Alphasmart NEO2 SmartApplet User manual

Quick Guide

Contact Information
Copyright Notice
Copyright © 2008 by Renaissance Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This publication is protected by US and international copyright laws. It is unlawful to duplicate or reproduce any
copyrighted material without authorization from the copyright holder. This document may be reproduced only by staff
members in schools that have purchased the NEO 2. For more information, contact Renaissance Learning, Inc., at the
address above.
2Know!, Accelerated Math, Accelerated Reader, AccelTest, AlphaSmart, AlphaHub, AlphaQuiz, AlphaWord, Beamer,
KeyWords, NEO, NEO 1, NEO 2, Renaissance, Renaissance Learning, the Renaissance Learning logo, Renaissance
Place, Renaissance Receiver, Renaissance Responder, and SmartApplet are trademarks of Renaissance Learning, Inc.,
and its subsidiaries, registered, common law, or pending registration in the United States and other countries.
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries.
Windows and Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
10/2008 NEO 2
510029B-1008
United States United Kingdom
Renaissance Learning
PO Box 8036
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8036
Technical questions or problems:
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.renlearn.com/support
Purchase AlphaSmart products,
general information, or sales
questions:
Online store: www.renlearn.com/store/
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Technical questions or problems:
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Latest support information:
Web: www.alphasmart.co.uk/support
Purchase AlphaSmart products:
Web: www.alphasmart.co.uk/ordering
(This URL also provides a list of resellers
and AlphaSmart contacts.)
Europe, Middle East, and Africa
Asia/Pacific, Canada, and Latin
America
Technical questions or problems:
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Latest support information:
Web: www.alphasmart.eu/support
Purchase AlphaSmart products:
Web: www.alphasmart.com/international
(This URL also provides a list of resellers
and AlphaSmart contacts.)
Technical questions or problems:
Contact your local reseller. If you do not
have a local reseller, email Technical
Support at [email protected].
Latest support information:
Web: www.alphasmart.com/international
Select your country or region.
Purchase AlphaSmart products:
Web: www.alphasmart.com/international
(This URL also provides a list of resellers
and AlphaSmart contacts.)
Neo2QuickGuide.book Page a Thursday, September 11, 2008 8:24 AM

1
WHAT’SIN THE NEO 2 KIT?
. . . . .
NEO 2 and SmartApplets
Quick Guide
W HAT ’ S IN THE NEO 2 K IT ?
You’ll find these items in the NEO 2 kit:
• your NEO 2 laptop
• three AA batteries
• a standard USB cable for connecting the NEO 2 to your computer or printer
• the AlphaSmart Manager installation CD
• the NEO 1 and NEO 2 Documentation CD, which includes your manuals
•theNEO 2 and SmartApplet Quick Guide
If you ordered a SmartOption Mobile Lab, you’ve also received the following:
• the SmartOption Cart with NEO 2 laptops and AlphaHub
•theNEO 1 and NEO 2 User Manual
•theAlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual
• a Renaissance Receiver with cable
•the2Know!Toolbar installation CD
•theNEO 2 Resource Guide for Use with 2Know!
• the AccelTest software installation CD
• a USB IR Pod for infrared beaming between a NEO 2 and a computer
• an AlphaBeam software CD (for infrared beaming)
• a keyboarding wall chart
• a NEO training CD
• a poster about taking Accelerated Reader quizzes on the NEO 2
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2
ABOUT THE NEO 2
. . . . .
NEO 2 and SmartApplets
Quick Guide
A BOUT THE NEO 2
The drawings below will help you identify the parts of your NEO 2:
A
B
C
D
EFGH
A
The NEO 2 screen.
B The keyboard. The top row includes keys that
are unique to NEO, including on/off, the eight
file keys, spell check, find, clear file, home, end,
applets, and send.
C The green light is on when your NEO 2 is
connected to a computer, to a SmartOption
Mobile Lab, or to an AC adapter. If your NEO 2
has a rechargeable battery pack, a green light
means the batteries are charged; amber means
they are being charged.
D The battery compartment cover.
E The connection point for the AC adapter cord
(for NEOs with the rechargeable battery pack).
F The IR port for infrared beaming between NEOs
or between a NEO 2 and a computer.
G The port for connecting NEO 2 to a computer
using a standard USB cable.
H A USB port for connecting NEO 2 directly to a
printer.
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3
INSTALLING THE BATTERIES
. . . . .
NEO 2 and SmartApplets
Quick Guide
I NSTALLING THE B ATTERIES
Follow these steps to install the AA batteries:
1. On the back of the NEO 2, put your thumbs in the circles A and slide the
compartment cover toward the left to remove it from the NEO 2.
Note: After you install the batteries the first time, you may use a small
Phillips screw to secure the cover. If you do this, you will need to remove
the screw to open the cover the next time you install batteries.
