Firefox web browser added to InfoCommons and labs
by R. Satterlee, Computing and Network Services
published Jan. 18, 2005
Firefox 1.0 web browser, a free open-source Mozilla product, was added to the
university computing labs and K-State InfoCommons during the semester break. FireFox is quickly entering the market
as a standard Internet browser. Mozilla touts its enhanced security features over its
competitors Microsoft and Netscape.
Firefox doesn't recognize or use ActiveX scripts, which are often used by hackers to damage a computer.
Other browsers are susceptible to these potential security intrusions.
Firefox also features a pop-up ad blocker, a built-in search box, online fraud protection,
and the ability to display several webpages in a single window using "tabbed browsing". Furthermore,
it runs separate from the operating system that it's installed on (unlike Microsoft's Internet Explorer).
This allows any browser flaw to remain isolated from the operating system and prevents further problems.
For those interested in trying Firefox at home, Mozilla's free download is
available at www.mozilla.org/products/firefox. Also available is a free
e-mail program called "Thunderbird" that can be downloaded at
www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird.
New, improved UFM catalog and website
by L. Teener, UFM Community Learning Center
published Jan. 18, 2005
With the debut of the spring 2005 class catalog, UFM has also updated and improved their website.
New features include:
- The UFM homepage has a new, cleaner look with tabbed links to the class catalog
as well as other UFM program areas.
- A new web address was added. In addition to www.ksu.edu/ufm, UFM has added its own
website of www.ufmprograms.org.
- In addition to viewing class descriptions, students can see the number of class openings still available,
and if the class is full, add themselves to a waiting list for the class.
- Students may now register online for classes with a
credit card at the UFM secure website.
- E-mail confirmation is sent to confirm the class schedule and
charges made on the student's credit card.
- A link also directs students to credit course listings coordinated by UFM and the
Division of Continuing Education.
Printed copies of the catalog
are still available at the K-State Student Union, Hale Library, the Chester E. Peters Rec Complex
and other sites in Manhattan. Those who wish to register by mail or in
person can still do so by visiting the UFM House at 1221 Thurston or calling 539-8763.
IT security audit in progress at K-State
by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published Jan. 18, 2005
Since October 2004, K-State has been participating in an information system
security audit by the Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit. The
division provides auditing services to the Legislature and provides
accountability on the use of tax dollars. Other universities that
are part of the IT security audit include Emporia State University and
the University of Kansas. To read more about the Division of Post Audit
see www.kslegislature.org/postaudit.
InfoCommons patrons have live IT help through chat
by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published Jan. 18, 2005
K-Staters have a new way to get information technology help in Hale Library, without leaving their computer.
Live IT help started Jan. 10 in the K-State InfoCommons and allows K-Staters to
click on the Help icon on any computer and initiate a chat session with IT Help Desk staff.
This service is in response to the increasing number of IT questions
coming from library patrons over the last two years.
The service is available 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through March 18, and will be evaluated
in that timeframe.
The chat session is a feature of Web Interative, an online remote-desktop support
software that was installed on all InfoCommons computers during the holiday break.
The project is a collaborative effort between KSU Libraries, Computing and Network
Services, and the Information Technology Assistance Center.
K-State plans to replace SSNs on ID cards
by J. Streeter, Information Systems Office
published Jan. 18, 2005
[Editor's note: After the Gem on New Year's resolutions in the Jan. 4 issue,
a reader asked about documentation throughout
campus that requires use of social security numbers. This article is in response to that question.]
Unique identification of individual students is essential to the
mission of the university, and the use of Social Security Numbers on
some forms of documentation is required by government regulations.
The university is making a concerted effort to request or present
social security numbers on documentation ONLY when its use is
essential for governmental or university administrative purposes.
The university is moving towards assignment of a new, unique, and
equally persistent student identification number for each student,
which is not in any way derived from their social security number.
The new student identification number must appear on the campus ID
cards issued or reissued to all students on or before July 1, 2006.
Planning for creating the new numbers and transitioning to their use
is in progress.
While it may appear relatively easy to select a numbering
scheme and generate a new Student Identification Number, it is not so
easy to ensure that all of the impacted systems' occurrences of the actual data are changed.
It is expected to be a long and arduous process because of the
number of documents that contain social security numbers for the
unique and persistent identification of the student.
Another concern is that all K-Staters will have to learn and remember whatever new identifier is used.
In the interim, any documentation that contains social security numbers and is no
longer needed for official governmental or university administrative
purposes should be destroyed.
Apple High Performance Computing seminar Jan. 27
by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published Jan. 18, 2005
Apple will present a High Performance Computing seminar 8-9:30 a.m.
Jan. 27 in the Student Union, room 209. Breakfast will be served.
Paul Whitlock, Apple HPC consulting engineer, will present
- a brief overview of Apple in the sciences
- the combination of Unix-based Mac OS X and the PowerPC G5 processor
as a platform for general productivity and research computing
- tools and examples on building cost-effective,
scalable and manageable computational clusters
- Apple's development, profiling, and optimization tools
Second annual Kan-ed vendor expo Feb. 9-10
by M. Dougherty, Kan-ed
published Jan. 18, 2005. updated Jan. 19, 2005 8:49 a.m.
Kan-ed will be hosting its second annual Kan-ed Vendor Expo and
Showcase Feb. 9-10 in Wichita at the Radisson Hotel.
The event will begin with a continental breakfast at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 9. Presentation sessions begin 8:30 a.m.
and allow vendors 30 minutes to give more in-depth
information on their products and services. Details can be found on the
general registration form,
and a schedule of presentations will be posted by Feb. 4.
| On the spot: IT questions from K-Staters |
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published Jan. 18, 2005
Why was the McCain e-mail message so large?
This is a good example of the importance of sending small files via e-mail.
The McCain announcement sent today to all faculty/staff about an upcoming performance
contained an incorrectly scanned image
that made the e-mail a whopping 6 megabytes -- when K-Staters have a limit of 20 MB per Inbox.
A later correction was sent with the same image, which doubled the e-mail space being used.
If you haven't deleted these messages, do so now.
They'll take up the same space in your trash folder, so it's important to empty that immediately.
K-Staters who need help reducing file sizes of scanned images
can contact the iTAC trainers at 532-4918.
Questions about access to K-State IT resources can be sent to the
IT Help Desk, 532-7722, helpdesk@ksu.edu.
Have a question or comment?
TellTuesday@ksu.edu.
Answers are provided by the editors unless otherwise noted.
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| Web watch |
Martin Luther King events at K-State
published Jan. 18, 2005
K-State's Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Week is Jan. 17-22. Read about the planned events on
Media Relations'
Jan. 7 news release.
Find a good site? TellTuesday@ksu.edu.
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