Windows XP
Service Pack 2
There
has been much discussion recently about Microsoft's newest upgrade
for Windows XP, called Service Pack 2 (SP2). The service pack has some
helpful new features but at this time it has not been fully tested
for compatibility on university machines. We are in the process of
testing the download on a sampling of PCs to see if it works well with
our more commonly used software applications.
Pleased
be advised that it
is STRONGLY recommended that CCU users do not perform this installation
at this time. This
service pack will not automatically download and install on your system;
users have to take certain steps to download and install the software
on their own. When your PC prompts you to install the update, postpone
the option until ITS alerts you. It
is anticipated that we will schedule a managed roll-out some time later
this fall. As always contact your IRC if you have any questions.
New
features of SP2 include:
- Pop-up
blocker for Internet Explorer. This feature blocks advertising pop-up
windows and allows the user to selectively choose which windows
to open.
- Improved
security. Among other things this feature disables the scripting
capabilities that allow rogue sites to force you to their own sites.
- Built-in
firewall. In SP2 this feature is automatically turned on. Although
we have a firewall on campus this feature affords extra protection
for users who travel with laptops. Firewalls serve to "hide" PCs
thus decreasing the likelihood that they will be exploited by programs
looking for vulnerable PCs.
- Improved
wireless support. Improvements should help users find wireless networks
easier through a new interface.
To
read more about SP2 visit the following site: Windows
XP Service Pack 2
FrontView
A
new version of Datatel (R18) is scheduled for release next year.
Unfortunately, this release will not be compatible with the free programs we
currently use to interface with Datatel such as LAN Workplace Pro,
Tera Term Pro and Direct Connect. New software called FrontView will
have to be purchased and installed for each user of Datatel. Users
will be relieved to know that FrontView is a
GUI (Graphical User Interface) application which means it works like
Windows and Office with easy printing, icons, point and click and
shortcut keys.
Who
needs FrontView? Users who use Datatel
to run reports, enter budget and other financial information, etc.
Who may not need FrontView? Faculty Advisors do
not as the student information they need is available through WebAdvisor.
If you do
not know if you will need FrontView contact your IRC for assistance.
How much does FrontView cost? The purchase of the
FrontView software is a one time cost of $195. ITS will purchase
a block of licenses thus
eliminating the need for individuals to complete purchase requisitions.
To receive the software send an e-mail message to Fadi
Baroody of
ITS and include your name, department, phone extension and account
number to charge. If necessary the ordering and installation process
can be coordinated through your office administrator and IRC.
Is FrontView difficult to use? How will I get training? FrontView
is easier to use and much more intuitive than the Datatel clients
we have been using for years. Upon installing the software your IRC
will give you a quick
tutorial to get you going. The TEAL Center will offer training sessions
later this fall and through the spring.
Once the new release of Datatel is available can I keep
LAN Workplace Pro or Tera Term? No, due to the changes in R18 the old
text based clients will no longer work.
Can I buy FrontView now? Yes, there are many users on campus who are
already enjoying the benefits of FrontView.
This
information is being provided far in advance so departments can plan
on the additional software expense that they will incur in 2005 when
R18 becomes available. If you have further questions about R18 or
FrontView please direct them
to Fadi
Baroody or Mark
Allen of ITS.
E-mail Out-of-Office
Reply
Going on vacation or to a conference? You can now have
your e-mail set up with an automatic out-of-office reply to let e-mail
correspondents know you are out of the office.The online request form
is easy to fill out and contains only 4 fields: your name, e-mail address,
day you want the notification message to begin and your customized message.
Upon your return please fill out the "Cancel Out-of-Office Reply Form"
that will signal the e-mail administrator to remove the auto-reply message.
You will receive an e-mail reminding you to cancel the auto-reply message.
The
Out-of-Office reply is linked from the mail ITS site at ITS or
directly at: Out-of-Office
E-mail Reply Request.
Quota
Reminder
Please
remember that your e-mail storage capacity cannot exceed 50 MB. Once
you have 50 MB of e-mail in your account you will receive a system
generated e-mail message advising you
that you have two weeks to remove e-mail items. Failure to do so
within the two week period will result in your account not receiving
any
more messages. People who attempt to e-mail you will have their messages
returned as undeliverable. The good news is that 50 MB is a very
large amount of space AND there are things you can do to manage your
e-mail.
- Delete and
purge unnecessary and old messages
- Create folders
under your Personal Folders in Outlook or Outlook Express, and
drag e-mail into them for filing
- Remove all
file attachments from messages when you receive them. These attachments
(Word documents, images, etc.) are what typically use up a user's
space
- Save old e-mail
messages that you want as reference but would not have to send
out via e-mail to your hard drive, diskette, thumb drive, etc.
- Attend a Microsoft
Outlook training session at the TEAL Center!
- Call your IRC
for a crash course in e-mail management
How
Do I . . .
Question:
Clear out the cache in Internet Explorer and why would I want to?
Answer: When
you visit a Web site using Internet Explorer the program stores certain
parts (pictures for example) of the Web sites you visit.
This speeds up the process of loading Web pages next time you go
to that page. Over
time
the space used to store these files increases and this can actually
slow down your browser! To delete these files:
- From inside
your Internet Explorer application click TOOLS at the top of the
screen
- Click on the
INTERNET OPTIONS link from the drop down menu
- The Internet
Options box will open and the General tab should be viewable
- In the Temporary
Internet Files section select DELETE FILES
- Select OK when
asked if you are sure you want to do this
- Depending on
how large the cache is it might take several minutes for all files
to be deleted. Once the hourglass goes away select OK to close
the box.
Coming
in the next edition of CyberCHANT . . .
What's going on at the TEAL Center, Quick
Guide to Student Technology, the latest on CCU's portal solution,
and more!!
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