Campus Technology Services

Volume 10, February 2009

Featured Article: iPhone? iTouch? Campus Wireless? YES!

Do you have an iPhone or iTouch and have been waiting to use it with the campus wireless network? Well, your wait is over. Now is the time! The CTS Networking group worked over the fall semester to get a profile configured with the already installed Cisco VPN client on these devices. It is now fully functional and available for download.

To connect to the campus wireless network from one of these devices, launch the Safari web browser while in a SUNY Oswego wireless computing space, click on the "iPhone Wireless" link and follow the instructions. You will be on your way to the Internet.

While you are using the campus wireless network with these devices, please note the following:

1. Your device must have firmware version 2.0 or higher for it to work properly.

2. The VPN client may disconnect from the wireless network when the iPhone/Touch goes to sleep or is idle for a period of time. The VPN may say it is connected but may not really be. To regain connectivity you will need to turn off the VPN client and then turn it back on.

3. You should set a passcode for the device as it saves your SUNY Oswego email username and password. If you do not set a passcode and your iPhone/iTouch gets lost or stolen, another person will have access to the wireless network with your login credentials.

Campus Dial-Up Service Retiring

Since the time when dial-up connections were cool at a whopping 14.4 Kbps, the campus has offered a bank of modems for people to connect to the campus. Now, as more people are turning to faster speeds using broadband, the number of people connecting to the modem pool continues to dwindle to a point of low usage. The modem pool is also at a point where the equipment is aging and needs to be replaced.

Due to the state budget issues and low usage, CTS will not be able to continue this service. On March 1^st, 2009, campus dial-up service will be decommissioned. On this date, the modem pool will be turned off and unavailable for service.

Please note that the retirement of this service does NOT affect other Internet connectivity options. Services such as the campus wireless network, ResNet for students living on campus, email, and classroom and computer lab network access are still fully functional and will continue to be even after the dial-up service is retired.

If you are a current dial-up user, we recommend you start exploring alternative services through commercial Internet Service Providers. Here are a few available options:

• America Online (1-800-374-4747)
• Earthlink (1-866-406-4590)
• Netzero (1-888-349-0029)
• Time Warner Road Runner (1-877-313-2337)
• Verizon (1-877-525-2DSL)

Phone Bills Going Paperless

The CTS Telecommunications group is now offering a way for both users and departments to check their telephone bills online. Starting in March, no more paper bills will be sent through campus mail. Instead, you will receive an email notification at the beginning of each month providing instructions to go online and review your bill. At this point, online payment is not available, but you can print out the online payment coupon to send with your payment.

For your personal billing information, just point your browser to http://myphone.oswego.edu, click on the "Customer Portal," and login with your SUNY Oswego email username and password. You will be able to view your current balance, past and present bills, price a telephone call, check your address on file and print a payment coupon.

Department billing information is available for viewing by authorized departmental telephone billing contacts. Just point your browser to http://myphone.oswego.edu, click on the "Department Portal," and login with your SUNY Oswego email username and password. You will be able to access departmental billing information, view/print/export department usage and call usage reports, and analyze multiple departments.

CTS will be offering a series of hands-on workshops to learn more about how to use the paperless billing portals. For specific dates and times and for online registration, please visit the CTS Training web site.

ANGEL 7.3 Has Arrived

On Monday, December 29^th and Tuesday, December 30^th the SUNY Oswego ANGEL Learning Management System and Community Groups were upgraded from version 7.1 to 7.3. This is the version currently supported by ANGEL Learning and provides some additional functionality. It offers improvements in assessments, discussions, and the HTML editor and integrates new features like podcasts, blogs and wikis.

This version of ANGEL requires either Internet Explorer 7.0, or FireFox 2.0 and higher. If you have an older version of one of these web browsers, you will need to upgrade. Instructions for finding the version you are currently using and if necessary, how to upgrade, are available from the SUNY Oswego ANGEL web site at www.oswego.edu/academics/angel.

Multiple training opportunities are available to learn more about the new features of version 7.3. A schedule of training sessions and online registration is available on the SUNY Oswego ANGEL web site.

Campus Equipment Upgrades

CTS has been busy over the winter break updating various technical systems. Below are details about specific areas that were upgraded.

Core Network Upgrades

The three main core network devices used to connect the campus network together were upgraded with new equipment. In addition to replacing older technology, this upgrade allows for the possibility of configuring the wireless network in a way such that a VPN client is not required along with exploring new technologies for the campus, such as Voice Over IP (VoIP).

