-616894c3b6ff.png]<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fymQ-oX6nR9BY44RhEHCy2rfiB1CSIx4YbI-lAiwuFPwqzNKxqAwksvCgJDmOf1SFsLV4N0JUqRrnAyyi9zKjNmGCyqGjGh21LTKLha29zerzWtTcEqXI32EMgzh-tRVu21kXdYR-q2zBv19daBNLuB6v4wOV-nDirdSDN4Dxmt82DBcJOcuiy_zSmQil1p8FytyfDLgai4=&c=Zyx5MryWOPWngbdyBCdaPeNYCFFadArE8zDcaR52PiI2jbxbKSY-0w==&ch=r9uHzy_XgBYp9cRt12vRuOPU414y0YokPqM5GHtCcf75yXnChY8ibg==>

Photo by Ray Hennessy<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fymQ-oX6nR9BY44RhEHCy2rfiB1CSIx4YbI-lAiwuFPwqzNKxqAwkqL18VWgGAopYgnsOVU_rLFRUKSGRfhzPZESEjHu-KGdW22gF8SuCcyWHJqH9kg0a088dks7_a6cKTIan9Gbx6KUcIg6YGgUwSVBN4Czs0Ntd7lF_Z5md1XKFx8zWi5Gk35i475BWauzwiSo12bS1U7HGWwmnZOxmyFjHCw5rEpzv-pPUVg-3vhrD5ft9yw_7l1jvpPcj0ArI4yQ4Oft04I=&c=Zyx5MryWOPWngbdyBCdaPeNYCFFadArE8zDcaR52PiI2jbxbKSY-0w==&ch=r9uHzy_XgBYp9cRt12vRuOPU414y0YokPqM5GHtCcf75yXnChY8ibg==> on Unsplash<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fymQ-oX6nR9BY44RhEHCy2rfiB1CSIx4YbI-lAiwuFPwqzNKxqAwkjbRssFtAa6cYic-9dzBQFJYERpBWb_SDBoyGy1taa_B4FWnvxVIxq3DZRV5vO3_GgVm8qAts_ez1-btfgcBkGQ4GEaba7AQrl5VLqjCUsliglqIQ1H9fk9aTkCUFpyfwpWbEeULZLh2rurRV4ezO9ISsjqRlsJ_MYBL77V3YsfbYyHXudEonTV76_j0F-kAJjvYyvzj1EL3C3qWPd5nY7u_wbmYS1Eydw==&c=Zyx5MryWOPWngbdyBCdaPeNYCFFadArE8zDcaR52PiI2jbxbKSY-0w==&ch=r9uHzy_XgBYp9cRt12vRuOPU414y0YokPqM5GHtCcf75yXnChY8ibg==>

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/e25f6bcf-26a8-4e59-91f2-cc248962042d.png]<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fymQ-oX6nR9BY44RhEHCy2rfiB1CSIx4YbI-lAiwuFPwqzNKxqAwkhAoVGYtlDixB7ZKJl9YjRJkYgdKavS7XWwzMIEvq6TqNoV-nN-qvcarBCgjMYmrrTS3yYAjBONWROhqlAHD3pbbhwhTaeIo89uwQmnQVVAH&c=Zyx5MryWOPWngbdyBCdaPeNYCFFadArE8zDcaR52PiI2jbxbKSY-0w==&ch=r9uHzy_XgBYp9cRt12vRuOPU414y0YokPqM5GHtCcf75yXnChY8ibg==>

GRAPHICS - A Clever Way to Use the Alphabet
Intermediate

Are you always looking for innovative ways to catch your audience's attention with fun and powerful images… maybe in a presentation, a social media post or a flyer?

We found a new way to do this using a template in PowerPoint. This tool provides the framework of the ALPHABET – letters A through Z, where you can drop in your own image, and it shows up as the background of the letter.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/fee2d62b-6802-4f4d-a47e-20b578714ecc.png]

What a "Cool" way to reinforce your message with images!

BONUS! It's not just for PowerPoint! You use the template in this software to create the letters. Then you can add them to other documents, web pages, anything that uses images.

