A Time to Vent!

You're always welcome to e-mail, call, or come in person and let us know what your thoughts are. However, you are officially invited to come on November 17th. We'd like for you to drop in that Monday at the LSC, room 320 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be refreshments, and we're reserving that time specifically just to listen to you.

This is your opportunity to ask questions about changing technology, voice concerns about the current environment, or just meet the faces behind the voices on the phone. Please come!

PC Profiles

You have the ability to regularly save your personal PC profile. If anything goes wrong, (your fault, our fault, nobody's fault!), your profile can be easily reset if you have recently saved it. You can do this by clicking Start; Programs; SHSU Utilities; Backup; Backup Profile, Bookmarks, Address Book.

Internet Connection

On October 24th, we upgraded our Internet connection by 50%. This should be evident in your speed reaching other Internet sites. Additionally, if you are home using DSL or cable, you should notice an appreciable improvement in reaching Sam Houston's Web site. (If you are using the dial-in modem bank, you may not detect any difference due to the speed limitations of the phone line.)

Blackboard

It's time to start planning your Spring Blackboard courses. Soon we will be loading the Spring 2004 course listing into Blackboard. Make sure you know which courses you need copied into the new Spring selection. Remember, you now can copy your course material on your own. Not sure how? Check out the FAQ section of the Blackboard Instructor Center or sign up for any of our Blackboard training courses this month. You can also contact us at blackboard@shsu.edu and set up a one-on-one training session.

Remember that annoying null or void UserID error you were receiving when trying to access your gradebook? Good news; that error has been remedied, and we are working with Blackboard to clean up the other glitches that you have reported.

Check out the Training Calendar for other sessions.

Faculty Computers

Several years ago, the University adopted the program of providing each full-time faculty member with an office computer. The system has been in place for some time to replace these on a regular cycle. Since many faculty work from home, the office, and/or the road, we are considering a modification to the desktop-only plan. Dell Computer is now promoting a laptop that is rated as their "desktop replacement". This new configuration now provides an alternative solution that could allow faculty members to choose either a traditional desktop workstation or a laptop for their workstation.

Possible Plan:

1. When a faculty member is scheduled to receive a replacement workstation, our technicians would contact the department.
2. The faculty member would have the option of choosing from a regular desktop workstation or a laptop
3. If the laptop is selected by a faculty member, and approved by the academic department:
   • The Computer Services budget would pay $1,500 toward the purchase of a laptop for a faculty member.
   • Each academic department would then pay only the remainder of the expenditure. (Prices range from $2,000 to $3,000 approximately---so departmental share would be $500 to $1,500.)

This laptop could be configured to function as the faculty workstation by day in offices on-campus, and yet, it would be portable to take home, to the library, or to conferences. Give us some feedback on whether this plan seems desirable. E-mail Mark Adams.

Pros:

• Similarity: You would always have the same exact machine.
• File Storage Dependability: You would know you had your files with you.
• Flexibility: You could move about in your office, use it outside on-campus with the wireless connection, or take it into your classroom---as well as take it home or on trips.
• Cost: Your department would only have to pay a portion of the laptop---rather than pay the full purchase price.

Cons:

• The reliability: Using a laptop for hours every day is a very heavy-duty usage; it's still unproven how well the systems will hold up.
• The hassle of carrying it back and forth: Laptops are still heavy to lug around. A simpler method of moving files around can be achieved with a relatively inexpensive memory stick.
• The risk: You'd have to remember to bring it back to campus each day!

Passwords

The process of disabling computer accounts with Windows passwords over one year old is now underway. This single password allows you to access your PC, Blackboard, the modem dial-in bank, your e-mail, SamWeb, and the Sam Menu----so you can realize how important your part is in protecting the University's confidential information.

• If you are a PC user, it is very easy to change this password yourself---and keep your University computer account active. Just press Ctrl-Alt-Delete at any time after you're logged in. One of your options will be Change Password. You just have to enter your old password, and then your new one twice, and you're done.
• If you are a Macintosh user, it's still easy---with one catch; you must know your PIN. With it, you can change your password via the SamInfo menu, Computer Accounts, Change Password option. Make your password between six and eight characters.

Training

Review the Training Calendar for details on sessions. We're offering our first class on using Adobe Acrobat on November 20th at 2 p.m. in AB1, 215.

Cool Stuff

Just when you think there's no way they can think of something else new! There's an item called a Virtually Indestructible keyboard. It can be rolled up and taken with you if you hate using a small laptop keyboard or if you'd like one to use with your PDA. One web site described it as follows:

• "Flat-out" design eliminates negative-angle wrist stress, an archaic holdover from manual typewriters.
• Soft silicon-based finish is impervious to water, coffee, cleaning solutions and more
• Unique combination of durability and soft, comfortable feel.
• 109-keys of quick, reflexive typing action for speed and accuracy
• “Inside-out” character printing will NEVER wear off.

If you're interested in knowing more about this, contact the Helpdesk.

SPSS Tips

Want to learn some shortcuts in the statistical package, SPSS? They are offering a free online seminar entitled Tips and Tricks for Easier Data Management. It will be Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 11:00 a.m. If you would like to register, please contact the Helpdesk.

Cable TV Change

The Computer Services department is assuming responsibilities for cable TV billing and work orders. Campus cable TV billing will now be consolidated into a single University bill that will be redistributed proportionally across University departments that have cable TV service. You may review the letter which will be sent to each department manager for more details.