IRT Technology Update

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Contents:

01. New IRT Web Site Launched
02. IRT Faculty Technology Showcase
03. Information for Windows 64-bit Users
04. Just Released: Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard
05. Microsoft Announces Entourage 2008, Web Services Edition
06. VPN for Windows Vista 64-Bit
07. Autodesk Software Now Available to Students
08. Camtasia Studio for Students
09. What’s New with Microsoft?

Tips & Tricks

News & Notes from the Online Learning Team

15. Update to Respondus LockDown Browser
16. Safari 4 Update
17. StudyMate Author
18. Schedule for Upcoming Workshops

1. New IRT Web Site Launched

The recently redesigned Web site for the Office of Information Resources and Technology (IRT) has just been launched.  The Web address for the site remains unchanged: http://www.drexel.edu/irt. Please note, however, that the site’s organization has been slightly modified, and most of the URLs for specific pages have changed. Be sure to update your bookmarks as necessary.

If you have any questions about the site organization, or if you see any pages that are missing, please contact the IRT Help Desk at 215-895-2020 or consult@drexel.edu.

2. IRT Faculty Technology Showcase

IRT’s Faculty Technology Showcase will be held on Friday, November 13th in Matheson 208.  Once again, this annual event is being held in conjunction with National Distance Learning Week, the purpose of which is to "generate greater awareness and appreciation for distance learning, including K-12, Higher Education, Corporate and Military, while recognizing leaders and best practices in the field."  By sponsoring the Showcase, IRT hopes to provide an opportunity for faculty who are using technology in innovative ways to share their work with other faculty.

Call for Presentations:  Faculty who are interested in presenting at the Showcase are invited to submit proposals.  Please email a short description of your presentation topic as well as the technologies you plan on "showcasing” to olt@drexel.edu.  Any details about the format of the presentation (hands-on, lecture, etc.) would also be helpful.  Presentations should be about 30-40 minutes in length.  For more information, please contact the Online Learning Team at olt@drexel.edu or 215-895-1224.

3. Information for Windows 64-bit Users

IRT has recently discovered that some users of Bb Vista who are using Microsoft Windows 64-bit have had trouble logging into Bb Vista.  Upon logging into Bb Vista (from the http://learning.drexel.edu log-in page, or through DrexelOne), the browser crashed regardless of version.  This issue stems from the version of Java installed on the computer.  If you have downloaded and installed the 64-bit version of Java, it must be replaced with the 32-bit version since the browsers for 64-bit Windows are still 32-bit.

The browser crash was caused when users logged into Bb Vista and thus opened a Java applet.  Changing your version of Java should resolve the issue.  To do so, follow these steps:

1. Uninstall all Java installations from the computer.
2. Restart the computer (ensures that all files are unloaded).
3. Go to http://java.sun.com and download/install the updated 32-bit version.

4. Just Released: Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard

Apple has just released the new Mac 10.6, titled Snow Leopard. However, as with most operating system releases, some programs might be incompatible with Snow Leopard. Currently, Norton 10 and 11 are not yet compatible; neither is PASW (SPSS 17).

IRT therefore does not yet recommend the installation of Snow Leopard. For Apple’s incompatibility list, see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3258.

That said, this upgrade builds on Leopard’s capabilities and projects, offering users an improved and more efficient operating system with built-in support for Exchange. Snow Leopard also offers improved support for international languages, such as a new application to allow for the recognition of Chinese characters drawn using the touchpad. It also offers combination suggestions for ease of use. Other improvements include a more intuitive browser, 64-bit Javascript, new Quicktime 10 features, no 4GB RAM limitation, 32-bit/64-bit compatibility of applications, threading compatibility through Grand Central Dispatch, and many more improvements to 90% of Mac projects.

5. Microsoft Announces Entourage 2008, Web Services Edition

On August 13th, 2009, Microsoft announced the release of Entourage 2008, Web Services Edition for all current Entourage users with Office 2008 for Mac SP2. Entourage 2008, WSE offers users improved performance and reliability, synchronization of tasks, notes, and categories, and Autodiscovery features. Entourage 2008, WSE, was developed to further integrate Entourage with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007.

