IRT: News & Events: TechUpdates: February 14 2005

We're talking about unauthorized and unlicensed distribution of copyrighted materials. The recent burgeoning of peer-to-peer (p2p) applications has opened up massive transfers of files, ranging from printed articles through musical performances, via the network. Indeed, some applications enable other users to search and download items from your hard disk without your knowledge or intent.

This is against federal law, against Drexel's Acceptable Use Policy ... and may be a major infringement of your own privacy.

Consequences range from identity theft to lawsuit to federal prosecution.

Locally, your computer will be disconnected from the Drexel network if it appears that your computer is distributing copyrighted materials without a license, or if such an infraction is reported to Drexel by an outside agency. Offenses will be reported to the Human Resources department, the Provost's office, or the Dean of Students.

What should you do? If you are using p2p applications and are connected to the network, consider removing these applications from your system. If you choose not to remove them, then take steps to prevent them from acting as providers of unlicensed materials to other users.

See http://security.uchicago.edu/peer-to-peer/no_fileshare.shtml for instructions.

This site, for which we thank our IT colleagues at the University of Chicago, also provides a check list of the programs of concern (LimeWire, Kazaa, Shareaza, and many more).

Remember:

If you have not protected yourself, you are responsible, even if it was not your intention to violate the law.
If you are distributing copyrighted materials by some other method (e.g., FTP), that also is a violation subject to disciplinary action.
And if you are storing copyrighted materials on your computer, even if you acquired them legally, but have not shut the door to transfer, you are responsible.

2. SPSS Now Available for Students

SPSS, one of the premiere computerized statistical packages for academic research, is now available by site license to all Drexel students. This includes the Base, Advanced, and Regression Modules.

Students from all Drexel campuses can download the software for Windows or Macintosh from the Drexel server at ftp://software.drexel.edu. For help, see instructions at http://www.drexel.edu/IRT/support/HowTo.html.

3. VPN: New Client Available

For several years, IRT has recommended that users should use Drexel's VPN (virtual private network) whenever making connection to the Drexel network from outside the physical borders of the campus. This has been a requirement for access to some of the more sensitive resources such as file servers.

A new version of Drexel's Cisco VPN client is now available. This new version (4.6) eliminates some compatibility issues with Windows XP Service Pack 2 and the Mac OS X version 10.3.

For information and instructions on how to download and install the new Cisco VPN client, visit http://www.drexel.edu/IRT/support/vpn. Information on using the FTP Software page is at http://www.drexel.edu/IRT/support/HowTo.html.

4. 'Trusting' Your Exchange Mail

Some Exchangeweb users have been reporting the appearance of dialogue boxes at unexpected times while accessing their Exchange mail via the web. In these cases, they are being asked for authentication, and then are being given an "access denied" error message.

Solution: You need to re-set the Trusted Sites in your browser. Here's how.

Go to Tools > Internet Options.
Click the Security tab.
Click Trusted sites (the green circle with the check-mark).
Click the Sites button.
In the Add... box, enter https://exchangeweb.drexel.edu, and then click Add.
Click OK to close the Trusted sites window.
Click OK to close the Internet Options window.

Problem solved!

WebCT News

5. We Make House (Oops, 'Office') Calls

Faculty members: If you can't come to us - in the Korman Computing Center's Faculty Development Center - we can come to you. Members of the WebCT support team can visit you in your on-campus office. Send us an email to outline your query and request a "house call" at webct@drexel.edu, or call the FDC at 215-895-1224. Include instructions for us to contact you.

6. Brown Bag Lunch Sessions: Join Us

The following Brown Bag Lunch Sessions are scheduled for Winter term from noon to 1 p.m. in Korman 116.

Wednesday, February 16, 2005:
Teaching Online, using the Content Module and Organizer Page, tips and strategies with opportunity to share experiences, successes and failures.

Wednesday, March 2, 2005:
Getting Ready for Spring Quarter, how to work in parent courses to develop online materials ahead of time or to use current or past WebCT materials in a subsequent term, as well as exploring new features you want to know more about.

Bring your lunch and we will supply the sodas and dessert. Seating is limited, so sign up early at webct@drexel.edu. And tell us what you would want from future BBLs.

7. WebCT Faculty Showcase

This year's WebCT Faculty Showcase will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, 2005. Submit one of your courses for consideration to webct@drexel.edu. Up to six faculty members will be chosen as presenters.

Presenters will demonstrate how they use WebCT in their course(s) in innovative, creative, and meaningful ways - for themselves and their students. The presentation receiving the most favorable reviews will be recognized in the following IRT Technology Update.

Lunch will be provided for all, but seating is limited.

8. Training for WebCT

IRT is currently offering two types of training for WebCT Campus Edition. It expects to upgrade to WebCT Vista in summer or fall of 2005.

* For New Users: WebCT Boot Camps
WebCT Boot Camps, held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in room 116 of the Korman Computing Center, provide an introduction to the most essential WebCT tools. Boot Camps have been scheduled for the following dates:

Friday, March 18
Friday, May 20

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

* For Current Users: WebCT Workshops
For current WebCT Campus Edition users, there are four-hour workshops to enhance your knowledge in selected areas. These workshops will be held in Room 116 Korman Center on the following dates:

Friday, February 18, noon-4 p.m.
Friday, April 15, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday, June 10, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

To sign up, email webct@drexel.edu. Let us know which tools you want to learn.

* Departmental Training
If you would prefer to have a WebCT 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.

9. WebCT Tips for This Month

* Help!
The quickest way to get assistance when you are working in WebCT is through the Help link - displayed in the upper-right-hand corner of the window. This link is context sensitive. That is, if you are in the Syllabus tool, it will offer you help specifically related to that tool.

* Selective Release.
Do you want to provide access to materials only at certain times? Only to certain students? In a sequential manner? You can do this in WebCT using a feature known as Selective Release. The WebCT support team will show you how to set this up. Email 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: February 25, 2008

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