IT events this week at K-State
by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published May 16, 2006
Floppy and Zip drives being phased out on campus
by B. Edwards, Computing and Network Services
published May 16, 2006
This summer, floppy drives and Zip drives will begin disappearing from
the university computing labs, K-State InfoCommons, and K-State's technology classrooms
as computer upgrades occur.
- University computing labs and K-State InfoCommons: Yesterday, upgrades began in some labs and
some areas of the K-State InfoCommons. The new PCs will display an information bar at the top of the screen, stating
that the PC doesn't have a floppy drive.
- Technology classrooms: All of the technology-classroom PCs are being replaced this summer.
The new machines will not have any floppy drives or Zip drives, based on results from a recent survey that showed
use of those products has continued to decline.
K-Staters can use alternative storage devices such as the CD-RW drives on PCs, as well as portable USB (thumb) drives.
Those who need to tranfer files to USB and optical-drive media can use the Media Development Center
in 313 Hale Library.
IT summer projects at K-State
by R. Gould, Information Technology Assistance Center
published May 16, 2006. updated 3:45 p.m. May 19, 2006
K-State IT staff will be working on a number of projects this summer, including:
- Release of version 2.0 of Axio,
the engine that drives K-State Online (Aug. 5)
- Computer upgrades in the university computing labs and InfoCommons
- Renovation of classrooms, conference rooms, and a studio (Bluemont 122,
Dickens 207, Leasure 13, Waters 230, Waters 348, Willard 217)
- Updates to the central e-mail system
- Release of Talisma, a student recruitment tool
- Upgrading DSpace in preparation for mandatory electronic disserations
- Deploying Trend Micro antivirus software
- Upgrade the Degree Audit Reporting System
- Upgrade Resource 25, K-State's classroom and events scheduler
- Optio eComPresent electronic print distribution system
- Financial Information System fiscal year-end development
- Creating training materials for podcasting
and more. For more about these projects, stay tuned to InfoTech Tuesday each week.
CHECK conference draws 180+, with room for more
by B. Edwards, Computing and Network Services
published May 16, 2006
As of today, more than 180 Kansans are registered for the
Conference on Higher Education Computing in Kansas
(CHECK) scheduled May 23-24 (Tue-Wed) at K-State. The conference office is still accepting late registrations ($100 fee)
through May 23, but recommends paying with a charge card online. Refer to the
conference schedule and
CHECK registration form for more details.
Reminder: Replace Windows 98/SE/ME/NT computers soon
by the K-State Security Incident Response Team
published May 16, 2006
K-State departments and individuals should be making plans now to replace their
Windows 98/SE/ME/NT computers, which will be blocked from the campus network as of July 1.
This action is due to Microsoft's decision to stop providing security patches after June 30 for
Windows 98, Windows 98SE, Windows ME, and Windows NT operating systems.
Also, K-State's antivirus software will not support those operating systems.
Intel announces new laptops, dual-core processors
by M. Cusimano and A. Phillips, Computing and Network Services
published May 16, 2006
Intel has introduced a new series of dual-core processors, the 900 series. These processors
have doubled the on-board cache, from 1MB to 2MB per core. With the introduction of these new processors,
Intel will discontinue the production of its single-core processors and ramp up production of all dual-core models.
What this means for K-Staters:
- Dual-core systems are faster computers, because they are essentially two CPUs (central processing units) on one chip.
- If you buy a new computer, make sure it has a dual-core processor.
Intel also plans a new program to be kicked off this summer. It has contracted with a number of laptop manufacturers
to produce laptops with interchangeable parts and receive Intel certification. Laptop manufacturers include ASUS, Toshiba, and
Quanta (which manufactures laptops for other resellers).
These manufacturers provide laptops for Dell, Gateway, and others.
Intel will provide support for these systems thru their Intel products dealers,
including Computing and Network Services' Technology Service Center.
These dealers will be able to sell and service these laptops, and Intel will provide
24-hour turnaround time on repair parts.
Print quotas to be reset May 19 for labs, InfoCommons
by R. Cheung, Computing and Network Services
published May 16, 2006
Free printing accounts in the university computing labs and the K-State InfoCommons
will be reset in the evening on Friday, May 19. All K-Staters will receive $5 of free printing
for the summer semester. For details, see
Printing in the UCLs.
SHI rep to be on campus for Q/A May 23
by K. Leonard, Computing and Network Services
published May 16, 2006
David Rounds, account manager for the State of Kansas Large Account
(Software) Reseller Contract, will be on campus 8:30-9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 23,
in Hale Library, Room 401 (Tower Room). He will be available for questions, comments, and
a chance to put K-Staters' names and faces together.
IT by the numbers: IT survey responses
by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published May 16, 2006
To date, the IT customer satisfaction survey mailed May 9 has netted:
- 2,149 responses out of 26,099 (8.2 percent response rate)
- More than 60 pages of comments
- 1,158 responses from undergraduate students
- 284 response from graduate students
Results from the survey will be presented at a later date.
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