Friday, October 26, 2018

How do we encourage more kids who initially at a young age love drawing/sketching/art, etc to pursue careers in tech?


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Rob [Today at 11:09 AM]
I think this is the perfect group to brainstorm ideas for this.  How do we encourage more kids who initially at a young age love drawing/sketching/art, etc to pursue careers in tech?  Is there some way to show a connection between art/drawing/sketching & high-tech/coding? Is-there-a-good-way-to-show-them-that-by-learning-to-code-they-can-enhance-their-hand-drawn-sketches-or-manipulate-their-art? (edited)

6 replies
Tané Tachyon (AND Graduate, Santa Cruz, CA) [26 minutes ago]
I've read a lot of pieces by technical women in particular in their 20's and under who first got into coding by making web pages about their interests, including doing artwork for the pages. The steps you need to follow to do artwork in programs like Illustrator and Photoshop are kind of coding-like in their way, also, like implementing algorithms to get the results you want. (edited)

Rob [22 minutes ago]
Thanks.  That's a great idea.  I will encourage the young artists I meet to try out Illustrator and Photoshop.  This will at least get them into computers.  That's a good first step.  I think it will expand their career options in the future.
Patricia Y. (AND) [16 minutes ago]
I think the dream of game development is how some young people get motivated about coding. That industry does involve lots of art, like character design. And people who are just starting out with drawing may be motivated by doing fanart. (Unfortunately, I hear the entertainment industry is actually very brutal, but I think most people grow out of the game industry dream.)
UI/UX design is very art/sketching oriented, so you could show designers' process -- like starting out with rough paper sketches, then making high fidelity mockups. (There might be some Udacity videos on YouTube that introduce "product design" and mockups.) And while some companies are still traditional about separating designer and developer roles, it's actually extremely beneficial for front-end designers/developers to be an expert on both sides.
And tech-related art/creativity isn't just limited to Web and desktop/mobile UIs... there are also lots of new frontiers like AR/VR.

Patricia Y. (AND) [13 minutes ago]
There are also universities that offer game design/development degrees. (Again, probably not a realistic pursuit, but it is an exciting motivator.) https://www.smu.edu/guildhallsmu.edu
Home | SMU Guildhall
SMU Guildhall is a premier graduate video game education program and the only program with specializations in all four cornerstones of game development.

JaniceM [7 minutes ago]
Wearable tech and fashion that blends colors, fabrics, and tech.
Check out the Levi's / Google Denim Jacket ~~> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY_wfoZ19DE
Much of what is highlighted in CodePen shows the power of blending art, animation and tech skills. (edited)

Rob [5 minutes ago]
Thanks.  These are all great ideas.
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Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Dell, How to Troubleshoot Slow Performance Issues,


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https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln171944/how-to-troubleshoot-slow-performance-issues?lang=en
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How to Troubleshoot Slow Performance Issues

If your Dell PC is running slow, stops responding or takes longer than expected to respond, you may be experiencing a system performance issue. Whether your PC has gradually become slower or suddenly stopped working, there could be a variety of reasons for performance related problems. Slow performance and other problems can be a result of fragmented data on the hard disk drive, outdated device drivers, outdated or corrupt operating system files, disk errors, not enough memory (RAM), hardware failure, etc.
Here are some troubleshooting steps that can help resolve slow performance issue on your Dell PC, follow the steps in a sequence. You can also find some optional troubleshooting steps and informational videos below.


Troubleshooting

Expand the sections below for more information.
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Restart your PC regularly

A simple reboot can resolve many issues almost immediately. Restarting your PC is an effective way to clear the system memory (RAM) and ensure that any errant processes and services that started is shut down.
Restarting your PC closes all the applications or software running on your PC, applications running on the taskbar and dozens of other services that may be running in the background which were started by various applications. The more things you have open and the longer you keep them running, the greater the chances your PC will slow down and eventually run out of memory (RAM). Ideally, it is a good practice to shut down the PC when not in use. However, most times it is recommended that you restart your PC at least once a week, if you use the PC a lot.
If restarting the PC does not resolve the issue, proceed to the next step.
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Run a hardware diagnostic test

