Saving (Files)
Do save in more than one place. If it would make you cry to lose it, do not rely on just one location.
Do not save documents on your PC desktop. You should only have shortcuts to programs there, not documents. If you are storing files there, they can easily be corrupted or deleted. Corruption could occur simply with a power outage that prevents you from successfully exiting your profile.
Do not use your e-mail Inbox as your storage filing account. Save important attachments elsewhere. E-mail can be lost much more easily than your stored files.
Do use a memory stick, CD, DVD, or your hard drive for backup.
Do review your T: drive to ensure that files that are stored there are still needed.
You are all painfully aware that Work Orders are taking a long time for us to complete. We need to carefully analyze what projects we take on.
One initial step is to no longer purchase wireless peripherals such as keyboards and mice. These have proven problematic for a number of clients and when they malfunction, you end up being unable to work at all. Unless there is a clearly defined work purpose that requires you to use a keyboard that is not plugged in, the UCS department will not be able to support these in the future.
The remote servers are now being used so heavily that we are experiencing slow logins frequently. The servers for the student profiles are also having troubles with the overload. Too many classes are attempting to log in simultaneously.
To cure both ailments, we will need to purchase and then configure bigger, better computers. That process is started.
Check the Training Calendar for classes on OneNote, Bb, and PDF forms. You can sign up now to reserve your seat.
Another reminder: you may not share your password or PIN with anyone. This is a violation of the Acceptable Use Policy that you agreed to with receiving access to your SHSU computer account. As staff and faculty members, you have privileges and access that others do not. It is imperative that you do not permit others to use your account.
If you have some departmental task that you feel you cannot complete without sharing your password, just give us a call. Let us have an opportunity to create a solution that will not compromise the campus security.
Managing (Blackboard)
This month we have had 12 days with failures on Bb. Just a completely unacceptable rate, we know. Please don't give up on us. We have made some progress with new system admins both at Dell and at Blackboard working with us to diagnose the problems.
We will continue to keep you informed with the Blackboard blog.
Want Friday to come after Thursday? Want March to come before April? You can sort columns in Excel 2007 based on the days of the week. By default, if you sort based on a column of month or weekday names, Excel sorts the data alphabetically.
To change your sort to a chronological order:
1. Select any cell in the column of month or weekday data.
2. Choose Data | Sort from the menu bar to display the Sort window.
3. When selecting the order, select Custom List and then select the option beginning with January, February, March. (Or select the sort by the day of the week.)
We have to say good-bye to Matt Frazier this month. Matt has accepted a position in Houston and will be leaving us. Sam McGee has also just accepted a position elsewhere and left a couple of weeks ago. They will both be missed!
We are advertising vigorously for new staff members. Please tell anyone you think is great to apply.
We are glad to welcome Glenn Beagle to the Systems team. Glenn will be a systems administrator for the Linux servers. Glenn joined us as a consultant from Dell, hails from Livingston, and has agreed to stay!
As always, we would like to remind you to use the Helpdesk e-mail or phone (294.1950) if you need assistance. Please do not rely on individual contacts with your personal "favorites." With conferences, special projects, deadlines, sickness, or vacation, someone may be unavailable. Contacting the Helpdesk ensures we have a record of your call and someone there to determine who best can help.
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 is OS X, versions 2, 3, and 4. 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. It will definitely not occur prior to Summer 2008, but may be delayed till Christmas 2008.
- Software Packages: The supported versions of office suites are Microsoft's Office 2007 and WordPerfect 12 for PC's. The supported version of an office suite for Macintoshes is Microsoft Office 2004. Microsoft has not yet released a new version of Office for the Macintoshes.
- Hardware Configurations: The minimum requirements for SHSU local area network support for a PC are a 1Ghz processor, 512MB RAM, and a 40GB disk. With next summer's Vista roll-out, the minimum configuration will be 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.
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