How to Do Math With Math Input Panel in Windows 7 & Windows 8

Math Input Panel is a great little application introduced with Windows 7 and included also in Windows 8. Its purpose is to use input devices such as touchscreens, external digitizers or even a mouse, to write mathematical formulas which are easily recognized and inserted into different types of documents. The formulas you write in Math Input Panel are inserted into documents in a completely editable form so that you can edit the output as you would edit any type of text. This can improve your productivity when creating documents or presentations with lots of mathematical formulas.

In this article I will share the list of applications that work with Math Input Panel and show the following: where to find Math Input Panel, how to use it in conjunction with other applications, how to correct a formula or equation and how to configure it.

Types Of Math & Applications Math Input Panel Work With

Math Input Panel works very well with US high school and college-level mathematics. This means it works with the following: arithmetic, calculus, functions, sets, set theory, algebra, combinatorics, probability and statistics, geometry, vectors, 3D analytic geometry, mathematical logic, axioms, theorems, definitions and applied mathematics. It doesn't work with other types of math nor with formulas from other domains such as chemistry.

NOTE: Math Input Panel can only insert mathematical formulas into programs that support the Mathematical Markup Language (MathML). MathML is supported by major office products such as OpenOffice.org, LibreOffice, Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Office 2010 and 2013, as well as by mathematical software products such as Mathematica. As a result, Math Input Panel works with all these programs.

Where To Find Math Input Panel in Windows 7

Math Input Panel can be found by opening the Start Menu and going to All Programs -> Accessories -> Math Input Panel.

For those of you who prefer the command line, you can start the application by running the 'C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Ink\mip.exe' file. Once you start the application, you will see a window similar to the one below.

Where To Find Math Input Panel in Windows 8

The Math Input Panel has remained unchanged in Windows 8, even though it has a different version. The looks are a bit different (because of the missing Aero interface in Windows 8). All the menus have the same options and the features included are the same as in Windows 7.

Its shortcut is found in the same location as in Windows 7. On the Start screen, right click or swipe from the bottom and then click or tap All apps. Then go to Windows Accessories and click or tap Math Input Panel.

Alternatively, you can search for the word math while on the Start screen and click or tap the appropriate search result.

In the next sections of this article, I will showcase how to use the Math Input Panel using the version existing in Windows 7.

How To Use Math Input Panel

In the middle of Math Input Panel, where it says 'Write math here', start writing your mathematical formula. Once you start writing, you can use the tools from the menu that appears on the right side of the window.

When done, click or tap Insert and the formula is automatically pasted in the document where you want to use it.

NOTE: if the formula is not automatically copied to the application where you need to insert it, don't worry. By default, Math Input Panel saves formulas in the clipboard. Simply use Paste (CTRL + V) in the other application and it will be inserted.

You can also see a demo of how this works in the video below: Math Input Panel & Office 2007

If you write multiple formulas in one session, you can go back to any of them using the History menu. Click or tap on History and select the previous formula you want to edit or insert again into the document.

Once the formula is loaded by Math Input Panel, edit it (if needed) and click or tap on the Insert to have it in your document.

How To Correct Formulas

When writing a formula, don't hesitate to use the tools available on the right side of the application. If you made a mistake, you can easily fix it using the Erase tool. Click or tap on it to erase the mistake.

There are scenarios when Math Input Panel doesn't recognize very well what you write. You can correct the way it interprets your writing by clicking or taping on 'Select and Correct'. Then, select the character you want to correct. A drop-down menu with possible correction options is shown. From that menu select the correct interpretation and resume your writing by clicking or tapping on Write.

How To Configure Math Input Panel

Math Input Panel offers few configuration options. All of them can be accessed from the Options menu. The options are self-explanatory and allow you to do things such as changing the position of the buttons, turning on and off the grid or showing on-screen keyboard buttons.

Conclusion

As you can see from this tutorial, Math Input Panel is a tool that’s simple and easy to use. It's main benefit is the fact that it speeds up the process of working with mathematical formulas. Instead of using the Microsoft Office Equation Editor and spend quite some time inserting and editing mathematical formulas, you can simply draw them in Math Input Panel and insert them in any document you need to.


