IRT: News & Events: TechUpdates: Tuesday, July 10, 2007

IRT and some IT lab personnel around campus are assessing the performance with MS Windows Vista of the University's enterprise systems such as SunGard Banner, Bannerweb, Hyperion, Nolij, DrexelOne, Oracle, AskDrexel and many other applications used at Drexel.

The new operating system is not recommended for University-owned machines until testing is completed and all important enterprise systems are certified for use with Windows Vista.

As of now, we have confirmed that Internet Native Banner is not expected to be MS Windows Vista compatible until the end of the 2007 calendar year. Updates to other University-wide systems will take place throughout the summer to bring them into compliance with the requirements of MS Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Vista.

A list of systems and their Windows Vista compatibility status is given at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/support/winvista/index.html.

If any additional college lab managers or IT staff would like to participate in testing, send email to consult@drexel.edu with WINVISTA TESTING in the subject line and include information so IRT staff can contact you.

2. Integrating Drexel's Computing with Windows Vista

Although Windows Vista is not currently recommended for use on Drexel-owned systems, students are already arriving on campus with Windows Vista on their new computers. Hence, IRT has instituted a graduated schedule to enable us to offer some level of support as quickly as we can.

Two elements for students with Windows Vista computers are already in place.

• Since Windows Vista requires a new version of Symantec AntiVirus Software, IRT has adapted the ResNet registration form to supply the correct version, depending on which Windows operating system you have installed.
• IRT is also helping students to register wireless cards on Windows Vista computers. Bring your laptop computer to the front desk in the Korman Computing Center, or see the instructions in AskDrexel: http://ask.drexel.edu. For fastest response, choose IRT HelpCentral as your Topic, and then Network Connectivity as your subtopic. Use "vista wireless" as your search text.

The tentative schedule for future support is:

• MS Windows Vista Upgrades will be available for download from IRT in late December 2007 to coincide with the end of fall term.
• IRT will upgrade the Korman Computing Center labs to MS Vista for summer term 2008.

3. Office 2007 - The Other Elephant in the Room

Office 2007 also presents compatibility issues. Due to the altered file structure, Office 2007 is not downward compatible with earlier versions of Microsoft Office. Since faculty, staff, and many students will continue to use Office 2003 for many months, compatibility issues must be kept in mind whenever it is necessary to share files - as, for example, when a student is submitting a class paper to an instructor.

The tentative schedule for upgrading and integrating Drexel's computing environment for use with Office 2007 is as follows:

• IRT has made available from its website the Microsoft file conversion utility, which you can also download directly from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads. This utility lets Office 2003 read files created with Office 2007.

• Microsoft Office 2007 will be available for download beginning on or about August 15, 2007 on the IRT software site at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/services/comp_mark/software.html.

• IRT will install Office 2007 for winter term 2008 in the Korman Computing Center computer labs.

• IRT will continue to provide Office 2003 for the near future both on our software download site and through the eAcademy media purchase program.

4. Drexel Offers Personal Computer Backup Service

Loss can be painful. A lost, stolen, or damaged computer can lead to the loss of years of research data, gigabytes of confidential university data, or a whole history of personal emails and documents.

IRT now offers departments a way to protect against such loss -- Connected Backup/PC. The backup program for individuals was announced in the IRT Technology Update of May 7, 2007.

This service works with computers running Microsoft Windows. It stores copies of files from departmental machines on redundant storage arrays maintained by IRT. It even keeps track of multiple versions of files. If a file is deleted or overwritten, if the whole computer is lost, stolen, or damaged, or if a virus or configuration error renders your computer non-functional, Connected Backup/PC can recover the file, restore the whole disk or roll-back the drive contents by days or weeks to "heal" the damage. Backups run automatically in the background. The data is encrypted as it's transmitted to and stored on the server.

Connected Backup/PC is available from IRT for Drexel-owned PCs (sorry, no MacOS support yet). Students or faculty or staff members who want service for personally-owned PCs may order through IPR International (see below).

• For Drexel-owned computers, the service costs $50 to set up and $70/year for each PC and includes 5 GB of storage.

• For personally-owned computers, IPR International charges $99.95/year for 5 GB of storage. (Smaller and greater amounts of storage are available for personal computers.)

Five gigabytes of storage goes a lot further than you'd think because Connected Backup/PC is "smart" and doesn't "charge" you for space occupied by files identical to those on multiple computers. This means the space taken up by Windows itself, Microsoft Office, and other common program files doesn't count toward the 5 GB limit, although you can restore those program files using the backup service.

To submit a request for service for University-owned PCs, send an email to techrequest@drexel.edu.

For personally-owned computers, go to http://www.drexel.edu/irt/services/comp_mark/datamore.html.

