Monday, March 3, 2014

SOLSC #3: If I Were in Charge of Machines

 
Today I join my fellow bloggers in
"serving up a slice" to the March SOLSC
sponsored by Two Writing Teachers.
When I become queen for a day, there are two default settings that I would change. The business dictionary provides this definition of default setting - controls of a computer hardware or software (or of a device, equipment, or machine) as preset by its manufacturer. Some types of default settings may be altered or customized by the user.  

Every time I stand at the copy machine and program the 3-hole punch, I wonder why the 3-hole punch isn't the default setting. Given that almost everything copied for classroom use needs a 3-hole punch, think of the time savings gained when a building full of teachers doesn't have to program in the 3-hole punch.  

Book searches in our library catalog default to keyword.  How often do you search for a book by keyword? I search by title or author most of the time. So I must always remind myself to switch the setting to one of those instead of keyword.  I know these are minor irritations in the big scheme of world problems, but wouldn't it be fun to alter the default settings to align with our own wishes?  

Since good things come in threes, I'm sure there's a third default setting that I would love to change, I just can't remember it right now.  How about it?  What default setting would you change if you were queen of the world or programmer for a day? 



10 comments:

  1. You are so right! Yes, they are small things but they can still disrupt our day. If only we could be queen!

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  2. Who wants a 1.25" margin on a Word document? That's one I've had to change again and again.

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  3. Hmm...intriguing question. I would somehow change my microwave to automatically always set (default) to the turn table off (mine is broken or something and makes a strange noise if it turns) and a 2 minute cook time for my teas or apple juice. ;)

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  4. I wonder who comes up with these settings? Do they actually use the product? I wonder do we have default settings. Got me thinking. Thanks!

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  5. I love how you focused on a small topic through two words (default settings) and looked at it in multiple ways. Very creative.

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  6. Good one. I would change the font default on most of my programs. I am more comic sans or Bradley Handwriting... not the usual. But I have to keep changing it every time I add a title UGH!!!

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  7. I'm with Bonnie - I'm particular about my fonts, and wish I could set my own default.

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  8. Our copier, which is used by many, has the default setting to double-side pages that are copied. This does save paper, but often enough we don't want the duplexed copies. And, it isn't easy to change the setting. I hear your gripes, Ramona-valid, really valid!

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  9. I want a default setting that turns off the lights at school at a certain time at night. Many mornings or if I go in during the weekend, all the hallway lights are on! Seriously? I think this would be an easy solution that could actually save money. By the way, I wish our copier had the 3-hole punch option!

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    1. Jaana, we have that. Only certain people have a key to turn the hall lights on. I'm always glad to reach my classroom and the light switch, but I know it saves energy.

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