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Archive : September 8, 2006

No contacts? No links? No problem: send your inquiries and comments to oitbrief@umn.edu.

The UM Tech Brief is a resource for University of Minnesota technical support staff and department and unit decision makers.

Security and
Internet Services

Security home

SPAM AND VIRUS STATS
In August 2006 central e-mail spam control blocked 29,885,644 messages.

Network and Telecommunication
Services

NTS home

LIVE ONLINE HELP FROM NTS!
New: talk to NTS staff via live web chat during regular NTS/TAC hours, M-F 7 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Live Help fields questions about phones, Gopher Messaging, jacks, and networking issues (including spam). Connect via the nts.umn.edu page.

REQUEST DNS CHANGES ON-LINE.
www1.umn.edu/nts/tac/dns

MULTI-COLLEGE / STATE NETWORK COMING.
The BOREAS-NET (Broadband Optional Research, Education and Science Network) team is evaluating hardware RFPs for installation in 2006.This network is a multi-college /state network (Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin) connecting into Chicago through a jointly owned fiber with other members of the CIC (Committee for Institutional Cooperation). By 2007, the University of Minnesota will have high-speed connectivity to major networking hubs in both Chicago and Kansas City. Multiple 10-gigabit pathways will be available between members and to major connecting points.  For more information see www.boreas.net

GOPHER GIGANET UPDATE.
Central firewall capability was included with the installation of the Gopher GigaNet / campus network upgrade project completed in 2005. High-volume University traffic levels hampered full deployment of this feature, but our network vendor expects to have it working this fall.

CABLE RESTORATION PROJECT (CRP).
Does your building wiring allow you full advantage of the upgraded network? Our Cable Restoration Project has NTS and Facilities Management staff working extra hours to upgrade all campus buildings to current wiring standards, enabling true gigabit speeds. Campus historical preservation and aesthetics committees are involved to ensure building preservation. For more information, see the project web page at www1.umn.edu/nts/projects/crp/

GOPHER MESSAGING UPDATE.
Gopher Messaging Voicemail greeting too long?  You can override it by pressing #.  Remove all extra instructions (pressing “0” to talk to an operator and so forth) via your Gopher Messaging web access. View an on-line tutorial at uttc.umn.edu/training/tutorials/go4msg/index.html  Or take a free classes from UTTC: uttc.umn.edu/training/courses/description.jsp?secName=GM101

Academic and
Distributed
Computing
Services

ADCS home

MINUTE CLINICS COMING!
OIT will provide walk-up express help via Technology Minute Clinics at 5 locations: 103 Walter Library, 50 Coffman Memorial Union,
50 HHH, B50 Magrath Library, and Centennial Hall. Clinic topics include
e-mail, internet connections, computer security, WebCT setup, and useful software.

VPN - UPGRADE NOW!
Due to security vulnerabilities, Cisco has released an update to the VPN
client used by the University. Users are urged to visit vpn.umn.edu to obtain the update.

SYMANTEC ANTIVIRUS VULNERABILITIES - UPGRADE NOW!
Certain versions of Symantec AntiVirus distributed before July 2006 had security vulnerabilities that may leave Windows computers open to attack.  Please upgrade your AntiVirus products (you will need to un-install the old version before you install the new version) at:
www1.umn.edu/adcs/software/security/

DELL NOTEBOOK BATTERY RECALL.
Dell announced a recall of specific series of battery models used in recent Latitude, Inspiron, and Precision mobile computers. Owners of affected batteries are advised to stop using them immediately due to risk of overheating and fire. Check your notebook battery at: www.dellbatteryprogram.com/

15-INCH MACBOOK PRO BATTERY EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Apple initiated a worldwide battery exchange program for certain rechargeable batteries that were sold for use with 15-inch MacBook Pro computer systems from February 2006 through May 2006. The affected batteries do not pose a safety risk. You may continue to use your current battery until a replacement arrives. Check your MacBook at: support.apple.com/macbookpro15/batteryexchange/index.html

Digital
Media
Center

DMC home

GET READY TO TEACH WITH TECHNOLOGY.
DMC/ADCS staff members can help instructors (and their support staff) prepare to teach with technology this fall. Meet with consultants, hire student developers, obtain training, and more. Call 612-625-5055 or e-mail dmc@umn.edu

DMC ST. PAUL SATELLITE OFFICE HOURS EXPANDED.
Beginning this fall, our St. Paul office will be open Mondays - Fridays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., 69 McNeal. Drop by for a consultation or call 612-625-8030.

LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES PAGES PUBLISHED.
Descriptions of the centrally supported learning technologies currently used by students and instructors at the University are now available on the DMC site. They include information about educational uses of these technologies and related support, services, resources, research literature, and more. See dmc.umn.edu/technologies/

ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE FORMED.
In response to the growing number of learning technologies available, the WebCT Faculty Advisory Committee was re-named in August and its mission expanded. See dmc.umn.edu/committee/

SEPT 26 PROGRAM: TA WEB CERTIFICATION.
This popular program is offered at no charge, and beginning this fall, will take place over 12 weeks in a hybrid learning environment. Students learn about Web-based teaching and learning strategies and Web design and development techniques. See dmc.umn.edu/ta-web/schedule.shtml

OCT 4 SEMINAR: IMPROVING LEARNING WITH TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED SIMULATIONS.
At the next Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) seminar, panelists will discuss how simulations enable students to recursively practice tasks, manipulate artifacts and explore environments, and gain task-related knowledge in authentic contexts: Oct 4, noon - 1:30 p.m., 402 Walter.
See dmc.umn.edu/series/fall06.shtml

OCT 4 CLASS: ACTIVE LEARNING WITH POWERPOINT & BREEZE.
In this course instructors can explore how to structure narratives, motivate learners, and foster active and collaborative learning using PowerPoint and Breeze in our 3-hour seminar. Fees are waived for eligible faculty members. To register, see uttc.umn.edu/training/courses/description.jsp?secName=LT211

OCT 29 TV SHOW: TECH TALK SEASON BEGINS.
The University TV show about the digital technology we encounter in our everyday lives will return for a fifth season. We will discuss everything from digital TV to new online social networks:  Sundays, 9 - 9:30 p.m., TPT Channel 17. See techtalk.umn.edu/schedule/

The URL of this document is http://umtechbrief.umn.edu/06/tb0806/tb0806.html
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