Want an opportunity to voice your concerns and questions about the technology direction for Sam Houston State University? Do you have ideas for improvements in our administrative programs or reports? Does it make you crazy to have to come in person to change your password or have to change your PIN each semester? Are you considering teaching online and need answers? Just want to vent?

Come to one of the Faculty/Staff Forums this month. The Computer Services Department, with assistance from the Registrar and the Associate VP for Finance & Operations, will be hosting two question/answer sessions. The first one will focus primarily on faculty concerns. It will be January 18th at 3:30 p.m. in the Mafrige Auditorium in the Smith-Hutson Building. The second will be at the same location on January 25th at 2 p.m. and will focus on administrative questions. However, you're more than welcome to attend whichever fits your schedule better.

Home Connections

As a reminder, faculty and staff are allowed to use the Microsoft Office software on your home computer if you use that equipment for work purposes. You may refer to the web page http://www.shsu.edu/~ucs_www/2000/ for more information. You may pick up a CD from the Helpdesk in AB1, room 147. We also provide a CD for Netscape if you'd like to load version 4.7 on your home PC.

If you're tired of the "World Wide Wait" or a busy signal when trying to dial into the modem bank, there are now some viable commercial alternatives. You can have a permanent connection---no dialing in---or sharing a phone line. PLUS the speed is improved dramatically. Your choices include DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and satellite connections.

DSL's provide a connection up to 50 times faster than the old 28.8 baud phone modem. If you're planning to download large files, do distance learning, or use real-time interactive multimedia, this may be the choice for you.

Tripnet is one example of a company providing DSL access for at-home use. Southwestern Bell is another. One caveat at this time: DSL access is limited to three miles from their central office.

If you live outside of town, and are too far away (like Crabbs Prairie), you might want to try www.starband.com. Starband provides 2-way satellite connection. A satellite connection is only about ½ as fast as a DSL. However that still provides you with Internet access at a speed up to 25 times faster than a phone line.

These vendors are simply options that some of our staff members have chosen for their at-home connections. Prices vary widely based on packages. This should not imply an endorsement of any specific company.

Training

The monthly schedule is posted for January. Please take a few moments to peruse the available course listings.

New staff and faculty members will now receive a one-on-one introduction to the computing systems at SHSU. Bryan Rogers will be visiting with new clients in person to give them their usernames and passwords and get them oriented. If you have a recent hire in your department, e-mail Bryan at ucs_bdr@shsu.edu and set up an appointment for this orientation.

Reminders

PC Users: Backup your Profile on a regular basis. This will allow the Helpdesk to restore your bookmarks, shortcuts, and address books in case of a problem with your account. Click Start, Programs, SHSU Utilities, Backup.

Coming Changes

We will be converting from Windows NT to Windows 2000 this summer. We will be providing a utility called Windows2000 Upgrade Test that you may run on your workstation. It will evaluate your machine's memory, processor, free disk space, and total disk space. This Test will be available by 1/15/01 from the same SHSU Utilities option mentioned above. Run this utility to see if your machine is ready for the conversion.