Clever Way to Display Letters with Images

There are so many fun ways to use this technique!

·     Electrify your Titles
·     Illuminate an Acronym
·     Make an impact with a Drop Cap
·     Jazz up A Flyer

You can use one letter or put them together to spell a word.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/3f717d6d-0a48-4796-ba76-c427c3b8f7ab.png]

[letters]

How to Use the Alphabet Template in PowerPoint

NOTE: This feature is not available in Google Slides. You can create the letters in PowerPoint, then save the image and use them in Google.

To create your own letters with fun and eye-catching image backgrounds, you first need to download the template. Because it is from the Microsoft selection, you'll need to be connected to the Internet.

·     Open a New PowerPoint presentation.
·     Click on More Themes on the right and type "Alphabet poster" into the Search bar that shows "Search for online templates and themes" in the window to view themes available from Microsoft.
·     Click on the Alphabet Poster template in the displayed results and then select the Create button to download and open it.

Or, go to https://templates.office.com/en-us/alphabet-poster-tm89611789<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fymQ-oX6nR9BY44RhEHCy2rfiB1CSIx4YbI-lAiwuFPwqzNKxqAwksvCgJDmOf1SB8GdTIXiyuDhv58lk-ELx85XNvl61C32Tl_TCou4qK5a0idWtxih9R4v3hhdXpnsUWvQ_UZ7MyMbK7g8YaaE7pwrsnF25Q3ryR7mnFFnyVVBNxtwsWjAd1d-RlX9o7xu5YS3spiB6jY=&c=Zyx5MryWOPWngbdyBCdaPeNYCFFadArE8zDcaR52PiI2jbxbKSY-0w==&ch=r9uHzy_XgBYp9cRt12vRuOPU414y0YokPqM5GHtCcf75yXnChY8ibg==> to find the Alphabet Poster template.

The first slide will be filled with the alphabet displaying different images already behind each letter.
[template]

The second slide is the real template that you'll use to create your own letter designs.
[alphabet template]

Add a Picture Image to any Letter in Slide 2:

To add an image from your OWN device (saved in your computer's files), click on the picture icon in the middle of a letter in the template and a window will open where you can navigate to the saved image.

Or, to choose a Microsoft stock image:

1.  Highlight a Letter.
2.  Go to Insert in the menu, then Pictures.
3.  In the drop-down menu select Stock Images and find an image to use.

[insert image]

In either case, the image will appear inside the letter outline.

TIP: Be sure to pick pictures that aren't too detailed as the full image is not viewable in the letter template.

Don't like it and want to try another image? Just click on top of the letter and hit the Delete button to remove the picture.

TIP: If you need to repeat a letter, you can either highlight the letter in the template and press the Delete key to remove the image. Or if you want to save a previously created one, just right-click on the slide and choose Duplicate Slide to create a new fresh slide of the full alphabet.

Crop Your Image to Fit Better

Microsoft usually centers the image in the letter, but if you want a different part of the image showing, you can shift it right or left, up or down.

·     Highlight the letter/image and go to the Picture Format option in the toolbar.
·     Click the Crop button so that the cropping tool opens.
·     Shift the image to the left or right so that the part of the image you want peeking through the letter outline looks good.
·     Or, you can resize the image by grabbing one of the corners to make it larger so that you zero in closer on the area of the image you want to show through.
·     Click the Crop button again to save.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/d5615367-e6a4-4697-9450-b1d7daaac107.png]

Use Your Alphabet Images in Different Places

Now that you've created some fun letters in the PowerPoint template, you can use them in various ways.

To put it in another Microsoft Document (PowerPoint, Word, Excel)

·     Right-click on top of the image and choose Copy.
·     Go to the other application, right-click and choose Paste.
·     The letter is treated like an image in your document so you can resize, rotate, layer, etc. Most all of the treatments in the Picture Effects tab will work as well.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/5ee4425b-5100-4136-b3bb-f21e69993382.png]

Or you can use the image in other non-Microsoft apps. You just have to save the letter as an "image."

