by AGParts Education | Chromebooks, Tips and Tricks
There is no other device that is more mysterious or more misunderstood than the Chromebook. After all, what is a Chromebook exactly? Why are Chromebooks so weird? Why don’t they have a caps lock key? Today, we’re breaking down the Chromebook basics that every user needs to know.
What is a Chromebook?
First things first, let’s put the mystery to an end. A Chromebook is a type of laptop that is run on the Chrome OS. Chromebooks are unique in that they are internet-heavy machines. They’re a favorite for ed tech programs across the nation because of their affordability and ease of use.
Chromebook Basics
Here are seven Chromebook basics to help you navigate your device like a pro.
1. Right Click
The most elementary of Chromebook basics, the right click. If you aren’t using a mouse, how on earth do you right click? Similar to other laptops, you can right click on a Chromebook by tapping two fingers at the same time on the touchpad.
Note: This will only work if tap-to-click is enabled, which is most likely enabled. If disabled, toggle the setting on under Mouse and Touchpad Device settings (Settings > Advanced > Manage Accessibility Features > Mouse and Touchpad > Open Mouse and Touchpad Settings).
You can also right click by pressing Alt while you click with one finger.
2. View all Keyboard Shortcuts
Chromebooks pride themselves on a streamlined approach, so it’s no surprise that they’re full of handy keyboard shortcuts. And, even less surprising, there’s a keyboard command to see all keyboard shortcuts. Press Ctrl + Alt + ? to view a keyboard overlay with keyboard shortcuts.
You can also check our handy guide to Chromebook keyboard shortcuts.
3. Customize Your Shelf
Customize your desktop by editing your shelf and its position. The shelf, aka taskbar or dock, is located at the bottom of your screen by default. It displays which apps are running and holds app shortcuts for easy launch.
Customize your shelf to reflect the apps you use most frequently. Here is how you add and remove apps to your shelf:
- Add an app: Use the launcher key to find the app you wish to pin to your shelf. Right click on the app icon and select Pin to Shelf.
- Add a webpage: Open the site you wish to add to your shelf. Click the snowman menu (three vertical dots), then select Create Shortcut. For a desktop experience, select open as window.
- Remove an app: Right click on the app icon in your shelf that you wish to remove and select Unpin.
Don’t like your shelf at the bottom of your screen? No sweat. Change its position by right clicking on the shelf and selecting Shelf Position. You can also hide the shelf by selecting Autohide.
4. Use Guest Mode to Share Your Chromebook
Since Chromebooks are so internet-centric, they rely heavily on the primary user’s Google account. You are always logged into your Google account for ease of access to Gmail and Google Drive. This can make sharing your Chromebook a bit unsettling.
Have no fear, Chromebooks do have a Guest mode that allow for someone to use your Chromebook without disturbing your settings or files. Simply select Guest Mode from the lock screen.
5. Turn Caps Lock On/Off
You may notice that your caps lock key has been replaced with another key which is clearly not caps lock. While we don’t imagine you’ll be using shouty caps that frequently, it’s handy to know how to use caps lock when you need it.
There are actually two ways to do this. Caps lock has been replaced with the launcher or search key which shows all your apps and launches Google assistant. You can change the functionality of this key under Keyboard settings by selecting caps lock under the Search field (account > settings > keyboard settings).
Or, if you like the functionality of the launcher/search key, just toggle caps lock on and off by using the keyboard shortcut Alt + search key.
6. Split Your Screen
This is a Chromebook basic to make you feel and look like the productive beast that you truly are. It’s especially handy for students that need to watch their teacher and take notes or complete assignments concurrently. There are a couple ways to do this. Pressing Alt + [ ] (both bracket keys) splits your screen into two tabs. Or press Alt + [ (left bracket) or Alt + ] (right bracket) to send a tab to the left or right side of your screen respectively.
7. Parental Controls
This is a great tip for anyone monitoring a student’s progress on their Chromebook. You can create a supervised user and then edit permissions, which allows you to block certain websites. If your device is managed by your school, there is a chance that your student is already using a supervised account.
Here’s how:
- Create supervised user: From the sign-in screen, click Add User then Create Supervised User. Enter child’s Google account info.
