IT-Digest: Vol. 1
April 26, 2005
Welcome to the first issue of IT-Digest! This e-newsletter is intended to inform the USM community about technology related issues, events, updates and news.
In This Issue
- The New USM Division of Information & Technology
- Anti-Virus Software Conversion
- Windows 98 Support at USM
- Mac Users - Getting Access to USM Networked Storage
- Faculty Requests for Software in Labs/Classrooms and Computer Classroom Scheduling
- New Macintosh Operating System
- Microsoft Office Updates
- Blackboard Course Requests
1. The New USM Division of Information & Technology
As of mid-January, 2005, the Office of CIO and Division was established out of the work surrounding Transforming USM: 2004 -09. The Division consolidates all Information and Technology positions and services under a single management structure to work as a business partner with the other U.S.M. Divisions and Departments to accomplish their missions. William Wells is USM's first Chief Information Officer. The departments include:
- IT User Services (Formerly Software Services), Keith Witherell, Interim Director
- Network Services (Formerly UCT), Merton Nickerson, Director
- Database and Software Development, Stephen Houser, Director
- Information Reporting, Pat Davis, Director
- Telecom, Nancy Austin, Director
For more information visit The Division of Information & Technology web pages at www.usm.maine.edu/doit.
2. Anti-Virus Software Conversion
During the past year, the University of Maine System entered into a state-wide license agreement with Symantec Corp. to provide anti-virus software. This Spring, USM has been converting USM-owned computers from McAfee or Virex to Symantec Antivirus for PC or Norton Antivirus for Macintosh. This process will be automatic for most users or a computer technician will contact you to uninstall the old software and install the new software. This system-wide license also allows for ONE installation for university staff and students on their personally owned home computers. You will need to use your UNET (Peoplesoft) username and password to download the personal-use Symantec software. It is important to uninstall any other anti-virus software BEFORE installing. Personal-use copies of Symantec products are available at: http://antivirus.usm.maine.edu/symantec.
3. Computer Security and Windows 98(SE) Support at USM
The Windows 98(SE) operating system is non-secure and not capable of controlling who uses or views data on that machine. Recent data-security and privacy laws require us to limit the use of Windows 98 on the USM network. Also, Windows 98 machines are becoming more and more difficult to maintain and upgrade. Beginning on July 1, 2005, support for Windows 98 machines will be offered on a per hour-charge basis. We have more information about this at:www.usm.maine.edu/computing/recommendations.
4. Mac Users - Getting Access to USM Networked Storage
With recent server changes implemented by USM's Division of Information & Technology, Mac users are using a different method to connect to departmental Common drives and Personal storage areas that are housed on USM's internal network. PC users often refer to these two networked drives as their "N and U drives", since those letters appear next the icons they see. Mac users have seen these areas simply as folder icons. Their departmental area appears as a folder named "Common", and their Personal area has the same name as their GroupWise/NetWare name, such as "jkessler". It's easy to access these areas - and to install shortcuts for later use - but the procedure is different depending whether you're using Mac OS X or Mac OS 9. Mac users should option-click (PC users, right-click) on the link below to save the Adobe Acrobat document to your hard disk: www.usm.maine.edu/~jkessler/usmmacservers.pdf.
5. Faculty Requests for Software in Labs/Classrooms and Computer Classroom Scheduling
Attention Faculty! Believe it or not, the deadline for requesting software on USM lab and classroom machines for Fall 2005 is near. Please make your requests ASAP as the deadline is July 1, 2005. Our lab and classroom support technicians, David Eldridge and Chris Gould go to great lengths to insure that requested software functions properly and often need to make many configuration changes in each software package to make it work in our lab and classroom environment. Do not assume that every software package available this year will be available next year unless you request it. Computer classrooms are very busy and faculty should also schedule these rooms as soon as possible. To request software or schedule a classroom go to: www.usm.maine.edu/computing/labs/request.htm.
6. New Macintosh Operating System
Apple recently announced the arrival of their much-anticipated OS X upgrade, code-named "Tiger," which will be officially "unleashed" on April 29! There are more than 200 new features in Mac OS X Tiger(v10.4), which Apple declares "is the world's most advanced operating system." One of the more interesting, new features include "Spotlight," which enables an end-user to find ANYTHING on your Macintosh computer, literally as quickly as you can type the words! Another useful and innovative feature is "Dashboard," which allows you to EASILY navigate your Desktop, with the click of a function key! It allows you to access these "nifty, new mini-applications" that Apple calls "widgets" (which include everything from real-time weather and stock tickers, to world clocks, translators, unit converters and flight trackers, among many other "widgets")! The educational price is $69. For more information go to: www.apple.com/macosx/newfeatures/.
7. Microsoft Office Updates
Microsoft Corp. often updates the various parts of Microsoft Office but unlike Windows update, these updates do not happen automatically. Each user should occasionally go to www.microsoft.com/officeupdate and click "Check for Updates". This enables the program to check your Microsoft Office installation to see if there are any available updates. After clicking Install, an installation wizard will guide you through the process of updating the software. Call the HelpDesk immediately at 780-4029 if a box appears asking for an Installation CD. A computer technician will need to visit your machine to repair your Microsoft Office installation.
8. Blackboard Course Requests
Faculty are reminded to request their Blackboard courses for the Summer and Fall 2005 as soon as possible. The Online Blackboard Request form is available at www.usm.maine.edu/computing/resources/blackboard/bb_registration.htm.