·     Right-click on top of the image and choose Save as Picture.
·     Give the file a name and save it to your computer for use in other areas.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/41d9a61c-7e5a-4de3-b0a4-4021dd05cea3.png]

Communication: Writing
Avoid superlatives

What do you do when you're really excited about something ... and you want to put it in writing?

Let's say it's Tech-Talk. You want to let others know how really special it is. You might think it is truly one of the best non-techie learning resources out there. And you think it's amazingly inexpensive.

OK, we know you like it, right?

Well, the secret is, if you want people to take you seriously, leave OUT the superlatives.

So let's take the same text above and remove the adjectives and adverbs that exaggerate the praise ... and see if you don't actually think better of Tech-Talk without the superlatives.

Same Text Minus Superlatives

Let's say it's Tech-Talk. You want to let others know how special it is. You might think it is one of the best non-techie learning resources out there. And it's inexpensive.

Now go back and read the first version. Which one makes you more impressed with Tech-Talk?

Bottom Line: When writing, go back in the editing process and remove words like very, really, truly, absolutely, exceptionally, incredibly, and so on. Remember that sometimes "less is more."

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/da1c6ee9-ba35-4af5-9c80-8e1b5781189e.png]

Leadership
#4: Create a Motivational Environment and Provide Incentive

Here's another of the five ways to make sure that good employees don't become organizationally indifferent. It's about creating an environment that motivates people.

When your employees are doing a great job, they need to hear it. They need to be recognized for their contributions. This may seem like common sense, but many managers forget to show their employees the praise and appreciation they so deserve.

The appreciation doesn't even have to be in the form of a tangible reward. For example, you can recognize an employee simply by posting their picture or a thank you note in the office so everyone knows the significant contribution they have been making to the company.

At other times, a simple pat on the back or "Excellent work!" will be well received.

Then there are the monetary equivalent rewards such as:
·     Giving a comp day (or half-day)
·     Offering a preferred parking spot for a designated period of time
·     A one-on-one lunch with your boss or executive
·     A spa treatment or a movie gift card

You get the drift, come up with something that is meaningful in your environment to show appreciation and recognition.

[http://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/b13a7a6a-7445-4d8e-b741-4b475385ef5b.png]<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fymQ-oX6nR9BY44RhEHCy2rfiB1CSIx4YbI-lAiwuFPwqzNKxqAwkthOUPAz2uIJhP_nd8TiCGjB4LtqV8aJWdPaabuK6tyOLHCnXnovW0QIMDWR8wzEI2Tzlb_JQRKpNQIA1a9TgsA0QiIXt3ByaXcq_J9O2dVP&c=Zyx5MryWOPWngbdyBCdaPeNYCFFadArE8zDcaR52PiI2jbxbKSY-0w==&ch=r9uHzy_XgBYp9cRt12vRuOPU414y0YokPqM5GHtCcf75yXnChY8ibg==>
[Ask a question]<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fymQ-oX6nR9BY44RhEHCy2rfiB1CSIx4YbI-lAiwuFPwqzNKxqAwkqIrxH3xkhvQtBUyD2wSmh75T3FlY9L-DJVvEMJYGKrI6GMqD3MpKh8KZdRzYHQHSw0bYTT_Jxgg1BUoKje2fR_eoa5d5H_queTNyEz33KpzJ-eKA32vlQ8=&c=Zyx5MryWOPWngbdyBCdaPeNYCFFadArE8zDcaR52PiI2jbxbKSY-0w==&ch=r9uHzy_XgBYp9cRt12vRuOPU414y0YokPqM5GHtCcf75yXnChY8ibg==>

Copyright 1996-2021 Shared Results International. Published weekly. Distribution is limited by license. For information on how to include additional recipients, contact support at tech-talk.com<mailto:support at tech-talk.com> 941-355-2092.

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Tech-Talk is a paid subscription service for staff of Oregon libraries and is supported in whole by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), administered by the State Library of Oregon.

Cheers,
Darci Hanning, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
State Library of Oregon | Library Support and Development Services
971-375-3491 | darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov> | www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>
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