PowerToys for XP

Windows XP Powertoys:
Webcam Timershot and Alt Tab replacement



I'd forgotten about these but they are really worth downloading. Powertoys are add-ons for XP, that add little extra functionality. Microsoft says 'PowerToys add fun and functionality to the Windows experience. What are they? PowerToys are additional programs that developers work on after a product has been released.' PS they don't work with vista

Webcam Timershot
this Webcam timer thingy- this allows you to program a web cam to take shots at intervals- OK so you can do this with the Intel QXL microscope but that will of course only work for items small enough to fit under a microscope. You could use this in a year 3 class, with a machine sited near a window, for the year 3 unit:

How can we improve the area we can see from our window?

This is the unit that is based around Jeannie Bakers book 'Window', which shows a view from the window changing overtime from a rural scene to a fully urbanised polluted hell.





One of the activities from the QCA is as follows:


Divide the class into small groups and ask them to open and look through the window, thinking about what they can see, hear and smell. Ask them to note any words that come to mind; these could be used later to write simple poems. Some children could use photographs of the view at night as a stimulus for poetry.


How could you get those pictures of the view at night?



Timershot- allows you to programme the camera to take shots at specific intervals and would also satisfy elements of the control curriculum.

ALT TAB



ALT TAB replacement is featured above and allows you to gain a very vista style representation of all running programs. Simple press ALT and TAB and switch between applications rather than minimising and maximising. This does work without the powertoy, but the powertoy gives it that extra visual appeal.