- Edit/manage permissions: Sign into your account and edit user permissions under Supervised Users Dashboard. Select Manage to edit which websites the user is allowed to view. To block a website, insert an asterisk in place of www in the web address, e.g. *.google.com.
This also works if you are sharing your Chromebook is your family computer. You can easily set up supervised accounts for your children, or anyone else in the household.
AGParts Education supports 7,000+ school districts across the nation as their complete 1:1 Chromebook deployment partner. Find out how we can help your district. Contact us today!
by AGParts Education | Acer, Announcements, Chromebooks, Education Technology, Lenovo
The Chromebook—the device of the twenty-first-century classroom. Their simplicity, price tag, and mobility make them the most popular choice for K-12 1:1 deployment nationwide. Here are eight new models to be introduced in 2023, all designed to endure the strain of everyday classroom use.
Acer Chromebook Vero 712
Release: April 2023
Processor: Intel Core i3-1215U, Intel Pentium Gold 8505, or Intel Celeron 7305
Battery: up to 10 hours
Memory: up to 8GB
Storage options: up to 128GB eMMC
Display: 12”
Resolution: 1366×912, LED-backlit TFT with IPS (touch optional)
Ports: 2 USB-C, 1 USB-A, 1 audio jack
Other features:
- Reinforced hinges and corners, metal-plated ports, and spill-resistant keyboards.
- Stereo speakers
- Dual microphones
- 720p webcam
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth 5.2
- 5mm headphone/speaker audio
Acer Chromebook 511 (C736)
Release: April 2023
Processor: Intel Processor N100 or N200
Battery: up to 12 hours
Memory: up to 8GB
Storage options: up to 64GB eMMC
Display: 11.6”
Resolution: 1366×768, optional touchscreen
Ports: 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 1 audio jack, MicroSD card slot
Convertible: No
Other features:
- Reinforced hinges and corners, metal-plated ports, and spill-resistant keyboards.
- Stereo speakers
- Dual microphones
- 720p webcam
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth 5.2
Acer Chromebook Spin 511 (R756T)
Release: April 2023
Processor: Intel Processor N100 or N200
Battery: up to 12 hours
Memory: up to 8GB
Storage: up to 128GB eMMC
Display: 11.6”
Resolution: 1366×768, touchscreen, optional USI stylus
Ports: 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 1 audio jack, MicroSD card slot
Convertible: Yes
Other features:
- Reinforced hinges and corners, metal-plated ports, and spill-resistant keyboards.
- Stereo speakers
- Dual microphones
- 720p webcam
- Optional 5MP webcam
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth 5.2
Acer Chromebook Spin 512 (R856T)
Release: April 2023
Processor: Intel Processor N100 or N200
Battery: up to 12 hours
Memory: up to 8GB
Storage: up to 128GB eMMC
Display: 12”
Resolution: 1366×912, touchscreen, optional USI stylus
Ports: 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 1 audio jack, MicroSD card slot
Convertible: Yes
Other features:
- Reinforced hinges and corners, metal-plated ports, and spill-resistant keyboards.
- Stereo speakers
- Dual microphones
- 720p webcam
- Optional 8MP webcam
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth 5.2
Lenovo 100e Chromebook Gen 4
Processor: MediaTek Kompanio 520
Battery: up to 16 hours
Memory: up to 8GB RAM
Storage: up to 64GB eMMC
Display: 11.6” anti-glare display
Resolution: 1366×768
Ports: 1 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 1 HDMI, 1 audio jack
Weight: 2.71 lbs.
Other features:
- Durable keyboard with full skirt keycaps and reinforced ports and hinges
- Wi-Fi 6 and optional 4G LTE3
- 720p HD front-facing camera with privacy shutter
Lenovo 300e Yoga Chromebook Gen 4
Processor: MediaTek Kompanio 520
Battery: up to 16 hours
Memory: up to 8GB RAM
Storage: up to 64GB eMMC
Display: 11.6” IPS touch display featuring Corning Gorilla Glass, optional garaged stylus
Resolution: 1366×768
Ports: 1 USB-C; 2 USB-A; 1 HDMI; 1 audio jack
Convertible: Yes
Weight: 2.9 lbs.