Running a hardware diagnostic test can help you identify hardware related problems and provide you troubleshooting steps to help resolve the issue. To determine if your Dell PC is experiencing a hardware problem, it is recommended that you first run a hardware diagnostic test on your PC. Dell offers both built-in and online diagnostics. Dell ePSA hardware diagnostic test will help check if the hardware devices are working correctly.
Running Dell Pre-boot System Assessment or enhanced Pre-boot System Assessment (Dell PSA or ePSA)
  1. Restart your Dell PC.
  2. When the Dell logo appears, press F12 key to enter One-time Boot Menu.
  3. Use the arrow keys to select Diagnostics and press Enter key on the keyboard.
  4. Follow the on-screen prompts and respond appropriately to complete the diagnostics.
    If the test fails, ensure to write down the error code and validation code.
Use the Dell Interactive Support Agent (English only) to get information about ePSA or PSA diagnostic error codes.
Alternatively, you can visit the SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check page to get more information about ePSA or PSA diagnostic error codes.
To learn more about Dell ePSA or PSA diagnostics, visit the Dell knowledge-base article Resolve Hardware Issues With Built-in and Online Diagnostics (ePSA or PSA Error Codes).
If the built-in diagnostics and other troubleshooting steps has not identified the cause of slow performance, we recommend that you consider running the Dell online diagnostics. Dell's online diagnostic test helps you troubleshoot a problem, get automated fixes and order replacement parts. Online diagnostics installs Dell SupportAssist to help you diagnose and troubleshoot your Dell PC.
Running an Online Diagnostics on a Dell PC
  1. Browse to the Dell Support website.
  2. Click Detect Product or enter the Service Tag and click Submit.
  3. Click the Diagnostics tab.
  4. Choose one of the diagnostic tests available:
    • To run a Quick Test - Click Quick Test
    • To run a Full Test - Click Full Test
    • To run a Custom Test - Select the devices you want to test and click Test Selected Devices.
    • To run a Stress Test - Click Stress Test
Note: Dell SupportAssist is required to identify your Dell device and run a diagnostic check. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install Dell SupportAssist.
Note: Some diagnostic tests may display graphical patterns to test the video or display and some status dialog box that may require your response. The diagnostic test results may show incorrectly if there is no response provided when required.
Diagnose Hardware Issues on Your Dell Notebook or Desktop using Dell ePSA Diagnostic Test - (1:34)
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Update BIOS and device drivers

In many cases, slow performance can be caused by outdated device drivers or Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) settings. Be sure to regularly update your drivers to take full advantage of your hardware and software. It is recommended that you update the BIOS and device drivers for not just the PC, but update the device drivers for any connected peripherals like printers, scanners, etc,.
To learn how to download and update the BIOS and device drivers for your Dell PC, refer to the Dell knowledge-base articles below.
To learn more about how to install the device drivers in the correct order, visit the Dell knowledge-base article How to reinstall drivers in the correct order?
If updating the BIOS and device drivers does not resolve the issue, proceed to the next step.
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Optimize your PC with Dell SupportAssist

