Presentations Extraordinaire

Have you added notes to your Powerpoint presentation, then couldn't figure out how to access them during the actual talk without looking at a hard copy? Wish you could monitor the timing? Would you like to know what slide is next so you can segue more easily?

All those options are available when you follow a few steps. Your audience will see only the full screen. Your PC display will give you a list on the left of all the slides, a running clock to let you know how long you've been talking, your notes, and the next slide information. Try it; you'll love it.

Blogs (Web pages that are publicly accessible personal journals) can also give you ideas for improving design or adding the perfect quotes. Presentation Zen provides a blog discussing professional presentations, and ideas for adding pertinent quotes. Everyone is tired of Microsoft's clip art. Use Google Images or Zen suggestions to search for new interesting graphics for your presentations.

Use a USB flash card/memory stick to save your presentation. You can easily open your Powerpoint file on podium-installed desktops or laptops.

Trading Spaces

The Helpdesk is moving upstairs to AB1 203 and 208. This will permit the needed expansion of the server room, and finally allow us to remove that huge air conditioner outside.

You can still come to the Helpdesk Window in the AB1 Lab 144 for assistance during the day.

The Computer Services department is opening a computer lab on the bottom floor of White Hall. This lab will be reserved for large classes, and open for general student use. With the new residence hall being built at this end of campus, we anticipate a lot of traffic here by the Fall 2006 semester.

Proper Prior Preparation

Please use the Computer Services Work Order system whenever you require IT assistance during special events. For example, Saturdays@Sam is coming up on March 25th---have you done a work order asking for computer or telephone support?

Although we just finished Registration, it will be Summer Registration before you know it. Plan now for the number of laptops that you absolutely have to have. Please do not order extras "just in case." Prepare your work order early so we can ensure we can provide the support that you need.

If your department is moving, schedule the request for the computer move via the Work Order system. Once the furniture has been moved, we will be glad to come hook up your computers. Just call the Helpdesk at 41950 after the desks and the tables are in the new location, and we will try to respond as quickly as possible.

Extreme Makeover Bandwidth Edition

Our bandwidth has been tapped out a number of times recently. A solution is within sight---although we do not yet have the install date. Contracts can unfortunately take forever. However, our bandwidth will increase from 40 Mb to 200 Mb this month (hopefully).

Secure Security Numbers

Stand in your departmental reception area. Can you see any social security numbers or other confidential information on the front desk? Consider adding the privacy panel option to the front of the desks to eliminate people reading applications or transcripts.

Are there times this front office is unstaffed? If so, are the drawers and cabinets locked? Take the time to look at your area with a fresh eye and make sure you are doing everything possible to protect confidential information.

The Face of Sam with a Face Lift

Thanks to everyone for their feedback on the new web designs. We now have a plan, and hope to implement it within the next month.

Training

Remote Access Training - Need access to something on your account but you are stuck at home?  Learn how to use remote acces and gain access to the tools and data you need.

PowerPoint Presenter View - Find out what slide is coming next, how much time you've taken and look over your speaker notes all while your students view your slide show.

Sign up, or request one-on-one training. Just contact the Training office at 294.4357 to set up an appointment.

Generally Mailing

Use generic settings on your home computer mail system: smtp.shsu.edu, imap.shsu.edu, and pop.shsu.edu. This may not be a change for you; this caution is just if you have it set specifically to unxmail.shsu.edu.

Blackboard

For future semesters, you may choose to NOT have all your courses listed. If you are teaching two classes with Bb, and the other without, your students will only see the ones within Bb that you are actually using. By default all courses will be loaded. Starting with the Summer session, you may have your departmental secretary use the Section Maintenance program in Sam Menu SECT01MG to set the flag to noload if you prefer.

This month's Bb classes:

• Blackboard Review Status and Adaptive Release - ensure your syllabus is at least displayed by forcing your students to review it before they can access their first assignments/notes etc.
• Blackboard Best Practices - Find out how to use 7 easy tips to better build and maintain your Blackboard course.
• Blackboard Course Copying and Archiving - Learn how to copy individual items or an entire course.  Laying off a semester in one of your courses?  Why not back up this semester's course for use another time?

Staff Changes

We have to say farewell to Junie MacCormack this week. Junie is retiring January 31st. She's been a mainstay of our department, and will be sorely missed.

We are delighted to welcome Debbie McKerall to our staff. Debbie has been with the University for 19 years and was the 1994 Staff Excellence Winner. She is a 2002 summa cum laude graduate of SHSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems.

What's Good, 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 the new or changed information highlighted and bolded.

• Memory Sticks: Purchase (and encourage your students to buy) flash drives that are USB Mass Storage Compliant.
• Operating Systems: The supported version of Macintosh machines is OS X, versions 2, 3, and 4. The supported version of Microsoft's Operating System is Windows XP.
• Software Packages: The supported versions of Office suites are Microsoft's Office 2003 and WordPerfect Office 2000 for PC's and Microsoft Office 2004 for Macintoshes.
• Hardware Configurations: The minimum requirement for SHSU Local Area Network support for a PC is a 1Ghz processor, with 512mb RAM, and a 40GB disk. The minimum requirement for a Macintosh on the LAN is a 733 mhz processor, with 512mb RAM, and a 40GB disk.

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