Chromebook Overview
Library of Things & Chromebook Lending Agreement
Chromebooks are a new type of computer that works on a different operating system (Chrome OS) than other traditional computers (like Windows or Macs). Essentially, they offer a web-browser experience. You can either use it just for browsing, or, sign in to your Google account to access web-based services such as Docs and Drive to create and share files online. Everything is saved in the cloud.
- What is a Google account?
- Need to get a Google account?
- What is the cloud?
NPL’s Chromebooks
Our Chromebooks are set to a Managed Guest session, which means that the Chromebook functionality is limited to web browsing. Please login to your Google account to access the web apps you would like to use.
Google Chrome environment and web apps
Chromebooks run web apps instead of software programs, and the naming of different work environments is different than in Microsoft Office or Macs.
Task | Chromebook app | Works like… |
Create a document | Docs | Word, Pages |
Create a spreadsheet | Sheets | Excel, Numbers |
Create a presentation | Slides | Powerpoint, Keynote |
Take a note | Google Keep | Notepad, Notes |
Edit a photo | Open image from Files app or use Goole Drawings | GIMP |
Make calls and video chat | Hangouts | Skype, Facetime |
Write an email | Gmail or Inbox | Outlook, Mac Mail |
Find and save files | Files or Google Drive | My Computer, Finder |
Saving your files
You can either save directly to your Google cloud account, or to an external USB drive, or even to the Files area of the computer–access this by clicking on the Files icon on the Chromebook Shelf (like the “taskbar” at the bottom of the screen); or, you can click on the Launcher (circle at bottom left) to find the icon.
Need Help?
- For Chromebook help, please visit the support site: https://support.google.com/chromebook
- Call us! 250-352-6333 for quick questions or to Book-A-Librarian