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Stay in Touch

Many of you will be away a good bit this summer. Lots of changes will be coming while you are gone.

• The campus is switching to voice over IP phones for all offices. The biggest improvement from your perspective may be the new phones will all have Caller ID. Retrieving voice mail will change as your voice mail will be moved to the new system. You'll need to be checking your voice mail to make sure you listen to it before we switch. The old mailbox will be deleted.
• Exchange 2007 will also become the campus e-mail system. You will be able to receive your voice mail via your e-mail also.
• SamMenu will be updated this summer. You will want to reboot your computer afterwards. (Departmental secretaries: We may need your help with this if your faculty are out.)
• New software versions that will be installed on campus this summer include:
  • Adobe CS3
  • SecureCRT
  • SolidWorks 2007
  • Microsoft Project 2007
  • Audacity
  • Mathematica
  • Quicktime
  • iTunes
  • Java
  • Jaws
  • Maple 11
  • Research Insight
• Remember to log off your PC/Macintosh when you leave. Do not turn it off.

Training will be given departmentally for the VOIP and Exchange 2007 conversions. We will provide updates on the changes and timelines on the Helpdesk Blog. Please check in periodically while you are away to stay informed.

 

Blackboard

Cruising into Summer

With Spring in the rearview mirror we turn our thoughts to the upcoming Summer semesters.  Please remember to contact the Blackboard team if you would like to combine sections of your courses.   You might also want to make getting content in your courses quick and easy this summer by copying content from previous semester courses into your Summer sections.  Peruse the Blackboard software guides for information on content and entire course copying and much more.

Blackboard Downtime Reminder

During the week of May 18-25, our systems administrators will perform server maintenance and upgrade Bb to version 8. Bb will be unavailable for a portion of this week. If you are teaching a mini-mester course that meets during this time, please ensure you visit with the Blackboard team. They will work to accommodate your class if at all possible.

 

Training

People frequently ask which browser is better. Come to a class to find out the differences this month. We are also offering classes for both Adobe and Filemaker Pro. Find out when/how to take advantage of the benefits of each. Our fourth option this month is for anyone who has to maintain departmental web sites. You can discover what to do to make your pages ADA accessible. We don't want to exclude anyone!

Check the Calendar for class times and sign up now to reserve your seat. You may also request one-on-one training or training for your department. Just e-mail the Helpdesk.

 

Vacationers: Take Note

A security tip from the SANS Institute: Don't enter your password on an untrusted computer. We know you hate having to learn new passwords, but.... A password is only as secure as the computer or network it is used on.

Hackers definitely target public computers and wireless networks, such as those in Internet cafes, conference centers, hotels and airports. The second you enter your password on a computer that is infected or rigged, the thief has you. You should consider all public-use computers untrustworthy. If you have no choice but to use a public computer, change your password as soon as you return to campus. Limit the time that password is valid.

 

Input Wanted

At this time, we are not anticipating converting the campus PC's and laptops to Vista during the academic year 2008-2009. We do want to hear from you if you have academic or administrative reasons compelling an earlier conversion.

 

Two More Staff Members!

Joel Ahumada is joining the UCS-Client Support department to work with the maintenance team. Joel is completing his bachelor of science degree in computing science. We are very pleased to have Joel move from our student employee ranks to a fulltime career with UCS.

Tim McGuffin has rejoined the UCS-Systems department. He will be the Information Security Officer. Tim is a 2006 graduate of the SHSU Digital Forensics master's program and we are delighted to have his experience and institutional knowledge back on campus.

We are still searching for a Network Analyst I, Network Analyst III and System Analyst III for the UCS-Systems department, and a Database Administrator III for the UCS-Administrative Applications department. Please share those openings with others who you feel are qualified.

 

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 will be OS X, version 5 after the Leopard conversion which is underway. The supported version of Microsoft's operating system is Windows XP. We are still evaluating the timeline for the move from XP to Windows Vista.
• Software Packages: The supported versions of office suites are Microsoft's Office 2007 and WordPerfect 12 for PC's. The new version of an office suite for Macintoshes is Microsoft Office 2008 and is currently being packaged for installation on campus machines.
• Hardware Configurations: The minimum requirements for SHSU local area network support for a PC are a 1Ghz processor, 512MB RAM, and a 40GB disk. For new machines, we recommend a minimum configuration of a 2GHz processor, 1GB memory, and 80GB hard drive. 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. Additionally, certain systems may be unavailable on Friday nights after 6 p.m.

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.