Bridging the Digital Divide!

1. Bridging the Digital Divide! SimHouston Orientation

2. Purpose To familiarize the library user with the basic functions and capabilities of the SimHouston Software.

3. Content / Agenda • SimHouston Overview • SimWord • SimCalc • SimGroups • SimExplorer • SimPrinter • SimBackup • SimHouston via the Internet

4. SimHouston Background • August 2001 – Pilot program was launched to all 34 locations of the Houston Public Libraries. • June 2002- Houston City Council passed SimHouston software providing it to City of Houston employees and residents. • February through June 2003 – conducted a pilot implementation in 5 key COH Departments: IT, FA, HPL, PD, and HR.

5. What Is SimHouston? • Simple! • Virtual! • You are your own System Administrator! • A revolutionary group of office productivity products • Designed to meet standard user software needs • Adds new tools for power users • Available on the local desktop or other internet devices • Can be accessed from the Internet (my.simdesk.com)

6. Standard Users use: SimWord SimCalc SimExplorer Note: Will not use Microsoft applications Power Users like: SimGroups SimExplorer SimPrinter SimBackup Note: Will continue to use Microsoft applications Types of Users

7. Benefits Of SimHouston • Easy to use! • A standard product that meets basic and some advanced needs • Provides remote access for the user. Files saved on virtual drive can be accessed anytime, anywhere internet access is available • SimWord and SimCalc offline access • Share printers with other SimDesk users • Will run on basic computer equipment including • Re-commissioned PC’s and • Internet devices (Thin Client Computers, cell phones, pagers, etc.) • Provides 50MB virtual storage per user

8. SimHouston Data Security • Independent Security Audit • Documents compressed during transport and storage • Log on and password protection for access • Tape backup feature • Tape backup isstored at an offsite vault • Network firewall security • Firewall monitoring for intrusion detection • Emergency Generator for power redundancy

9. The Plan • Phase I Implement in Houston Public Library • Complete • Phase II Implement for City of Houston Employees • Wave 1: Implemented in IT, FA, PD, HPL, and HR) • Complete • Wave 2: Roll out to HAS, HFD, HLT, and MYR. • August through December 2003 • Phase III Implemented for City of Houston Public Residents, Schools, and Businesses • Kicked off through HPL February 1st, 2003

10. How To Access Simhouston Citizen-Personal Account Get a Library Power Card • Fill out the electronic form online at www.SimHouston.com and take it to any Houston Public Library to get a Library Power Card. OR • Go to any Houston Public Library, fill out the form, and receive your Library Power Card. • Software: obtain from any Houston Library or download fromwww. SimHouston.com

11. How To Access SimHouston Citizen-Personal Account Your Personal Account Information • User ID: user@simhouston.com • Password: something you will not forget Access SimHouston from Anywhere • Go online at my.simdesk.com • User ID: user@simhouston.com • Password: same password word to your personal account

12. SimHouston Applications SimControl Panel Allows you to log in, log out, start applications, view information about SimDesk, change SimDesk communications settings, set SimExplorer options, close SimDesk.

13. SimHouston Applications SimWord Word processing software with all the features you need to produce your documents

14. SimHouston Applications SimCalc Spreadsheet application that has the functionality and power necessary for any spreadsheet

15. Simhouston Applications SimGroups • Easy-to-use, convenient way to manage groups of contacts • Share printers with SimPrinter • Share folders with SimExplorer Note: you may only include users with simdesk accounts in SimGroups.

16. SimHouston Applications SimExplorer File viewer that enables you to organize, view, move, or delete documents and folders, and share files with others

17. SimHouston Applications SimPrinter Convenient way to share printers with other SimDesk users

18. SimHouston Applications SimBackup A virtual backup application that enables users to copy files or databases to an alternate location so that they are preserved in case of equipment failure or other catastrophe

19. SimHouston Applications (Personal Account) • SimPIM – Application that helps you manage your calendar, contacts, appointments, and other detailed information • SimMail – Full-featured e-mail application NOTE: SimPIM and SimMail are for at home, personal use only!

20. Overview of the Website Stay up-to-date with information about SimHouston by visitingwww.SimHouston.com

21. Customer Support • Customer Support will provided by SimDesk Technologies, Inc. in the following order: • City Employees • Online Help • Help Desk: 713-837-9800 Option #7. • Automatic Voice Response 1-866-746-4687 (toll free) • Help Desk Email: ITClientSupport@cityofhouston.net • Public / Citizens • Online Help • Help Desk: 713-895-3777 • Automatic Voice Response 1-866-746-4687 (toll free) • Support is provided 24 hours per day, 7 days per week

22. THE LIBRARY NEEDS YOU!CALL US AT (832)393-1481Ask for: Marlana Mitchell • We need volunteers to teach our computer courses in English and Spanish • We have several computer training centers that offer free two-hour computer classes to our library users. • We offer MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Job Search on the Internet, Computer Basics, and Windows.

23. Bridging the Digital Divide! Questions?