For more information and to download Entourage 2008, WSE, visit http://www.microsoft.com/mac/itpros/entourage-ews.mspx.

6. VPN for Windows Vista 64-Bit

Our current Cisco VPN  (Virtual Private Network) software, which provides access to restricted computing resources at Drexel such as  network file servers and restricted Web pages from off-campus, does not support the 64-bit version of Windows.  IRT is currently testing Cisco’s latest VPN software, which has full support for the 64-bit version of Windows.

7. Autodesk Software Now Available to Students

The Autodesk Student Engineering and Design Community is making Autodesk products freely available to students for download. Like Microsoft’s DreamSpark, students can access Autodesk products as well as other tutorial resources and design contests by registering with their school affiliation at https://students.autodesk.com.

Offered software includes:

• AutoCAD
• Autodesk Maya
• Autodesk Inventor Professional
• Autodesk SketchBook Pro
• And more…
  

Software is geared towards those interested in architecture, civil engineering, games and animation, industrial design, and mechanical engineering.
For more information about what Autodesk has to offer, visit http://students6.autodesk.com/?nd=community_faq.

8. Camtasia Studio for Students

TechSmith is now offering a Camtasia Studio/SnagIt bundle for Drexel students at a special price. All that’s needed at checkout is the promotional code “DREXELSTUDENT” at checkout.

If you are a student and would like to obtain this bundle, you can do so by logging in to DrexelOne at http://one.drexel.edu, clicking the “Drexel” tab, and accessing the “Camtasia Studio for Students” link in the Technology Services window.

9. What’s New with Microsoft?

Two new products from Microsoft are on the horizon: Microsoft Office 2010 and Windows 7.

A quick note about Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 7: IRT does not recommend that students, faculty, or staff install Windows 7 as their primary operating system. It is still being tested; note also that all new operating systems as well as service packs can cause program compatibility problems. With that warning in mind, feel free to try them out!

Here are some of the new features of Office 2010:

• The new Print menu will display next to the page(s) to be printed. Instead of popping up a new window for the printer, the Print menu will be incorporated directly into Office.
• A Share menu will allow for easy access and sharing via SharePoint.
• Screen capture will allow for easier insertion of screen shots.
• A paste preview option will be added.
• The Ribbon toolbar will be extended to Outlook 2010.

Office 2010 will be released in early 2010.  It will run on Windows XP SP3, Vista, and Windows 7, in both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.
Here are some features new for Windows 7:

• Windows XP Mode (a virtual machine operating system useful for resolving some application compatibility issues)
• Improved task bar (hovering over an application in the task bar opens miniature windows of open pages or documents for easier navigation)
• Jump lists (lists of links or documents that were opened recently by the application in question)
• View Available Networks (VAN) (allows for easier access and connection to available wireless networks)
• Improved power usage (via the ambient light sensor, shut-off of unplugged Ethernet cards, and the network driver’s ability to utilize an access point with the lowest power consumption without losing connectivity)

Most of this information is based on the “Emerging Trends in IT” presentation from September’s Institute on Innovation. This article is the first of a series of Tech Update articles that will cover select presentations from the Institute. More information about this presentation, including PowerPoint slides and video media, will soon be available at  http://www.drexel.edu/irt/news/events/innovation.

More information about Office 2010 can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/office/2010/. More information, as well as the release candidate, can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/. 

Tips & Tricks

Tips & Tricks are helpful articles that address a variety of Windows and Mac applications.  Click on one of the links below to view the full article:

Switch Cases in Word
Add Rows and Columns to Excel Spreadsheets
Copy Formatting in Word
Select Text in Word
Format Text in Word

News & Notes from the Online Learning Team

15. Update to Respondus LockDown Browser

The Respondus LockDown Browser (RLDB) can be used with Bb Vista’s Assessment tool to heighten exam security. The browser prevents students from accessing other applications on their computers during an exam.  An update to the RLDB (1.0.4) was recently released.  To update an existing copy of the RLDB, choose either of the options below.  If you do not yet have the RLDB installed on your computer, select Option 2.

