Thanks to all that attended the Technology forums in January! We are planning to hold these each semester---but next time, we'll schedule one for a M-day and one for a T-day. Our apologies to those that couldn't attend this time. We do appreciate the e-mails and phone calls from many of you. We're working on resolving many of those issues now. About 55 faculty and staff attended the first forum, and approximately 25 came to the second forum. Jim Stevens discussed the following priorities for 2001.

Upgrading the WAN

The Internet speed will more than triple, going from 6 to 20Mb. The available bandwidth is increasing from 6 to 150 Mb. This upgrade will also permit switching to ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) technology. ATM will allow us to designate bandwidth for different functions, creating pipes in effect for various purposes.

Windows 2000

We will be converting from Windows NT to Windows 2000 during the break between Spring 2001 and Summer I. We have waited for Windows 2000 to stabilize, and now believe it is a viable alternative to NT. Administratively this will allow items to be more effectively modified for all users at once. Windows 2000 provides more device support than NT. Many of the external drives now are USB. Windows NT did not support that type device, but Windows 2000 will. You should be able to install external devices yourself much easier in the future.

The hardware requirements are a minimum of 128 Mb of RAM, with a 266 MHz processor, a 2 gig hard drive and at least 1.5 gig of free space. When you run the test, you will see the areas where your systems needs improvement.

New Technology

We're working on point-to-point wireless connections. For instance, the Agriculture Mechanization Lab and Vending Departments would be set up with Point-to-Point connections so they could access the functions available to the rest of the campus.

Intra-building wireless connections are next on the plan. This would permit students to bring their laptops to specific locations, and with a device in their laptop, tap in to the wireless connection.

Nell Programming

A graphical interface is being written to provide more intuitive programs on NELL. This GUI system will permit us to provide much more detailed help files, and should permit new users to more quickly learn how to do tasks. Also many of you perhaps only do a task once a semester. This new SP2 interface will allow you to quickly remember what goes where! You must run this setup for the first use, and then an icon for SHSU Menu will be placed on your desktop.

At this time, SP2 is available only on PCs. A web interface is in the works from the vendor. This will allow Macintosh users access. The old NELL version of programs is still available for Mac users.

The Book Order program is the first example of a program written in this way. The rosters are available through this system now. The programming is being done at this time for the end-of-semester grade entry.

Blackboard

The Blackboard system will provide a campus-wide portal for our web-enhanced and stand-alone web courses. To give you an opportunity to learn all the capabilities of the software, we are working with James Van Roekel and Richard Eglsaer on scheduling a BB professional to come to campus to provide training.

Security

We have stopped off-campus people from FTPing to office machines. This is another measure intended to safeguard your machine and its documents. If you need this FTP feature yourself and have sufficient security, you may call the Helpdesk at 41950 and request a work order to remove this restriction from your machine.

Questions from the Forum

Who has to pay for the upgrade for the Windows 2000 conversion?
The Computer Services department will purchase the memory and upgrades for the faculty machines and the general access computer labs. Departments will have to pay for the staff's machines. An attachment is provided with details on the Windows 2000 test.

Why can't faculty add students to their Blackboard classes?
We are working on making this as automated as possible from the NELL registrar records. This semester, we have done it manually at the request of the professor. By Fall 2001, this should not be a problem

Are we moving to a single password for all systems?
After the conversion to Windows 2000, this will be more feasible.

How can we know what software programs are on NELL?
There are over 3000 programs. We will provide a long-description of each program in a file on NELL that each department could search or print as a reference.

Have we considered lab workstations that have the monitor in the table? Pedagogically, this would be preferable.
We had considered this in the past. However, the cost was much higher. Plus, we were told of problems with bifocal view this way, as well as being limited in the size monitors that we can buy. We will continue to discuss options with faculty as we build new labs.

Could we have tab-delimited files provided along with NELL reports?
As we modify programs, we will add an option for this choice. As an additional source, the student body profile is available from the CD provided through the Institutional Research Office. You may use it in SPSS or Excel.

Shouldn't we have multi-media devices available to allow us to develop some of the higher-end things for our web-enhanced classes?
The University AEC does. You may call the Academic Enrichment Center at 41957 with questions. The AEC has the following available for faculty check-out:

• G3 Powerbook (Mac)
• Video Camera
• Digital Video Camera
• Digital Camera

Additional equipment in the AEC for use there:

• IMDV with IMovie, QuickTime 4, QuickTime VR Authoring Studio, Dreamweaver 3 and Fireworks 3 Studio, and CD Burner
• SmartBOARD with LCD Projector connected-can be reserved for PowerPoint presentations (in the center only)
• 3 PC's that have CD burners
• 3 Scanners, 2 PC (one scanner is capable of scanning 35mm slides, photos) and 1 Mac
• Projecting TI Graphing Calculator

What is happening with the Document Management project?
The Human Resources office has begun some testing of this. This system will replace the microfiche of hard copy documents. It will allow a searchable index.

How are we deciding which NELL programs to convert first in SP2? (This was demonstrated at the Forum.)
We are changing programs that the most users access first. However, if you have a request for an especially difficult program that you have, please let us know. We'll put it on the list.

Can we have the newest version of SPSS?
Yes. We'll work with the vendor to get version 10.

Can we get the web-based version of SAS?
Yes. We are investigating this at this time. We hope this statistical package could be used at the University Center---or wherever our students are.

Why doesn't Computer Services support laptops?
We will expand our services in this area. You may now contact the Helpdesk to request an appointment for training on using your laptop. Topics that will be covered include using a projector, virus scanning, and switching drives. Our department will also configure your laptop for dial-up and Internet access.

Can we have a virus checker for Macintoshes?
Yes. We have ordered Norton Anti-virus.