2. The first time you open the compartment, you’ll find a small plastic bag
with a Phillips screw to help keep the battery compartment shut. Remove
the bag.
3. Insert the three AA batteries into the compartment. Make sure the + end
of each battery points toward the black and red cables.
4. Put the battery compartment cover back on and slide it back in place. You
can insert the small Phillips screw in the hole in the cover to make sure
the cover stays shut.
If you purchased the
rechargeable battery
pack, insert it instead
of the batteries and connect
the cable on the battery pack
to the matching cable next to
the NEO 2 battery
compartment. Then, connect
the AC adapter to your NEO 2
and plug it into an outlet as
soon as possible after
receiving the NEO 2. Charge
the unit for at least 16 hours
the first time; charge it 4–8
hours subsequent times. For
more information, see the
NEO 1 and NEO 2 User
Manual on your NEO 1 and
NEO 2 Documentation CD.
AA
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4
STARTING THE NEO 2 OR SHUTTING ITDOWN
. . . . .
NEO 2 and SmartApplets
Quick Guide
S TARTING THE NEO 2 OR S HUTTING I T D OWN
To start the NEO 2, press the on/off key in the upper-left corner of the
keyboard. The NEO 2 will start AlphaWord Plus, and you can begin typing
immediately in the open file if you wish.
Notice that you have eight files available to type text in; to switch between
files, press one of the file keys (file 1, file 2, etc.). You can also save and name
files on your NEO 2. For more information, see the NEO 1 and NEO 2 User
Manual on the Documentation CD.
NEO 2 shuts down automatically to save battery power if you don’t use it for a
certain amount of time. The default time is 4 minutes, but you can change it
by pressing option-a-T or using the Idle Time System setting in AlphaSmart
Manager. Please note that this setting does not apply if the Responder or
Accelerated Reader SmartApplet is open. When the Responder SmartApplet
is open, NEO 2 always allows 30 minutes of idle time before shutting down;
for the Accelerated Reader SmartApplet, the idle time is 10 minutes.
I NSTALLING A LPHA S MART M ANAGER
AlphaSmart Manager helps your computer work with NEO 2. It lets you do
the following:
• Get files from your NEO 2 so you can view, save, and/or print the files.
• Send files from your computer to your NEO 2. Files may include lessons,
instructions, or just text files that you want to work in on the NEO 2.
• View reports about student work in KeyWords on the NEO 2 and
synchronize the data with Renaissance Place. For more about KeyWords,
see page 19.
•InstallorremoveSmartApplet programs on your NEO 2.
• Change settings for your NEO 2 or for one of the SmartApplets on NEO 2.
• View the items you’re about to send to the NEOs and select the NEOs to
send them to.
For more information about AlphaSmart Manager, see the AlphaSmart
Manager 2 User Manual on your NEO 1 and NEO 2 Documentation CD. To
install AlphaSmart Manager, follow the steps on the next page for your type of
computer.
The Renaissance
Wireless Server
Utility is
automatically installed with
AlphaSmart Manager. This
utility allows your
Renaissance Receiver to
communicate with
Responders and NEO 2
laptops as well as the
AccelTest, Accelerated Math
RP, Accelerated Reader RP,
or 2Know! Toolbar software. It
also allows wireless radio
frequency printing from
NEO 2.

5
INSTALLING ALPHASMART MANAGER
Installing AlphaSmart Manager on Windows Computers
. . . . .
NEO 2 and SmartApplets
Quick Guide
Installing AlphaSmart Manager on Windows Computers
AlphaSmart Manager works with Windows 2000, XP, or Vista. Make sure
you’re logged in as the administrator or that you have administrator
privileges when you install the software (and the first time you connect NEO 2
or a SmartOption Mobile Lab to your computer) so the drivers load properly.
1. Insert the AlphaSmart Manager CD into your computer. If a window
doesn’t open to show you the contents of the CD, view the contents using
My Computer or Windows Explorer.
2. Double-click the setup.exe file.
3. Click Next > in the first panel of the installation wizard.
4. Read the license agreement. Then, click the first option to accept the
terms and click Next >.
5. The program will ask if you want to search for configuration files from
previous versions of AlphaSmart Manager.
•If this is the first time you’ve installed the program, click No.
•If you have a previous version and you want to save your
configuration, click Yes. If the program can’t find the files, you may
need to browse for them yourself.
6. On the final panel of the wizard, check the box if you want to view the
Read Me file as soon as the installer closes. Then, click Finish.
Installing AlphaSmart Manager on Macintosh Computers
AlphaSmart Manager works with OS 10.3.9, 10.4.x, or 10.5.x. Make sure
you’re logged in as the administrator or that you have administrator
privileges when you install the software (and the first time you connect NEO 2
or a SmartOption Mobile Lab to your computer) so the drivers load properly.
