• Jan. 15, 2008

Text messaging, a new way to contact K-State Libraries

by Danielle Theiss-White, K-State Libraries
published Jan. 15, 2008

K-State Libraries' text-message icon

Students, staff, and faculty have been able to text message the Hale Library Help Desk from their cellphones since early January. Send your message to 265010 and include halehelp: at the beginning of each message. Standard text charges may apply, depending on your wireless service provider. Patrons can text K-State Libraries during hours when Hale services are available.

At the end of this semester, a news follow-up may be provided about usage of this new service. Visit the K-State Libraries' Ask a Librarian page for more information and to learn about other ways to contact a librarian.


Macworld conference started today; MacBook Air subnotebook released

by Betsy Edwards, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Jan. 15, 2008

The Macworld conference started today in San Francisco. This highly attended biannual event is a focal point for the latest news from Steve Jobs and the newest, coolest Mac products, software, and peripherals. Apple's recent "There's something in the air" advertisement has led to certainty that MacBook Air is being announced today as "the world’s thinnest notebook".

The following links may be useful for scouting out Macworld news. Note that several sites are already timing out due to high demand today.

Feb. 13 is deadline for spring eID password changes

by Betsy Edwards, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Jan. 15, 2008

The spring 2008 timeframe for changing passwords on all K-State eIDs began Jan. 1 and runs through Wednesday, Feb. 13. Passwords must also be changed on group accounts and those used by K-State affiliates. To change your password, sign in at eid.k-state.edu and select the password "change" link on your eProfile page. For security purposes, passwords cannot be reused within a two-year period. See K-State's Password FAQs for details on password requirements and tips.

Office Mac 2008 Home and Student Edition now available

by Chris Loehr, K-State Student Union Computer Store
published Jan. 15, 2008

Today Microsoft released Office Mac 2008. The K-State Student Union Computer Store is now carrying Office Mac 2008 Home and Student Edition for $149.95. An education ID is not required for purchase. This is the shrink-wrapped boxed product and includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Entourage. This uses open XML file formats (Office 2007 compatible), and is universal for Intel and PowerPC-based Macs.

Office Mac 2008 Home and Student Edition is licensed for non-commercial use on up to three of your personal computers. (This version is not Exchange-enabled.)

Requirements:

  • Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (500MHz or faster) processor
  • Mac OS X .10.4.9 or later
  • 512MB RAM or more
  • 1.5GB of free hard drive space
  • HFS+ hard disk format (also known as Mac OS Extended or HFS Plus)
  • DVD drive or connection to a local are network (if installing over a network)
  • 1024 x 768 or higher resolution monitor
  • Connectivity to Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server, Exchange 2003, or Exchange 2007 is required for certain advanced functionality in Entourage 2008.
  • Entourage and certain features require Internet access.

Office Mac 2008 is not expected to be available through the Microsoft Student Select program until April/May. It is anticipated to be priced at $79.95 and will require a valid K-State faculty, staff, or student ID to purchase.

Simplified price structure on Microsoft Student Select products

by Chris Loehr, K-State Student Union Computer Store
published Jan. 15, 2008

Beginning Jan. 2, the K-State Student Union Computer Store has simplified the products and pricing structure of the Microsoft Student Select Products.

 Microsoft product Pricing *
 Windows XP Pro Upgrade $79.95
 Windows Vista Business Premium Upgrade $79.95
 Office 2007 Professional (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher) -- Windows $79.95
 Office for Mac 2004 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Entourage) $79.95
 Office Mac 2008 - estimated availability April/May 2008 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Entourage) $79.95
 * Current K-State ID must be presented to purchase.

In addition, the pricing on Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard has been lowered from $99 to $79.95 to align with the Microsoft Student Select Pricing. An education ID must be presented at time of purchase.

Security tip of the week

Beware of public computers in hotels and Internet cafes

by Harvard Townsend, IT security
published Jan. 15, 2008

The value of the advice offered in this column last spring to be wary of Internet cafes was confirmed by the August arrest and recent guilty plea of a man who admitted to hacking into computers in hotel business centers and Internet "lounges" to steal identity and credit card information. Mario Alberto Simbaqueba Bonilla from Columbia installed keylogger software on hotel business center computers in Miami, Las Vegas, and other cities in the United States and abroad that collected personal identity, bank account, and credit card information from unsuspecting victims who were typically hotel guests.

When a victim used a compromised computer, the keylogger would intercept keystrokes that looked like log-in names, passwords, and/or financial account information -- and save it for Bonilla, who spent more than $400,000 on electronics, jewelry, and clothing for himself and his various girlfriends, and extravagant travel from June 2004 until his arrest in August 2007. An article in Computerworld reports that more than 600 victims were defrauded by Bonilla and his still-at-large co-conspirator.

Here are some tips for safely using public computers in hotels, Internet cafes, or the like when you travel:

  • Assume every public computer is not safe.
  • Never use a public computer to access confidential K-State information.
  • Never use a public computer to transact financial business (for example, to check your bank account or make a purchase that requires you to enter credit card information).
  • If you need to check your K-State e-mail from a public computer while traveling, change your eID password before you leave and immediately after you return.
  • Before using a public computer, run a virus/worm/malware check on it with one of the free web-based tools like Trend Micro's HouseCall, F-Secure's Online Virus Scanner, or McAffee's FreeScan.
  • Periodically change the password on your financial accounts, like you have to with your eID password. Changing a password limits the amount of time a hacker can use a stolen password and therefore limits the damage he/she can do.

The SANS Technology Institute has more information on the risks of using hotel Internet services.

K-State Online

Creating a hyperlink to your wiki

by Sarah Silva, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Jan. 15, 2008
  1. Go to online.k-state.edu and sign in.
  2. Click the course name link of the desired course.
  3. Under Course Content, click Manage Files.
  4. On the File menu, point to New and then click Hyperlink.
  5. In the File Name box, type the name of your wiki.
  6. In the Url box, type the URL of the wiki you want to link to.
  7. Choose whether or not to open the link in a new browser window.
  8. Click Create Link and then publish the item, if desired.

Free wiki suggested for K-Staters?

by K-State IT staff
published Jan. 15, 2008

With all of these articles about wikis, is there a free wiki that you suggest?

Faculty have recently been asking iTAC and OME staff about wikis that might be used in classes. PBwiki (pbwiki.com) is suggested for a wiki for classes, and one that is already used as a collaboration space to develop InfoTech Tuesday lineups and content. PBwiki:

  • Is easy to set up and use
  • Has features that include plugins and widgets
  • Provides secure collaboration space

See this week's K-State Online tip about creating a hyperlink to your wiki.

Spotlight

iTAC Open House last week

by Theresa Straub, Rebecca Gould, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Jan. 15, 2008

2. iTAC Open House, Jan. 10, 2008, at K-State

1. iTAC Open House, Jan. 10, 2008, at K-State

The Information Technology Assistance Center sponsored its first Open House 3-5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, with more than 110 visitors.

Faculty and staff toured the renovated space in the second floor of Hale Library that now houses the IT Help Desk, the Media Development Center, technology classroom support, desktop support, communications and training staff, and LAN server staff.

The K-State Student Union Computer Store supported the open house by donating computer accessories for the door prizes. Door-prize winners were Kathy Coleman, K-State Libraries, and Paula Seematter, Educational Communications Center.

iTAC appreciates the support of the campus as we find better ways to serve K-Staters.

3. iTAC Open House, Jan. 10, 2008, at K-State 4. iTAC Open House, Jan. 10, 2008, at K-State