IRT: News & Events: TechUpdates: Friday, May 9, 2008

1. Emergency Measures to Thwart Spam on Webmail (only)
Because of the success of phishing scams and the high number of compromised accounts, Webmail and Portal mail are being used to send spam. These compromised, spamming accounts cause Drexel to become blacklisted. They also create heavy loads on the mail server. To deal with this spam issue, Webmail is now being directed through an intermediate server to be policy checked in order to make sure users haven't sent mail to too many recipients (200 rec/hr) or too many messages in an hour (40 msg/hr).

After implementing this new measure late on Thursday the 24th, IRT has encountered accounts that have violated the policy set up on the intermediate server. IRT has tried to contact the compromised users to notify them, explain the issue, and to suggest that they use a list on Listserv, if appropriate.

2. Microsoft to Extend Windows XP Support and Release SP3
Though Microsoft is still pushing to end the sale of the Windows XP operating system by June 30, 2008 (despite uproarious protest from users), Microsoft has stated that they will extend Windows XP support until April 2009, and limited support until April 2014.

Microsoft also announced on April 3, 2008, that Windows XP Home would have extended availability for mobile personal computers, or ultra-low-cost PCs (ULCPCs). Availability of the XP Home edition for these devices has been extended until June 30, 2010, or until one year after the general availability of the next operating system for these devices, whichever date comes later.

On a similar note, Microsoft released SP3 for Windows XP on April 29, 2008, but due to some compatibility issues, SP3 has been delayed until a fix can be released. Incompatibility issues lie between SP3, SP1, and Microsoft Dynamics RMS. Microsoft is currently working on a fix for this issue. In the mean time, Microsoft has placed filtering in Windows Update and the Download Center to prevent these services from offering SP1 and SP3 to users who are running Microsoft Dynamics RMS on their systems. SP3 will be released to users who do not have SP1 installed and who are not using Microsoft Dynamics RMS.

3. Two Ways to Safeguard Your Data: Get Connected Backup for PC
IRT would like to remind students, faculty, and staff that Drexel department offices and individuals can take advantage of Connected Backup/PC to prevent the loss of essential data. This service is offered through Drexel's partnership with IPR International and Iron Mountain and is currently only available for PC users. Data is stored automatically via user-scheduled backups. If your hard drive crashes, Connected Backup can restore it; if you purchase a new computer, Connected Backup can transfer your files to the new hard drive. Backups can be used to restore corrupted or lost data without assistance with data saved even in the most recent backup.

• For Drexel departments, storage space is maintained locally by IRT. For each user in the department, 5 GB are provided for file storage. Your IRT desktop support consultant can advise you.
• For individuals, storage space can be purchased on remote servers for anywhere from $29.95 per year to $374.50 per year, depending on the amount of space needed. Data can be stored without the need for flash drives, CDs, DVDs, or other data storage merchandise.

For more information about Connected Backup/PC, or to purchase it for a personally owned computer, visit http://www.drexel.edu/irt/services/comp_mark/datamore.html.

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

4. What Computer Should I Buy?
The various brands, models, operating systems, and specifications of microcomputers available are staggering - the choices are seemingly endless - great for home computer users. The downside for a business enterprise is that support of this rainbow of choices in an administrative environment in which the systems require specific configurations means that certain restrictions must apply. IRT strives to allow as much choice as possible while maintaining optimal configurations to allow the Department's Enterprise Systems to function properly.

When departments, individual staff members, and faculty work with Procurement and IRT's preferred computer vendors, they should keep in mind that: Drexel and IRT support Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista Business for IRT's Enterprise systems through a license agreement with Microsoft. The choice of the most appropriate operating system will depend upon which Enterprise systems must be used. (Remember, not all Enterprise systems are compatible with Windows Vista). IRT will not be able to upgrade computers outfitted with Windows Vista Home; no upgrade path from Vista Home to Vista Business is available. However, the Computer Fixer on campus, in the lower level of Korman, can provide a hard drive wipe and a reload service for a fee. Contact them directly by calling (215) 387-5900.

The best course of action an individual can take is to consult with an IRT desktop consultant before making purchase decisions. He or she will provide the best recommendation based on user needs.

Users can also review the Windows Vista Guidelines and Compatibility Chart provided at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/support/winvista, and review the Guidelines for Purchase of New Computers - Winter/Spring 2008 at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/support/winvista/purchaseguidelines.html.

