IRT: News & Events: TechUpdates: December 09 2004

So what do you do about it? There are an ever-increasing number of clever and vicious programs out there that can invade and hijack your computer, compromise whatever privacy we have left to us, and turn your powerful PC's performance to sludge.

A new IRT web page gives you some needed pointers and directs you to tools to diagnose and correct your problem. Go to http://www.drexel.edu/irt/support/security/malware.html.

2. Have a Happy and Safe (Computing) Holiday

Are you taking your computer off-campus for the holidays? If so, remember that you will be outside the protective arms of the Drexel network; you're on your own to safeguard against infection. Here are some things you should do.

Make sure your anti-virus software and Windows updates are up to date -- and keep them updated throughout the break. We suggest you make this part of your standard daily logon procedure, or better yet, set it for automatic update.
Keep share folders closed.
Exercise caution about where you go on the web. Games and download sites are particularly dangerous.
Beware of pop-ups and links -- they may bear unwanted gifts. An incautious click can land you in a peck of trouble.

If in doubt, hit the corner Exit box; avoid touching anything within the window.

3. New Term in Residence Halls, It's Time to Re-Register Computers

For students in residence halls, the beginning of a new term means it's time to re-register your computer.

Most of you are familiar with the process. The first time you connect to the network, you are directed to an isolated network where you can perform the needed scans to make sure your PC is not infected. Then you follow the instructions to register it to your network jack.

To review this process in advance, go to http://www.resnet.drexel.edu. The January procedure will be similar to what it was in September.

4. Special Software in Korman Labs

Faculty members. If you are reserving a computer lab for your class -- for the term or for less than a term -- and need special software installed, please contact Annette Rivera (AnnetteR@drexel.edu) or John Caruso (jjc23@drexel.edu) before December 17, 2004, to see how we can help you.

Any changes to lab computers are done over the term break. Also, be sure to mention software needs on your classroom reservation request at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/facilities/korman/classrooms/.

5. Scanning Service: New Location, New Options

Steve Chestnut, the long-time master of Drexel's service for "bubble-form" exam grading, has a new location. For your convenience, he is now on the first floor of the Korman Center in the Faculty Development Center. His contact information (215-895-4933 or chestnut@drexel.edu) remains the same.

When you come in to deliver your forms, be sure you pick up Steve's one-page introduction to the WebCT grading service so you can see whether the features that WebCT offers might serve you better. And remember that (see below, Item 10), there are workshops to help you with the learning curve for this program, which is far more powerful that simple scanning.

6. Dreaming Up Web Pages

Full-time faculty and staff who want to learn to design web pages can sign up for training on Dreamweaver, a cutting edge web design tool. The workshops feature a broad overview of basic web development issues, including:

Understanding the Dreamweaver interface
Formatting text using cascading style sheets
Creating lists (ordered, unordered, definition, nested lists)
Working with graphics
Working with links

Basic workshops, including distribution of free Dreamweaver software, will be held in Korman 116 as follows:

Monday, December 13, 10 a.m.-12 noon (FULL)
Tuesday, January 11, 2-4 p.m.
Thursday, January 20, 2-4 p.m.
Tuesday, January 25, 2-4 p.m.

To register for a workshop, email dreamweaver@drexel.edu.

7. Software Updates on the Drexel Server

There are several changes to the software offered on the Drexel FTP server.

Office 2003 (All) - Installer does not ask for the product key during setup. This change was made in compliance with Microsoft's licensing policy.
SPSS 13 (Institutional) - SPSS 13 is now available for institutional usage.
X-Win32 (All) - Version 6.1 is available. This version includes StarNetSSH, an SSH client that provides secure X connections.
Matlab 7 Release14 (Institutional) - Matlab, a high-level technical computing language for numerical computations, is now available for university-owned computers with a limited number of concurrent connections.

To access these and other Drexel-licensed programs, go to FTP://software.drexel.edu.

8. Upcoming Encryption Changes

Over the next six months, a number of protocols may be phased out of use at Drexel because they transmit unencrypted data. IRT is surveying the situation to (1) identify the problematic protocols, and (2) define alternatives.

Among the processes currently identified for concern are POP, IMAP, Telnet, and FTP. Some of these will be corrected on the server, others may require users to make changes in their configurations, some may require both. Instruction pages will be posted to the web and notices will appear in future IRT Technology Updates.

This is not an action item for users at this time. Rather, it is advance notice of changes that are under study to make your computing environment more secure.

9. UCNet Cleared to Send to University Community

UCNet, an electronic compendium of culture and commerce in University City, will now be sending its periodic notices to Drexel email holders, according to an agreement recently concluded with the university.

UCNet emailing had previously been blocked by the university's spam filters. If you don't wish to receive their notices, simply reply and unsubscribe. Normally we advise that you "never reply to spam" (it just gets you onto a special "live one" list), but in this case it's safe. By terms of the agreement, UCNet will honor unsubscribe requests.

WebCT News

10. Training for WebCT Vista

In anticipation of next year's upgrade to WebCT Vista, IRT is offering two types of training.

* For New Users: WebCT Vista Boot Camps
There are monthly WebCT Vista Boot Camps, held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rooms to be announced). These have been scheduled for the following dates:

Friday, December 17
Friday, January 28
Friday, February 25
Friday, March 18

Laptops are provided as well as lunch. Reserve your slot at webct@drexel.edu.

* For Current Users: WebCT Vista Workshops
For current WebCT CE users, there are four-hour workshops to acclimate you to the new product. These workshops will be held in Room 116 Korman Center on the following dates:

Friday, December 10, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday, January 21, noon-4 p.m.
Friday, February 18, noon-4 p.m.
Friday, March 11, noon-4 p.m.

To sign up, email webct@drexel.edu.

* Departmental Training
If you would prefer to have a WebCT Vista workshop or boot camp just for your department, let us know. We'll provide the same information at a time convenient for your group. We can, if you wish, break it into shorter segments spread over several days. We can do it in Korman or in your own lab. Contact us at webct@drexel.edu.

11. Focused Tool or Feature Training

The WebCT group occasionally schedules training focused on a single WebCT tool, feature, or "Best Practice". Examples include:

"Best Practices" for online "Blended Learning" or "Hybrid" courses.
Becoming an effective "Facilitator" of learning.
Working with the Syllabus tool to develop an exemplary course syllabus.
The Grade Book, using it effectively and efficiently.
Quizzes - Getting the most from re-usability and third party question sets.
Assignments - Effective writing and pedagogical issues.
The Calendar tool - Things we bet you didn't know about it.
Organizer Pages and Content Modules - Why the differences, how and when to use.
Home Page customization.

These focused trainings are often arranged in response to user requests. If you would like training in a particular WebCT CE or Vista tool, contact us at webct@drexel.edu.

12. Other Trainings

IRT schedules short courses on the use of other classroom technologies, such as online class or quiz management, or the use of SmartBoards to capture presentations, lectures, or meetings for web-based distribution or on-demand streaming.

If there is a topic that you and your colleagues are interested in, email your recommendations to webct@drexel.edu.

To read previous issues of the IRT Technology Update, go to http://www.drexel.edu/irt/news/technews/

To manage your subscription options to the IRT Technology Update and other Drexel Announcements, go to http://www.drexel.edu/irt/subscriptions. If you prefer to receive a plain text version, please email your request to mailreq@drexel.edu.

Modified: August 20, 2008

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