Other features
- 360-degree hinge and rubber bumpers
- 720p HD front camera with privacy shutter and optional 5MP world-facing camera
- Wi-Fi 6
Lenovo 500e Yoga Chromebook Gen 4
Processor: Intel Processor N100 or N200
Battery: up to 16 hours
Memory: up to 8GB RAM
Storage: up to 128GB eMMC storage
Screen: 12.2” IPS touch display with 16:10 aspect ratio featuring Gorilla Glass and TUV certified low blue light
Resolution: 1920×1200
Ports: 1 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 1 HDMI, 1 audio jack
Convertible: Yes
Weight: 2.9 lbs.
Other features:
- Touch display support and optional active stylus pen
- 1080p or 720p front-facing camera with shutter and optional 5MP world-facing camera
- Wi-Fi 6 or 6E2 and optional 4G LTE3
Lenovo 14e Chromebook Gen 3
Processor: Intel Processor N100 or N200 or Intel Core i3-N305 processor
Battery: up to 14 hours
Memory: up to 8GB RAM
Storage: up to 128GB SSD
Ports: 1 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 1 HDMI, 1 audio jack
Convertible: Yes
Weight: 3.2–3.3 lbs.
Other features:
- Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E
- 720p or 1080p front-facing camera with privacy shutter
- Water resistant keyboard, up to 350 mL
Find out why 7,500 districts and counting have trusted AGParts Education for Chromebook buyback, parts procurement, and more. Contact us today!
by AGParts Education | Chromebook Parts, Chromebooks, K-12 Education
If your district is implementing a computing program, Chromebooks are an essential consideration. Low in price and secure, Chromebooks are internet-heavy devices running on Chrome OS.
One of the most attractive features about a Chromebook is the fact that they are relatively low maintenance. With little to no software, OS and app updates are often automatic and occur in the background. In terms of hardware, there are very few moving parts in the device.
Parts of a Chromebook
Even though they are lean on hardware, you should still be familiar with their parts. Here are the parts of a Chromebook:
Motherboard
The heart of your Chromebook, the motherboard is the main circuit board. It holds and enables all communication between many crucial systems in your Chromebook. The motherboard holds the central processing unit (CPU).
Battery
Chromebooks use lithium-ion batteries, which are rechargeable. Another draw about Chromebooks is their long battery life. Most Chromebooks can support an eight-hour school day easily on a single charge.
A/C Adapter
Also referred to as a power cord or charger, a Chromebook’s A/C adapter is its external power supply that recharges the battery.
Display
Referred to by many names, a Chromebook’s display is composed of an LCD and the glass screen. Depending on your Chromebook, it may also have a digitizer.
- LCD: Liquid-crystal display, or LCD, is a flat-panel display that uses liquid crystals in its primary operation. LCDs are extremely common today, and largely replaced light-emitting diode (LED) displays.
- Screen: The protective glass that covers the LCD
- Digitizer: If your Chromebook features a touch screen, it will have a digitizer which enable s the touch screen functionality.
Bezel
Typically made of plastic, the bezel is the border around the display.
Web Cam
The web cam is located above the display in the bezel.
Microphone
The microphone is typically located beside the web cam.
Ports
Chromebooks come equipped with a variety of ports which can include:
- USB ports: type A, C, or both
- Headphone and/or microphone jack
- Micro SD slot for expandable storage
- SIM card slot for Chromebooks with LTE capabilities
Keyboard, Touchpad, and Palmrest
Often sold as one part, the keyboard, touchpad, and palmrest is where the action occurs on the Chromebook.
- Keyboard: Although still in QWERTY format, Chromebook keyboards differ from a Windows laptop or MacBook. The caps lock key has been replaced with the search/launcher key. There are also no enhanced function keys (F1-F12).
- Touchpad: Also referred to as clickpad or trackpad, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive panel that controls point-and-click functionality.
- Palmrest: The plastic cover surrounding the keyboard and touchpad is the palmrest.
Top and Bottom Covers
The shell of the Chromebook is comprised of the top and bottom covers. They can be made of plastic or aluminum.
Repairing Your K-12 Chromebooks
Although Chromebooks are low maintenance, they sometimes do need to be repaired. The good news is that they are generally easy to repair and oftentimes the repairs can be completed in house.
