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U-M ITCS warns against using Google Desktop March 31, 2006

Posted by admin in : IT Security Tips , add a comment

ITCS at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor has recommended that university employees do not use Google Desktop. Google Desktop’s “Search Across Computers” feature places potentially sensitive information in a situation where it may be vulnerable to theft. If you feel that you need to use Google Desktop, please make sure that you configure it appropriately to minimize the risk of information theft.

Homepages for students are now available! March 31, 2006

Posted by admin in : Expert Advice from the ITS HelpDesk , add a comment

ITS is pleased to announce the newest addition to the multitude of technologies available to University of Michigan - Flint students: the ability to create a personal homepage. Using their H: drive space, students now have the ability to create a webpage that will be available online at homepages.umflint.edu/~your_uniqname. For information on what an H: drive is, check out the “What is the Personal Directory?” flyer. If you’re interested in creating your own personal webpage make sure to take a look at the Quicknote and “What is…” flyer for homepages. Once you’ve made your homepage, you may register it in the Homepage Gallery so your fellow students can check it out!

Discounted Software March 30, 2006

Posted by admin in : Hardware and Software Sales , add a comment

ITS announces new software at a significant discount. Now available are Microsoft Project 2003 Standard for only $52.00 (retails for $599.00) and Microsoft Visio 2003 Standard for only $26.00 (retails for $199.00). Students, faculty, and staff may sign the license agreement and purchase one copy of either or both software. Microsoft Project aids in the planning and managing of projects. With Project, you can set up a project quickly and efficiently track and analyze it. Microsoft Visio assists in the creation of business and technical diagrams to organize and better understand complex ideas, processes, and systems.

Just a reminder that only check or credit card are accepted in the ITS office, 207 MSB; if you prefer to pay with cash, it must be taken to the Cashier’s office, 261 UPAV and the receipt returned to ITS.

You can find the entire list of software offered to UM-Flint students, faculty and staff at discounted prices and the license agreement at http://ww2.umflint.edu/its/sales/shop.html.

Behind the Scenes with DCS March 30, 2006

Posted by admin in : Behind the Scenes , add a comment

Calling the Helpdesk to place a workticket? Then you may see a new face visiting your office to fix your computer. Please welcome a new student employee in our Desktop Computer Support (DCS) division, Galen Booth, who has been working as a Lab Consultant for several semesters.

For computer issues that DCS fixed in the past, it is now possible that the Helpdesk could take care of it in a shorter period of time and without requiring a technican to visit your office. The HelpDesk is now using Altiris remote tools which have the capability to remotely control your computer, pending your permission, to assist in solving your computer problem.

DCS has been testing the Windows operating system, Vista, which Microsoft plans to launch in November 2006. Vista shows promising functionality with new technology and has new features such as a “Spotlight Like” search functionality and built-in full voice recognition capabilities. For a closer look at Vista, please visit the Windows Vista site.

You may have heard the buzz about Apple moving away from the PowerPC brand CPU’s and adopting an Intel architecture for its laptops and iMacs. For more information on the improved functionality and performance of the Intel CPU, please visit the Apple Intel site. DCS has an Intel Mac and can provide full support for University-owned Intel Macs. In the future, we may see more innovations from Apple; perhaps one day your Windows applications will run on a Mac.

Speaking of Mac, DCS is fully prepared for the new Apple viruses that have arrived on the scene. It’s rare to see a virus written to attack a Mac, but with Apple gaining in popularity, the viruses are multiplying! We have added a Mac virus-scanning utility to the Mac image for any new Macs that departments purchase. This will help keep technology safe to use on every platform.

Tim Todd is the Campus Webmaster March 29, 2006

Posted by admin in : Staff News , add a comment

After a month long search I am pleased to announce that a new campus webmaster, working within the Information Technology Services department, has been chosen. The new webmaster is Tim Todd. You may know him from his roll in the Office of Extended Learning and the time and dedication he has shown in implementing and supporting the BlackBoard online course management system for the past six years. I know that he will be missed there but you can rest assured that OEL and ITS will continue to support BlackBoard and that there will not be a change in service you have come to expect from us.

Tim will assume his new responsibilities starting April 11th. Until that time, you can continue to send me your departmental web site updates.

I would like to personally thank the search committee, Ken Heiser, Harvey Sherman, Scott Hoover, Debi Rowden and Jennifer Hogan for their time and commitment as well as all the ITS staff that took the time out of their day to interview each applicant and provide their feedback to me.

Please take a moment and welcome the newest member of the ITS team.

Scott Arnst
Director of ITS
University of Michigan - Flint

ITS Newsletter goes Blog! March 28, 2006

Posted by admin in : General News , add a comment

The ITS newsletter has previously been published in a web page format once a semester and announced to students, faculty, and staff by email. In order to bring the most up-to-date news about technology to the campus community, ITS has decided to create this Technology Blog. Here you will find all of the information previously found in the old newsletter format, but now posted at any time of the semester–news when it happens.

To keep up with changes and updates in ITS, make sure to check back frequently or subscribe to this blog’s RSS feed. There are many free programs or aggregators that help you subscribe and read your favorite blogs. Google Reader or Newsgator.com are online sites that assist you with organizing your feeds or try Attensa Online for free or Attensa for Outlook, which has a 60-day free trial.

We hope you enjoy the ITS Technology blog!

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