5. What Is a "New Message" in the New Voice Mail System?

When checking messages in your new voice mailbox using CallXpress, the term "New Message" or "New Messages" is used to inform you that there are messages in your mailbox. "Unread" means the messages need to be listened to for the first time; "read" means the messages have been listened to but have not been saved or acted upon.

Once a new "unread" message has been listened to, it is prudent to save it immediately by pressing 5 or to delete it by pressing 4. If you just hang up after listening to an "unread" message, the message gets tagged as "read" and remains as a new message in your mailbox. This can be confusing the next time you check for new messages.

Decoding the above: Both "unread" and "read" messages are internally labeled as "unsaved messages" in CallXpress. When you log in to your voice mail again, they will be presented for your attention in the "New Messages" inbox in your voice mail and will continue to be presented until you actually delete them by pressing 4.

Also, note that the light stays lit on your phone while you are listening to new messages. It goes out only when you have listened to your messages and hang up.

For other questions, visit http://www.drexel.edu/irt/voicemail or call 215-895-5862.

6. New Authorization Code for SPSS

A new authorization code was released at the end of June for users of SPSS for Windows. SPSS is a package of statistical programs used widely in the social sciences.

Current users who installed SPSS a year or more ago may begin to receive license expiration notices. These users do not need to upgrade their version of SPSS. They will be required to update the authorization code, which is stored in the Readme file on the IRT software server.

They should:

• Log in to the IRT software site at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/comp_mark/software.html.

• Navigate to the SPSS folder and retrieve the new authorization code from the Readme file.

• Then launch SPSS, click Help, and choose the Authorization Wizard.

• Apply the new authorization code.

There should also be a shortcut to the SPSS Authorization Wizard through the SPSS program item within Start/All Programs/SPSS.

7. Email over Quota? Empty Trash

Question: "My email system tells me I'm almost out of space, but I just deleted a ton of stuff from my inbox. What do I do now?"

Answer: Check your Trash (or Deleted Items) folder. Some email clients delete trash immediately, some move items to the trash folder, and others flag deleted items with a strikethrough. If you find that the email items you just deleted are still in the trash bin, use your mail client’s “Empty Trash” command; if you see the items with a strikethrough, use the “Purge” command (probably in the Edit menu). In other words, cleaning out your inbox is often a two step process.

8. Bye-Bye Meridian Mail

Urgent reminder: The old Meridian Mail voice mail system is about to turn into a pumpkin. As we have noted numerous times, it is necessary for you to rescue any messages or information from your old mailbox that you still need. Call 215-895-6100 to access your old voice mailbox, use your four-digit extension and old password, and then copy out the information you need.

Some 400 of you have still not initialized your new CallXpress mailboxes, so we assume you have not dealt with your old mailbox either. For instructions on setting up your new mailbox, see http://www.drexel.edu/irt/voicemail.

If this applies to you, act NOW!

9. New Guest Lecture Series: Jean Claude Bradley on "Second Life"

New technologies and tools emerge every day in the marketplace to enrich and expand our computing experiences. Social networking, virtual worlds, digital object repositories, all are intriguing and promising. Students dive right in to use these resources for recreational and social purposes. Faculty members wonder if they have merit and relevance in the academic experience.

IRT is starting a “guest lecturer” series to highlight some of these innovations, explain what they are and give examples of their applicability. Technologies featured will include both those that are part of the Drexel supported repertory and those that are currently outside it.

We begin the series with a review of "Second Life" by Jean Claude Bradley. He will demonstrate what it is and discuss how he is using it in his courses and what impact it has. Please join us in Korman 116 at noon on Tuesday, July 24, 2007, to find out about "Second Life" and what it has to offer.

Bring your lunch - IRT will provide drinks and dessert. If you are interested in attending, let us know at olt@drexel.edu so we can save a cookie for you!

News & Notes for Online Learning

10. Bb Vista 4 Is Here - Now

Drexel began using Bb Vista 4 this summer. The following sessions are scheduled in Korman Computing Center room 116 to help faculty and TAs get ready:

• Thursday, July 19, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Full-day workshop for new Vista users (lunch included)
• Monday, July 30, 9 a.m. to noon - Hands-on refresher for existing Vista 3 users
• Tuesday, August 28, 1 to 4 p.m. - Hands-on refresher for existing Vista 3 users
• Wednesday, August 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Full-day workshop for new Vista users (lunch included)

During the sessions for those already using Bb Vista, half the time will be spent working in enhanced areas of Bb Vista 4, the remaining time working on areas you want to know more about.

11. For Students: Help and Information on Bb Vista 4

Walk-in sessions for students to get help with Bb Vista 4 are scheduled during the first two weeks of July in Korman Computing Center room 116. Student can come with their questions and problems at any time during the time slots. The time slots remaining for summer term are:

• Wednesday, July 11, 10 to 11 a.m.
• Thursday, July 12, 10 to 11 a.m.
• Friday, July 13, 2 to 3 p.m.

