• Sept. 4, 2007

Recent network outages caused by several factors

by Rebecca Gould, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Sept. 4, 2007

The recent network outages were caused by several factors, including testing of a new imaging software, water damage to some network-wiring closets, and other issues. K-State is implementing improved quality-assurance practices to prevent future outages. In addition, technicians are installing an appliance that will look for anomalies in the network and take action to mitigate future outages. Information Technology Services regrets these outages and appreciates the patience of the campus community while network improvements continue.

Password-change deadline is one week away (Sept. 12)

by Betsy Edwards, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Sept. 4, 2007

Wednesday, Sept. 12, is the deadline for all K-Staters to change the password on their eIDs for fall semester. This includes individual eIDs as well as group accounts. To change your eID password, go to the eid.k-state.edu site, sign in to your eProfile, and under Password Settings, click "Change your eID password or password-reset options." For security purposes, passwords cannot be reused within a two-year period. See the Password FAQs for more details. If you need assistance, contact the IT Help Desk at 785-532-7722.

TechBytes series starts Sept. 13, includes Web 2.0 tools

by Gerry Snyder, Department of Communications,
  and Cathy Rodriguez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Sept. 4, 2007

Free Internet tools, creating a blog, using social bookmarks, how to make a wiki -- these Web 2.0 tools as well as other helpful software programs highlight this season's TechBytes series. Fall sessions are scheduled 1:15-2:15 p.m. every Thursday, from Sept. 13 through Nov. 8. See the semester lineup below.

TechBytes seminars are free and open to the K-State community. This series shares technology innovations with the campus community, whether it's a new technology or a new way to use an existing technology.


Thursdays TechBytes topic Location
Sept. 13 Free Amazing Web Tools 501 Hale Library
Sept. 20 Uploading and Sharing Videos/Photos Via the Web 501 Hale Library
Sept. 27 What's in a Blog? 501 Hale Library
Oct. 4 Social Bookmarking 501 Hale Library
Oct. 11 The New Wimba Live Classroom; Internet conferencing with video 501 Hale Library
Oct. 18 Case Study: Using Technology in K-State Classroom 301A Hale Library
Oct. 25 Hangin' with the "In" Crowd -- Tips and Tricks for InDesign Users 501 Hale Library
Nov. 1 Adobe Photoshop tips and techniques for the Web 501 Hale Library
Nov. 8 Collaboration and Sharing Made Easy with Wikis 301A Hale Library

These programs can also be viewed "live" from a computer desktop via video streaming. For presentation descriptions, links to video streams, and other useful resources, go to the TechBytes website at www.ksu.edu/techbytes. For more information, contact Gerry Snyder (gsnyder@k-state.edu) or Cathy Rodriguez (cathyr@k-state.edu).

New iSIS update: Program/plan maintenance begins Sept. 10

by Mike Crow, Registrar's Office,
  and Aimee Hagedorn, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Sept. 4, 2007

The phased implementation of the new student information system will reach another milestone when Program/Plan Maintenance goes live in iSIS starting Sept. 10. On this date the Registrar's Office, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Division of Continuing Education (Manhattan and Salina campuses), and each of the college deans' offices will begin updating program/plan in iSIS, while concurrently updating college/curriculum in the existing SIS. Since program/plan is not an exact equivalent to college/curriculum, this exercise will entail a new way of thinking for everyone.

As an example, there can be numerous academic programs within a college that are defined according to degree status such as AG Graduate Degree, AG Graduate Non Degree, AG Undergraduate Associate, AG Undergraduate Degree, and AG Undergraduate Non Degree. Academic plans include Majors and Minors, and Sub-plans include options, certificates, etc. The dual maintenance of both sets of information in iSIS and SIS will occur for an extended period of time during the remaining phases of the LASER Project.

The timeline for the LASER Project includes:

  • Admissions module, June 2007 (done)
  • Class Schedule, September 2007
  • Financial Aid, February 2008
  • Student Enrollment, March 2008
  • Student Financials, June 2008

For more information about the LASER Project, visit laser.k-state.edu.

IDT Roundtable fall 2007 series: Video 101 Sept. 12

by Swasati Mukherjee, Office of Mediated Education
published Sept. 4, 2007

The Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) Roundtable Series starts off with "Video 101" at 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, in Union 212. Come and learn about video editing techniques, video best practices, tips and tricks and some of the coolest new hardware to help make your video look great for your course. Presenters are Tim Seley and Bryan Vandiviere.

Registration and refreshments start at 10:45 a.m. RSVP by contacting the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, 785-532-7828, catl@k-state.edu.