5. New version of RMCP to be released in early summer 2008
A brand new version of RMCP (Rich Media Conversion Project) will be released early in the summer of 2008. Renamed "DragonDrop," the new version will have a variety of new features and a revised Web 2.0 look and feel. The most important new feature will be the ability for instructors to capture and publish content from anywhere on the Web. This capture component is a new product from TechSmith (the makers of Camtasia Studio) called Camtasia Relay and has been integrated into RMCP2. Initially, this capture feature will only include voice recording, but external video is expected to be included before the end of 2008.

Questions should be directed to the RMCP group at richmedia@drexel.edu.

6. Getting ready for RMCP2
A special notice to all RMCP (Rich Media Conversion Project) users: In parallel with the release of RMCP2 (see above), users' current channels and playlists will undergo a conversion to new internal formats. For instance, "channels" will be removed and all channels will be converted to "playlists." Initially, access will still be provided through the old URLs, but that access will be eliminated before the start of the Fall 08-09 term. IRT will keep users up-to-date on the Department's migration activities and will alert users with any implications to their existing URLs.

Questions should be directed to the RMCP group at richmedia@drexel.edu.

7. Introducing the New and Improved Drexel Daily Digest Submission Form
Submissions to the Digest are currently handled, and will be for just a little while longer, manually. In order to streamline the process, University Relations and IRT are working together on a new online form for Digest submissions that is now being tested.

University Relations and IRT are intimately involved with many functions of campus life and activities. The Drexel Daily Digest is one way in which IRT and University Relations can showcase events and inform the campus about important and exciting events. Without public exposure, without the hard work of submitters and approvers, without a Drexel Daily Digest arriving in student, faculty, and staff email inboxes, people would miss out on many of the great events happening at Drexel. The Digest relies on these events and approvals of the campus community in order to have a Digest to mail out. We expect this new submission form will make that process even easier by automating what parts of the process we can and cutting down on the delays that current system may occasionally cause.

The form will improve communication between approvers, submitters, and editors, and will ensure that events receive as many responses as they can. Submitters will also be able to follow along in the submission process with notifications sent to them by email when their articles are approved, delayed, or commented upon.

Watch the Drexel Daily Digest for more information and updates.

IRT Tips and Tricks

Click on one of the links below to access the individual item. To read the entire document, click http://www.drexel.edu/irt//news/technews/techupdate050908_tips.html.

Categorize Meetings in Outlook
PowerPoint: Fine-Tuning Objects in Presentations
Record Audio Comments in Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Excel: Create Random Numbers
Microsoft Excel: Enter a Fraction in a Cell
YABT! (Yet another browser toolbar!)

News & Notes on Online Learning

8. Enriching Courses with Video Clips
Many professors find that integrating video into courses adds another dimension to student learning. Now videos can be integrated into Bb Vista and can be viewed online from anywhere.

IRT can assist in converting from tape (VHS, mini-DV, Hi-8) or DVD to Drexel's video streaming server. It is the individual's responsibility to make certain that no copyright laws are broken. (The Hagerty Library can assist with the issue of copyright, as the library may be able to purchase a commercial movie that can be digitized and sent to the streaming server in its entirety). Once a video has been placed on the streaming server and processed, a weblink (URL) will be sent to the individual via email. The URL can then be placed inside a Bb Vista course using the Web Links tool.

RMCP (Rich Media Conversion Project) is used to store video or other media in a webpage-based catalog. To upload digital media files (those with extensions for QuickTime, AVI, JPG, GIF, SWF, etc.) to the streaming server, log into the RMCP interface at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/rmcweb. Please note that users must first register before they can use RMCP; to register, go to the link above and click on the link to the online registration form.

For more information about obtaining commercial videos for streaming server viewing only, contact Jeanne Hamann of the Hagerty Library Reserve desk at (215) 895-6786. For any questions about streaming videos, please contact Rich Varenas of the Online Learning Team at rich@drexel.edu or (215) 895-4934.

9. Go Paperless with Online Course Evaluations in Bb Vista and the Survey Tool
For departments that are thinking about moving their course evaluations from a paper-based to an online format, consider this: online course evaluations save paper, time, and effort because they are graded automatically by Blackboard Vista.

Course evaluations can be set up online in just four easy steps:

• Transfer the questions and answers from your current survey to the Assessment Tool in Bb Vista (takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes).
• When the time for end-of-term course evaluations approaches, place the new online instrument into each section that you want evaluated.
• Follow-up with a few email notifications to the students to encourage responses.
• When the term ends, download the collected data and produce the reports.

Following this procedure is much easier than handling all of that paper!