All you need is a reliable Chromebook parts supplier to source parts and a tutorial. That’s where we come in! AGParts Education has the capability to support school districts of any size in parts procurement with:
- An inventory of 500,000+ OEM new and reclaimed parts
- Orders that ship the same day plus free shipping
- Discounts on bulk order
- A dedicated sales executive to simplify and assist your district in managing your 1:1 program
- A comprehensive YouTube library of 250+ repair tutorials for a variety of models and variety of repairs
AGParts Education has been in the classroom since Chromebooks were first introduced, partnering with Council Bluffs School District, one of Google’s pilot schools. Find out why 7,500+ school districts, including Council Bluffs, rely on us for their Chromebook parts, technology buyback, and more. Contact us today to see how we can help your school district today.
by AGParts Education | AUE, Chromebooks, Education Technology
Managing your Chromebook’s lifecycle can be tricky. Unlike other devices, Chromebooks have a specific shelf life with an end-of-life date, called the Auto Update Expiration. What is AUE? What Chromebook models have a AUE in 2023? What should your school do if it deploys Chromebooks with a 2023 AUE?
We’ll answer all these questions today.
What is AUE?
Auto Update Expiration is the date when the Chrome OS will no longer support auto updates on your Chromebook model.
This doesn’t mean your Chromebook will self-destruct after this date. Think of AUE like a best by date, not an expiration date. Your Chromebook will still power and function, but it won’t receive software updates for new features or critical security patches. You also do not have access to technical support after the AUE.
Chromebooks with an AUE in 2023
Below is a list of Chromebooks with an AUE in 2023.
| Brand | Model | AUE |
| Acer | Chromebook Tab 10 D651N | August 2023 |
| Acer | Chromebook 11 (C771, C771T) | June 2023 |
| Acer | Chromebook 14 for Work (CP5-471) | June 2023 |
| ASUS | Chromebook Tablet CT100 | August 2023 |
| ASUS | Chromebook Flip C101PA | August 2023 |
| ASUS | Chromebook Flip C302 | June 2023 |
| CTL | Chromebook Tablet Tx1 for Education | August 2023 |
| Dell | Chromebook 13 (3380) | June 2023 |
| HP | Chromebook 13 G1 | June 2023 |
| Lenovo | ThinkPad 13 | June 2023 |
AUE in 2023? What to Do Next
Although Chromebooks still function after their AUE, upgrading your district’s Chromebooks is critical. Chromebooks that eclipse their AUE no longer receive OS updates or those vital security patches to ensure student success and privacy.
The question remains: what should your district do with its fleet of end-of-life Chromebooks? Old Chromebooks can’t just be thrown in the dumpster as their components are harmful to the environment. Rather than letting your used fleet collect dust in storage, your best option is to turn those old devices into cash through Chromebook buyback.
Chromebook buyback is the process of selling back your used devices to a company that processes used electronics devices. That company will evaluate your devices and assign a value to each device.
Tech buyback falls under the umbrella of IT asset disposition (ITAD). ITAD is the process of disposing of used or unwanted IT assets in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. This includes securely wiping data of the devices prior to disposal.
When choosing a company to sell your Chromebooks to, remember the acronym C.H.E.A.P.:
- K-12 Chromebooks contain sensitive information. Compliance with National Institute of Standards (NIST) is important. This guarantees data is wiped clean according to NIST guidelines and ensure your student data is protected.
- A hassle-free process will save your district many headaches. The buyback process should be simple and smooth, with flexible options to accommodate your district’s needs.
- Experience can be challenging to find as Chromebooks aren’t even ten years old, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. Ensuring your district partners with an experienced company in tech and Chromebook buyback is paramount. Experience means less stress and pain in the buyback process and can often translate into more money for your used fleet.
- As stated above, Chromebooks contain components that are harmful to the environment. Adherence to responsible recycling practices is essential. Be sure your tech buyback company takes environmental responsibility seriously.
- A company that values you as a partner, and not just a number, is key. They should be with you from start to finish, available for your needs.
