Just Don't Do It

Do NOT write down your passphrase and tape it under your keyboard. Our student technicians have discovered these several times lately. This is a serious disregard for the security of the University's confidential information.

If you simply cannot memorize your SHSU password, make sure your written note is encrypted enough that others cannot figure it out. Remember: You are responsible for any actions taken from your account.

Supervisors: please do a walkaround of your department and ensure there are no passwords in sight.

Having your Cake and Eating It Too

The September Update introduced a new service called Remote Access which permits PC or Macintosh users to reach personal SHSU Windows profiles from home or other locations such as the University Center.

Macintosh Users: This same technology will also be used on-campus to replace the wnterminal.shsu.edu (ts.shsu.edu) option of reaching the Sam Menu (GUI). Instead Winterm1 (remote.shsu.edu) will be used. We will be redirecting the WnTerminal option as of November 15th.

If you use the University system from home, the Coliseum for Registration, the LSC for Orientation, or the University Center for classes, come hear how you may use your Windows profile remotely. You may register online for the training session on Remote Access. It will be November 9th, at 2 p.m. in the AB4, 201 computer lab.

Neither Rain, nor Sleet....

The new University campus telephone books provide a reference page for departmental mail box numbers. There were some departments left off the published list. The complete list is available online from the Mail Services page.

The Mail Services department sends out a daily e-mail to notify departments that the mail has been processed and delivery service is underway (for those receiving mail delivery).   If you would like to receive this notification, just ask.

Converting from Nell to Sam Menu

The moves continue with GUI programs replacing Nell programs. BLOK01M, Student Block Maintenance, will be removed from Nell on November 15th.  There is a new version of the program "BLOK01MG" available now on the Sam Menu under Student Records.

Give Credit where Credit is Due

Trying to walk that fine line with classroom use of copyrighted information? Here are some basic rules.

• Thumbnails may be used without obtaining permission for images 100 x 125 pixels.
• Anything pre-1922 is in the public domain.
• Use four  factors (purpose, nature, amount and effect) to make an analysis of whether use of a copyrighted work is "fair use".
• Fair Use is a one-time use only.
• You may use up to 10% or 3 minutes, whichever is less, of a copyrighted motion media work.
• You may reproduce the lesser of 10% or 1000 words of text material.
• You may use music, lyrics and music video-up to 10% but in no event more than 30 seconds of the music and lyrics from an individual work.

For more information contact the Newton Gresham Library or the Department of Academic Instructional Technology and Distance Learning.

Managing Lab Access

Please do not unlock the Computer Services labs. As you all have heard, there have been numerous thefts on campus.  It is critical that labs not be left unattended.  A representative from the Computer Services office must schedule and open the labs to ensure we protect the equipment.  Additionally, a UCS person should be on-duty to make sure the printers are working and that the experience is a positive one for students.

If your classes have a hands-on portion----daily or infrequently---please visit with us before you finalize your schedule with the Registrar's office for the upcoming semesters.  We want to accommodate each professor and class in the building and time that you want----but space does not permit that.   So it has to be first-come, first-served. 

The SGA has received complaints this semester about reserved labs that students cannot use, when the professor does not hold class and the lab sits empty. If you cancel a class for which a lab is reserved, please notify Kayla Stephenson, the Lab Manager, so that we can ensure it is either staffed and available for student use, or locked. You can find out what resources and labs are available from the Lab web site.

Blackboard and WebCT plan to merge

You are cordially invited to Blackboard Day, Tuesday, November 29, starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Criminal Justice Center Courtroom. Check out the various sessions available on the Training Calendar. Sign up for one, several, or all of the Bb day events online. We'll be giving away a memory stick at each session. Please come!

Change is coming. So take advantage of Sam's Blackboard Day to meet with the Blackboard representatives coming to campus. Use this forum to tell Bb the features that you currently have that you want, and the ones that you do not yet have that you need.

What's Good, What's Not?

The Helpdesk provides support for university equipment and software on the local area network. Each month's Update will now 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. The supported version of Microsoft's Operating System is Windows XP.
• Software Packages: The supported versions of Office suites are Microsoft's Office 2003 and WordPerfect Office 2000 for PC's and Microsoft Office 2004 for Macintoshes.
• Hardware Configurations: The minimum requirement for SHSU Local Area Network support for a PC is a 1Ghz processor, with 512mb RAM, and a 40GB disk. The minimum requirement for a Macintosh on the LAN is a 733 mhz processor, with 512mb RAM, and a 40GB disk.

Approved for campus-wide e-mail distribution by Associate Vice President Jim Stevens