Independence Day

The generator is officially installed, and we can now rely on diesel to provide our backup power for the University computing system. In the event of a major disaster, we will have much greater flexibility in maintaining our independent power. Our apologies once again to all that were inconvenienced by the installation.

If you would like to see the event that caused the road-closing and detours, check out the Powerpoint Slide photos.

Least Privilege Theory

Whether it is a computer program, a form, or your car, adhere to the Least Privilege Theory. Do not allow someone access to any facility or information except on a need-basis. For example, unless you must have the birth date of someone, do not ask for it or print it. Remember especially do not request social security numbers unless required by law specifically.

UPD would like to remind everyone to lock up their purses and cars. Computer Services would like to remind you to lock your computers. A simple Windows key-L will quickly do this when you have to step away from your desk.

Thanks to everyone that attended the Town Hall Security Meeting. A special thanks to Chief Culak, Captain Morris, and Dean Yarabeck for assisting SHSU's Information Resource Security Team of Mark Adams, Tim McGuffin, and Robert Thompson with the presentation.

From SamInfo and Nell to SamMenu and SamWeb

REGR10R (Student/Faculty Schedule lookup) is available on SamMenu. The Schedule Lookup will be removed from the Nell menu on July 15th.

As a reminder: when using Nell, you may print to Web, LP11, and it will create a PDF file for you which you can access through SamWeb. This will allow you to print only select pages if you prefer.

Inheriting Permissions

Have you ever tried to move files from one T: drive folder to another---and then found users could not access them in the new location? Files stored on the T: drive have permissions set specifically for that folder. Therefore, you cannot just copy them to a different folder. Instead, copy them to your hard drive---this will reset the permissions, and then you can copy from there to a separate folder on the T:

Training

The Administrative Accounting office is once again offering training on using Nell and SamMenu for financial functions, preparing Purchase Vouchers, Travel Vouchers and tracking your accounting transactions through the Budget Balance Report. Learn how to read the reports and understand the ins and outs of encumbrances. Sign up now for a hands-on class.

The Office of Academic Instructional Technology and Distance Learning would like to share information about a Flashforward Conference and Film Festival in Austin, September 11-14.

Blackboard

Last month was a difficult month for Bb users. We apologize for the lengthy downtime caused by a server problem. After the trouble we experienced the final week of Spring 2006, we began the plans for providing a 20-minute snapshot backup for the future. We plan to have the additional hardware and software in place prior to the start of Fall 2006.

Word Tips

Some of the reasons that users preferred WordPerfect was the lack of control they felt with formatting in Word. Check out the 50 Indispensable Word Tips for ideas on how to improve your Word experience.

One example: When you copy and paste text from a Web page or another document, the text brings its formatting into your document. To avoid that, copy the text, open the Edit menu, choose Paste Special, and select the Unformatted Text option when inserting the text.

Mail Services Relocating

Reminder: always publish your e-mail address as simply yourusername@shsu.edu. Do not include any information in the published name that refers to a specific server such as exchange or unx1.

We publicized this change previously, but since a number of you had published it, we allowed this nine-month grace period for transition. As of September 1, the only address that will be accepted will be @shsu.edu.

Subnetting

Computer Services  is currently in the process of upgrading the campus LAN, building by building, into small subnets.  This change will provide a more efficient network with much greater growth potential and will make the network more secure and better able to handle larger amounts of traffic.  By setting up smaller networks within the main network we are able to contain problems that could potentially impact all users.

The subnetting project will require several hours of computer downtime for each building. The July schedule is available. Computer access will be provided in other locations if requested.

What's Good, What's Not and What's Happening When?

The Helpdesk provides support for university equipment and software on the local area network. Each month's Update will includes 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 12 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.
• Computer Services may schedule significant periods of downtime for major system upgrades and maintenance. For your planning purposes, the weekend following each Graduation will be set aside for scheduled outages. The first scheduled weekend which may require a major shutdown will be from Friday 6 p.m. till Sunday at 10 p.m. for the August 11-13 weekend. We do recognize the intense preparation required just prior to a semester. Therefore, we are giving you notice in advance to allow you to carefully schedule your workload around this possible downtime.

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