SupportAssist helps you optimize your PC by running a series of diagnostics to identify modifications to files and settings of your PC. Optimizing your PC improves your system speed, storage space availability, and stability by cleaning temporary files, tuning system performance and optimizing network.
If Dell SupportAssist is not installed on your Dell PC, browse to Dell SupportAssist website to download and install the application.
Cleaning files
Cleaning your files helps you remove redundant files, temporary folders, and other unnecessary clutter from your PC
  1. Open Dell SupportAssist app.
  2. On the Home tab, under Clean Files, click Run Now.
    After the optimization is complete, a 'Check' icon and the last optimized date are displayed on the tile.
    Note: During optimization, the name of the task that is performed is displayed below the menu bar. The percentage of optimization that is complete is also displayed on the tile.
    If you want to stop the optimization, click Cancel.
Note: If you cancel the optimization, the changes that were performed are not reversed.
Tuning your system performance
Tuning your PC performance helps you adjust the power settings, registry, and memory allocation to maximize the processing speed of your PC.
  1. Open Dell SupportAssist app.
  2. On the Home tab, under Tune Performance, click Run Now.
    After the optimization is complete, a 'Check' icon and the last optimized date are displayed on the tile.
    Note: During optimization, the name of the task that is performed is displayed below the menu bar. The percentage of optimization that is complete is also displayed on the tile.
    If you want to stop the optimization, click Cancel.
Note: If you cancel the optimization, the changes that were performed are not reversed.
Optimizing network
Optimizing your network helps you ensure network connectivity and updates your PC settings to maintain an efficient and reliable network.
  1. Open Dell SupportAssist app.
  2. On the Home tab, under Optimize Network, click Run Now.
    After the optimization is complete, a 'Check' icon and the last optimized date are displayed on the tile.
    Note: During optimization, the name of the task that is performed is displayed below the menu bar. The percentage of optimization that is complete is also displayed on the tile.
    If you want to stop the optimization, click Cancel.
Note: If you cancel the optimization, the changes that were performed are not reversed.
Optimize My System Using SupportAssist - (1:39)
If optimizing the PC with Dell SupportAssist does not resolve the issue, proceed to the next step.
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Scan your PC for corrupt Windows files

If Windows operating system files are corrupt, it can cause slow performance and other issues on your PC. Microsoft Windows has built-in utilities that can help you scan your PC for corrupt operating system files and replace them from a cached version on your PC or download them through Windows Update.
Run System File Checker
  1. Restart your PC.
  2. Click Windows Start button and search for CMD or Command Prompt.
  3. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
    Click Yes in the User Account Control window.
  4. In Command Prompt, type sfc /scannow and press Enter key on the keyboard.
    This will take several minutes to complete.
    Note: Ensure to include a space between sfc and /.
  5. Once the scan is complete, restart your PC.
System File Checker (SFC) will scan your PC for corrupt Microsoft Windows operating system files. Once the scan is complete, the results are displayed on the screen. If System File Checker (SFC) found corrupt files and replaced them, restart your PC. If System File Checker (SFC) did not find any corrupt files, try running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool.
Run Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool in Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or 8 only
DISM tool, checks for corrupt Microsoft Windows operating systems and then downloads and replaces them using Windows Update.
  1. Restart your PC.
  2. Click Windows Start button and search for CMD or Command Prompt.
  3. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
    Click Yes in the User Account Control window.
  4. In Command Prompt, type dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and press Enter key on the keyboard.
    This will take several minutes to complete.
  5. Once the scan is complete, restart your PC.
Note: Your PC needs to be connected to the internet to run DISM utility successfully. Ensure to include a space between each / in the command line.
If running System File Checker or DISM does not resolve the issue, proceed to the next step.
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Uninstall or remove unused software

Uninstalling or removing software or applications that you do not use or do not need from you PC can help speed up your PC. Applications may include background processes, system services, context menu entries and other things that can slow down your PC.
Uninstall application you no longer need using Programs and Features (previously called Add/Remove Programs). Unnecessary applications occupy space on your hard disk drive.
Note: You need to be logged as user with administrator rights on your PC to uninstall or install applications.
  1. Press the Windows logo key + R on the keyboard.
  2. In the Run dialog box, type appwiz.cpl and press the Enter key.
  3. In the list, select a program and click Uninstall.
If uninstalling unused software does not resolve the issue, proceed to the next step.
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Check for symptoms in Safe Mode

Safe mode prevents non-crucial applications and device drivers from loading, which helps eliminate software as a cause of slow performance.
Note: Display resolution in Safe Mode is automatically set to 800 x 600 and the icons and text appear larger than normal.
The desktop background wallpaper is disabled in Safe Mode. This is a normal behavior and does not require troubleshooting.
All the visual settings will return to normal when the PC is rebooted into regular mode.
Warning: When you log into Safe Mode (in this case, Safe Mode with Networking), your anti-virus or anti-malware program will be disabled. Please use caution when connected to a network or the internet while your anti-virus is disabled.
To learn how to boot your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the links below based on the operating system installed on your PC.
If the issue does not exist in Safe Mode, the issue is likely related to a device driver or software. Ensure to update the device drivers and install any software updates that may be available for your PC including Microsoft Windows Updates.
However, if the issue still exists in Safe Mode, proceed to the next step.
Perform a Clean Boot to detect Software Problems - (00:40)
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Limit startup programs

