Joe Bazeley Joins Miami as Information Security Officer

Joe Bazeley may be the only university Information Security Officer whose career path began as a leader of children’s education programs at the Cincinnati Zoo. While working with wild animals has some elements in common with wrangling computer viruses and cyber criminals, the part of his new position that most excites Joe is working with faculty, staff and students.

Miami Notebook Program Updated with New Apple and HP Models

Apple and HP have recently announced new laptop models that feature Intel’s new line of processors, as well as several additional new features.  Of particular interest is the webcam that is now available as standard Miami Notebook equipment on both HP models, as well as the aluminum unibody case that is a characteristic of the new Apple line. Both the HP and Apple models utilize LED-backlit screens, valued for their ability to provide vivid colors, sharper images and improved battery life.

Prezza Checkbox Web Survey Tool New Release Enhances Ease-of-Use

Prezza Technologies, the vendor for the Prezza Checkbox Web survey tool, has released a new version and Miami will be moving to that new version over winter break. With the upgrade come quite a few “ease-of-use” enhancements.

Introducing the 2008-2009 Student Technology Advisory Committee (STAC)

Twenty students, representing a wide variety of majors and classes, come together once a month to discuss information technology at Miami. Also in the room is the top leadership of IT Services, seeking advice and recommendations that will inform the future of technology on campus. How do students use smartphones? What technology do students want in a computer lab? What features make the Miami Notebook more attractive and useful? This is the Student Technology Advisory Committee, the official voice of students in the IT decision-making process, providing advice to the Vice President for Information Technology. The committee’s responsibilities include making policy recommendations and providing input on potential, planned and current IT projects and services.

Information Security Awareness Week Drawing Winners

Information Security Awareness took center stage October 28, 29 and 30 as Miami’s Information Security Office did their annual three-campus blitz to promote safe computing. Keynote speakers from the FBI and Cisco provided a “real world” picture of how cyber criminals find and exploit the online information of thousands of unsuspecting individuals. Information Security staff responded by providing knowledge designed to help each of us better protect ourselves from these growing threats.

IT Services Deploys New Digital Signage Solution This Month

Beginning in November, IT Services will be launching a new service providing a common platform for the various digital signage installations currently in use across the university including displays in the University Libraries, Shriver Center, Farmer School of Business, and on the Hamilton campus. The new system will extend the functionality of digital signage in a number of ways, but most notably will provide the ability to display centrally-dispatched emergency messages.

bigBUY 2008/2009 Coming Soon

Each winter, IT Services coordinates a bulk purchase of Windows computers (nicknamed “bigBUY”) in order to obtain greater discounts from vendors through volume purchasing.  Last year, Miami moved to HP as the Windows computer vendor, based on the extremely competitive pricing provided in response to a request for proposals issued during fall 2007. HP will be continuing as the Windows computer vendor for this year’s bigBUY. HP has recently updated their business laptop line and this year’s bigBUY will include the new laptop models as well as desktop and tablet options.

Individualized Blackboard Training Available to Faculty

Advanced Learning Technologies knows that faculty time is a valuable commodity. That’s why we offer personal training in Blackboard and an array of other learning technologies. With personal training, faculty can customize their sessions in a number of ways. The duration of the session and its content are up to each instructor’s needs—faculty can schedule a half an hour session to learn an answer to one specific question, meet an hour every week, or just as needed. And so that faculty can work on their own computer in the comfort of their own office, we make office calls! Call Advanced Learning Technologies (ALT) at 513-529-6068 to schedule a time to meet.

Blackboard Upgrade Planned for Winter Break

IT Services is planning a Blackboard upgrade to version 7.3 over winter break.  The upgrade will provide solutions to several issues Miami is having with the current version.  A compatibility patch will be added so Blackboard will work with the new version of Firefox 3.0.  There will also be Discussion Board enhancements and Content System additions.

Don’t Leave the Door Open for Laptop Theft!

March 28, 2008, Miami Student headline:  “Unlocked door leaves student victim to laptop theft”

You probably wouldn’t leave a stack of hundred dollar bills lying around on a table at the library or on your bed while you took a shower. When you leave your laptop unsecured, that’s essentially what you are doing. And, as any student who has had his or her laptop stolen will tell you, the pain of being a victim of laptop theft extends well beyond the financial loss.