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Bits & PCs Archives |
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News Items for 2005 December Protect your new home computer The holiday season is here, and many households will soon be opening boxes containing exciting new computers to use for Internet searching, shopping and other online business. An alarming percentage of home users will simply unplug old equipment and replace it with the new computer. Within a short time, many of these new machines will become infected with viruses, spyware and adware. Many will require expensive, time-consuming professional service. Instructional technology featured in ‘Faculty Herald' An article on instructional technology at Temple by Timothy O'Rourke, vice president of computer and information services, appears in the latest edition of the Temple University Faculty Herald. In the article, O'Rourke details the various technology resources currently available to the faculty, as well as projects in development. Fake e-mail from CIA or FBI spreads W32.Sober virus Ken Ihrer, chief information security and privacy officer, notified the Temple community last week to be on the lookout for a fake e-mail message that appears to come from the FBI or CIA. Macromedia features Temple's Web Complex A case study on Temple's successful implementation of the Web Complex is currently featured on the Macromedia Web site. Launched in January, the Web Complex allows for even the most novice user to build and maintain a Web site. With an easy signup system, the complex has seen a 75 percent growth in site requests since the launch. The case study documents the project's challenges, solutions and benefits. November New software deals available to students, faculty, and staff In a world of over-priced everything, nothing hits home like a sweet steal of a deal. In partnership with JourneyEd, Inc., Temple University is giving faculty and staff just that. Last fall, in partnership with JourneyEd, Temple University introduced the Microsoft Student Select program to all current students. This program allows students to purchase popular Microsoft software at over 60% off the list price. Now, the program has been expanded to allow Temple faculty and staff to enjoy the same savings. Unlike Temple’s Software Site Licensing Program, this benefit is designed for personal use. New benefits have been added for students as well. In addition to the current savings on Microsoft software, Temple students can now purchase Adobe Acrobat Professional and Creative Suite at over 50% off the list price. Creative Suite, an integrated design environment, which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, GoLive, InDesign, and Acrobat, is now available for $199.98. Students can also purchase a standalone version of Acrobat Professional for just $49.98! It’s easy to take advantage of the latest software titles without breaking the bank. For more information on the discounted prices and to purchase software, visit http://www.journeyed.com/select. Security Tip: Destroy your data At a time when we hear almost daily warnings about computer viruses, worms, phishing, and hackers, it may surprise you to learn that one of the most common forms of computer attack doesn’t even happen on a computer. It happens in a trash can. Criminals literally search through the trash at landfills looking for information. This so-called “dumpster diving” is one of the major sources of the personal information that enables criminals to steal your identity. Last year, more that 500,000 Americans were surprised to discover that their bank accounts had been emptied, major purchases had been made with their credit cards, loans had been acquired in their names, and countless other fraudulent transactions had been executed by strangers who had stolen their identities. Paper documents that contain personal information such as Social Security numbers, grades, health-related information, or financial information must not only be discarded, they must be destroyed. Experts recommend that these documents be burned or shredded prior to disposal. Generally, there are two types of small shredders: strip-cut and cross-cut. Of these two, cross-cut do a better job of destroying the information. A reliable cross-cut home shredder can be purchased for as little as $40, a true bargain when you consider the cost of trying to recover your good name and credit rating. TECH Center update Construction on the TECH Center continues through the month of November, with installation of computers and other technology scheduled for December. ITUG to focus on Flash On Thursday, Nov. 17, the Instructional Technology Users Group will feature an event on Macromedia's Flash MX 2004 Professional software. Flash Professional enables faculty to create streaming audio and/or video presentations that can be viewed within Blackboard. With a graphic interface similar to the slide format used in PowerPoint, faculty can create a video presentation of a lecture, an audio commentary with animation or any other type of educational tutorial. The content can then be streamed over the Internet from within a Blackboard course. Security tip: Backup your data Making a backup copy of your data is not a new idea. You've probably heard it over and over: “Be sure to back up your data.” But even though it's not a new idea, making a regular backup of your important data is the single most effective thing that you can do to protect your data against computer viruses, worms and Trojan horses, as well as lightning, power surges and system crashes. Consider yourself lucky if you have never lost a Word document, a spreadsheet or some other important file. Although backing up your data is a basic operation, many users are unsure how to select the proper files and how to perform a good backup procedure. Remember, it is only necessary to back up your data files. You don't need to include the operating system or your programs. Most people are surprised to discover that all of their data may fit on a few floppy disks or on one CD. October Security tip: Don't forget to lock your computer An unattended, running PC is an invitation to violations of your privacy and leaves your system open to compromise. It may not always be convenient or practical to shut down your computer if you only plan to be gone for a short time. Generally, there are two convenient ways to secure your computer while you are temporarily away: using a password-protected screen saver with a timed display, or manually locking your computer's operating system. Colleges participate in course scheduling pilot program At the request of the Office of Planning and Policy Analysis, Computer Services is developing a Web-based course scheduling application called the Section Information Management System. Check your junkmail folder TUmail has a junk mail filter that flags spam messages and places them in your junk mail folder. Messages remain in your junk mail folder for 30 days and are then deleted. Mail filtering is not perfect, however, since spam messages are sometimes overlooked, while legitimate messages are flagged as junk mail. Blackboard acquires WebCT This week, Blackboard, the course management system used by Temple, issued a major press release announcing the upcoming acquisition of WebCT for $180 million at the end of this year. Watch out for phishing scams Last week, a fraudulent e-mail message was sent to some Temple e-mail accounts urging recipients to click on a link to update their PayPal account information. While the message appeared legitimate, it was in fact a “phishing” scam, designed to steal personal information. A phishing scam usually