Many applications or software run in the system tray, or also called notification area. These applications usually launch during startup and stay running in the background but remain hidden. Preventing these applications from launching during startup will not only speed up the login process but also save a lot of memory (RAM) and processing power to improve the performance of your PC.
Warning: It is recommended that you do not disable the anti-virus or anti-malware program or application from loading during startup. Disabling the anti-virus or anti-malware program may make your PC vulnerable to malware infection.
Note: You need to be logged as user with administrator rights on your PC to disable startup programs.
How to disable startup programs in Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or 8
  1. Close all open windows.
  2. Press CTRL + Shift + ESC key together on the keyboard.
  3. In the Task Manager window, click Startup tab.
  4. Select the program or application that you want to disable from loading during startup.
  5. Right-click and select Disable.
  6. Repeat Step 4 & 5 for all the programs or applications that you want to disable from loading during startup.
  7. Restart your PC.
How to disable startup programs in Microsoft Windows 7
  1. Close all open windows.
  2. Click Start button. In the search box, type msconfig, and in the list of results, right-click msconfig and select Run as administrator.
  3. In the System Configuration window, click Startup tab.
  4. Uncheck the programs or applications that you want to disable from loading during startup and click OK.
  5. In the confirmation window, check Don't show this message again and click Restart.
If disabling startup programs does not resolve the issue, proceed to the next step.
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Scan your PC for malware

Malware (virus, spyware, trojans, etc.,) can cause a PC to lock up, perform slowly, etc. Spyware and other types of malware are a big cause of many PC problems including a slow PC. If you suspect your PC has been infected, there is a chance that malicious software may be running in the background and slowing down your PC. This could be software that interferes with your web browsing to track and add additional advertisements.
It is recommended that you scan your PC with an anti-virus or anti-malware program. Windows 10 PC comes built-in with Windows Defender which provides basic protection against malware. Most Dell PCs also come with a basic anti-virus software pre-installed like McAfee but may require a subscription. There are many other anti-virus or anti-malware programs (free to use and subscription based) that you may use like McAfee, Norton, Kaspersky, Trend Micro, etc., use the one installed on your PC to run a thorough or deep scan.
Note: Installing more than one anti-virus or anti-malware software on the PC does not give you better protection, instead it will only slow down your PC further. It is recommended to install one anti-virus or anti-malware software and update it regularly for active protection against malware.
To learn more, refer to the Dell knowledge base article Protect Your Computer or Remove Malware in Microsoft Windows.
If there is no malware found on the PC, proceed to the next step.
What is Malware (Official Dell Tech Support) on YouTube - (2:03) English Only
5 Ways to Check for Viruses (Official Dell Tech Support) on YouTube - (2:33) English Only
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Restore your Dell PC using Windows System Restore

System Restore is a Microsoft Windows operating system feature that can help fix certain types of crashes and other PC problems. System Restore can help you revert your PC's state (including system files, installed applications, Windows Registry, and system settings) to that of a previous point in time, which can be used to recover from PC malfunctions or other problems.
Microsoft Windows automatically creates a "restore point" every time an application or software is installed, when Windows Update installs latest updates, when a device driver is installed or you can manually create a "restore point".
Note: System Restore does not save old copies of any personal files, hence it will not delete or replace any personal files or personal data when you perform a restoration. System restore is also not an effective solution to remove virus, spyware or any type of malware on your PC.
Note: You need to be logged as user with administrator rights on your PC to run Windows System Restore.
To learn how to restore your Dell PC to a previous point in time using Windows System Restore, refer to the links below based on the operating system installed on your PC.
If restoring the PC to a previous date does not resolve the issue, proceed to the next step.
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Reinstall Microsoft Windows

