It should tell you something if you see people squinting trying to read all the copy on your PowerPoint slides. You are the main focus, so think of your PowerPoint file as your assistant. The PowerPoint file will take over the audience if all of what you say is on the slides. The use of key words or phrases can be very effective. Choosing the right font size also is important. Learn more from the top 10 design tips for PowerPoint.

Rich Mattern, Information Specialist, (701) 231-6136

There's two types of "Likes" on Facebook. People or Pages can "Like" your Facebook Page, which allows your posts to get directly to them in their News Feed. Also, as Facebook Page, the Pages you follow allow you to get content from them that you can share with your audience and interact with them.

Sonja Fuchs, Web Technology Specialist, (701) 231-6403

You know you need to use an apostrophe when you leave out numbers. But where does that apostrophe go?

For dates (years), it goes before the number, not after it. For example, if you are referring to the 1920s, you would write ’20s. The apostrophe replaces the 19.

The apostrophe must curve to the left. You probably noticed that if you type a single apostrophe before a number or letter, it curves to the right. Simply type a second apostrophe (it curves to the left) and delete the first one.

Note that you do not use an apostrophe between the number and the “s.” That’s because you are not omitting anything. The same rule applies to other numbers, such a temperatures or sizes. For example: “Today’s temperatures will be in the low 60s.” or “The shoe store had several size 7s.”

Ellen Crawford, information specialist, (701) 231-5391

NDSU Facilities Management (FM) now has eight two-sided A-frame sign holders available. Each holds two 31 X 41" posters and rents for $25 for a maximum five days. A Facilities Management work request is needed to initiate the request at least 14 days before the sign is needed. The sign is delivered to the location and picked up at the end of the time by FM. The signs are designed to help people walking on campus rather than being large enough for people driving by. Ag Communication Graphic Designer John Grindahl, (701) 231-7898, can design posters to fit the signs.

Becky Koch, Ag Communication Director, (701) 231-7875

The Ag Info Center is NDSU Agriculture's password-protected Intranet that includes the Ag calendar, Extension Quarterly Program Reports, FeedList, a file transfer system and more. Similar to tools such as DropBox, the Ag Info Center file transfer system can store large files and can be accessed by anyone in NDSU Agriculture who logs in.

For example, rather than mailing out DVDs, Bruce Sundeen was asked to upload several horticulture videos so staff could load them onto their laptops while in the office to have them available when they didn't have Internet access to play the YouTube versions. Other examples of long-term downloads include several train-the-trainer facilitator guides and PowerPoints on a variety of topics, 2012 Crop and Pest Reports, Consumer Choices judging classes and much more.

If you've forgotten your Ag Info Center password, call the ITS help desk at 231-8685.

If you want to create a folder to have your materials grouped and shared with staff, contact Roger Egeberg.

Becky Koch, Ag Communication Director, (701) 231-7875

You’ve spent a great deal of time writing your report, article, news release or whatever and are ready to send it. However, did you proofread carefully? Why should you? Even professional writers proofread their work or have others do it.

It’s not always about looking for grammar mistakes. Proofreading also is about polishing your sentences to get rid of awkward spots or unnecessary phrases. It’s about writing clear, concise sentences that your target audience understands.  Following some simple proofreading tips will help you send the best message possible.

Rich Mattern, Information Specialist, (701) 231-6136

Check out the resources on Ag Communication's updated Social Media page.  Whether you're a social media newbie and want to learn more, or have been using social media but want to know improve your strategy, check out the resources on the updated Social Media page to learn more.

A great way to learn the social media ropes is to see what others are posting, tweeting, YouTubing, etc. Each section of the updated Social Media page gives examples in action. Take a peek at what they're doing to get ideas, or follow them to share their knowledge.

If you need help getting started or have questions once you've started on social media, contact us.me or Bob Bertsch.

Sonja Fuchs, (701) 231-6403; Bob Bertsch, (701) 231-7381, Web Technology Specialists

The pronouns “who” and “that” should not be used interchangeably, despite common usage.

Always use “who” when referring to people and animals with names. For example: “Producers who were forced to delay planting in the spring may have lower yields at harvest.” “Bootsie, who doesn’t like riding in the car, yowled all the way to the vet clinic.”

Only use “that” when referring to inanimate objects and animals without names. For example: “The trees that were killed by Dutch elm disease have been removed.” “All of the cows that were pregnant this spring have calved.”

Ellen Crawford, information specialist, (701) 231-5391

Contacting the ITS Help Desk can sometimes be a frustrating experience. Issues such as long wait times or the seemingly never-ending stream of questions can cause our tempers to flare. Before you begin planning out your next salvo against the help desk personnel, here are a few tips that will help you prepare for the call and hopefully alleviate some of the frustration.

Let them know who you are

Provide your name, e-mail address, phone number and location. If you are in a county office or a REC, be sure they are aware of this as well. Support can vary greatly depending on your location, and the more information you can provide on who your support providers are (NDSU, NDACo/NRG, county, etc.), the easier it will be for the technician on the phone to determine what they can do and who may need to get involved.

Sometimes you will be asked for your EMPLID. The EMPLID doesn’t just identify you to the technician; they need it to be able to view and/or change your account settings. Everyone with an NDSU email has an EMPLID, so county-paid and other staff can be identified with their NDSU email.

Be prepared to identify your computer

Provide the NDSU inventory number (green metallic tag) and your operating system and version (Windows 7, Mac OS, etc.) if possible.

Describe the issue with as much detail as you can

Begin by explaining what has happened. Depending on the complexity of the issue, you may asked to repeat part or all of your explanation for the technician to get a good grasp on the situation. Please do not be offended if you are asked to repeat; they don’t want to miss any details that could help them resolve the issue more quickly.

Providing information such as what you were doing and/or what programs were running at the time can be a big help. If you can, note the time and date when the problem happened in case the technician needs to look through logs. If you are having trouble accessing a Web page, be sure to have the Web address (URL) handy. Lastly, try to write down any error messages you received. This will be a huge help when searching for symptoms and/or solutions.

The Help Desk is best able to assist you when provided with the information above. While they may not always be able to help you get it resolved on the first call, this information will certainly help streamline the process, resulting in a faster overall resolution.

Jerry Ranum, Desktop Support Specialist; ITS Help Desk, (701) 231-8685

On March 25 at 1 p.m. (Central) I'll be moderating a conversation about digital badges in Cooperative Extension. The eXtension Network Literacy Community of Practice is presenting "Critical Conversations: Digital Badges" to introduce digital badges as a way of recognizing achievements, successes and experience.

Guests Tony Cook of Alabama Cooperative Extension, Brett Bixler of Penn State University and I will discuss how digital badges might be used to recognize learning people gain with the help of Extension, how digital badges could change the way we view credentials, and how badging might impact social and informal learning.

Brett Bixler works with the "latest educational technologies and learning theories to produce learner-centered active and collaborative learning environments."

Tony Cook leads the For Youth, For Life Learning Network project, leveraging the power of online networks for youth learning. Last year, the project won $150,000 in the Badges for Lifelong Learning competition.

I interviewed Dr. Cook for the "Working Differently in Extension" podcast. Check out that podcast and join us for the Critical Conversation on March 25.

Bob Bertsch, Web Technology Specialist, (701) 231-7381