You've Got {Spam} Mail!

The survey results are in, and the Spam Assassin filter and blocker are now in place. We are now blocking mail that scores over 20 and marking mail that scores between 9 and 20 as {Spam}. We hope this is helping to eliminate the truly onerous mail that has been so frustrating.

As an example of the complexities involved in handling the mail, CNN, The Houston Chronicle, and Weather alerts send html mail with the <IFRAME> tag in them. This tag allows them to show you cool stuff. Unfortunately, this <IFRAMES> tag also allows malicious people to run potentially devastating programs on your computer. So we had blocked this type of mail. Since it's critical to many of you to receive these e-mails, we are creating a patch to help eliminate this danger and allowing them through. We will continue to try to balance the trade-offs between the campus system security and your freedom and flexibility.

Many of you have asked how you're getting on these spam lists. Have you ever downloaded an e-card viewer plug-in for an on-line greeting? One example identified in the Security Focus Online is a Trojan horse program called Cytron. Instead of receiving an e-card viewer, you get a browser plug-in that delivers pop-up advertisements for pornographic web sites. This plug-in was named Cytron by the FBI. As the editor notes: "This latest threat once again highlights the importance of user awareness in preventing undesirable outcomes." Let's be careful out there!!

SHSU Menu System now accessible on Macintoshes!

We are recommending Macintosh users switch to OS X. This operating system now allows the functionality of running our SHSU GUI Menu system. If you are currently using OS X and would like to access the GUI system, call the Helpdesk at 41950 and we'll send a technician out to add this option to your Macintosh. Take steps now so that you're ready to input your Fall 2002 grades on the GUI system. With the GUI system, you won't have to remember that dreaded Nell password!

Faculty: Worried about Student Plagiarism?

The University has purchased a subscription to Turnitin.com. Faculty may now have their students submit their papers first to Turnitin. This system compares the document with other online sources and scores it for its originality. Ann Holder, Interim Director for the Newton Gresham Library, will be providing you with the details for this new service on 11/11/02. Sign up for the Turnitin Orientation, course 1082.

To be Admin or not to be Admin?

Many users require Administrative Access for installing third party software either for evaluation or day-to-day job duties. We recommend you be granted Administrative access only for the time needed to install the software. By remaining an administrator on your machine, you can delete files that are system-critical. It also makes you a vulnerable target for computer viruses. Many computer viruses only work if the user is an Administrator--since you have to have privileges to infect system-critical files. So play it safe!

Don't Let Bugbear Hurt You!

Bugbear is the virus that causes junk to print on your printers. If you get this virus, we may have to delete your profile and create it anew. Make sure you have a current profile for us to restore. PC Users: Take a moment right now and save your roaming Profile. Click Start; Programs; SHSU Utilities; Backup; Backup Profile, Bookmarks, Address Book.

There is also a hoax going around instructing you to delete the Jdbgmgr.exe file from your machine. This is only a hoax! This file is legitimate; it just happens to have a bear as the icon. Do not delete it.

Technology Training

Check out the schedule, sign up for Mindleaders online classes, or give us a call and we'll structure a class to fit your department's needs.

Blackboard

We are excited about the progress to the new Enterprise version of Blackboard. To learn how the changes to Blackboard will affect you, we strongly encourage you to attend one of the two Blackboard Upgrade Orientation Days. The dates are: Tuesday, November 19th @ 3:30pm or Wednesday, November 20th @ 1:30pm. Both sessions will be in the Mafrige Auditorium in the Smith-Hutson Building. We would appreciate you RSVPing. We're offering refreshments to help entice you! If you haven't yet tried Bb, we urge you to drop in and find out what's happening.

New Mailbox for Institutional Research

The Office of Institutional Research now has box number 2270. Please mark this in your phone books.

Neither Rain, nor Sleet, nor .....

Our thanks to the Criminal Justice department for sharing their new cart with the Mail Services department during this past "typhoon" season. We anticipate receiving a designated cart soon so that we can dependably get your mail delivered to you.

One Ringy Dingy

Have you needed to get a phone number from Information? DON'T dial 9, and 0! This costs your department $1.25 each time. You can dial Information with 9+1+area code+555-1212, and it's much cheaper. Or save even more---do it for free from www.switchboard.com. You can look up businesses, individuals, and even map your route there with this Web site. This site is linked from our Internet, Directories Web page.

Microsoft License Agreement

The University has a campus-wide software agreement with Microsoft. This allows you to have Office XP for Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, and Powerpoint for PCs and Office Macintosh Edition (Word,Excel,Outlook Express,Powerpoint) For OS X. Departments: You don't have to purchase this software for your laptops. Faculty and Staff: If you are doing University work on your home PC or Macintosh, you may also use this software. We will provide you with a CD for check-out. We have a request form for submission. The licensing has changed; you must load the software and then return the CD.

New Staff

We are fortunate to have a new fulltime staff member in Computer Services. Aaron Bayles is responsible for network software creation/deployment (WinInstall), security updates for the campus computers, software license management, systems administration, and advanced workorder resolution. Aaron has been working for Computer Services since January of 2000, and graduated from SHSU with a BS in Computer Science in 2001.

We are finding it necessary to recruit younger and younger employees. This new programmer is William Thompson. He's got hours of experience already and is being trained by Computer Systems Coordinator Robert Thompson and Programmer/Analyst Tracy Thompson.

Questions or Comments: Just e-mail or call the Helpdesk (936.294.1950)