If your Dell PC is still locking up or running slowly and the troubleshooting steps above have not resolved the issue, there may be an underlying issue with the operating system.
Warning: Reinstalling the operating system will result in loss of all data on the computer. Dell recommends that you back up all personal data including but not limited to pictures, spreadsheets, word documents, emails, contacts, browser bookmarks (favorites), music, videos, etc. to an external storage device prior to reinstalling the operating system.
To learn more about reinstalling Microsoft Windows on your Dell PC, refer to the Dell knowledge-base article Factory reset, restore, or reinstall Microsoft Windows on a Dell PC.
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Optional troubleshooting

Here are some optional troubleshooting steps that you can take to diagnose and resolve slow performance issues on your Dell PC.
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Check and clean air vents

Blocked air vents can cause serious performance issues by restricting air flow, this can cause the processor, memory (RAM) and other hardware to overheat which may lead to a potential hardware failure. Excessive heat can also cause a significant decrease in performance as most processors automatically reduce the speed of the processor to help compensate for heat-related problems. If you notice the system fan running constantly, this might indicate the PC is not running as efficiently as possible, and/or clogged air vents.
It is important to keep dust from accumulating in your PC and ensure adequate ventilation to help reduce heat. Lint and dust accumulation prevents air from flowing around the cooling fins and causes the fan to work harder.
Caution: Turn off your PC and disconnect the power cable or AC adapter before using compressed air to clean your PC. Follow the instructions on the side of the compressed air can, using compressed air incorrectly can damage your PC.
Caution: Do not try to blow the dust using your mouth. Moisture can cause irreparable damage to electronic or electrical components.
Cleaning the air vents on your Dell PC
  • Turn off the PC.
  • Check the air vents on the PC for dust or debris.
    Vents maybe located in various places depending on the PC model. Refer to the User Manual of your Dell PC.
  • Use a can of compressed air to remove dust or debris from the air vents.
    Caution: It is recommended to use a can of compressed air only. Do not use vacuum cleaners or blowers. Vacuum cleaners and blowers cause static and may damage electronic or electrical components inside your PC.
  • To prevent overheating problems, keep the PC in upright position and on a hard or sturdy surface, and provide enough clearance around the air vents.
Cleaning System Fans - (2:01)
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Free up hard disk space

While free hard disk space is usually used for storing files and data on your PC, Microsoft Windows uses unused space for different functions such as caching and virtual memory. If the hard disk is running out of free space, your PC may run noticeably slower. It is recommended that there is at least 15% to 20% of free hard disk space at all times.
Run Disk Cleanup
Microsoft Windows includes a built-in tool that deletes temporary files and other unimportant files in an effortless way.
  1. Click Start button. In the search box, type Disk Cleanup, and in the list of results, select Disk Cleanup.
  2. If prompted, select the drive that you want to clean up and click OK.
    This is usually C: drive.
  3. Once the scan is complete, select the check boxes for the file types that you want to delete and click OK.
  4. Click Delete Files in the confirmation window.
Delete Files using Disk Cleanup - (1:13)
Uninstall application you no longer need
Uninstall application you no longer need using Programs and Features (previously called Add/Remove Programs). Unnecessary applications occupy space on your hard disk drive.
Note: You need to be logged as user with administrator rights on your PC to uninstall or install applications.
  1. Press the Windows logo key + R on the keyboard.
  2. In the Run dialog box, type appwiz.cpl and press the Enter key.
  3. In the list, select a program and click Uninstall.
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Upgrade System Memory (RAM)

Generally, most PCs are capable of memory (RAM) upgrades and can accept large amounts of memory than what maybe installed in the PC. Before you consider upgrading the memory (RAM) on your Dell PC, we recommend that you verify how much memory (RAM) is currently installed on your Dell PC and what is the maximum amount of memory (RAM) that your Dell PC can support. To learn more about system configuration and memory specifications of your Dell PC, refer to the User Manual on the Dell Support website
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