SHSU Information Resources Update

Inventory Time

As you know, each summer the Property Office (via the State of Texas) requires an inventory check. Since the majority of faculty workstations are provided through Computer Services funding, our department needs to verify the location of hundreds of items campus-wide.

Student assistants from Computer Services will be asking for your help in finding these laptops and desktops. The student assistants will be wearing identifying name tags. Should you find the need to question the presence of a student worker, please do not hesitate to call 4-4880 (UCS-Inventory) or 4-1950 (UCS-Helpdesk). We appreciate your assistance.

Making A List & Checking It Twice

Faculty: Each semester we ask that you list which software you will be using as part of your coursework. The deadline for Fall 2007 was June 1. Since you're just now getting this reminder, we'll give you 30 days grace. Please let us know what you plan on using next year by July 1st.

In Spring 2007, we deleted software that was conflicting with another version. We were unaware the old version was still being used. Turns out that removal caused a couple of classes some hardship! We want to make sure that does not happen to you next year, so let us know what you need.

This coming year with the transition to Office 2007 and then Vista, it is critical that you specifically notify us which software is needed. Software that is not requested will be removed before we convert to the new system.

Summer Schooling

The Administrative Accounting office will offer two sessions this month. Topics will include using Nell and SamMenu for financial functions, preparing purchase vouchers, travel vouchers and tracking your accounting transactions through the Budget Balance Report. If you or someone in your department is fairly new to SHSU fund accounting, this is a great opportunity to figure out how to read the reports and understand the ins and outs. Sign up now for the June 26th or 27th classes.

Reminder: Microsoft Office 2007 will replace Office 2003 this fall. You will be swamped then and Word 2007 is substantially different. Come now and get an overview of the changes; you'll also receive a Quick Source Word 2007 handout. Register now.

This month's offerings also include PDF form training which will cover how to fill them out, as well as, an overview of how to make a PDF document into a form that can be filled out. Register now.

Flown The Coop?

Supervisors: did your student workers graduate or just leave your department? Please e-mail the Helpdesk with their usernames if they had access to your departmental T: drives. We will ensure their access is removed.

Software

Netscape 7 is being removed as it has not been supported or updated in several years. The browser, Firefox 2.0.3, is available if you prefer an alternative to Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser.

We will be installing Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional. At this time, Adobe has not updated their products to be compatible with Microsoft Office 2007. We will keep you updated as the software companies modify their packages.

Thanks for reading the Update. This month we're having a drawing for 512Mb memory sticks. We have five to give away and will take entries till noon on June 4th. Send in your note telling us why you need one.

Blackboard

Everything takes longer than anticipated. However, we are still on track to have the new version of Blackboard up for you by July 1st. We are optimistic that once it is available, you'll be very pleased with the new features. As soon as we have a working system for you, we will send out a direct note to you inviting you to preview it.

Jacob Spradlin will be attending the Bb conference this summer. If you have questions or suggestions that you would like him to pass on to the Bb developers, here's your chance. He won't be shy about asking!

Staff Going and Coming

We have to say goodbye to two Systems Team Members.

Dan Owen and Tim McGuffin are leaving for other opportunities. We are grateful to them for their years here at SHSU and wish them all the best.

Fortunately we get to welcome two new Systems Team Members.

Rob Marti (ext. 43804) has accepted a position as a computer systems specialist. Rob is an SHSU Computer Science major and will be a sysadmin.
Ronnie Jackson (ext. 43557) will be a programmer/analyst. He has attended UT-Tyler and San Jacinto College and brings a broad range of experience--including NASA. Ronnie will also be a sysadmin.

Mateo Zuniga (ext. 44880) will be joining the Client Support area as a computer systems technician. Mateo has attended SHSU as an MIS major and will be responsible for the inventory and purchase/quote responsibilities.

We have several openings and a couple of military deployments at the moment and are therefore a bit shorthanded. We are especially grateful for your patience right now.

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 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. Tentative plans are to move to replace XP with Windows Vista Summer 2008.

Software Packages: The supported versions of office suites are Microsoft's Office 2003 and WordPerfect 12 for PC's. Fall 2007, Microsoft Office 2007 will replace Microsoft Office 2003. The supported version of an office suite for Macintoshes is Microsoft Office 2004.

Hardware Configurations: The minimum requirements for SHSU local area network support for a PC are a 1Ghz processor, 512Mb RAM, and a 40Gb disk. The minimum requirements for a Macintosh on the LAN are a 733 Mhz processor, 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.

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