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    • February 2005 

    All UsersSam Menu & SamWeb

    In our continuing focus on converting administrative functions to GUI programs, we are discontinuing some of the duplicated Nell programs. As of February 15, the Book Order Maintenance program (BORD01M) and the associated reports will be removed from the Nell menu. These programs are available on the Sam Menu.

    Course Section Maintenance (SECT01M) and Unofficial Transcripts (TRNS30R) will be removed from the Nell menu on March 1st in favor of the versions that are available on the Sam Menu. The Unofficial Transcript is now also on SamWeb .

    All UsersZip It!zipper

    Look at your S: drive and your space on the T: drive. Do you have some huge files there? If so, you can save space by compressing the files. If the file is important but not used daily, reduce the size by zipping it. If you need to send a colleague several documents, zip them together and create a smaller attachment. The recipient will be able to download it much faster.

    PC Users: A freeware alternative to WinZip is now available. It is called IZArc. The program can be accessed at Start Menu\Programs\SHSU Utilities\IZArc. It is also available in the Explorer contextual menu system. (That fancy name means you can just right-click and the option will appear.) Right-click a folder, select IZArc, and choose Add to Archive File for the first file. Delete the large unzipped file. To Unzip it, you can right-click and choose Extract Here.

    Macintosh Users: Right-click or for those with one button mice control+click a folder or file and select Create Archive of folder.

    All UsersSecurity

    As many of you are aware, there have been a number of thefts of University and personal items in the last few months. Another classroom projector was stolen in January. Please make the extra effort to help thwart thieves by locking your doors.

    Apply the same caution with University information. Make sure you change your password regularly, and logoff your computer each evening. Your monitor should be positioned to ensure that casual observers cannot see confidential information. If someone drops in or if you have to step away from your desk, turn on your screensaver.

    PC Users: You can do a quick Windows key-L to lock your monitor

    Macintosh Users:

    • Click System Preferences.
    • Click Desktop & Screensaver.
    • Click Screen Saver.
    • Click Hot Corners.
    • Set a corner to start the screensaver.
    • When you put your mouse in that corner you'll lock your screen.

    All UsersPrint a Page or Two on Us

    Anyone need a toner cartridge 92298A for an HP laserjet 4, 4 Plus, 4M, 4M Plus, 5, 5M or 5N? E-mail us and ask for it.


    All UsersWhat's Good and What's Not

    The Helpdesk provides support for university equipment and software on the local area network. Each month's Update will now include the versions of software and minimum requirements for hardware with planned dates for phase-out.

    • The supported version of Macintosh machines is OS X.
    • The supported version of Microsoft's Operating System is Windows is XP.
    • The supported versions of Office suites are Microsoft's Office 2003 and WordPerfect Office 2000 for PC's and Microsoft Office 2004 for Macintoshes.

    FacultyBlackboard: Four Cool Things

        1. E-mail Storage: Blackboard can help you reduce the size of your E-mail Inbox.
        2. Scheduling: Your students can schedule an appointment with you within Blackboard.
        3. Course Content: You can add a Glossary for your courses.
        4. Course Grading: You can now easily assess student performance within the Discussion forums.

    If you are interested in learning about these or other new Blackboard features, enroll in one of the Blackboard - What's New? classes.

    All UsersLearning

    Mindleaders is the University's source for Online Training. The Computer Services Department will pay the annual subscription fee for fulltime staff or faculty. Perhaps you have forgotten that you have this option. You can check the attached list to see if you are still enrolled.

    If you would like to enroll, please do. Take advantage of classes ranging from Paintshop and PowerPoint to Estate Planning and Interview Skills. Just ask your department head to e-mail Christy Cross requesting a subscription for you.

    We also offer classes here on campus. Coming up with course topics is the hardest part. Tell us what you want to know.

    All UsersWhat'd they say?

    Do you ever feel that "computer people" are speaking a different language? Bone up on this short Glossary so that it's not all Greek to you!

    All offers, training, or software above pertain to faculty and staff at SHSU only. If you have any questions, kudos, comments, or concerns, please let us know!

    Approved for campus-wide e-mail distribution by Associate Vice President Jim Stevens