IT-Digest: Vol. 9
December 15, 2005
This e-newsletter is intended to inform the USM community about technology related issues, events, updates and news.
In This Issue
Many new things are happening in the IT world at USM. Here are few (and some other news):
- USM Computing Mourns the Loss of Mert Nickerson
- New Computing Web Site
- GroupWise 7 Webaccess
- WebCT/Blackboard News
- Computer Classroom Reservations and Software Requests
- Keep Sensitive Data Secure
- Back Issues of IT Digest are Available
- UNET (PeopleSoft) Account Activation
1. USM Computing Mourns the Loss of Mert Nickerson
We were all shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of IT Network Services Director, Mert Nickerson on January 12th. On February 3rd, Computing Services hosted an informal gathering in Woodbury Campus Center to meet with some of the Nickerson family, share fond memories and stories about Mert and celebrate Mert's life. Over 100 people attended including staff members of various USM departments and IT staff members from many of the other University of Maine campuses. USM and the entire University of Maine system will miss Mert's thoughts, perseverence, and contributions. A committee is being formed to work towards honoring Mert on a more permanent basis.
2. New Computing Web Site
If you haven't been to our web site lately, go to http://usm.maine.edu/computing. Robin McGlauflin in our Database Application and Support department has completed a major upgrade and re-design of the computing department's website. The new website makes it much easier for the university computing community to get the information they need about computing at USM. Check it out!
2a. Navigating Our New Web Site
The design and layout of our new web site will make it much easier to navigate the many aspects of computing at USM. The computing homepage at http://usm.maine.edu/computing/ consists of an IT Resources area on the left, an Alerts area in the middle, a Computing News section on the right and contact information in the Getting Help area. The IT Resources list includes 12 major topics of computing and a complete index which will help you find the information you need. This list stays available throughout your use of the web site. We continue to work to improve and update the information available on our web pages. Please contact us if you notice any errors or out-of-date information.
3. GroupWise 7 Webaccess
Recently, GroupWise Webaccess was upgraded to version 7. This version is a significant upgrade and makes the Webaccess version similar to the Client version. There have been some reported problems using this new version with some older browsers. Please let the Help!Desk know of any problems or issues that are discovered in the new version. To use GroupWise Webaccess, go to http://gw.usm.maine.edu.
4. WebCT/Blackboard News
The WebCT/Blackboard merger has passed two major milestones as it was approved by the U.S Department of Justice and then completed on February 28, 2006. The effects of the merger remain to be seen as USM uses and supports both Course Management Systems. USM also offers the free use of Respondus, a test-generating program which makes it easier to create and upload exams to either BlackBoard or WebCT. Contact the Help!Desk to have Respondus installed. For more info and updates on the merger, go to: http://blackboard.com/webct.
5. Computer Classroom Reservations and Software Requests
Believe it or not, now is the time to begin considering reserving computer classrooms for Summer and Fall semesters and deciding what software will be used for your classes. Our three major computer labs are located in 144 Luther Bonney in Portland, 8 Bailey Hall in Gorham and 118 LAC in Lewiston. We have several computer classrooms on all three campuses. The more than 450 computers in our labs and classrooms feature more than 75 software packages ranging from Microsoft Office and word processing through high-end scientific and statistical packages. To reserve a room, request software or view the locations and times for our labs and classrooms, go to: http://usm.maine.edu/computing/labs.
6. Keep Sensitive Data Secure
We all need to continue to consider all the data that we store, retrieve, send through email and print. With the implementation of various federal laws including HIPPA, FERPA and others, data security is a major concern. Sensitive data should not be stored on your local computer — use your U: drive. Don't use a wireless connection when dealing with sensitive data — wireless is not a secure means of transporting data. Be careful of what and who you include in emails — personal data can be sent by mistake. USM has data security tips available at http://usm.maine.edu/computing/security. Let us know if we can help you with data security.
7. Back Issues of IT Digest are Available
To view back issues of the IT Digest, go to: http://usm.maine.edu/computing/support/helpdesk.jsp and click the desired issue.
8. UNET (PeopleSoft) Account Activation
The why's and how's and everything you've ever wanted to about the UNET account activation can be found at http://usm.maine.edu/computing/networking/unet.jsp.
If you have any questions or IT problems, please contact the USM Help!Desk at 780-4029 or email helpdesk@usm.maine.edu.
Have questions that you'd like to see addressed in IT Digest? Let the Help!Desk know: 780-4029 or helpdesk@usm.maine.edu.
