Windows 2000 Conversion

Not sure why we're switching from NT to Windows 2000? Wondering how it will impact your work? Our Associate Director, Mark Adams, will give you an overview of 2000 so you can see it firsthand---before having to use it on your own PC. We have scheduled two sessions in the Smith-Hutson Mafrige Auditorium. The first is on Final Exam Study Day, May 3rd, at 9:30 a.m. The second session will be May 11th at 2 p.m. All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. Come with questions!

We will begin the conversion from Windows NT for the PCs on the Local Area Network as soon as the semester is over. We're starting with the Computer Services labs. Hopefully, we can discover AND eliminate any problems there first.

New Programs from Nell

Have you used our SP2 interface yet? The enrollment report that updates as students register, ETOT05R, is now an option from the SP2 SHSU menu. Also the TRNS30R, transcript, is now available. Try the transcript and give us some feedback. Eight faculty have agreed to test our new graphical interface for entering grades this semester. So by next semester, the new program will be operational for this semester-ending task.

We have now tested the new interface on a Macintosh. Thanks Dr. Rob Adams for letting us use your system as our test site! Additional software has to be installed on each Mac to enable Macintoshes to interact with the administrative software. We will keep you informed about your options if you are using a Mac.

Security

Reminder: The default system setup for PCs locks your workstation if you haven't used it for 15 minutes. You should not remove that safeguard. It is your responsibility to protect the information available from your computer account as well as protect the information on your actual computer. Macintosh users should dowload one of the screen savers from the Applications folder and password protect it.

We will be upgrading to Redhat Linux (7.1). This version provides more built-in security measures AND is also faster and more efficient. The security enhancements will be a great improvement for casual users who want to learn a little bit about Linux. E-mail Computer Systems Coordinator, Robert Thompson, if you'd like to know more.

To provide better inventory tracking and network management, the Ethernet ports will now be locked down in offices. If you need to move a networked-PC or Macintosh to another office or connect network equipment that allows more than one device (such as a hub), you must request a Helpdesk work order via extension 41950. Unauthorized connections will deactivate the University network port. In other words, you wouldn't be able to connect to the Internet or use any of the University programs. Just give us a call before you move your equipment!

Training

This month's training schedule is now posted. If you have been a student in ElementK, it's possible your subscription has expired. E-mail the Helpdesk if you'd like to continue using this online training resource. The Computer Services department will pay the annual subscription fee for you to take as many classes as you'd like in the next year. We are going to provide reports to each department of the training efforts that each of you are making---both on-campus and through ElementK.

Blackboard users! Are you tired of the same old boring text in your document folders and items? Enroll in our Blackboard and HTML training course and learn to make your text look like it was made in a word processor.

Web Traffic

When you're developing your departmental Web site, carefully consider your diverse audience. Our on-campus users do have a very fast connection. However, approximately 70% of the SHSU site guests are off-campus. During April, the University Web site recorded visitors from 21 other countries. Germany and Canada combined for almost 40,000 hits. Clients from Military sites were also checking out our site in large numbers. We will be visiting with departments again in the next few weeks to assist you with the design of your site. Ensuring quick, convenient access for an International audience is our goal.