That may seem like a daunting list of considerations, but we have good news. AGParts Education has all those qualities! In the classroom since Chromebooks were first introduced, our process is simple and designed with our school partners in mind. We even offer two methods of payout—cash or credit. With our credit option, your district will earn 10% more, keeping those funds in your technology budget. You’ll never have to worry about data falling into the wrong hands or components carelessly thrown away. Plus, your dedicated sales executive will be with your district every step of the way, and beyond.
Find out why 7,500 districts and counting have trusted AGParts Education for Chromebook buyback, parts procurement, and more. Contact us today!
by AGParts Education | Chromebooks, Tips and Tricks
Ready to work like a pro on your Chromebook? Integrate these common Chromebook keyboard shortcuts to boost your productivity. For more tips, check out our guide to Chromebook basics.
Keyboard overlay of all shortcuts: Press Ctrl + Alt + ?
Lock your Chromebook’s screen: Press Search + L or Launcher + L
Log out of your Google account: Press Ctrl + Shift + Q twice
Screenshot: Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows, select Screenshot, then full screen, partial, or window screenshot in the bottom menu
Record Screen: Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows, select Screen Record, then full screen, partial, or window screen record in the bottom menu
Toggle Caps Lock: Press Alt + Search or Alt + Launcher (the Search/launcher key is in place of the caps lock key on a Chromebook keyboard)
Launch the Task Manager: Press Shift + Esc
Launch apps 1-8 in the shelf, starting on left: Press Alt + 1-8
Launch last app in the shelf: Press Alt + 9
Split screen: Press Alt + both bracket keys [ ]
Dock window to the left side of your screen: Press Alt + [
Dock window to the right side of your screen: Press Alt + ]
Open the Files app: Press Alt + Shift + M
View notifications: Press Alt + Shift + N
Rotate screen 90 degrees: Press Ctrl + Shift + Refresh (F3)
Magnify whole screen: Press Ctrl + Search + M or Ctrl + Launcher + M
Partial magnification: Press Ctrl + Search + D or Ctrl + Launcher + D
Looking for more? Visit the complete library of Chromebook shortcuts.
Web Shortcuts
If you are savvy with keyboard commands on a Windows laptop or MacBook, you may recognize some of these.
Open new window: Press Ctrl + N
Open new tab: Press Ctrl + T
Close current tab: Press Ctrl + W
Activate tabs 1-8, starting on left: Press Ctrl + 1-8
Go to last tab: Press Ctrl + 9
Go to next tab in window: Press Ctrl + Tab
Go to previous tab in window: Press Ctrl + Shift + Tab
Maximize window: Press Alt + =
Minimize window: Press Alt + – (minus)
For more web shortcuts, learn the 47 keyboard commands that work in all web browsers.
Text-Editing Shortcuts
Just as Chromebooks support a bevy of web shortcuts, they also supports most text-editing shortcuts.
Undo: Press Ctrl + Z
Copy: Press Ctrl + C
Cut: Press Ctrl + X
Paste: Press Ctrl + V
Select All: Press Ctrl + A
Delete previous word: Press Ctrl + backspace
Delete: Press Alt + backspace
AGParts Education is your complete partner for your 1:1 Chromebook initiative. Supporting over 7,500+ U.S. school districts, find out how we can help your district. Contact us today!
Updated on 8/2/22. Originally published on 11/19/20.
by AGParts Education | Chromebooks, Education Technology, Laptops, Notebooks, UL-Certified AC Adapters
With any educational technology program, AC adapters, aka power chargers, are crucial to sustain the daily functionality of your Chromebooks. AC adapters are a high-failure item, and therefore commonly replaced. It’s imperative when doing so to only purchase and use UL-certified AC adapters. While generic adapters may seem like a more budget-friendly option, they may cost more in the long run. More importantly, they could put your students and staff at risk. AGParts Education stocks 500,000 OEM new and recertified Chromebook parts, including authentic UL-certified AC adapters.
So, what exactly is a UL-certified adapter? Why is it so important to use only authentic UL-certified AC adapters? And, how can you spot a counterfeit adapter? Today, we’ll answer these important questions.
What is UL?
UL stands for Underwriter Laboratories. Founded in 1984 in Chicago, they are a third-party certification company that provides benchmarks and standards for products and processes in regard to safety, quality, security, and sustainability. Their mission is to make the world safer, smarter, more secure, and more sustainable.
