Software for Dr. Rath's Classes

All software is free and runs on MacOS, Windows, and Linux unless otherwise indicated. We will introduce most of the software as we use it, but others, like DropBox and LastPass are for disaster prevention and should be used by default.

• Software map showing how the various pieces work together.
• You will need a computer running MacOS, Windows, or Linux.  A smartphone, Android, or iOS tablet will work for reading but you will still need a laptop for the writing.  Chromebooks will not work.  If you are stuck on a Chromebook and absolutely cannot get a computer running one of the above three operating systems, talk to me and we can figure something out, but please make sure you cannot beg or borrow an actual computer for the semester!
• Word processing software: In order to take full advantage of Zotero, you must use either LibreOffice, which is free, and is what I use, or Microsoft Word, which you can get in the bookstore at a discounted price.  Google Docs now works too, but not with Safari. The built in software on Macs won't work, nor will the Mac Pages program.
• Firefox or Chrome. Free Browsers. Use one of these instead of MS Edge/Explorer or MacOS Safari. Install before Zotero.
• Zotero. This one is required. It will save you tons of time and pointless formatting. It will help you keep your notes organized by keeping them attached to a citation of the source you got them from. Setting up and syncing your library to an online Zotero account is an excellent idea. The manual is excellent, and if you run into trouble and have read the manual, there is a great forum.  Be nice and ask your question well and Dan will surely help you out!  Zotero connects with Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.  There are plugins that get installed for MSOffice and LibreOffice, so make sure one of them is installed first.  Once your browser is connected to Zotero (which must be open to use the word processor plugins), Google Docs will automatically integrate Zotero in Firefox and Chrome, but not (yet) Safari.  Zotero does not work on IEexplorer/Edge at all.
• Slack. Messaging app, sort of like social media just for us. If you sign up now, use your UH email plz.
• Mind mapping software. VUE (visual Understanding Environment) is my choice, but you have to read the instructions for how it works. It is extremely versatile and can be used for presentations too.
• Scalar is a content management system, like WordPress, that has been specially developed for academic projects.  It has mapping, multimedia, and visualization capabilities and is moderately straightforward to learn.
• Google Drive at UH: Allows you to share and work collaboratively on documents, publishing them to the web if you wish.
• Moodle. Professor Rath's Course manager, alternative to Laulima. Sign up for an account if instructed to. If you are reading this you are probably already on it!

Optional but very useful

• Amazon reader. You can read Amazon books from within any browser. No additional software is required. Of course, you can read Kindle books on a Kindle. You can also read them on any iPad, Android tablet or phone, or iPhone, although I do not recommend reading on a phone.
• Dropbox. This automatically keeps an up-to-date copy of all your data "in the cloud" -- that is, online. You don't have to do anything except install the program on any computers you want to keep synced. That way when disaster strikes, your data is just a click away. A 2 gigabyte account is free. Get it please! Someone uses this to their advantage every semester.
• LastPass. Keep your accounts secure with unique passwords. Never forget a password again! Offers Premioum subscription if you want to use it on Mobile devices.
• Linux. Free and open source operating system. Own your computer instead of licensing it. Runs great on older machines.