IT-Digest: Vol. 6

September 30, 2005

This e-newsletter is intended to inform the USM community about technology related issues, events, updates and news.

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In This Issue

  1. Best Practice to Keep Files Secure and Available
  2. Computer Classroom Scheduling for Spring, 2006
  3. Faculty Requests for Software in Computer Labs
  4. Automatic Spellcheck in Groupwise
  5. Groupwise Signature Options
  6. Groupwise Password
  7. Apple eMail Program Slow with Groupwise?
  8. Technology Related Workshops
  9. Wireless on the Lawn
1. Best Practice to Keep Files Secure and Available

All full-time faculty and staff have at least 500 megabytes of network "user space" on the USM NetWare servers. See the following User Space Quota information page for details.

Here are some of the reasons to use this storage area for USM business related documents (word processing, spreadsheets, and databases):

  • Security – Data stored on your network user space is more secure than data stored on your local computer. You are the only person that has access to this storage area. This space is perfectly suited for confidential documents.
  • Backup – IT Network Services backs up these files nightly, to protect against server failure. The vast majority of local disks are not backed up.
  • Availability - If you need access to this data from an off-campus location, you may use MYFILES, found at https://myfiles.usm.maine.edu. Also, all documents stored on the server will be available on any other computer where you log in, even if your local computer fails.
2. Computer Classroom Scheduling for Spring, 2006

Faculty, as you finalize your spring course schedule, please make your computer classroom requests as soon as possible. Note that these rooms are heavily used. Requests should conform to the Registrar's stated class session times for the Portland and Gorham campuses. To request software or schedule a classroom visit the Labs & Classrooms page.

3. Faculty Requests for Software in Computer Labs

Attention Faculty! The deadline for requesting software on USM lab and classroom machines for Spring 2006 is November 1. 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 last year is available this year unless you request it.

4. Automatic Spellcheck in Groupwise

Do you like computer "Spellcheck" features? If so, you can set Groupwise to automatically run a spellcheck when you click the Send icon. On the Groupwise toolbar, click on Tools > Options > Environment > General > Check spelling before send.

5. Groupwise Signature Options

If you want Groupwise to add your name, address, phone, etc. to each email you send, look at the Groupwise toolbar to find: Tools > Options > Environment > Signature. You may specify that your signature be added automatically, or Prompt before adding.

6. Groupwise Password

Your Groupwise password is the same as your Novell Login password. If Groupwise prompts you to enter your password, you may perform the following steps to avoid typing your password:

  1. Tools > Options > Security > Password
  2. Type your current password in the space "Old Password".
  3. Click the OK button.
  4. Now you can click the item "No password with eDirectory", then click the OK button.

Note that you ignored the spaces to change your password. Now Groupwise will not require you to enter your password when you start the program.

7. Apple eMail Program Slow with Groupwise?

There is a problem between the Apple Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger), the Apple built-in email program and Novell's Groupwise. If your Apple email loads very slowly call the HelpDesk at 780-4029. A technician will help you change a preference in the eMail application that will help mitigate this issue. We know that Novell is working on this problem.

8. Technology Related Workshops

IT User Services staff will be leading workshops about Access, Excel, Groupwise, Bootcamp and the new Survivor: Software. There are workshops for both novice and experienced computer users. Refer to the USM Employee Development web page for details. You may navigate to this page from the USM homepage, http://usm.maine.edu, by selecting the link to Faculty and Staff, then the link for Staff Development and Training Programs in the paragraph titled Employee Resources.

9. Wireless on the Lawn

This tip may not very practical as winter approaches, but wireless access for laptops is available on lawn areas of the Portland campus. Please remember that wireless computing is not secure, so should not be used for internet transactions that involve a password, credit card information, etc. Refer to the Wireless @ USM page for more information about wireless computing at USM.

If you have any questions or IT problems, please contact the USM HelpDesk at 780-4029 or email helpdesk@usm.maine.edu.

The USM Computing site is maintained by Robin McGlauflin.