References: http://www.7tutorials.com/do-math-easy-way-math-input-panel

Take Screenshots with the Snipping Tool in Windows 7 & Windows 8

All of us have done our fair share of working with images. Both Windows 7 and Windows 8 offer an easy to use tool for taking more complex screenshots, named the Snipping Tool. In this tutorial I will share how to take screenshots using this tool, how to save, edit or email a shot, how to use the available markup tools and how to change the settings of the application.

Where to Find the Snipping Tool in Windows 7

Windows 7 offers numerous ways to get to the Snipping Tool. You can go to the Start Menu, chooseAccessories and then click Snipping Tool.

A second way is to type the word "snipping" in the Start Menu search box and click Snipping Tool.

Where to Find the Snipping Tool in Windows 8

In Windows 8, right click on the Start screen and click All apps. Then, go to Windows Accessories and you will find its shortcut there.

Obviously, you can type the word snip and the Start screen displays the appropriate results.

This opens the Snipping Tool application and its window looks similar to the screenshot below.

As you can see, the application looks almost identical to the Windows 7 version. Its features are the same in both operating systems. Only a few minor settings (e.g. the default ink color) are different than in Windows 7.

That’s why the remainder of this tutorial will be done using the version existing in Windows 7.

Snipping Tool’s Main Interface

The Snipping Tool window has three important buttons: New, Cancel and Options.

The New button allows you to select the type of screenshot that you want to take and take a screenshot. The Cancel button enables you to cancel the current action. The Options button allows you to customize different aspects of the application.

How to Take a Custom Screenshot

There are four types of captures found under the New button:

• The Free-form Snip enables you to draw an irregular line around an object or area.
• The Rectangular Snip allows you to take a screenshot shaped as a rectangle, by dragging the cursor around an object.
• Window Snip allows you to select a window (e.g. your Internet browser) or dialogue box (e.g. error message received from an application) and capture it.
• Full-screen Snip enables you to capture the entire screen, like the old-fashioned Print Screen key.

To share an example, let’s see how to capture a part of your Desktop using Free-form Snip. First of all select the Free-form Snip from the drop down menu and then choose the area that you want to cut.

Select the area that interests you by clicking and dragging your cursor. As you drag, the selected area is surrounded by a red border, if you are using the default settings.

When you release the mouse button, the captured area is automatically copied to the mark-up window, where you can annotate, save or share the screenshot.

How to Edit a Screenshot

This editing window offers useful tools for editing the capture you took. For example, if you are not satisfied with the quality of the picture you can always make a new one using New Snip button. Before saving your screenshot, you can use the ’Pen and Highlighter’ tools from the toolbar and add markup to the capture. The Eraser tool will remove marks made with the ’Pen and Highlighter’.

To save the screenshot, press the Save Snip button, select the location, complete the file’s name and choose the file type: PNG, GIF JPEG or HTML. The, press Save.

NOTE: If you want to find out more about file types, I recommend file-extensions.org.

You may email a screenshot without saving it to your computer, by using the ’Send Snip’ button on the toolbar. It gives you two options: E-mail Recipient and E-mail Recipient (as attachment).

NOTE: For using this option you need to have an account configured in your default email program. In case you don’t have an email address configured, I suggest saving the screenshot as an image and then sending it using your web-based email account (e.g. Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, etc).

How to Customize the Snipping Tool

When you start the Snipping Tool, you can click on the Options button to set your preferences on how the program should work.

Options is found also in the Tools menu.

The options are broken up into Application and Selections groups.

The Application section has a set of checkboxes that enable you to make the following changes:

• ’Hide Instruction Text’ - hide the instruction text in the main Snipping Tool window.
• ’Always copy snips to the Clipboard’ - copy all captures to the Windows clipboard so you can paste them into other applications (e.g. Word processors or image editors).
• ’Include URL below snips (HTML only)’ - save your snips as a Single File HTML or MHT documents. If a snip is taken from an Internet Explorer window, it also shows the URL of the webpage included in the screenshot.
• ’Prompt to save snips before exiting’ - gives you a heads up if you have any captures that you have not saved, prior to closing the program.
• ’Show screen overlay’ - if disabled, when you are taking a screenshot, the Snipping Tool transparent overlay disappears from the screen.