directs recipients to a fraudulent Web site, where they are tricked into divulging sensitive information, such as Social Security Numbers, passwords, and credit card numbers. Remember that reputable companies do not send out these types of messages. Even if an e-mail message appears to be legitimate, be extra wary anytime you are asked to verify or enter personal information. The safest bet is usually to just delete the message or contact the company by phone. In addition to PayPal, other recent e-mail scams have appeared to come from Citibank, Amazon, Washington Mutual, and eBay. If you fell victim to such a scam by providing confidential information, immediately contact the Computer Services Help Desk at 215-204-8000. For more information on phishing and ways to protect yourself from this scam technique, please go to: http://www.temple.edu/cs/security/phishing Security Tip: Beware of the malware Malware is a term used to describe all of the types of malicious code that can attack your computer. A virus is malicious computer code that attaches a copy of itself to other programs or documents on your computer. Some viruses may simply cause your computer to display a rude message on your screen on a specific date, but others can cause serious damage by corrupting programs or data, deleting files, or even erasing your hard drive. A worm is a special type of malware that spreads from one computer to another and is self-replicating. It is totally self-contained and does not need to infect one of your programs to do its damage. Worms often hide inside other files, such as Microsoft® Word or Excel documents, which is why you must be careful when downloading such documents from an unfamiliar source. A Trojan horse is malware that disguises itself as a normal program. The program may seem like a useful tool, such as a calendar or photo editor. When you download and run the program, it can cause serious damage to your hard drive. You may not even be aware until later that the damage has occurred. Fortunately, Temple 's Symantec AntiVirus can detect, quarantine, and repair the side effects of these and other types of malware. Make sure that your computer has this required protection by visiting the Temple antivirus Web site at antivirus.temple.edu. Security Tip: Don’t forget to protect your home computer Check your junk mail folder Advice available on purchasing computers If you have any questions or need help with technology-related purchases, contact Computer Business Services at 215-204-5000. September Wireless Expands to Tyler School of Art Computer Services continues to expand the number of wireless zones on various campuses for laptop and PDA use. In addition to existing sites, wireless access is now available on the Tyler School of Art campus. Wireless areas include various locations in Penrose Hall and Tyler Hall as well as on the front yard of Tyler Hall. Recycle Old University-Owned Computer Equipment There's a home for all of your old computer equipment — the Computer Recycling Center. All departments with a budget code are eligible to submit surplus computer equipment to the CRC. Fill out the online Computer Surplus Form, and the CRC will come out and pick up your University-owned equipment. The surplus form is available online at http://crc.temple.edu. Security Tip: Make Changing Your Password a Priority Your AccessNet password is a vital key to many important resources as well as personal information on Temple's systems. It is critical to keep your password secure by not sharing it with others and by changing it on a regular basis. Check Your Junk Mail Folder TUmail has a junk mail filter that flags spam messages and places them in your junk mail folder. Messages remain in your junk mail folder for 30 days and are then deleted. Mail filtering is not perfect, however, since spam messages are sometimes overlooked, while legitimate messages are flagged as junk mail. Classroom Participation Goes High Tech To encourage active classroom participation, some faculty are using a Classroom Response System called TurningPoint. TurningPoint works using RF (radio frequency) wireless technology and consists of software, response pads, and a receiver. The software integrates with PowerPoint by adding another toolbar from which instructors can easily insert all types of question slides directly into new or existing PowerPoint files. When complete, instructors display the presentation like any other PowerPoint presentation, but when a question slide is displayed, students can respond using response pads. Student responses are collected through a receiver, which simply plugs into a USB port on the computer. The instructor can select for the responses to be collected either anonymously or tracked. There is also a team mode. At the end of the presentation, responses can be saved and reports can be generated and exported to Excel. In addition to the classroom use, TurningPoint technology was recently featured on September 15 at Ambler's TU Idol Contest sponsored by the Office of Student Life (Ambler Program Board) in Bright Hall Lounge. Adapted from the TV Show American Idol , several talented Temple students entered the contest singing their favorite rock, metal, pop, or rap tune. There were 70+ students who cast their votes for contestants using response pads. If you'd like to learn more about the TurningPoint, please contact the Instructional Support Center at 215-204-0789. Information is also available on the Classroom Response Systems Web page where students can also register their response pads. To view the site, go to: www.temple.edu/cs/students/crs.htm Security Tip: Automate Windows Update To ensure that you stay current with the latest Windows security patches, set up your computer to automatically download and install the updates. Easy-to-follow setup instructions are available online at: www.temple.edu/cs/windowsupdateinstructions.htm If you have any questions, Help Desk consultants are ready to assist you by phone at 215-204-8000 or by e-mail at help@temple.edu.Tuttleman Open Around the Clock To accommodate the growing demand for around-the-clock, on-campus computer access, the Tuttleman Scholars Information Center is now open for Temple students 24 hours a day from Sunday through Friday evening. On weekends, the 100-workstation lab is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Sundays starting at noon. For more information on Temple University computer labs, go to: Residence Hall Students Get Connected During move-in weekend and the first week of classes, Computer Services consultants were out in force helping residence hall students connect to Temple's network. As of noon on Friday, Sept. 9, the total number of residence hall students who had successfully registered for Internet service was 4,009. eSuds Web-based Laundry Monitoring Service Available Computer Services and the Office of University Housing are introducing eSuds this semester as Temple's new Web-based laundry monitoring system. This system accepts Diamond Dollars for laundry, but with added features, such as Web site viewing of available laundry machines and monitoring of the laundry cycle progress, including the option for the system to send an e-mail or text message to a cell phone when a cycle is complete. For more information on eSuds, go to http://myhousing.temple.edu. Online Meal Plan Signup for Off-Campus Students Computer Services and the Office of University Housing and Dining Services are pleased to announce the revision of the semester meal plan signup process. New Seminar Schedule Released The new Computer Services seminar schedule for the fall semester is now available online. Topics such as Excel XP and Access XP are back by popular demand. New topics, such as Excel and PowerPoint 2003, certificate programs for Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint 2003 will also be offered. Current students, faculty and staff are welcome to take advantage of these free computer seminars. Discounted Microsoft Software Available for Temple Students Temple University students can save up to 60% off the regular academic prices on the following Microsoft products:
Temple University and Journey Education Marketing Company have joined together to make these special prices available to all Temple University students. The software is available through online purchases only. For purchases, please visit: Students will be required to provide proof of enrollment at Temple University via an electronic verification form. All major credit cards are accepted. Enhancements to OWLnet Several enhancements were made to OWLnet to significantly improve the interactive experience for undergraduate students:
Add Your Phone Numbers to the Do Not Call List To prevent telemarketers from making calls to your home and/or cell phone, you can register your phone number on the Federal Trade Commission’s “Do Not Call” list. Telemarketers obtain this list on periodic basis so they know the phone numbers that are off limits. To register your home and/or cell phone number, call 1-888-382-1222 or go online to http:www.donotcall.gov. Temple Recognized in CIO Magazine's "Bold 100" Temple University has been recognized for its technology efforts in CIO Magazine’s "Bold 100." The magazine selected organizations based on their willingness to embrace significant risk for the sake of great reward. Temple’s Computer Services, under the leadership of Vice President Timothy O’Rourke, accepted the award at the conclusion of the CIO 100 Conference and Symposium held August 21-23 in Coronado, California. Technology at Temple Guide Available The Princeton Review ranked Temple University #4 in their America's Most Connected Campuses survey for a reason. To find out why, check out an overview of Temple's computer resources in the Fall semester's Technology at Temple guide, available in computer labs, the Help Desk, and also online in Acrobat format at: http://www.temple.edu/cs//TechnologyatTemple.pdf Timothy O'Rourke, Vice President of Computer and Information Services, has updated his online Welcome message with a status report on major Computer Services initiatives such as The TECH Center, TUportal2, and start of the semester activities. To read the message, go to: http://www.temple.edu/cs/about/ Construction continues on The TECH Center at 12th St. and Montgomery Avenue. The TECH Center, a state of the art technology facility with over 600 computers available for student use, will be the largest of its kind in the nation. Features include specialized multimedia labs, breakout rooms for group study, wireless lounge space, and a Starbucks café. The Center will also provide Cable TV stations streamed to the lab workstation desktops so students can watch MTV, listen to music, and surf the Web while they work. Introducing TUportal2 Computer Services has a new TUportal waiting in the wings and we need your feedback! An Campus EAI Consortium grant earlier this year allowed Computer Services staff to build and create a new portal for the University community. While the current portal is limited for expansion possibilities, the new Oracle-driven product allows for more flexibility, customization, and control. You can find everything on the portal you could always depend on and much more. Some of the new features include: July SSN to TUid Conversion Process Now Complete - Begin Using Your New OWLcard The final conversion process from Social Security numbers to TUids is now complete and starting today, your new OWLcard is ready for use. For more information on this major security milestone, see Vice President Timothy O'Rourke's message to the University community. June Computerworld Names Temple to "Best Places to Work in IT" List (6/30/05) Computerworld has named Temple to its 12th annual list of the “Best Places to Work in IT,” placing Temple on par with many of the country's top companies. The list of the top 100 work environments for IT professionals is part of Computerworld's June 27 issue. The Temple Times has also written a feature on the accomplishment. May Apply for Discounted Verizon Service Online (5/26/05) In an ongoing effort to make telephone services easier to access and use, the Office of Telecommunications announces a new enhancement to their Web site. Temple employees can now apply online to take advantage of the discounts offered by Verizon Wireless. Verizon Wireless offers University employees a 15% discount on all monthly access fees exceeding $34.99 and a 25% discount on cellular accessories. Using their on-campus computers, employees can easily register their existing Verizon service, sign up for new service, or purchase accessories. To take advantage of this new online feature, go to the Office of Telecommunications' Web site at http://www.temple.edu/cs/telecommunications/cellular.htm. Then, scroll down to Personal Verizon Wireless Cellular Service for Temple Employees and click on the Verizon Wireless logo. Make Changing Your Password a Priority (5/26/05) As you know, your AccessNet password is an vital key to many important resources as well as personal information on Temple's systems. Please remember that it is critical to keep your password secure by not sharing it with others and by changing it on a regular basis. A good password is easy for you to remember and hard for someone else to guess. It should also include numbers as well as letters. For example, you can base it on the initials of a song, song lyrics, a book title, or a show, and also add some numbers to make it harder to guess. Characters such as # ? . and " are also acceptable. When you are ready to change your password, just follow the instructions on the Web at: http://accounts.temple.edu/passwordThis simple process only takes a few minutes. Your privacy is well worth the effort. Computer Worm Spreads Spam in German Language (5/26/05) A computer worm that sends political e-mail messages in German is currently in circulation. The worm is a variant of the Sober mass mailing worm. The TUmail spam filter has been updated to block the steady stream of spam messages produced by this worm. However, there are already 72 known variations of the spam which continues the stream of unwanted e-mail. The spam messages do not appear to damage computers. Nonetheless, if you receive an unexpected e-mail message in German, do not click on any of the links or attachments associated with the message. Instead, just delete it. In addition, as always, keep your antivirus software up to date. Are Your Forms Ready for the TUid? (5/5/05) With the upcoming introduction of the new TUid, please don’t forget that all Temple forms must comply with the University’s policies on personal identity protection. The TUid will replace the Social Security Number as the primary means of identifying students, faculty and staff. This change will affect the way offices communicate and will require modifications to departmental, preprinted and Web-based forms. Every department is responsible for changing their own developed forms by September 30 to conform to the University’s Social Security Number Usage Policy and Procedures. These policies are available online at: Social Security Number Usage Policy: In addition, if you currently use the Temple “T” and/or the words “Temple University” on any forms, please review the new Temple Graphic Identity Standards available online at http://www.temple.edu/logos. Once