K-State portal is up and running
by the K-State Connection project team
published Aug. 23, 2005
K-State Connection (at connect.k-state.edu) is the university's
new web portal. It went live Thursday, Aug. 18, after almost a year of planning and development.
The site allows K-Staters to log in with their K-State eID/password combination and get a personalized page
that currently includes links to
- WebMail
- eProfile notices
- announcements and events
- K-State Online course organizer and calendar
- customizable weather
Additional services are coming this fall, including "single sign-on" -- which will allow K-Staters
to access WebMail, KATS, K-State Online, and other services by typing in their eID/password only once.
The portal has been in development since September 2004 as an enhancement to
K-State's web presence. It is a joint effort by K-State's central information technology units
working with representatives of the campus community.
K-Staters will have an opportunity to provide input on features desired in future upgrades.
Stay tuned to InfoTech Tuesday for more about K-State Connection.
Operation PC 2005: Mission accomplished
by R. Gilbert, Computing and Network Services
published Aug. 23, 2005
From Aug. 19-21, K-State IT staff worked with 2,889 computers being moved into the
residence halls to
- Clean up spyware, viruses, and computer worms
- Install the managed version of Symantec Antivirus
- Set an appropriate administrator password
before allowing the students to sign on to the campus network.
About 80 IT staff gave up their weekend and worked more than 1,200 hours over the
three-day period. Some interesting facts, analyzed from the
registration data:
- 63 percent of residence-hall students brought laptops
- 52 percent were wireless-ready
- 6 percent of students had an Apple computer
- 122 computers required further work by IT staff
- 1,800 viruses were found on one computer
Operation PC 2005 continues with residence-hall IT staff
processing students' computers 6-10 p.m. Aug. 22-23 in the Derby and Kramer computer labs.
Housing and Dining Services will then determine if more
dates and times are needed.
IT security tips for the start of the semester
by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published Aug. 23, 2005
As classes start for the fall semester, K-Staters are reminded to observe these basic security measures
for protecting their information technology (IT) resources:
- Keep your K-State eID's password private, and change it before the Sept. 14 deadline.
- Do not send identity information (SSNs, bank numbers, etc.) via e-mail.
- Do not click on links in instant messaging.
- Be careful what you share in online communities.
- Observe the Basic security tips.
For more guidelines, see the K-State IT security site.
Sept. 14 deadline for changing eID passwords
by B. Edwards, Computing and Network Services
published Aug. 23, 2005
Once again, it's time for K-Staters to change passwords on their eIDs for the fall
semester. Aug. 1-Sept. 14 is the mandatory password-change timeframe.
Passwords not changed by the end of Wednesday, Sept. 14, will cease to
work. This is a basic security measure that is required twice a year and has been in existence
since 1999. To enhance security, passwords cannot be reused in a two-year period.
Visit the eid.k-state.edu website
and sign in to change the password on your eID. If you've forgotten your password,
call the IT Help Desk at (785)
532-7722 and verify your identity, and staff will set a temporary password
for you to sign in on the eID site. For more about passwords, see the
Password FAQs page.
Pilot test to post semester grades online
by L. Wilson, Office of Mediated Education
published Aug. 23, 2005
A pilot test on electronic grade submission will occur during the fall semester, when a
select group of faculty will be posting semester final grades through K-State Online. The goal
is to replace the current, manual paper process and make it easier and faster for faculty to submit final
grades.
McCain 324 is latest high-tech studio classroom
by R. Gould, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Aug. 23, 2005
Friday, Aug. 19, McCain 324 became the newest high-tech classroom at K-State.
Music can be created, performed, and displayed on the plasma screens. Faculty can view and capture their
lecture/presentation and upload to K-State Online. Students can create,
listen, and perform from one of the 15 workstations that are equipped
with a keyboard, an Apple G5 dual processor computer, and a 20-inch flat-panel display.
The instructor station is a multimedia center with a touch-screen
control system to easily navigate the computer, the DVD/VHS, and the visual presenter.
The instructor can group students into teams and
provide music instruction to a team or a single student.
The instructor also can allow students to present to the entire class.
Renovations for the room were funded by the Vice Provost for Academic Services and Technology, the Division of
Facilities, and the Department of Music.
Back to School via TELENET 2
by S. White, Kansas Regents Network
published Aug. 23, 2005
Students across Kansas will be taking live and interactive K-State classes
near their homes via TELENET 2,
a video conferencing network. Eight courses are being offered
this fall,
with two specifically for Ft. Riley personnel and family.
Audio conferencing will bring classmates together also. Five K-State courses
include an audio conference component along with a CD ROM and the web.
The Kansas Regents
Network in Bob Dole Hall operates both the video and audio
conferencing systems. KRN also acts as the first point of contact for K-
Staters interested in teleconferencing. There are several units on campus
offering video conferencing. Call KRN at 532-5995 or see the
K-State Video
and Audio Conferencing Options page for more information.
Students: Computer security video contest
by A. Hagedorn, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Aug. 23, 2005
Students have until Sept. 1 to submit a short video about computer
security issues and what steps can be taken to avoid or alleviate those
problems. The EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Computer and Network Security Task
Force will award cash prizes ranging from $500-$1,000. Top videos may
also be used for security campaigns in the future.
For a complete list of requirements and where to send your videos,
K-State students should visit the
Computer Security Awareness Video Contest webpage.
Students who would like to work with a member of K-State's Security
Incident Response Team (SIRT) can contact Aimee Hagedorn,
aimeeh@ksu.edu, (785) 532-7651.
English proficiency test gets technology boost
by E. Perez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Aug. 23, 2005
This summer, the SPEAK test administered by the English Language Program received a technology boost.
The SPEAK is the institutional form of the Test of Spoken English and
evaluates the spoken English of non-native speakers. This test is required for all non-natives who wish to
teach at K-State.
In prior semesters, non-native English speakers had to record their verbal test
answers on a cassette tape.
This summer, the process was automated at the Media Development Center, and answers are now being recorded
with a computer program and uploaded to K-State Online to be graded.
This process now has the test
coordinator's voice incorporated within the computer, giving the coordinator more time to provide assistance
without administering the test on a one-on-one basis.
| Q/A: IT questions from K-Staters |
by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published Aug. 23, 2005
Who says I have to keep my eID password private?
Sharing your eID's password is prohibited by K-State's
Information Technology Usage Policy. See the
examples of prohibited use
in that document.
Have a question or comment?
TellTuesday@ksu.edu.
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| Web watch |
Updated K-State IT homepage
by B. Edwards and N. Becker, Computing and Network Services
published Aug. 23, 2005
K-State's Information Technology homepage (at www.ksu.edu/InfoTech)
got a new look Aug. 10. Note these new features on the updated page:
- "Currently in IT" section for news and events.
- Multiple-navigation features, such as purple-tab sections at
the top, to help find information more easily.
- Content-driven format with direct links to many IT resources,
and based on feedback from user groups.
- Uses the new K-State webpage templates developed this summer, which include a top gray bar containing
the PowerCat, links to K-State home and directories, and a Search box.
Find a good site? TellTuesday@ksu.edu.
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