ITS Relocation Process March 29, 2007
Posted by admin in : General News, Staff News , add a commentThe relocation of many of the ITS staff offices and services from FH, MSB, Thompson Library, and WSW will occur on Tuesday, April 3, 2007. Desktop Computer Services (DCS), Web and Instructional Technology (WIT), and User Services (including HelpDesk and Software Sales) staff will be located in 207 MSB. Data Information Management (DIM) and Network Systems Support (NSS) staff will move to the 9th floor of
North Bank Center. The Mediated Classroom Services (MCS) area will remain at 457 FH.
The following services will also be changing:
- - ITS will create a WSW HelpDesk presence inside the open computer lab at 3174 WSW. The new HelpDesk will be open for business on Monday, April 9th, and will be staffed from 8am-Noon, Monday-Friday.
- - The ITS Faculty/Staff Technology and Video Production centers will be combined into one “ITS Technology Center” which will reopen in the ITS suite at 207 MSB on Monday, April 16th. These centers will then be open from 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
- - The Certification Testing Center will also reopen at 207 MSB at a future date to be announced after the move.
Please note that the 3102 WSW office will be closed beginning Friday, March 30, 2007, to prepare for the move. Due to this closure, there will be no Helpdesk Support in WSW on Friday, March 30th.
We appreciate your patience during the entire relocation process.
Free Dialup Service Changing March 21, 2007
Posted by admin in : Expert Advice from the ITS HelpDesk, General News , add a commentImportant Notice - Retirement of the free dialup service. UM-Flint free dialup service will end on May 31, 2008.
The state-wide modem pool service (MichNet) through Merit is ending on July 2, 2007. However, UM-Flint will purchase modem pool service through another provider for one year. Beginning June 1, 2007, new local dialup numbers will be provided, and you will be able to connect using your uniqname@umflint.edu and UM-Flint (LAN) password.
This change is being made as a result of significantly decreased modem pool usage and in accord with the trend of dial-in providers across the nation to reduce their services. It will result in important savings to the University by eliminating a service that is being used by relatively few people.
Everyone who uses the free dialup service through UM-Flint will be affected. Those individuals will need to find an alternative Internet Service Provider to connect to the Internet after June 1, 2008.
The Merit Global (MGS) and Merit 800 services (UMCE accounts) will remain available until July 2, 2007 for faculty and staff who have provided an authorized shortcode. The rates for these services, which will be increasing, make them inappropriate for use as a replacement for regular MichNet service. For further details, please consult http://www.itd.umich.edu/news/2007winter/03122007.html.
NOTE: The dial-in service for the UM-Ann Arbor campus was discontinued on January 2, 2007.
Unlawful File Sharing March 14, 2007
Posted by admin in : General News, IT Security Tips, Safe Computing , add a commentOn Friday, March 9, and Saturday, March 10, the University of Michigan received notification that the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) intends to sue or receive settlement from more than a dozen members of the U-M community engaged in unlawful peer-to-peer file sharing of music over the Internet. The RIAA has designated these individuals through IP addresses, and the University is in the process of identifying and notifying them.This action is part of an increased effort to curtail unlawful peer-to-peer file sharing. As a result, individuals who engage in this practice are more likely than ever to be identified and sued by the RIAA. Most have settled these lawsuits out-of-court, typically for $4,000-$4,500.
The University does not condone unlawful peer-to-peer file sharing. Individuals who engage in it are violating a variety of University policies including Standard Practice Guide 601.7 - Proper Use of Information Resources, Information Technology, and Networks at U-M. This reminder also has been sent to all faculty and students.
Faculty, staff, or students who have installed peer-to-peer file sharing programs on their computers and are concerned that they might be unwittingly sharing files illegally should visit the University of Chicago’s useful web page that describes how to disable file sharing on a variety of programs (http://security.uchicago.edu/guidelines/peer-to-peer/). U-M maintains a web page (http://www.copyright.umich.edu) that describes the University’s position on illegal sharing of copyrighted materials and also includes a growing list of FAQs. All members of the University community are encouraged to study the materials on this page.
Lawful downloading of music is possible through sites such as Apple iTunes, MSN Music, Rhapsody, Ruckus, etc. Details about a number of these sites are available at: http://mp3.about.com/od/wheretobuymusic/a/all_profile.htm and http://mp3.about.com/od/freemusicdownloads/tp/freeandlegalmp3.htm.
Paul Howell
Chief Information Technology Security Officer
UM-Ann Arbor ITTS
http://safecomputing.umich.edu/
Software Installation Policy Reminder March 5, 2007
Posted by admin in : Expert Advice from the ITS HelpDesk, General News, Lab News , add a commentPlease consider this a quarterly reminder of the software installation policy for the computer labs.
Faculty members wishing to have instructional software installed in the campus computer labs need to follow the conditions outlined in this policy (http://ww2.umflint.edu/its/policies.htm#software) as well as fill out the required software installation request form found online at http://ww2.umflint.edu/its/forms/software.PDF.
A physical copy of the software must also be submitted to the ITS HelpDesk in 207A Murchie Science Building at least three weeks prior to the requested date of usage. An ITS representative will contact the requester at least one week prior to the implementation date for testing purposes. It is imperative that testing is conducted to allow for the ITS staff to resolve any issues prior to implementation.
Please follow the conditions below prior to requesting installation:
- The requester must be prepared to provide media, proof of ownership and licenses to the ITS representative.
- A software evaluation version is not acceptable. Shareware is not acceptable unless proof of ownership is provided. Freeware will be reviewed per request as dictated by freeware license agreement.
- Software in the instructional labs must have licenses to cover every computer, unless a Keyserver* alternative is chosen and funded by the department ($5/client for Keyserver*/year is required). In addition, the requester or department must pay for the software licensing fees and provide documentation to the ITS staff member.
This policy was endorsed on June 12, 2002 by the Technology Committee (formerly known as Academic Computing Advisory Committee).
*Keyserver is a single shared license pool for both open and instructional lab purposes as designated by the requester. It will limit the usage of the software by placing a counter onto the server that adheres to the number of licenses purchased by the requester. Therefore the requester need NOT purchase an entire lab or site license for their instructional software.
And the winners are… March 5, 2007
Posted by admin in : General News, Lab News , add a commentThe random drawing for the winners of the Computer Security 101 took place on Friday, March 2 at the User Services Committee meeting. Sean Cavin was the lucky student to receive the grand prize (a Dell Inspirion laptop). For a complete list of winners please visit https://secure2.umflint.edu/its/computersecurity101exam/display_winners.asp . All students who won prizes should have received an email notification (via their university email address), including the first 25 students to receive a 100%.
Congratulations to the winners, and thanks again to everyone who participated!