The second section, named Selection Options, allows you to make a few settings regarding the color palette :

• ’Ink Color’ - changes the color of the selection border when you create a snip.
• ’Show selection ink after snips are captured’ - when enabled, the selection border will be shown, using the color selected in the ’Ink Color’ option, around the snip.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to use the Snipping Tool, the coast is clear for you to take great looking captures.


References: http://www.7tutorials.com/how-use-snipping-tool

熬过了我们就结婚

有位心理学家曾写道，一个成熟称得上真爱的恋情必须经过四个阶段，那就是：共存、反依赖、怀疑、共生，之间转换所需的时间不一定，因人而易。

第一个阶段：共存。这是热恋时期，不论何时何地总希望能腻在一起。

第二个阶段：反依赖。一方想多一点时间做自己想做的事，这时另一方就会感到被冷落，总是因为一点小事去计较和数落。

第三个阶段：怀疑。这是第二个阶段的延续，要求更多独立自主的时间，总是觉得对自己不好了，没以前爱自己了。

第四个阶段：共生。这时新的相处之道成形，你们已经成为最亲密的人。你们在一起相互扶持、一起开创属于你们人生你们在一起不会互相牵绊，而会互相成长，他（她）就像是你的亲人。

但是，好多人都通不过第二或第三阶段，选择分手。其实很多事只要好好沟通就会没事，可是想太多和任性就是无法避免。

你发现了吗？你们本没有相同之处，外表不相像，性格也是南辕北辙，但是相爱然后在一起，日复一日，年复一年，你会惊讶你的眼睛竟有点像他的眼睛。他的微笑竟也有点像你的微笑。你们走路的步伐变得相似。你们说话的语气也愈来愈像。你们爱喝同一杯饮料。你们的口头禅变得一样。你们总能猜到对方下一句话是什么。原来我们会变成我们所爱的人。

你在不知不觉中让他改掉了他爱皱眉的坏习惯。这个改变，或许连他自己也不曾察觉。他在不知不觉中让你变得做事不再马马虎虎。你差点认不出自己。会在不知不觉中逐渐变成对方理想中的人，这种改变，绝对不是刻意的。两个人相处时间越久，气质也越相近，有一天你惊讶地发现，这样的你们多么默契。

或许再也遇不到这样的感情。深深爱着一个人的时候，你原来真的会一点一点失去自己，可是为什么你还会觉得快乐呢。大概是因为你在失去的同时，也赚了，你把他的气质和他的微笑都赚回来了。

朋友，你们走到哪个阶段了？世界上遇到唯一的你多么不容易，能不能不要轻言放弃。能不能一直走下去。请不要说下辈子，我多怕下辈子再遇不到你。所以就这辈子，就让我们一直在一起走下去。


References:

http://blog.voc.com.cn/blog_showone_type_blog_id_690740_p_1.html 

http://site.douban.com/widget/notes/8494144/note/222325081/ 

How to Burn CDs and DVDs in Windows Media Player 12

Windows Media Player 12 allows computers with built-in CD and/or DVD burners to quickly and easily create audio CDs, data CDs and Data DVDs. This functionality makes creating mix CDs and copying audio CDs for playback in car stereos and other CD players incredibly simple. Alternately, Windows Media Player 12 can burn data CDs for playback in devices that support .mp3 and .wma playback. Windows Media Player 12 can also burn pictures, songs and videos onto Data DVDs. Read on how to find out how to burn CDs and DVDs with Windows Media Player 12.

Note: Windows Media Player 12 does not support burning of VCDs or DVD-Video (i.e. discs for video playback when inserted into a DVD player). In order to burn standalone video DVDs, you will have to purchase or download third-party software.

With Windows Media Player 12, you can burn mixes or entire CDs onto a CD-R, CD-RW or DVD. To begin, insert a blank CD or DVD into your disc drive. If the autoplay window pops up, choose 'Burn an audio CD'.

Otherwise, simply open Windows Media Player 12.