For more information, or to set up an appointment, contact Steve Chestnut at chestnut@drexel.edu or 215-895-4933.

Besides the course evaluations in Bb Vista, a secure, Web-based survey tool is also available for the creation of surveys in minutes. Surveys can then be created for entire departments or for more than one course, as opposed to the course evaluations in Bb Vista. Email lists can also be created to invite users to take the survey.

The current survey tool can be found by logging in at https://surveys.drexel.edu/. A new, more robust survey tool that offers more options, called SNAP Surveys, is currently in testing. More information about the new tool can be found at http://www.snapsurveys.com/.

10. Checking Spelling in Bb Vista
Spell check is not available in the regular text boxes in Bb Vista, such as the one in the Threaded Discussions area. However, the HTML Creator can be used to access this feature.

Here is a tip: a quick check of spelling can be performed in the text box after users type their post to a Discussion topic. Click the "Enable HTML Creator" button. The spell check feature is immediately launched. Any misspelled words will be underlined in red. To correct them, right-click on the word and choose from the list of suggested spellings that appears.

In other words, the HTML Creator does not need to be fired up and users need not then type their message in order to get help with checking spelling.

Alternately, some versions of the Firefox browser will highlight any misspelled words in a regular text box, such as when users are typing a reply to a Discussions topic - even when users have not activated the HTML Creator feature.

11. Safari 3.1 and Bb Vista
Currently, Bb Vista does not work effectively with Safari 3.1 (e.g., downloading documents can be problematic). Individuals using a Mac should instead use Firefox.

12. Bb Vista's Power View Feature
The fastest and easiest way to reorganize elements in a Learning Module or a Folder (formerly known as an Organizer Page) is to use the Power View. Access the Power View from the Build tab and the "Page Options" button that appears on the right side of the screen. Use the check box for the desired item to be moved and then the "Move" button (in the column to the left of the check boxes) at the location to which that item should be moved to. Also, it is handy to remember that once users activate Power View, they will remain in that mode until they click on the "Page Options" button once more and choose to return to Basic View.

13. Impatica Software and Training - Available for Students
Recently, Drexel became the first higher education institution to purchase a site license for Impatica for its students. Versions for both PC and Mac can be downloaded via the Computer Marketplace at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/services/comp_mark/software.html. See Article 14 for demo schedule. Registration for the demos is required; just send an email to the Online Learning Team at olt@drexel.edu. Students can learn more about Impatica at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/impatica_for_students.html.

14. Wimba Voice Tools/Classroom Showcase and Training Sessions
Come learn how these free tools can be used to augment your course content.

Wimba Voice Tools: Perfect for language learning and creating vocal exercises in any subject, these web-based voice tools facilitate and promote vocal instruction, collaboration, coaching, and assessment.

Wimba Classroom: Teach and meet live online. This fully featured live virtual classroom supports audio, video, application sharing, and content display, enabling instructors to add vitally important elements of interaction. Personalize online courses by holding live, online classes, office hours, guest lectures, webcasts, and meetings.

Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Tentative - More details to follow)
Location: Matheson 109 (Patten Auditorium)
A continental breakfast and a light lunch will be provided.

Selected training sessions can be found below. Please note that this is NOT the full schedule.� The full schedule can be found at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/services/workshops/index.html.

Bb Vista Workshops (for New Bb Vista Users):
• Friday, May 30, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Korman 116 (Lunch provided)
• Friday, July 25, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Korman 116 (Lunch provided)
• Friday, September 19, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Korman 116 (Lunch provided)

Camtasia Studio 5 - Demo & Training:
• Tuesday, May 13, 2008, from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. in Korman 116 (Camtasia Studio 5 Basic Demo)
• Friday, May 16, 2008, from 9 to 11 a.m. in Korman 116 (Camtasia Studio 5 Intermediate*)
• Thursday, June 19, 2008, from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. in Korman 116 (Camtasia Studio 5 Basic Demo)
• Tuesday, June 24, 2008, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Korman 116 (Camtasia Studio 5 Intermediate*)

*Hands-On Session

Dreamweaver Training (Hands-On):
• Wednesday, May 7, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Korman 116 (Advanced Dreamweaver)
• Wednesday, May 28, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Korman 116 (Basic Dreamweaver)
• Wednesday, June 11, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Korman 116 (Intermediate Dreamweaver)
• Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Korman 116 (Advanced Dreamweaver)

PLEASE NOTE: Reserve a seat at any of these sessions by emailing the Online Learning Team
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: November 19, 2008

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