Computer Lab Upgrades

The computer labs in Snygg rooms 6 and 8 were upgraded with new PCs replacing the 4-year old equipment previously there. Faster processor speeds and more memory should speed up the use of some applications.

ATC Upgrades in Rich

CTS upgraded all of the Rich Hall Advanced Technology Classrooms (ATCs). The classrooms are now equipped with new document cameras, projectors, a simplified audio system, and control equipment. Operationally, there were no changes. The way you used the ATC controls before the upgrade are the same now.

Mark Your Calendars: CIT is coming to SUNY Oswego!

From May 19-22, 2009, SUNY Oswego will be hosting the SUNY Conference on Instructional Technologies (CIT).

CIT 2009, "Engaging Minds: Innovative Teaching and Learning" is supported by six tracks covering a range of pedagogical and technological issues. The conference provides an opportunity for faculty, instructional support professionals, librarians, and administrators throughout the SUNY system, as well as outside institutions, to share best practices and innovations in the use of technology to enhance teaching, learning, and research.

As the hosting campus, we would like to encourage all SUNY Oswego faculty and instructional support staff to present on interesting ways of how they are using technology in the classroom. By presenting, there will be a reduced conference fee. Additionally, a limited number of scholarships are available for new faculty and first-time CIT attendees. You may submit an abstract at http://www.cit.suny.edu/ before January 26, 2009.

Did You Know?

Did you know that if you have forgotten your password, you can reset it online? Provided that you have set a security question and answer for your email account, you can regain access to your account by going to the CTS Account Tools website, clicking on the "Forgot Password?" link and submitting the answer to your security question.

If you don't have a security question set, then you will need to go to the Technology Support Center at 26 Lanigan Hall with your College ID to have it reset. Once your password is reset, you should set a security question in the event that you forget it again. Just login to CTS Account Tools website and click the "Security Question" link on the left side. Select a question from the pull down menu and provide an accurate answer in the space provide. Click "Submit" to complete the process.

Notes from the Help Desk

There are still a number of phishing scams circulating on email. These are emails that ask for personally identifying information including birth date, social security number, bank accounts, PINs, and/or passwords. Some of these messages try to impersonate CTS. Please know that CTS will NEVER solicit username and/or password information from you.

If you are in doubt over the validity of an email call the Technology Support Center and inquire. If you receive any type of email message that asks for personal identifying information, you should be extremely suspicious. It is probably an email phishing scam being used for identity theft purposes. DO NOT respond to these messages - delete them!

If you have responded to one of these phishing emails you should immediately change your password.

For more information about phishing emails, please look at our online phishing demo.

You can reach the help desk by phone at 312.3456, on location at 26 Lanigan Hall, or online at www.oswego.edu/help during normal office hours.

Professional Development

CTS spring workshops are now available for registration. Workshops on Office 2007, Mailman mailing lists, Telecommunications paperless billing, ANGEL community groups, creating and maintaining departmental web pages, and more are available. Links to the full listing of workshops as well as online registration are available from our CTS training web site at www.oswego.edu/cts/training.

CTS Workshops are freely available to all SUNY Oswego faculty, staff and students.

Looking Ahead

The following are major projects CTS is currently working on:

• Blogging Software: A couple of blogs have been introduced to the campus from the Public Affairs Office. The CTS and Public Affairs Web team is now working on offering this to faculty and staff to incorporate into their departmental web pages. The blogging software is now in a pilot phase. It will be tested with some users on campus to iron out any issues.

• iTunes U: iTunes U is a site provided to SUNY Oswego by Apple that allows users to post and download SUNY Oswego academic and university-related podcasts. The downloading and uploading is all done through the iTunes application. CTS and Extended Learning are working together to get the SUNY Oswego site active. A pilot project is now underway. A group of about 30 faculty, staff, and students are using it in a variety of ways from podcasting course lectures to on-demand training.

• Construction Projects: CTS continues to assist with campus construction projects, including the design of the science building and the new townhouses near Glimmerglass Lagoon.

If you have any questions related to any of these projects, please contact the Technology Support Center at x3456 or by email to help@oswego.edu.

Tech Tip

There are a variety of ways to create a PDF document without requiring the commercial Adobe Acrobat Professional software.

For PC users, you can download and install the freely available PrimoPDF software. This software installs as another printer. It recognizes hundreds of file types. So, if you are creating a document in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or some other type of software, select the print button and then choose PrimoPDF as your printer. It will take your document and create a PDF.

For Mac users, PDF-creating ability is built right in to the operating system. Simply choose to create a PDF from the Print Menu of an application.