No InfoTech Tuesday during spring break
by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published March 15, 2005
The InfoTech Tuesday newsletter will not be published next week
during spring break. The next issue is March 29.
K-State's web portal to debut this summer
by E. Unger, Vice Provost for Academic Services and Technology
published March 15, 2005
K-State's web portal has been in development for the past two years as a joint effort
by K-State's central information technology units working with representatives of the campus community.
A summer release date is expected.
This enhancement to K-State's web presence will provide a single point
for access to all of K-State's web-based services. It will also provide customized
views for user roles in release one and individual customization later.
To make this happen in a secure and seamless fashion, additional functions
related to eIDs are necessary. This "single sign-on application" provides the
ability to bring new applications into the web presence more rapidly.
Applications that will be provided in the first release include KATS,
K-State Online, WebMail, eProfile, K-State Search, and announcements and events.
The content for each individual will be tailored to their role at K-State and
accessed using their eID and password.
K-State system used in DoS attack last week
by the K-State Security Incident Response Team
published March 15, 2005
On March 9, a computer system on the K-State campus was compromised and used to launch
a denial of service (DoS) attack towards an off-campus host. The attack, which lasted
about 15 minutes during noon hour, disrupted network service to the north end of campus
before the system was located and disconnected.
Subsequent analysis showed the intruder
gained access to the Linux computer host's AWStats software, an open-source log-file analyzer program,
and ran Unix commands via a cgi-bin program that poorly validates its input. As a result, K-State
network administrators have been notified to immediately remove AWStats from their systems, since all
recent versions (including beta version 6.4) have known vulnerabilities and there is
no known patch.
This incident shows that software vulnerabilities can lead to a security breach
just as easily as a vulnerability in the operating system.
It's important that K-Staters ensure all software on their computer systems is properly
patched and configured for secure operation.
iPod shuffles arrive at Union Computer Store
by C. Loehr, K-State Student Union Computer Store
published March 15, 2005
The Union Computer Store has received shipment of the long-awaited iPod shuffles in both sizes --
512 MB for $99, and 1 GB for $139. A large quantity is now in stock, and K-Staters who placed back orders
have been contacted.
This week only, the store is running a "spring break special" on 20-gigabyte iPods while supplies last.
Buy a 20 GB iPod ($269) or a 20 GB U2 special edition ($329) and get a $15 iTunes giftcard free.
K-State Survey System update March 16
by S. Finkeldei, Office of Mediated Education
published March 15, 2005
The updated Survey System 2.2 will be released March 16. Although mostly a release of internal fixes,
Survey 2.2 includes some noticeable changes.
- New and improved help system:
Additional and improved help topics; better Index and Search;
glossary of survey terminology; printable version; and animated tutorials for key topics.
- Hide surveys.
The option to manage the Survey Listing page by hiding surveys that are no longer active.
Hidden surveys can be returned to the Survey Listing page at any time.
- Improved conditional branching interface for ease of use.
- Offering e-mails:
Increased foreign-character support in outgoing e-mails and reminder messages.
Increased number of reminder messages that can be sent to respondents (up to 12).
Respondent e-mail addresses can be removed from the respondents list after the initial e-mail offering has been sent
(allowing administrators to keep further notifications from being sent to invalid e-mail addresses).
E-mail a survey administrator receives if they select carbon copy (CC:) now includes the same, complete
set of inserted text and URLs as the respondent e-mail.
- Question types:
Scale questions no longer require every value to be labeled. As long as the extreme values are labeled,
the Survey System fills in the central values with dashes (---) to indicate a standard scale (Lowest --- Highest).
The textbox for short-answer questions has been enlarged to offer more space for respondents.
If the administrator requires an answer to a ranking question, the question will require completion
of ALL ranking items, not just one.
- Reports: For each answer in a report, the percentage and the actual number of responses is now
included next to the bar representing these totals. The wording on some of the statistics has been improved for clarity.
"Apple Production Suite" seminar for faculty/staff
by C. Loehr, K-State Student Union Computer Store
published March 15, 2005
K-State faculty/staff are invited to attend "From Capture to Compositing, and Everything in Between",
an Apple seminar scheduled 1-4 p.m. March 30 (Wed) in the K-State Student Union Little Theatre
(first floor, across from the computer store). Since seating is limited for this free event, attendees must
register online.
This interactive session will cover use of all the tools in Apple's Production Suite --
Final Cut Pro HD, DVD Studio Pro, Motion, Shake, and Logic.
Other topics will be covered as well, and supporting event documentation will be provided to all participants.
Presenter Bill Hanson specializes in digital media solutions for both K-12 and higher education.
He showcases solutions for curriculum delivery and creative expression,
merging various forms of media such as graphics, animation, and video.
No TechBytes sessions for two weeks
by C. Rodriguez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published March 15, 2005
No TechBytes sessions are scheduled this week or during spring break.
The next session is Friday, April 1, on Microsoft PowerPoint.
For information about TechBytes, visit the TechBytes website.
| On the spot: IT questions from K-Staters |
by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published March 15, 2005
What IT tasks should I do during spring break?
If you only have time for one IT chore, "Empty the Trash"
to have all your deleted e-mail removed from the trash folder.
It only takes a few seconds but helps K-State's e-mail system a lot.
A majority of K-Staters use WebMail and can simply click on the "Empty Trash"
icon at the top of the screen. Other e-mail clients have similar
ways to empty the trash (see K-State's e-mail documentation).
Have a question or comment?
TellTuesday@ksu.edu.
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| Web watch |
Academic Resource Centers in residence halls
by M. Vanden Boogart, Housing and Dining Services
published March 15, 2005
Housing and Dining Services officially launched its Academic Resource Centers website
(www.housing.ksu.edu/arc) on Feb. 7.
The site's goal is to inform residence-hall students and campus faculty of
tutoring schedules, academic recognition programs, and other academic support
services offered through Housing and Dining Services.
The free tutoring services are open to
all K-State students, although the rest of the site is primarily for residence-hall members.
This is the only K-State department that offers campus-wide tutoring to all students during evening hours.
The site is designed in a weblog format to allow for continuous updating of information.
Development plans over the next six months include
incorporating additional support resources such as study tips,
exam writing techniques, and time-management solutions.
Find a good site? TellTuesday@ksu.edu.
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