Summerhill Series begins Wednesday, Oct. 18
by F. Damkroger, Telecommunications, and E. Unger, Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Services and Technology
published Oct. 17, 2006
On Oct. 18, from 1:30-3 p.m. in Union 212, we kick off the Summerhill Series -- an opportunity for K-Staters
to dialogue with central information technology units about the technical aspects of the network, infrastructure, e-mail,
and more. The topic for Wednesday's session will be e-mail.
The Summerhill Series is named after Rick Summerhill, who is the director of Network Research,
Architecture, and Technologies for Internet2. Summerhill is responsible for the design of the new Internet2 network and
other projects related to network research and the development of next-generation network architectures.
Summerhill is considered by many to be the father of the data network at K-State. He was the architect of the first IP network
in the 1970s, and would hold periodic open meetings to inform the campus community about progress as buildings and departments
were added. This series is named after him to acknowledge his pioneering efforts at K-State.
Think twice before installing Internet Explorer 7
by H. Townsend. interim K-State IT security officer
published Oct. 17, 2006
Microsoft plans to release Internet Explorer 7 (IE7), its first major browser release in nearly five years,
for download on Oct. 18, then push it onto desktops Nov. 1 through Windows Automatic Updates (AU).
By using AU to distribute IE7, Microsoft is using a mechanism normally reserved for security patches.
While IE7 is more secure than version 6, using this distribution mechanism will make users feel like they have to install IE7.
However, K-Staters should consider the following before installing IE7:
- Some K-State applications may not work with IE7. Issues have already been raised with Human Resources Self-Service website
and K-State's ImageNow Document Imaging System.
- K-State webpages or applications with a web interface should be tested with IE7 as soon as possible.
A pre-release version of IE7 is available from Microsoft's
IE7 downloads site.
- IE7 is a major release and has changed substantially. Some users may find it difficult to make the transition.
Microsoft has provided ways to prevent the installation of IE7:
- You'll receive a prompt during the installation process that will allow you to prevent ("Don't Install")
or delay ("Ask Me Later") installation.
- Microsoft's Software Update Services (SUS) or Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) can be used to control when
IE7 is installed. K-State departments that use these services should contact their IT support staff if they don't know
whether a computer is configured to use either of these services.
- Microsoft has an IE7 Blocker Toolkit
(and toolkit FAQs) that can be
downloaded to block the automatic update of IE7.
- Windows accounts that do not have administrator privileges will not be prompted to install IE7.
From a security perspective, K-State's SIRT does recommend installing IE7. However, delaying the installation of IE7
may be the most prudent choice for many people given the issues described above.
Vinton Cerf presentation Oct. 23: The Evolving Internet
by B. Edwards, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Oct. 17, 2006
Vinton Cerf, vice president and chief Internet evangelist for Google, will present
"The Evolving Internet" 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, at Fiedler Auditorium in Fiedler Hall.
Known as one of the founding fathers of the Internet, Cerf will address issues associated with the globalization of
information, including intellectual property, privacy, fraud, abuse, scientific research, and interplanetary extension
of the Internet.
As noted in Cerf's
Provost's Lecture Series abstract,
"Information about information becomes a monetizable factor in the implementation of Internet-based services.
Many of the services offered by Google illustrate this point. Business practices themselves become transformed when
rendered through the Internet medium. This talk will touch on many of these points and conclude with a status report
on the development of an interplanetary extension of the Internet."
For more about the Provost's Lecture Series, see Media Relations'
Sept. 12 news release.
TechBytes Oct. 20: Creating and Subscribing to RSS Feeds
by C. Rodriguez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Oct. 17, 2006
Ernie Perez will discuss RSS feeds at this week's TechBytes
session, 1:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, in 501 Hale Library.
RSS feeds and podcasting allow users to subscribe and receive
content via the Web like never before. Come learn how to create
and subscribe to RSS feeds to receive the information you want
as soon as it's available.
TechBytes seminars are free and open to the K-State community.
This series also will be video streamed live for off-campus
viewers. Visit the TechBytes website for:
- additional details, handouts, and resources from previous seminars
- a downloadable schedule for this semester
- links to both live and archived videos of TechByte programs
Symantec AntiVirus set to expire Oct. 30, only two weeks left
by R. Gilbert, Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Services and Technology
published Oct. 17, 2006
If you haven't converted to Trend Micro Antivirus, go to the
antivirus.k-state.edu website
and download the appropriate version. The software can be installed on all office and home computers. For assistance,
contact the IT Help Desk, helpdesk@k-state.edu, 785-532-7722.
K-State is now actively scanning for and reporting all Windows-based PCs still running Symantec AntiVirus to the
Security Incident Response Team. After Oct. 30, the deadline when K-State's license with Symantec expires,
those reports will be used to block offending users from the K-State network.
After Oct. 30, any Windows-based computers running Symantec AntiVirus will be blocked from the campus network
-- including servers with a managed Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition installed. This block will remain in place
until verification of the conversion to Trend Micro takes place.