Step 1: Creating a Burn List

When you insert a blank disc, the Burn List should appear automatically. If it does not, click theBurn tab in the top-right. If there are items left over from the last time you were playing files, click'Clear List' to start fresh.

To add songs to your Burn List, locate them in your Library. The easiest way to add songs is to drag and drop the album into the Burn List. Don't worry - this won't delete them from your Library.

You can also select each track individually and drag it to add it to the Burn List or choose multiple tracks and drag them into the Burn List.

Lastly, you can also right-click a song or group of songs and click 'Add to' and choose 'Burn List'.

Click the text that reads 'Burn List' to name your disc. This will show up on CD players that support CD text. You can also drag and drop songs in your Burn List to reorder them.

Step 2: Choosing a Disc Type

With Windows Media Player 12, there are three different types of discs you can burn:

• Audio CD - Audio CDs hold roughly 80 minutes of music regardless of file size in terms of megabytes. For example, it doesn't matter if your Burn List consists of 1 MB songs encoded at 96 Kbps or 3 MB songs encoded at 196 Kbps - all that matters is how long the songs are. Audio CDs are readable by computers and are playable in any CD player, regardless of which format the files were in before you burned the CD. For example, if you burn .wma files onto an audio CD, the disc will be playable in CDs and stereos even if they do not support digital audio files.
• Data CD - Data CDs are readable by computers and CD players that support playback of digital audio files. These can hold significantly more songs than an audio CD, but the songs will not be playable on standard CD players. Data CDs tend to hold about 700 MB worth of data, regardless of the length of the song.
• Data DVD - Data DVDs are readable by DVD players that support playback of digital audio files. You can also burn images and video files onto a DVD. However, these will not be readable by standard DVD players. Data DVDs are primarily intended to be readable by computers. Most DVDs hold about 4 GB of data, regardless of length.

To choose which type of disc to burn, click the 'Burn options' icon in the upper-right hand corner and choose it from the drop-down menu. You may also want to adjust some of the burn options by clicking 'More burn options'.

Step 3: Choose Burn Options

In the 'Burn Options' window, there are a number of options:

• Burn Speed - This changes how fast your disc is burned and will not affect the end product. We recommend choosing a slower burn speed, regardless of how fast your burner is. This takes a bit longer, but helps prevents skips and failed burns (which essentially waste a disc). Slower burn speeds are best for playback in car stereos or older devices with lesser skip protection capabilities.
• Automatically eject the disc after burning - This is self-explanatory.
• Apply volume leveling across tracks - This option attempts to normalize the volume levels so each track is about the same volume. This is useful when making mix CDs pulled from several different albums. This only applies to audio CDs.
• Burn CD without gaps - By default, most burners will insert 1 to 2 seconds of silence between each song. Check this to omit these gaps. When selecting this option, keep in mind that not all burners support this feature. Gapless burning also increases the chances of skips and failed burns.
• Add a list of all burned files to the disc in this format - Choose from .wpl or .m3u. In supported CD players, this will allow the device to read and display the track information, such as artist and album name. This only applies to data CDs.
• Use media information to arrange files in folders on the disc - This option will arrange the songs into folders, similarly to how they are in your Library. This only affects data CDs and is convenient when burning data CDs with many, many songs, as it saves you from hitting skip over and over. However, note, that your CD player must support folder navigation for this to be a benefit.

Step 4: Burn Your Disc

Once you're satisfied with your settings, click Apply and OK. Next, click 'Start burn' to begin.

When the burn begins, the status will be displayed at the top of the Burn List. Click the blue underlined text to see the status of each individual track.

And that's it! Once your burn is completed, you'll be able to use your audio CD, data CD or data DVD in any compatible computer or device.

Conclusion

As you can see, Windows Media Player 12 makes burning discs incredibly easy. The discs you burn with Windows Media Player 12 can be played back in car stereos and standard CD players as well as disc players that support .mp3 and .wma playback. Once you choose your burn settings, you can burn discs with just a few clicks using any song from your Library.


References: http://www.7tutorials.com/how-burn-cds-and-dvds-windows-media-player-12