you log in to this site with your AccessNet username and password, you will also be able to download the new Temple logo. For more information on the TUid, go to the project Web site at http://ssn2tuid.temple.edu. If you have any questions, please send e-mail to ssn2tuid@temple.edu. Stay Connected After Graduation (5/5/05) If you are graduating and wish to keep your Temple e-mail address, you can take advantage of a special program through Temple’s Alumni office. Normally, your e-mail account is closed 90 days after the end of the semester. You can retain your Temple e-mail account for free for one year, however, by signing up for TUmail for alumni.To participate in this program, watch for a message in your account notifying you that your e-mail account will be closed. The e-mail will include a link that takes you to the Alumni Web site where you can log in and sign up with your AccessNet username and password. Once you sign up, you can use your familiar TUmail account for another year and automatically become a member of Temple's Online Alumni Community, where you can post class notes, post and view jobs and resumes in the career center, search the online alumni directory and more! April Computer Lab Hours Extended for Finals (4/28/05) With finals fast approaching, keep note of the extended hours for Temple computer labs. The Paley computer lab will open at 8:00 a.m., Thursday, April 28, and remain open until 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 11. The Tuttleman computer lab will open at noon on April 24 and also remain open until 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 11. For more information on Temple computer labs, go to http://www.temple.edu/cs/labs. Preview the Heart of the TECH Center (4/28/05) Temple’s plans for the upcoming TECH Center opening in Spring 2006 are well underway. Among the many components that make up the Center, the primary lab stands as the heart of the facility. Open 24 hours a day, Sunday through Friday, the primary lab will occupy the entire second floor of the building and feature over 600 general-use computers as well as 100 loaner laptops. Included will be a mix of Windows PC and Macintosh workstations. Some workstation areas will be clustered to allow group work, while others will set up for individual work. With such a large area, the lab will be subdivided into “neighborhoods” so that students can easily locate each other. This also allows for some subdivided areas to be closed off, if needed, due to slow periods (late nights early in the semester). Other interesting facets of the primary lab include mini-lounges throughout the level featuring open tables and browsing stations, custom-made computer furniture to meet student’s needs, and also mounted television units wired with cable access. For more information, visit the TECH Center Web site at http://www.temple.edu/cs/techcenter. This site has all the latest news and developments and also showcases a gallery of pictures and artist renditions of the building. Pilot Program to Test New Classroom Tool (4/28/05) During the Summer Semester, Temple University will participate in an exciting new pilot program to test an interactive software application called NetOp School. NetOp School is designed to connect an instructor’s computer with student computers in a networked-classroom environment. The program provides a variety of tools allowing an instructor to perform many highly useful tasks. The instructor, for example, can monitor or take control of student computers, broadcast to an individual or the entire class, send messages, transfer files, and more. NetOp School is installed in Tuttleman computer classrooms 8 and 9. If you would like more information on the pilot program, please contact an Instruction Support Services consultant at 1-0797. Student Elections Go Totally Electronic (4/21/05) Students cast their votes for Temple Student Government on April 12 and 13 solely using the UVote Web site developed by Computer Services. Paper ballots were available but they were not used. In order to vote, students logged in to uvote.temple.edu using their AccessNet username and password. The site was designed to automatically restrict students from voting more than once. Over 3,000 votes were cast. Request Cartridge Replacements Through LaserLife Program (4/21/05) Computer Services administers a toner cartridge replacement program for Hewlett-Packard laser printers called LaserLife. This program was created by SOMA, one of the University’s hardware maintenance providers.Under the LaserLife program, departments are able to purchase replacement toner cartridges for printers. The cartridges are available with or without a maintenance option. If you purchase a LaserLife cartridge with maintenance, the cost of printer repairs is covered while the cartridge is being used in the printer. You may also purchase a “LaserLife Cartridge Only” replacement, which does not include maintenance. If you need help determining the benefits of the Laser Life Cartridge Maintenance program versus your current printer maintenance contract, please contact Computer Business Services at 1-5000.When you place your order, please indicate “LaserLife Cartridge with Maintenance” or “LaserLife Cartridge Only” on the requisition. Upon receiving an order, SOMA will deliver new cartridges and pick up the used ones. For additional information about this program as well as instructions on how to order, please go to the Computer Business Services website (www.temple.edu/cs/business) and click on “Hardware Maintenance.” Residence Hall Information Posted for Summer Conferences (4/21/05) During the summer, a number of students live in the residence halls while attending conferences held at Temple. The Office of Telecommunications announces that telephone and Internet service information for these students is now available at: http://www.temple.edu/cs/telecommunications/summerconference.htm This site includes a basic telephone user’s guide, information about jack locations, and instructions for placing long distance and international calls. Summer Initiatives Planned to Enhance Security (4/14/05) Over the summer, Computer Services will continue to enhance security at Temple by eliminating the use of FTP and telnet protocols on the Astro sytem. The functionality that these protocols provide is replaced by SSH software for Windows, and MacSSH and FUGU for the Mac. These software programs are available at no charge for Temple students, faculty, and staff from the Help Desk download site (download.temple.edu). To download software from this site, you must use Internet Explorer and log in with your AccessNet username and password.Also in the summer, Computer Services will discontinue mail forwarding for various e-mail addresses that make reference to retired Temple systems. These addresses include mail.temple.edu, mail.is.temple.edu, eop.temple.edu, astro.temple.edu, unix.temple.edu, thunder.temple.edu, tempest.temple.edu, and tornado.temple.edu. If you still use any of these e-mail addresses, please be aware that any mail directed to these systems will no longer be delivered after June 30. More details about these initiatives will be announced in the near future. Computer Services to Survey Schools and Colleges on Software (4/14/05) In ongoing preparation for the upcoming TECH Center, Computer Services will do a follow-up survey of Schools and Colleges to determine the software needs of the TECH Center. The TECH Center will offer access to 600 computer workstations and 100 laptops that students will use to complete academic coursework. Request for participation in the online survey will be sent to the Schools