Mac OS X v5 "Leopard" presentation Friday, Sept. 14

by Cliff Neuman, Apple Higher Education
published Sept. 4, 2007

Apple representatives, in conjunction with the K-State Student Union Computer Store, will deliver a comprehensive presentation on Apple's much anticipated OS X v5 Leopard operating system 8 a.m.-noon Friday, Sept. 14, in the Big 12 Room at the K-State Student Union. Leopard Server will bring new features and functionality that will further performance-based computing and rich media content delivery. Learn more about the much anticipated Mac OS X v5 "Leopard" by attending this technical sales presentation. Topics are

  • iCal Server, a standards-based group-calendaring solution
  • Wiki Server, a new WYSIWYG web-based collaboration tool
  • Podcast Producer -- building podcast workflows
  • Open Directory 4 enhancements
  • Xserve hardware capabilities
  • Storage and backup updates
  • Many other updated features
  • Q/A with an Apple consulting engineer

To register for this Apple seminar, go to the Apple Education Seminars and Events page (free Apple account required to register). If you have specific questions about the presentation content, contact me (cneuman@apple.com, 913-897-6611).

Software requests for labs, InfoCommons due Oct. 12

by Eric Dover, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Sept. 4, 2007

Now is the time for faculty and students to recommend software they would like added to the university computing labs and K-State InfoCommons computers for spring 2008 semester. Review the guidelines on the Software Addition Policy page and submit software requests to softwarerequest@k-state.edu by Friday, Oct. 12.

Who needs another Mac 101 presentation?

by Eric Holderness, K-State campus student Apple representative
published Sept. 4, 2007

Hello, from your Apple campus rep, Eric Holderness. Last week I talked about the Mac 101 class that we presented on Wednesday evening, which was a success. However, many folks have brought it to my attention that we need to have another session because of conflicts they had within their schedules. My question to you: Do we need to plan another Mac 101 class in order to reach those that still have issues with their new Mac? If so, e-mail me (ericholderness@mac.com) or Justin (Anderson.ksu@mac.com) and tell us you're interested in another session. There will also be some other classes dealing with iLife '08 applications, so visit myksuapple.com for an updated campus rep schedule.

Security tip of the week

Use strong passwords on all computer accounts

by Harvard Townsend, IT security
published Sept. 4, 2007

Recent attacks on K-State computers underscore the importance of using strong passwords (one that's very difficult to guess) on your computer accounts. Four K-State computers were compromised earlier this summer because they had an account with an easily-guessed password and they were accessible from off-campus (in other words, the hacker(s) could log in to the computer from the Internet).

The greatest risk seems to be Microsoft Windows desktop computers that have Remote Desktop enabled to give the user access to his/her files from home or while traveling.

K-State IT policy requires strong passwords, so please make sure all of your computer accounts meet the requirements specified in the policy:

  • Passwords must have a minimum of 7 characters.
  • Passwords must contain characters from 3 of the 4 following categories:
    1. Uppercase letters
    2. Lowercase letters
    3. Numbers
    4. Special characters (for example: !, @, #, $, %, ^, &, *, etc. But be aware if traveling outside the U.S. that some symbols, like the U.S. dollar sign, may not be available on international keyboards.)

K-State eIDs already enforce strong passwords, so any account that uses an eID and password is protected from this type of attack.

What you should do

  1. Review all of your K-State computer accounts to make sure they have strong passwords.
  2. Turn off remote access to your computer (for example, Remote Desktop in Windows) unless you absolutely need it. If you must access your computer remotely, talk to your IT support staff about how to do so securely.
K-State Online

Use the new My Organizer preferences

by Cathy Rodriguez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Sept. 4, 2007

Preferences can be set in My Organizer in K-State Online to customize it to better meet your needs. Look for preferences in the upper right-hand corner on your My Organizer page. Options include:

  • Reordering your courses
  • Hiding courses
  • Adding comments to your courses
  • Hiding events labels and/or hiding events without activity

See the Help section for more about preferences.

Student WIN network still active?

by Betsy Edwards, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Sept. 4, 2007

Is the Wildcat Information Network still active?

No. The WIN (which debuted Jan. 12, 2005, as an Internet portal by and for K-State students) only lasted about 1.5 years, according to Bill Harlan, assistant coordinator in the Office of Student Activities and Services.

"It was really a project of the student body president and vice president at that time. When they left office, it started slowing down because it wasn't a top priority," Harlan said. "It was discontinued in fall 2006 by decision of the Student Governing Association leadership. The equipment was transferred to other departments, and the space in Kedzie was reallocated."

Spotlight

New technology in K-State technology classrooms

by Tim Bagby, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Sept. 4, 2007

Pictured here are images from the Burt 114 classroom that received a basic technology installation this summer.

Basic core rooms have audio and video plug-ins that enable a faculty member to share

  • their laptop content
  • material from an iPod
  • material from other video or audio devices that have s-video, VGA, or component video output

The laptop station (below right) has space to hold a laptop, and has the cabling and connections to provide high-quality video and audio presentations. Similar installations were performed in the Thompson 213 and Willard 25 technology classrooms this summer.

photo of new Burt 114 technology classroom, front of room photo of new equipment in technology classrooms