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About CS
October 27, 2003 As the Fall semester continues, Computer Services is working to maintain current systems, address important issues, and develop ways to improve services. This report is an update on some of our current projects.Security Lessons learned from the Blaster worm and Welchia virus have focused our attention on issues regarding computer security. The drain on our resources caused by these infections was significant. A recent compilation of our departmental statistics shows that the Help Desk logged over 17,000 requests for assistance for the months of August and September. This is an increase of 24% over the same period in 2002. The total means that we were working hard and many of you were in some way inconvenienced by these infections. To stem this problem, we knew we needed a University-wide strategy. Part of our strategy was to recommend that Temple purchase a site license to distribute Symantec AntiVirus software. As I mentioned in my last message, purchase of this license was finalized. Ariel Silverstone, our Chief Information Security Officer, will formally announce the antivirus initiative this week. The strategy is to install Symantec AntiVirus software, free of charge, on all campus computers connected to the Temple network. As updated virus definitions become available, they can be installed automatically on each computer through the network. We will be counting on everyone to install the Symantec Antivirus software. If you need assistance, we will be happy to help. Partial participation in this security initiative will not work. Everyone’s cooperation is critical in order to keep all computers and Temple’s network functioning properly. Preventing the spread of computer viruses is only one aspect of computer security. We are also carefully evaluating all avenues of access to our systems, the procedures for requesting and storing information, and the warehousing facilities for our servers. Expanding Wireless Access Interest in wireless access on campus continues to grow. To use a laptop in a wireless area or to connect a laptop to the Ethernet ports in some computer labs, you must register the computer’s network card MAC address. Currently, there are 1,574 MAC addresses registered for access to these services. To support wireless as an expanding resource, we have redesigned our wireless website to offer more information and to highlight the wireless areas on campus. To view the site, go to www.temple.edu/cs/wireless. Our Telecommunications consultants are also installing the network infrastructure necessary for additional wireless areas on Temple’s campuses. The Bell Tower area is close to completion and development is underway on Liacouras Walk, the Student Lounges in the Residence Halls, as well as other buildings. Telephone Bills on the Web While the paperless office is far from a reality, we have at least taken another step in that direction by making Temple telephone bills available on the web. As Claire McNicholas mentions in her memo, “This new service eliminates the expense of printing the bills each month, the time associated with collating them, and the process of storing copies.” Users with administrative access can now review phone charges through FMS on the web or Report2Web. Computers excel at delivering this kind of information service and it is very satisfying to develop such a cost-effective and useful resource. GroupWise Migration and TUmail Computer Services continues the process of migrating all GroupWise accounts to the TUmail system. We are making progress, but the transition is not an easy one. Unlike the Nimbus migration, each department must be handled separately and each account must be evaluated individually. We still continue, however, to focus on our final goal, which is to have all Temple users on the TUmail system with an @temple.edu account. Regarding TUmail, we recently added a direct link to search the Cherry & White Pages as a menu item on the left side of the TUmail screen. We know this Temple directory is a popular resource so we wanted to give you an easier way of accessing it. Webcams Livelier On a lighter note, if you haven’t recently checked out the webcams on the CS website (www.temple.edu/cs), take a look. The views of the Bell Tower and Liacouras Walk are now live video. The cameras give a wonderful view of a vibrant and active Temple campus. Computer Services continues to look for new ways to improve services and to meet the everyday technology needs of the Temple community.
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