Apple Halloween Spooktacular Oct. 25 in Union
by J. Deehr, K-State Apple campus representative
published Oct. 17, 2006. updated 1:13 p.m. Oct. 24, 2006
Come and enjoy a night of frights, food, chills, and Apple Computer. Wear a
costume and enter the costume contest. Play pick-an-evil-duck, beanbag toss,
and much more. Drop your tickets in prize bins and try to win all kinds of
cool Apple products and scary DVDs. The event will take place 7-9 p.m. Oct. 25
in the main courtyard of the K-State Student Union. Everyone is welcome and
the event is FREE. Food will be served at 7 p.m. while it lasts.
See www.ksuapplerep.com for more details.
Cyber Security Awareness Quiz
by A. Hagedorn, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Oct. 17, 2006
The K-State Security Incident Response Team (SIRT), in coordination with the
IT Help Desk and the Union Computer Store, have put together a cyber
security awareness quiz to test your security knowledge and give K-Staters a
chance to win brand new computer speakers. Download and print the quiz from
the link below and answer all questions. Bring your completed quiz to the
cyber security awareness table in the K-State Student Union 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, to find out the correct answers. Anyone who
scores 8 out of 10 or better will be entered into a drawing to win brand new
computer speakers, courtesy of the K-State Student Union Computer Store. This
contest is open to all students, staff, and faculty members. Print the
cyber security awareness quiz
(PDF).
Google launches web-based word processor
by E. Dover, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Oct. 17, 2006
Last week Google launched a web-based word processor, adding to their growing list of services available
through their website. One of the unique capabilities of this new service is the ability to store your
documents on Google's servers, so they can be accessed, edited, and shared anywhere an Internet connection
is available. Even better is the ability to share your documents with others through the Google documents
interface, to allow for collaboration and group changes through the web-based word processor.
Note that sensitive K-State information must never be stored on Google servers
due to the risk of unauthorized disclosure. This includes K-State documents that contain
Social Security numbers, student grades, personal identity information, credit card numbers, and so forth.
To use this new service, you must have an account with Google (normally a Gmail account). If you wish to
collaborate with others, the people with whom you want to share your documents will need a Google account as well.
Check out this latest service at docs.google.com.
IDT Roundtable Oct. 25: Building Educational Games and Simulations
by S. Mukherjee, Office of Mediated Education
published Oct. 17, 2006
Building Educational Games and Simulations
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, Union 212
Sign up by 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23
Ever want to jazz up your class with a learning game but just
didn't know how to get started? Have you thought about building
a simulation but thought it would cost too much money, time, and
effort? Join Ben Ward, instructional designer for the Office of
Mediated Education, as he explores the basics of game design,
playing with a purpose, and the tools you will need to make it
all happen.
Coffee, tea, and water will be available, and you may bring a
lunch. Please observe the sign-up date and RSVP by contacting
the Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning at
785-532-7828, catl@k-state.edu.
Faculty input requested on two teaching/learning surveys
by S. Hai-Jew, Office of Mediated Education
published Oct. 17, 2006
K-State and other faculty are asked to provide input for a research study on how
instructors personalize (customize or adapt) their teaching and learning
in face-to-face classrooms and in eLearning courses.
Instructors can help by providing input on one or both of the following surveys:
- Personalization of Teaching/Learning in Face-to-Face Classrooms
- Personalization of Teaching/Learning in Online or eLearning Courses
Both surveys are available online Oct. 10-Nov. 10,
require 15-20 minutes each to complete, and include multiple-choice and short-answer responses.
For more information about the surveys, contact Shalin Hai-Jew, shalin@k-state.edu,
532-5262.
Inserting a blank screen in PowerPoint presentations
by R. Gould, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Oct. 17, 2006
To interrupt or break up a
PowerPoint presentation so that it is not many slides in a row, click
the B or W key while in the slide show view. You will get a black (B)
or white (W) screen. This is a great time to interject audience
participation. To resume the presentation, press the (B) or (W) key.
IT by the numbers: Printing in the InfoCommons
by E. Dover, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Oct. 17, 2006. updated 3:48 p.m. Oct. 18, 2006
In the K-State InfoCommons and university computing labs, 17,379 pages were printed in 12 days (Oct. 1-12).
This is almost 35 reams of paper.
Security tip: Be wary of Windows saving your passwords
by H. Townsend. interim K-State IT security officer
published Oct. 17, 2006
When you type in a log-in name and password on a webpage form, normally a window appears that asks
if you want to have Windows save your password. If you use Internet Explorer as your browser, that
pop-up window will look like this:
Mozilla's Firefox browser provides a similar function and pop-up window:
This is certainly a convenient feature, but like many user conveniences, it comes with a risk. Passwords
stored on your computer in this manner are only as safe as the security of the computer. If someone gets access
to your computer, they can also get access to your password-protected accounts or the passwords themselves.
This is especially important if you share the computer with others or are using a public computer. As a general
rule, you should never allow Windows or your browser to store your account passwords on a shared computer, and
never have them store passwords for accounts that access sensitive information like your eID, online banking,
or anything that stores your credit card numbers.
So the security tip of the week is DO NOT allow Windows or a web browser to save:
- Your eID and password.
- A username or ID and password that gains access to any financial information,
like your credit card numbers or bank account information.
- Any ID and password on a computer shared with other people or a public computer.
For more about Windows password security, see the related IT security page on
Windows passwords.
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