Passwords, they are the bane of our existence, really. But, they are critical in both securing data and in the time wasted because we forget them (not to mention the time wasted if our identity is stolen)!

Here is a foolproof way to make good, secure passwords that you won't forget!

1. Start with an original but memorable phrase. Make it something you can remember. "I do not like summer because it is too hot".
   
2. Take the first letter of each word = *Idnlsbii2h*
   

A mnemonic does not have to be written down because it is easy to remember. Just remember to add a number and a character - replace too with 2, for with 4, hate with h8 (you might h8 winter - I hate winter in Minnesota because it is too cold = Ih8wiMbii2c!).

Really, it's that simple. Use capitalization rules (first letter, M for Minnesota) for sentences, add a character, and you have a fairly secure password.

Now, for security reasons on sites like your email, bank or credit card, facebook, twitter, or for online shopping, you should change you password. Change something in your sentence. I hate summer..., I love winter..., Spring is pretty in Minnesota because I love tuilps for my table. SipiMbIlt4mt!

Using the above password for Facebook? SipiMbIlt4mtFB. Twitter? TW at the end. Email, the same.

I always make one generic password for things I don't care about, like an account for an online newspaper. Here's one idea, I hate registering for this newspaper because I keep forgetting my password! Ih8r4tnbikfmp!

Are these passwords harder to type? Yes. Are they very secure? Yes. You have to choose which is more important to you, a little longer to type a password or someone stealing your identity?

Think about it for a minute - how much personal information do you have in your email account? What kind of information do you share with your Friends in Facebook?

As always, if you have questions please contact the Help Desk. We are more than happy to help you with this, or anything technology related!

Adding a Flash movie to a PowerPoint presentation

It is just a few more steps, but you can add a Flash movie to a PowerPoint presentation. Just follow these steps (and visit www.wikihow.com for more how-to-do-this information!)

1. Click Microsoft Office Button on the top left corner > click "PowerPoint Options" at the bottom of the panel > go to the "PowerPoint Options" window > click "Popular" on the left column > select "Show Developer tab in the Ribbon" on the right column > click "OK" at the bottom
2. On the "Developer" tab > go to "Controls" group > Click the icon of hammer and nail for "More Controls" > go to the "More Controls" window
3. On the "More Controls" window > select "Shockwave Flash Object" in the list > click "OK" at the bottom > use your pointer to drag on the slide to draw and resize the control
4. Right click the control you draw > click "Properties" in the right-click menu > go to the "Properties" window
5. On the alphabetic tab > click the "Movie" property > type the full drive path in the value column (the blank cell next to Movie), including the file name (e.g. C\:a.swf) or URL (e.g. http://www.a.com/b.swf)
6. To make the Flash play automatically when the slide is displayed, set the "Playing" property to "True"; To embed the Flash into PowerPoint, set "EmbedMovie" property to "True"
7. Finally close the "Properties" window and save your presentation.
8. On the View tab, in the Presentation Views group, you can click Slide Show or press F5 to preview your presentation.