IT VP and Staff Embrace Mission of Collaboration and Service

On behalf of all the dedicated staff in IT Services who provide IT infrastructure, support and services, I am pleased to present the first issue of TechTalk for the 2007- 2008 academic year. We are all anticipating another challenging year, leveraging Miami's IT strategic assets to enhance your studies, research, teaching, work and recreation.

This summer's e-mail and calendaring project demonstrated just how pervasive the efforts of IT Services are at Miami. Over 33,000 accounts were created in the new muConnect/Exchange system and over 22 million stored messages were transferred from the old PO system to muConnect. This gargantuan project literally touched each member of the Miami community and it would not have been possible without the efforts of nearly 300 staff and faculty from all divisions and campuses. It was a stellar example of what our community can do, working together.

"Big Buy" Returns to Provide Savings on University Computer Purchases

Nights are getting longer and leaves are beginning to turn, so everyone’s favorite season is almost upon us – Big Buy!

Miami's Security Awareness Week Events Focus on Identity Theft

The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identity stolen each year.  Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identifying information without your permission to commit fraud or other serious crimes.

Need to Conduct a Survey?
Use One of the Two New University-supported Survey Tools

IT Services has just released two survey solutions for Miami faculty and staff to use to conduct surveys – Prezza Checkbox Web and Snap Surveys.  

Now, when you have a survey need, instead of scrambling to figure out how you can conduct a survey, you just have to ask one question: “Which tool is right for this survey?

Migration to New muConnect Exchange Email/Calendaring System Wraps Up

Over 35,000 accounts with more than 22 million stored messages were moved from the old PO SendMail system to the new muConnect e-mail and calendaring system over the summer. More than 150 staff and faculty members played an active role in making this transition possible, and an additional 150 served as migration liaisons, ensuring that communication about the project reached as many members of the community as possible.

Faculty Blackboard Workshops Focus on Leveraging Blackboard to Support Learner Outcomes

What would you like Blackboard to help you do?

• Measure students’ learning through online tests and quizzes?
• Encourage active engagement through dynamic online mediums like wikis, blogs and discussion boards?
• Supplement course material with rich media like audio/video podcasts?

Advanced Learning Technologies offers a series of 90-minute Blackboard workshops focused on using specific tools/capabilities in Blackboard to support your desired learner outcomes.

Newly Redesigned Lab Ready for Collaboration!

Need a place for your group to work together? Want to use the latest hardware and software? Bring your group to the newly redesigned Learning Technology Center, 200 Gaskill Hall.

From ergonomic furniture to the latest video editing software, from Smartboards to scanners - the lab is designed to provide a comfortable and functional space for students as they work in groups and alone.

Flashlight™ Online Survey Tool to be Retired December 31, 2007

Flashlight™ Online is a limited web-based survey tool that has been available to faculty, staff, and graduate students for several years. With the addition of two new survey tools (see related article), Miami is retiring the Flashlight system at the end of this calendar year.

New Microsoft Office 2007 Training Scheduled — Available to All Faculty, Staff and Students

IT Services continues to expand the training workshops offered for Microsoft Office 2007. "New Features" classes are now scheduled for Word 2007, Excel 2007, and PowerPoint 2007.

Guest Wireless Accounts to be Required Spring Semester

In order to preserve Miami’s network bandwidth and eliminate abuse of services, Miami is moving to a service that will require university guests be issued guest accounts by the department or division with whom they are visiting to gain wireless network access. This requirement will apply to all university guests who wish to use wireless network service (guest lecturers, vendors, conference participants, lodging guests, etc.).

Do You Know What VPN Is? If You Use Wireless, You Should!

HELP! I'm using wireless, why can't I do things like use video iChat, sign-in to the CogLab site for my Psych class, or map a drive to a Miami file server?

Different problems, same answer: use VPN!

Update Your Software Skills with New SkillPort and VTC Web-based Training Courses

Do you have 30 minutes to learn new software skills? SkillPort and VTC are there for you whenever you do! And recent additions to both vendors’ offerings mean you’ll find even more learning content available to you.

Microsoft Software — Tips From the Trainer

• Outlook 2007: Get a handle on your day with Outlook Today
  
  
• Entourage 2004: Adjusting the "Mark message as read..." setting
  
  
• Office 2007: Interactive Command Reference Helps Ease Transition from Office 2003 to Office 2007

Donated Laptops Contribute to Students’ Ability to Succeed at Miami

Forty-five Miami Access Initiative students are benefiting from contributions made by Dell and Apple on their behalf.  As a result of the volume of business that Miami does with these vendors and the success of the Miami Notebook program, both Dell and Apple donated Miami Notebooks for award to select Miami students. 

Laptop FYI: Use Your Battery Regularly to Extend Its Life

If your laptop is constantly plugged into an electrical outlet, your battery may lose its ability to hold a charge sooner than it otherwise would.

IT Services Support Services & Campus Partnerships (SSCP) Asks "How Are We Doing?"

Each spring, IT Services asks members of the university community what they think of a number of key IT support services via a survey sent to a random sample of 1,850 students, faculty, and staff. Curious what a sampling of your fellow students, faculty, and staff said? Read on!

Purchasing Software for University-Owned Computers

IT Services is pleased to offer assistance with software purchases for university-owned computers. IT Services has the most up-to-date information on software contracts and site licenses; we obtain software quotes, assist with the software purchase and help departments maintain software purchase records. Often times, the quotes that we obtain will save the department both time and money.

If you need software for a university owned computer, please send e-mail to supportdesk@muohio.edu or call us at 513-529-7900 (to obtain software purchase support, please press 2, then 1).

Around-the-Clock Technology Assistance + Multiple Locations = Winning Combo for Students

(Support Desk Asks "Have you visited our King Library location yet?")

To assist students with answers to technology problems and questions, the IT Services Support Desk offers around-the-clock help via phone and e-mail as well as walk-up assistance at King Library and 324 Gaskill Hall. Take advantage of these services when you need help!