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Archive: December 7, 2005

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Security and
Internet Services

Security home

SPAM AND VIRUS STATS
In November, 2005 central e-mail spam controls blocked 19,184,019 messages. Anti-virus controls blocked an additional 405,839 messages.

TIS THE SEASON - THE GRINCH HAS INTERNET ACCESS TOO!
The Internet has definitely made our shopping easier; not having to deal with crowds or icy parking lots. It is also easier for scammers. With potential victims at their fingertips, they don't need to leave home either! The National Consumers League offers 12 tips for avoiding online scams and schemes at http://nclnet.org/holiday/holidayshopping_tips.htm.

ARE YOU ANTICIPATING A TAX REFUND?
The Internal Revenue Service has issued a warning about a tax refund e-mail scam. The e-mail "phishes" for victims with promise of a refund and a link to gather the victim's personal information. Read more at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=151065,00.html and http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10268811/.

Network and Telecommunication
Services

NTS home

GOPHER MESSAGING COMING SOON
We are testing and evaluating Gopher Messaging for possible installation during winter break. NTS will replace the campus voice mail system and the automated answering system with new menu routing options.

WHAT WILL GOPHER MESSAGING DO?
Gopher messaging will have many new features such as text messaging, voice mail to e-mail, video and fax. Look for more news about the transition and the dates.

TELEPHONE SERVICES UPDATE
Next year telephone services will also get new features such as caller ID block and remote call forwarding or anonymous call rejection. You will be able to activate these features on campus or from remote access with a pin number.

COMMUNICATIONS RESTORATION PROJECT
The Communications Restoration Project is under way, rewiring campus buildings that have deficient wiring. This is part of a multi-year effort to conduct audits and evaluate and schedule rewiring for reliable communication performance for the new data network. Details and a schedule at http://www.umn.edu/nts/projects/crp/.

Academic and
Distributed
Computing
Services

ADCS home

GOOGLE SEARCH APPLIANCE
OIT is pleased to announce a new Google Search Appliance, available to University top-level units and colleges for customized searching of University web content. The Search Appliance offers several advantages over google.com site search. For more information, visit http://www.umn.edu/google or contact the University support team at google@umn.edu.

DELL AND APPLE SPECIALS THROUGH DECEMBER 31
CLA, ADCS, OIT and the Purchasing department teamed up again to save the University money on computers. Based on configurations created by CLA, ADCS/OIT arranged with Dell and Apple to receive deeper discounts on select systems through December 31, 2005. See http://www.umart.umn.edu. Questions? E-mail techmart@umn.edu.

BLOCKED E-MAIL REPORTING OPTION
Did you know that you now can choose to have your list of blocked e-mail sent to you via e-mail on a periodic basis? To set it up use your InternetID and Internet password to access your personalized Internet Account Options at http://www.umn.edu/validate. Select "Incoming E-mail controls." From the resulting screen scroll down until you see the reporting options.

WEBMAIL UPDATE
In response to feedback from WebMail users, during the last month we've begun functional and usability testing on a new version. Now we're ready for a limited release of the latest version; testing is restricted to certain account holders. New features include faster page-load time and spell checking.

AUTOFILING UPDATE
To improve e-mail performance for everyone, this fall we began a new procedure for those who have very large inboxes: old e-mail is automatically archived. We've gotten positive feedback on this new procedure from those who like the speedier access to their inboxes. Details at http://www.umn.edu/adcs/accounts/emailautofiling.html.

NEW COURSE! ILLUSTRATOR CS2 BASICS
Is there a graphic artist in you? Learn how Illustrator can help you create professional-quality logos and graphics. This short course will teach you to draw lines and curves, work with objects and text, and even create your own colors. For more information see http://uttc.umn.edu.

Digital
Media
Center

DMC home

DEC 8 MEETING: EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGISTS FORUM
Hear how advanced Vista developers use SCORM to record grades of Flash modules and seamlessly integrate multimedia into their course sites at the next meeting of campus developers of technology-enhanced learning (TEL) projects: DEC 8, 3-4:30 PM, 402 WALTER. See http://dmc.umn.edu/etf/schedule05.shtml.

DEC 8 COURSE: ACTIVE LEARNING WITH POWERPOINT AND BREEZE
Instructors can explore how to structure narratives, motivate learners, and foster active and collaborative learning using PowerPoint and Breeze in our a 3-hour seminar. Fees are waived for eligible faculty members. To register, see http://uttc.umn.edu/training/courses/description.jsp?secName=LT211.

DEC 18, 25 TV SHOW: TECH TALK
Learn about some of the latest and greatest technological gadgets on the market DEC 18 and how wireless computer connections work DEC 25: 9-9:30 PM, TPT channel 17. See http://techtalk.umn.edu/schedule/.

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