See the complete list at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/services/webct/walkInSchedule.html.

To arrange for a brief introductory session on Bb Vista 4 for your class, email olt@drexel.edu.

Walk-in help sessions for Bb Vista are traditionally offered for students during the first two weeks of each term.

12. Brown Bag Lunch Sessions on Emerging Technologies

Brown Bag lunch sessions for faculty and staff are held from noon to 1 p.m. in Korman Computing Center room 116. The following sessions are scheduled for summer term:

• Friday, July 27 - Horizon Wimba Live Classroom, the synchronous video feature
• Thursday, August 30 - TurnItIn, plagiarism detection software

To reserve a seat, email olt@drexel.edu.

13. What's Great About Bb Vista 4?

Some of Bb Vista's new features include:

• Date rollover capability
• Rearranging how sections are listed on your initial Bb Vista 4 screen
• Journals for each student
• Blogs
• Sending email to participants by role (e.g., TAs, co-instructors)
• Setting personal defaults once, then launching them to all sections
• Seeing in one screen all the roles you have in various areas of Bb Vista 4
• Enabling students to contribute web links to the class
• Enabling students to contribute content (i.e., "Collections" in the Media Library)
• Building learning community with the Roster tool

14. Get Fall Sections Ready for Bb Vista 4

We have received some 700 requests to copy Bb Vista 3 courses into the new system. The Online Learning Team will copy one version of each of your courses - the one you need to teach with going forward - into Bb Vista 4.

To request up to six transfers, use the simple form at http://surveys.drexel.edu/TakeSurvey.asp?SurveyID=6M3864MH3621G.

The Online Learning Team will give priority to courses needed for fall term.

15. TurnItIn Offers Plagiarism Check and Electronic Mark-ups

TurnItIn is a digital drop-box for assignments that is built in to Bb Vista 4.

It generates Originality Reports on each work submitted for both you and your students.

You can also use the integrated GradeMark feature to electronically mark up student work and make your comments available to them. Students can see your comments on their own work. When you find yourself making the same critique for multiple students' papers, you can create and re-use rubrics and save responses for instant recall and re-use.

Finally, when you enter the grade for the assignment, it transfers automatically into the Bb Vista Grade Book.

16. New Feature: Integrated Synchronous Video

Want to meet virtually with your students in real time - and see them as well?

Try Horizon Wimba's Live Classroom, which is built right in to Bb Vista 4 like any other tool. This summer, we upgraded to synchronous video (video-over-IP). We will demo this at the July 30 Brown Bag lunch (see item 11 above).

17. Blackboard Scholar - A Recent Addition

Scholar is a new enhancement that Blackboard, Inc., launched as part of its Blackboard Beyond initiative. It works like a social bookmarking site (think del.icio.us), but is an integral part of your Blackboard or Bb Vista 4 section.

According to advance publicity, Scholar meets three objectives: individual, faculty, and class needs for a learner-center approach. With Scholar, you can:

• Classify bookmarks via user-defined tagging (AKA, "Folksonomies")
• Share resources among peers and colleagues
• Discover relevant, reliable resources more easily
• Evaluate the quality of resources
• Update courses automatically with dynamic content streams
• Contribute resources to courses, whether you are instructor or student

We will demo Scholar at the September Brown Bag lunch session (date not yet set, stay tuned).

18. Bb World in July

Several Drexel folks will attend Blackboard's conference in Boston this month. This is our chance to take your concerns right to the vendor and discuss them with Blackboard executives and key support personnel. We do the same with other vendors like TurnItIn, Horizon Wimba, Respondus, Impatica, Camtasia, and Adobe.

You can do the same yourself on line. Blackboard's Make a Suggestion area is found at http://www.blackboard.com/products/suggest.bb.

So, we can carry your messages for you (contact the Online Learning Team at olt@drexel.edu), or you can contact the experts directly.

19. Vista Insights - News from the Trenches

* Want to arrange your web-enhanced, hybrid, or online classes so students see the freshest items first? Try the Power View in Bb Vista 4. Go in to your Section and activate the Build tab. On the right side, click the Page Options button and pick Go to Power View. In the next screen you can select individual items and use the Move buttons on the left to rearrange items on the list. Changes take effect immediately.

* We have created many Podcasts on areas of Online Learning, and make more each month. At the top right of the IRT home page (http://www.drexek.edu/irt), click on the icon next to IRT News or IRT Tech Talk and drag it into iTunes or any News Feed Reader. Then sample the latest news, tips, and tricks. Let us know of interest areas you would like us to add at olt@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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