1. Insert the AlphaSmart Manager CD into your computer.
2. Double-click AlphaSmart Manager Installer on the CD.
3. Enter your user name and password for this computer when the installer
asks you to do so. Then, click OK.
4. Click Continue.
5. Read the license agreement; then, click Continue. Click Agree when the
program asks if you want to agree to the license agreement.
6. Click Install. The installation will start.
7. The installer will notify you that no other programs can be running during
installation. Click Continue to close other programs and continue.
8. The installer will also notify you that it may automatically restart your
computer after installation. Click OK.
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6
CONNECTING NEO 2 TO YOUR COMPUTER
Connecting a Single NEO 2 to Your Computer
. . . . .
NEO 2 and SmartApplets
Quick Guide
9. The program will ask if you want to search for configuration files from
previous versions of AlphaSmart Manager.
•If this is the first time you’ve installed the program, click No.
•If you have a previous version and you want to save your
configuration, click Yes. If the program can’t find the files, you may
need to browse for them yourself.
10. The installer will also ask if you want to add the program to the dock. Click
Yes or No. The installation will be completed. Your computer may be
restarted.
C ONNECTING NEO 2 TO Y OUR C OMPUTER
Connecting a Single NEO 2 to Your Computer
1. If this is the first time you have connected the NEO 2 to your computer,
make sure you are logged in to your computer as an administrator or that
you have permissions that allow the device drivers to load properly. Also,
make sure AlphaSmart Manager is not running.
2. Using the cable that came with the NEO 2, connect the USB connector
A
to your computer, and connect the square end
B to your NEO 2 at C .
3. The first time you connect your NEO 2 to a Windows computer, the
computer may notify you that it has found the hardware and installed the
driver. If a hardware wizard appears, follow the instructions in the wizard.
The first time you connect your NEO 2 to an OS 10 computer, a keyboard
setup assistant will open. Follow the instructions in the assistant.
C
A
B
On Windows XP
computers, you may
be notified that the
driver is not certified for
Windows XP. The driver will
work for your system; to go on,
click Continue Anyway.
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7
SETTING UPARENAISSANCE RECEIVER
How to Connect a Renaissance Receiver to Your Computer
. . . . .
NEO 2 and SmartApplets
Quick Guide
Connecting Multiple NEO 2 Laptops Using a SmartOption
Mobile Lab
After installing AlphaSmart Manager, follow the SmartOption Mobile Lab
Setup instructions to connect the cart of NEO 2 laptops to your computer
using AlphaHub.
S ETTING U P A R ENAISSANCE R ECEIVER
How to Connect a Renaissance Receiver to Your
Computer
If you have received or purchased a Renaissance Receiver, follow these steps
to connect it to your computer. Make sure you install AlphaSmart Manager
(see page 4) before connecting the Renaissance Receiver.
1. Find the Renaissance Receiver and the USB data cable.
2. Plug the end of the data cable that
is nearly square into the connector
on the back of the Receiver
A .
3. Connect the flat USB connector on
the data cable B to a matching USB port
on your computer.
A
A
B
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8
SETTING UPARENAISSANCE RECEIVER
How to Name the Receiver
. . . . .
NEO 2 and SmartApplets
Quick Guide
How to Name the Receiver
It’s important to set a unique name for the computer/Receiver combination
so that students know they’re connecting to the right Receiver when they use
NEO 2 for quizzes or assignments. This is especially important if your school
has more than one Renaissance Receiver. Follow these steps:
1. Start the Renaissance Wireless Server Utility:
•Windows computers: Right-click in the lower-right corner of your
computer screen (the system tray) and choose Manage from the
menu that opens. If you don’t see this icon in your system tray, click
Start Programs  Renaissance Wireless Server 
Renaissance Wireless Server Utility.
•Macintosh computers: In your computer’s Applications folder, open
the Renaissance Wireless Server folder. Then, double-click
Renaissance Wireless Server Utility.
2. Type 1234 and click OK to log in. (This is the default Administrator PIN. If
you have changed the PIN, enter your new PIN.) If necessary, click Start.
3. Click the Server Settings tab.
4. In the Network Name field, enter a new name for the Renaissance
Receiver. (Make sure the name is different from names used for other
Renaissance Receivers within the building.)
5. Click Update Network Settings.
6. Click OK when the program finishes updating network settings. Make
sure that any students who will be using NEO 2 or Responders to
complete quizzes or assignments know which Receiver name to
connect to.
The Renaissance
Wireless Server
Utility is
automatically installed with
AlphaSmart Manager. Make
sure you’ve installed
AlphaSmart Manager before
you follow these steps.
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