UL holds manufacturers to higher standards during the manufacturing process, reducing risk and increasing safety. When a product bears the UL Mark, it means the product:
- Has completed and passed rigorous UL testing to ensure reliability, functionality, safety, sustainability, and overall quality
- Has been manufactured according to UL guidelines
- Meets operating standards set by the Original Design Manufacturer (ODM)
Non-UL-certified products may have been manufactured using substandard parts or under inconsistent manufacturing processes. This could lead to unpredictable output voltages, higher-than-normal operating temperatures, and overall lower quality and reliability for products. Overt time, this could lead to damage, failure, and possible fire hazards.
What is a UL-certified AC adapter?
A UL-certified AC adapter bears an authorized UL Mark. This means it has been evaluated and meets the appropriate Standard for Safety. These adapters comply with UL safety requirements for the US.
It’s important to understand that if an AC adapter bears a UL Mark, this does not mean that it is not a counterfeit or generic adapter.
Why is it so important to use a UL-certified AC adapter?
It’s simple: generic AC adapters are dangerous. We understand that electronic devices are expensive and generic accessories could seem like a good way to cut costs. But their risks far outweigh the money saved.
Counterfeit and generic AC adapters are often are made with substandard parts that fail to meet basic safety requirements. These faulty parts are a serious safety risk because they can overheat. Overheated parts can damage your equipment. More importantly, these sub-standard parts pose an immediate fire and burn risk and hazard.
Since generic parts are made with substandard parts, they also have a higher risk for failure. The money saved on buying a generic part quickly vanishes when your district has to replace the generic parts with authentic UL-certified adapters.
When you use a UL-certified AC adapter, you have the peace of mind knowing that this product has met stringent requirements for safety and quality.
Head-to-Head Testing: UL Certified Vs Generic
We internally tested generic adapters against the UL-certified adapters in our inventory. Here are our observations and results:
- Substandard parts which pose a risk for part and device failure, fire hazard: The generic adapters used substandard parts. One had a clip-type plug for the grounding wire, whereas a UL-certified adapter uses a solder joint. Another generic adapter had additional exposed wire not covered by an insulator.
- Above-average operating temperatures posting a potential fire hazard: Internal testing showed that some generic adapters ran 14% warmer than their UL-certified counterpart.
- Continuous voltage and current ratings outside of UL specifications: Internal testing showed output voltages registering less than the 5% variance acceptable under ODM standards.
While we could not verify the differences in the components, the results indicated that the clear difference between a reliable UL-certified adapter versus a substandard generic adapter.
How can you spot a counterfeit AC adapter?
If an AC adapter is branded and bears a UL Mark, this does not necessarily mean that it is a UL-certified AC adapter unfortunately. Most counterfeits will closely resemble an authentic UL-certified AC adapter.
To truly discern whether a product is fake it should not only be examined for label inconsistencies, but it should be tested by a trained technician. Below, we’ve outlined our process for authenticating AC adapters.
The first step is label inspection. There are several tell-tale signs on the label of an AC adapter to help you identify a counterfeit. These are easy indicators that you can spot yourself. The trick is to look for inconsistencies. Counterfeit products have phony printed logos, texts, and in some cases, typos. See photo below.
UL-Certified AC adapters should include:
- OEM logo
- Matching OEM part numbers
- UL Mark
- Clear text and no typos
If the label passes inspection, this still does not guarantee it is an authentic UL-certified AC adapter. That’s why further mechanical testing and inspection are required.
After label inspection, AGParts Education tests the AC adapters for power and current under load. Once the adapter passes, our technicians then perform an internal component inspection. We perform a spot check, opening a percentage of each shipment to verify:
- Industry-standard construction methods
- Authentic OEM identifiers
- Safety compliant materials
The best way to ensure that your school district has UL-certified AC adapters is to purchase from a supplier that sells authentic UL-certified AC adapters. At AGParts Education, the safety of your students and teachers are our number one priority. We only sell authentic UL-certified AC adapters.
For more information on how we can help with your district’s 1:1 Chromebook program, contact us today!
Originally published 7/14/2020. Updated on 8/25/2021, 3/30/2022.
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