Option 1) Check for Newer Version

Start the RLDB, click the “i” button from the toolbar (if you are using the Macintosh version, click the “About” button), and then click “Check for Newer Version.” Follow the prompts to update the software. (Note: If the security settings for a computer are set to “High,” the “Check for Newer Version” functionality might be blocked. If it is blocked, either lower the security settings or use the Reinstallation option described below.)

16. Safari 4 Update

The latest update to Safari (4.0.3) fixes a problem with the way the browser renders the left-hand navigation bar in Bb Vista sections. This issue was reported in the previous issue of the Tech Update (http://www.drexel.edu/irt/news/publications/techUpdate.aspx#13).  However, since Safari 4 is still not officially validated for Bb Vista, earlier versions of Safari or Firefox are recommended for Mac users.  If you have any questions, please contact the Online Learning Team at olt@drexel.edu or 215-895-1224.

17. StudyMate Author

Are you looking for a way to add high quality, interactive activities to your online course? StudyMate Author makes it easy to create Flash-based activities without having to know anything about Flash programming, graphic design, or HTML.

Here's how it works: The StudyMate editor provides three basic templates for entering questions or text that will be used in the activities. Each template can generate a variety of activities based on the entered data. For example, the "One Answer" template is used to create Flash Cards, Pick-a-Letter, Fill in the Blank, Matching, and Glossary activities. During the publishing step, you can indicate which of these activities to include in the Flash (.swf) file and then let StudyMate upload the materials to your online course (or you can upload the files manually).

If you have content that is already in electronic format, such as exam questions or glossaries, it takes even less time to create activities. StudyMate will import materials from MS Word, rich-text, IMS QTI, and Respondus. In fact, StudyMate can download and import publisher test banks for leading textbooks in higher education via the Respondus Test Bank Network.

18. Schedule for Upcoming Workshops

To sign up for any of these events, please email the Online Learning Team at olt@drexel.edu. All sessions will be held in Korman 116.

• Library Resources for Online Education
  Thursday, October 8, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  
  
• Bb Vista Full Day Workshop
  Tuesday, October 27, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  Aimed at instructors and administrators who are new to Bb Vista or who have not worked in Bb Vista for a while. Lunch will be provided.
  
  
• Camtasia: Recording & Producing
  Wednesday, October 14, 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
  (Formerly Camtasia Basic) Record onscreen activity and voiceover, turn it into a polished video, and share it. Also, discover how Camtasia Relay can upload screen captures directly to DragonDrop.
  
  
• Camtasia: Editing
  Wednesday, October 28, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  (Formerly Camtasia Intermediate/Advanced) Learn how to use Camtasia Studio to edit your timeline, add elements to your video, enhance your audio, and more. Prerequisite - Camtasia: Recording/Producing workshop.
  
  
• DragonDrop Basic Training
  Thursday, October 22, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  This workshop will introduce you to the basics of working with DragonDrop, a web-based application for capturing, encoding and publishing rich media for web access.
  
  
• Dreamweaver Basic
  Thursday, October 15, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  In the basic course we create simple pages using Dreamweaver CS4, including headings, lists, images, and links.
  
  
• Dreamweaver Intermediate
  Thursday, October 1, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  Thursday, October 29, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  In the intermediate course, we create and modify stylesheets and apply styles including fonts, float positioning, and colors.
  
  
• Online Lecture Slides: Impatica for PowerPoint
  Wednesday, October 14, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  Impatica for PowerPoint packages a PowerPoint presentation into a file that can be viewed over the Internet without additional user software.
  
  
• Snap Advanced
  Tuesday, October 20, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  Advanced users of Snap will learn how to create a survey, set up routing rules, and send automated survey invitation and reminder messages through Snap.  Password-protected surveys and advanced table/chart creation will also be discussed.

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