and Colleges by e-mail. Beware of Windows Update E-mail Message (4/14/05) A bogus e-mail message is now in circulation notifying users of an important Windows security update. The Subject line contains "Urgent Windows Update" or "Important Windows Update." The body of the message includes a link for a Web site that claims to provide a critical Windows update. If you click on the link, your computer becomes infected with a virus.Microsoft does not send e-mail messages about Windows Update unless you have subscribed to its notification service. Information about the validity of security-related Microsoft messages is available on their Web site at: http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/authenticate_mail.mspxComputer Services is aware of this new bogus e-mail will work with Symantec and Sophos to automatically prevent infection.The best way to protect yourself from this type of scam is to set up your computer to automatically obtain Windows Updates. Instructions for setting up this feature are available online at: http://www.temple.edu/cs/windowsupdateinstructions.htm In addition, please exercise caution before you click on any link in an e-mail message. SSN Conversion Process Moves Forward (4/7/05) Last week, Computer Services completed a major milestone in support of Temple’s goal to convert each Social Security number to a TUid as a means for identifying students, faculty and staff. Approximately 900,000 unique identification numbers were assigned to all student records dating back to 1963 and to all employee records dating back to 1984. Centrally maintained administrative systems were also modified to begin assigning the TUid to newly added records.This conversion was completed in preparation for the new OWLcard, which will replace the current Temple ID card. The newly designed card will also contain a hologram for added security. Student and faculty OWLcards are tentatively scheduled to be distributed in early May, prior to the end of Spring semester, and employee cards will be distributed in June.Although everyone at Temple has been assigned a TUid, the number will not officially come into use until early this summer. Computer Services will announce the official TUid conversion day by e-mail and, on this day, students, faculty and staff will begin to use the new OWLcard. Once the official conversion has taken place, old ID cards will be invalid so everyone will be urged to dispose of them by shredding or cutting them up. If you have any questions regarding this project or the new TUid, please send e-mail to ssn2tuid@temple.edu. Technology Group to Spotlight Streaming Media (4/7/05) On Thursday, April 14, at noon, faculty and staff members are invited to the attend the Instructional Technologies Users Group event in Tuttleman Learning Center, Room 209. Dr. Steven Kreinberg, Associate Professor of Music History in the Boyer College of Music and Dance, will discuss techniques for creating streaming audio and/or video presentations within Flash. Dr. Kreinberg will demonstrate samples he has developed for students in his classes. Staff will also be present to discuss relevant copyright issues, as well as address questions related to the use of streaming media and Blackboard. Let TUmail Reply to Your E-mail While You’re Away (4/7/05) If you are preparing to take a vacation, consider adding an automatic e-mail reply in your list of things to do. An automatic e-mail reply, sometimes known as “vacation message,” is a short message that notifies anyone who sends you e-mail that you are not available to reply. In the message, for example, you can list the dates you will be away and, if you work in an office, name a backup contact person in case someone needs assistance and can’t wait for you to return.To create an automatic reply message in TUmail, click on “Options” on the left of the TUmail window and select “Automatic Reply.” Next, type a Subject for your reply and then type your message. When you finish, click on “Start.” Now, when e-mail is sent to your account, the sender will automatically receive your reply. If you want, you can check that this option is working by sending yourself a test message. You will see that the test message will arrive in your Inbox as well as your automatic reply. (Note that if a sender sends multiple messages to your account during a seven-day period, he or she will receive only one automatic reply.) To stop the automatic reply option, perform the same steps, but instead of “Start,” select “Stop.” March Computer Security is Everyone's Responsibility (3/30/05) Timothy C. O'Rourke, Vice President of Computer and Information Services, released a memo to the University Community on March 25 on the importance of computer security in helping to prevent identity theft. The memo outlines Computer Services efforts to safeguard Temple’s systems and presents tips for protecting your personal information.To read the memo, go to: http://www.temple.edu/cs/VPannouncements/computersecurity.html Tips for TUmail Quota Crunching (3/30/05) It’s like having too many clothes in your closet, or too many things in the trunk of your car, or too many things in your handbag. In the same sense, your TUmail account has a space limit as well. When the quota is reached, no more mail can be received or sent. To avoid maxing out your account, it is a good idea to periodically go through and weed out messages you no longer need. Below are five quick tips to help you clear out the clutter in your account.1. Empty the Trash folder. To do this, click on Empty next to Trash on the left side of your screen.If the Empty Trash option does not appear, perform the following steps: a. Click on Preferences. b. Click on Yes next to Delete to Trash. c. Click on OK at the bottom of the screen.(Note that messages older than 30 days in your Trash folder are automatically deleted.)2. Sort your Inbox by size by clicking on Size in the header bar. You will most likely find that your largest messages include attachments. Delete the larger messages you no longer need or open and save the attachments to your computer and then delete them from your Inbox.3. Clean out your Sent mail folder. You can use the same strategy above by clicking on Size in the header bar and clearing out the largest messages. It’s also a good idea perform this same process on any other folders you may have in your account such as old mail folders marked “Mail.”4. Delete any unwanted messages from your Junk Mail folder. To view your Junk Mail folder, click on Folders and then Junk Mail. To delete all the messages shown on the screen, click on Select in the header area to place a check mark next to all the messages. You can then click on Delete. If you see a message you wish to keep, click on Move to move it to the Inbox. (Note that messages older than 30 days in your Junk Mail folder are automatically deleted.) 5. When you have finished cleaning, be sure to empty the Trash folder again to actually delete all unnecessary messages. Your efforts will be reflected in the quota bar at the top of the screen. These tips are also available on the Web at: http://www.temple.edu/cs/tumail. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact the Help Desk at 215-204-8000. Shape Up Your Technology Skills (3/30/05) Just a reminder that in addition to “Getting Started with Blackboard 6,” the complete series of PowerPoint XP seminars—Basics, Advanced, and Charts & Graphics—is being offered at the Ambler Campus during April. In the coming months, a full range of Computer Services seminars is also available on Main Campus. Topics include Word 2003, Access 2003, FrontPage, Outlook 2003, TUmail, and TU Group Calendar. These seminars are free to current Temple students, faculty, and staff. For a complete list of seminar topics and to register online, go to: Magnifying Glass Software Available (3/23/05) Do you find yourself squinting at certain parts of the screen to read small text? Then try a nifty program called Virtual Magnifying Glass—a Windows-based program available on the Help Desk Download Web site (http://download.temple.edu). Virtual Magnifying Glass is a free, open source program distributed by SourceForge.net. The program places an icon in the System Tray, on the lower right corner of the screen. When you click on this icon, a moveable window appears that enlarges text and graphics. By right-clicking on the icon, you can set options, such as the magnification level and window size. Full SSN Removed from Student Bills (3/23/05) As part of the University's ongoing effort to replace the Social Security number with the TUid as the primary identifier for students, faculty and employees, the full Social Security number has been removed from the student bill. In the past, the Social Security number was printed in two locations on the bill and it was used to process and post payments in Temple 's student system and OWLnet. Students now see only the last four digits of their Social Security number printed on the top of the bill and a unique number embedded in the remittance stub. This summer, when the full system conversion to the TUid is complete, the last four digits of the Social Security number will be replaced with the nine-digit TUid in the top portion of the bill. This change required reprogramming and system and integration testing by PNC Bank and Computer Services and was completed ahead of the July target date. Exploring Turnitin (3/23/05) Turnitin is a plagiarism detection application that quickly identifies students who submit unoriginal work. Beyond a plagiarism detection tool, Turnitin has the ability to promote originality in student work as well as improve student writing and research skills. Please join us on Wednesday, March 30th in room 209 of the Tuttleman Learning Center from noon to 1:00 p.m., where faculty and staff will discuss the capabilities of Turnitin as both a learning tool and an application to deter plagiarism. In addition, faculty will provide a live demonstration of Turnitin in action through the Blackboard system and members of the library staff will share their experience with plagiarism issues. Help Desk Initiates PC Clinic (3/16/05) In response to the dramatic increase in the number of computers compromised by viruses and spyware, the Help Desk has created a new free consulting service called the PC Clinic. A PC Clinic session consists of a small group of students, faculty or staff who work with an assigned Help Desk consultant to troubleshoot and repair their own computers. By taking an active role in the process, participants learn preventive measures for avoiding similar problems in the future. The PC Clinic is open to students, faculty and staff by appointment only. To schedule a session, contact the Help Desk at 204-8000. Filter Out Unwanted E-mails (3/16/05) Approximately 65 percent of Temple’s incoming mail is classified as spam, a figure similar to the national average. The TUmail spam filters are on the job working to block out this enormous amount of junk mail from reaching your account. While filtering goes on automatically behind the scenes, you can maximize this process by taking advantage of several TUmail options. If you log in to the TUmail site, you will see a link to the junk mail folder on menu list. Click on this folder and review your messages. You will not only see how much junk mail never reaches your account, but you may also see messages that should not have been filtered out. If you see a legitimate message: 1. Open the message. 2. Go to the “From” line, click on “This is Not Spam” and then click on OK to accept the default options. TUmail will add this sender’s e-mail address to your White List and move the message to your Inbox. Alternatively, the TUmail junk mail filter eliminates most but not all spam from reaching your Inbox. To prevent receiving future messages from a sender: 1. Open the unwanted message in your Inbox. 2. Go to the “From” line, click on “This is Spam,” and then click on OK to accept the default options. TUmail will then add the sender’s address to your Black List and move the message to the Junk Mail folder. For additional information on using the various TUmail options, go to: www.temple.edu/cs/tumail Diamond Dollars Web Site Gets Makeover (3/2/05) Diamond Dollars is a debit account that provides Temple students, faculty, and staff with a convenient way to make purchases on campus. Just deposit funds into your account, and you will no longer need to carry cash around campus. Instead, you can simply swipe your Temple ID card, and the purchase amount will be automatically deducted from your account. The past several years have been a great period of growth for the Diamond Dollars program, both in usage and increased variety of services available. To reflect the increased popularity of the program, the Diamond Dollars Web site has recently been redesigned and expanded. According to Scott Brannan, assistant director of the Diamond Dollars Office, “the Web site still had the original design and needed to reflect some new energy to our users.” Using the Diamond Dollars Web site, you can add funds to your account, check your account balance, and check your purchase history. The site also contains general program information, such as a list of participating vendors, frequently asked questions, rules and regulations, contact names and phone numbers, and procedures for reporting lost cards. The view the Diamond Dollars Web site, please visit: http://diamonddollars.temple.edu Keep Current on New Computer Viruses (3/2/05) Even though Temple has antivirus protection, you should be aware that there are several viruses causing trouble across the Internet. One of the viruses is the latest form of the Bropia worm – W32.Bropia.R. This version spreads through MSN Messenger and releases the Spybot worm. The message displays a cartoon featuring a toothbrush. It also includes a Web address that downloads the virus to your computer if you click on the link. Once the virus is on your computer, you will no longer have access to MSN Messenger as the worm will send out copies of itself to all of your Instant Messenger contacts. Removing the virus is difficult because it can shut down your antivirus software. If you receive this message, do not click on the Web address. If you did click on the link, contact the Help Desk at 215-204-8000. Another virus currently in circulation via e-mail is the latest version of the Mydoom virus - W32.Mydoom.AX@mm. The From address and text of the message varies. The virus does damage through a method called keystroking which records everything you type on your computer keyboard, including passwords and credit card numbers. Once your computer is infected, it will scan your hard disk for other e-mail addresses and send them the virus as well. As always, please maintain the antivirus software on your computer. Temple’s on-campus antivirus software automatically loads new virus definitions to your computer when you connect to Temple’s network.Also, be vigilant about clicking on links or opening attachments included in e-mail messages. If the message looks suspicious or if it comes from an unknown source, don't click on any links or open any attachments. Instead, just delete the entire message. You can also stay up-to-date on the latest virus information at the Computer Services Information Security Web site at: http://www.temple.edu/cs/security/index.htm The Web site features a list of current viruses in circulation along with a link to the Symantec Web site. Symantec provides details about each virus so you can look out for them in your e-mail messages.In addition to maintaining antivirus software on your computer, it is also very important that you run Windows Update. For instructions on how to run Windows Update, go to: http://www.temple.edu/cs/windowsupdateinstructions.htm February DARS Report Enhancement (2/24/05) Computer Services has greatly improved the readability of the undergraduate DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System) audit by incorporating the following enhancements:
Undergraduate students can access the DARS report online through OWLnet on the tuportal.temple.edu Web site. The reports are also available to advisers via OWLink. Take Measures to Prevent Computer Problems (2/24/05) Last week, a large number of Residence Hall students experienced computer problems when their Windows XP systems became infected with spyware and malicious software. Students noticed that their computer’s performance was slow and that access to the network was sluggish. In every case, students could have avoided this problem if they had applied the Windows critical security updates that Microsoft releases periodically. Everyone should be aware that while antivirus software can protect a system to a certain extent, it cannot prevent systems from being attacked if there is a vulnerability that must be addressed by Windows Updates. If you have not done so already, Computer Services strongly urges you to take the time to set up your system to automatically obtain Windows Updates. Instructions are available on the Computer Services Web site at: http://www.temple.edu/cs/windowsupdateinstructions.htm Please understand that these kinds of computer infection issues are not specific to Temple; they are a global reality. If you fail to maintain your system with Windows Updates, and antivirus and antispyware software, your computer will eventually become infected, no matter where you are connected. While Computer Services will try to assist you as much as possible, it is ultimately your responsibility to safeguard your system. For information on antivirus and antispyware software, please see the Computer Services Information Security Web site at: http://www.temple.edu/cs/security Also, for more details about computer security, including a statistical overview of current computer threats, please see the Welcome message posted by Timothy O’Rourke, Vice President for Computer and Information Services, on the Computer Services Web site at: http://www.temple.edu/cs/about SSN to TUid Conversion Checklist Available (2/17/05) Activities are well underway to replace the Social Security Number with the new nine-digit TUid as the primary means for uniquely identifying students, faculty, and staff at Temple University. The project has wide ranging central and departmental computer system impact. This initiative will also change the way administrative offices can request personal information from individuals requiring services. A Social Security Number (SSN) Conversion Checklist has been added to the http://ssn2tuid.temple.edu project Web site to prepare and guide departments in the transition to the use of the new TUid. To review the guidelines, click on Conversion Checklist on the site under General Info. If you have any questions concerning this checklist, please send e-mail to ssn2tuid@temple.edu. Don't Get Hooked by Phishing Scams (2/17/05) Along with spam and viruses, a new online danger called phishing has emerged. The term phishing (pronounced fishing) is used because scammers try to reel you in to take their bait. “Phishers” present themselves as familiar, legitimate businesses in order to first gain your trust and then acquire your personal information.Phishers send out e-mail messages that look official because they use the stolen logos and mimicked patterns of banks, credit card companies, and brokerage firms in an attempt to direct you to their Web site. For example, the messages may appear to come from banks such as Mellon, Washington Mutual, or Citibank or businesses such as PayPal or e-Bay. Often, the messages request that you update your information by clicking on a link. Once you go to the bogus site that looks legitimate, you will be asked to enter passwords, credit card, bank, or Social Security Numbers, or other personal information. If you enter this information, scammers will have access to illegally use your account.For more information on phishing and ways to protect yourself from this scam technique, please go to: http://www.temple.edu/cs/security/phishing Recycle Your Old Computer Equipment (2/17/05) There's a home for all of your old computer equipment – the Computer Recycling Center (CRC). All departments with a budget code are eligible to submit old equipment to the CRC. Just fill out a surplus form and the CRC staff will come out and pick up your Temple University-owned equipment. The surplus form is available online on the Computer Recycling Center at: You can also recycle personal computer equipment through a regional Southeastern Pennsylvania drop-off program funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. For more information on dates in your area, go to: http://www.phila.gov/streets/HhwReg2005map.pdf For more information on the Computer Recycling Center, call 1-4749 or send e-mail to:Seminar Web Site Redesigned with New Enhancements (2/10/05) Computer Services offers free hands-on training seminars for students, faculty, and staff on a variety of computer topics such as Microsoft Office, TUmail, Web authoring tools, and Photoshop. Building on the popularity and convenience of browsing and registering for seminars online, the seminar Web site has been redesigned and enhanced with a number of new features. Seminar listings are now updated on a daily basis. The popular calendar feature that appeared in the back of the printed schedule has been added to the new site. In addition, the seminar registration process has been improved. For example, after you register, you will receive an e-mail confirming your registration or informing you that the seminar is full. If the seminar is full, you will be added to a waiting list. If a cancellation occurs, the person at the top of the waiting list will be automatically registered for the seminar and will receive a confirmation e-mail. In addition, the registration process automatically generates an e-mail notice to your supervisor and sends you a reminder two days before the seminar. Due to these new enhancements, the printed schedule will no longer be distributed. To view the list of seminar topics and to register online, visit the seminar Web site at: Expansion of Wireless Zones Continues (2/10/05) Temple continues to expand wireless access throughout its campuses. Wireless technology has now been installed at the Ambler Campus in five building locations including:
Students and faculty who require help with wireless set-up, can call the Ambler SIC at 215-283-1450 or visit Room 29 of the Library building. Wireless access is also now available at the School of Podiatric Medicine. Wireless areas are now located in the Residence Hall 1st floor lounge and Courtyard as well as the Main Building 1st floor Foot and Ankle Clinic, the Library, the Student Lounge, and three classrooms (236, 318, and 319). To view of list Temple's wireless locations and to register your wireless card, visit the Wireless Web site at: http://www.temple.edu/cs/wireless E-portfolio Pilot Program Extended (2/10/05) Computer Services is continuing the E-portfolio pilot program that was introduced in the fall. E-portfolio programs allow students to track their development and improvement by maintaining an organized, digital collection of work throughout their education careers. Faculty input is needed to help evaluate various program options. If you are a faculty member who would like to participate in the evaluation process, please call the Instructional Support Center at 215-204 8529. To learn more about the E-portfolio project, faculty can attend the Instructional Technologies Users Group (ITUG) on Thursday, February 17, from noon to 1:00 p.m. in The Tuttleman Learning Center, Room 209. Faculty and staff who have participated in the pilot program will provide demonstrations and discuss their experience with E-portfolio programs. Tuttleman Smart Classrooms Upgraded (2/3/05) As part of the Computer Services Five-Year Smart Classroom plan, 16 new ceiling-mounted projectors were installed as replacements in Tuttleman smart classrooms. Also, 29 new PCs were installed in smart classrooms and on carts. One of the goals of the Five-Year Smart Classroom Plan is to keep equipment in smart classrooms current. The plan recommends the replacement of computers every three to four years and the replacement of projectors every four to five years. Ambler Implements Technology Enhancements (2/3/05) A new smart classroom was installed on the Ambler campus in Widener Building, Room 211. The technology enhancements include a podium/desk equipped with a computer, a flat screen monitor, a DVD/VHS combo deck, a mini-audio system, a document camera, a ceiling mounted projector and screen, and wireless access. In addition, Bright Hall Lounge was upgraded with all new smart technology including a ceiling mounted projector and screen, Internet access/wireless infrastructure, shielded wiring for a new audio/six microphone input panel, an amplified audio board, a DVD/VHS combo deck, and high-tech fixed speakers throughout. Anti-Virus Protection Available for Home and Office (2/3/05) Temple University is again offering Symantec AntiVirus software to Temple students, faculty, and staff for home use at a minimal cost. On Main Campus, the CD can be purchased at the Bursar’s Office, Surf Station, and the Help Desk. Under Temple's current agreement, you are eligible to use this software to obtain virus definition updates through June 30, 2007. You can obtain these definitions by running the program's Live Update feature. For more antivirus information at Temple, go to: http://www.temple.edu/cs/security/virusinfo If you use your computer on campus through a registered Temple network connection, your computer is already covered by the on-campus site license. For on-campus use, you do not need the CD since you can download the software from: Access to this Web site is restricted to on-campus use. Discounted Microsoft Software Available to Temple Students (2/3/05) Just a reminder that Temple University and Journey Education Marketing Company have joined together to offer Temple students up to 60% off the regular academic prices on the following Microsoft products:
The software is available through online purchases only. For purchases, go to: http://www.campusestore.com/microsoft Students will be required to provide proof of enrollment at Temple University via an electronic verification form. All major credit cards are accepted. January Temple Awarded Million Dollar Oracle Portal Grant (1/27/05) Temple University has received a $1.045 million grant from the Campus Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) Consortium to develop an Oracle portal. The portal will offer students, faculty, and staff central Web access to essential services including the Blackboard course management system, the OWLnet student administrative system, and the My Backpack file management system. The grant was awarded to Temple’s Computer Services department to cover the cost of hardware, software, project management, and training necessary to create and maintain the portal over a five-year period. The CampusEAI Consortium is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting collaborative software projects in the field of higher education. The grant will give Temple the opportunity to create a valuable technology resource for the Temple community and to also work in conjunction with other universities. New HSC Technical Support Center Opens (1/27/05) Computer Services has opened a new Technology Support Center (TSC) on the Health Sciences Center Campus. The TSC offers “virtual” Help Desk support via a webcam and microphone, computer training, production services for faculty and staff, such as poster printing, slide scanning, slide recording, and CD duplication. Faculty and staff can also make appointments for consultations. The TSC is located in Suite 112 Medical Research Building, Health Sciences Center. Hours are Monday-Friday, 11:00am to 5:00pm. To contact the TSC, please call (215) 707-7702 (from on campus, dial 2-7702). For more information on the TSC, refer to: Get Serious About Spyware (1/27/05) Did you know that Spyware can do more harm than simply slowing down your computer and producing pop-up windows? It can also monitor your Web browsing and, in severe cases, gain password information and credit card numbers. For advice on protecting your computer from Spyware, see the Computer Services information page, Spyware 101: https://www.temple.edu/cs/security/spyware/spyware101.htm “Can You Hear Me Now?” (1/20/05) The Office of Telecommunications is pleased to announce that Verizon Wireless has been chosen as the exclusive provider of wireless services for Temple University. After conducting an extensive and thorough review and analysis, it was concluded that Verizon would offer quality services as well as considerable savings to the University community. As a result of this new contract, all accounts set up by January 31, 2005 will receive unlimited in-network calling. Accounts created after January 31, 2005 will receive 1,000 minutes per month of free in network calling. It is important to note that existing cellular numbers will be transferred to new Verizon phones. Preparing for the Transition http://www.temple.edu/cs/telecommunications/forms.htm Note that the Office of Telecommunications will collect the old University cellular phones. Discounts Available for Personal Cellular Use For additional information about this new service, visit the
Telecommunications Web site at: You can also contact Courtney Rowe at ckrowe@temple.edu or 215-204-3009 (1-3009). MyHousing Web site Offers Meal Plan Signup (1/20/05) Instead of filling out paper forms, students residing in Temple’s Residence Halls can now sign up for meal plans or make changes via the MyHousing Web site (http://myhousing.temple.edu). To take advantage of this option, students go to the MyHousing Web site, scroll down to the “Meal Plans and Diamond Dollars” section and click on “Sign-up or Modify Your Meal Plan Contract.” Details about the meal plan selection process are available through the MyHousing online help. If students have additional questions, they can send e-mail to: myhousing@temple.edu OWLnet Course Registration Enhanced (1/20/05) Computer Services continues to enhance the registration features of OWLnet. Now, information pertaining to undergraduate courses offered by departments appears on the OWLnet “Find a Course” page above the list of courses. Students can readily view this information before registering for a course. Also, when a student registers for a course, a window now appears with specific prerequisite and/or corequisite requirements. Students who have not met these requirements will be notified that th |
