Information Technology Services
Bits 'n
Bytes
Spring / Summer 2004
They've Got Their "Spy" on you!
Certification
Testing
-
Microsoft Office Specialist
- IC3
“The Information Technology Services unit at the University of Michigan-Flint is a team of professional staff committed to enhancing individual and organizational effectiveness through the use of information and computing technologies.”
Information Technology Services
UM-Flint
207 Murchie Science Bldg.
303 East Kearsley St.
Flint, MI 48502-1950
Phone:
762-3123 207 MSB
766-6804 HelpDesk
237-6647 3102 WSW
Fax:
(810) 766-6804
Email:
ITSHelpDesk@umflint.edu
Need More Email Features
Than Your Provider Has to Offer?
Have you noticed the
limited usability of your Hotmail, Yahoo, or AOL email account? Did you know
that you can access your student email from ANY computer with
internet access? This free, web-based email will allow you to access your
UM-Flint student mail worldwide at
http://mail.umflint.edu.
You can manage and organize your email messages, schedule, contacts, tasks
and more with the same look and feel of other Microsoft products. What
are you waiting for?
Use your free UM-Flint
email account today.
|
Provider |
Save |
Reply To Address |
Spam |
Storage Limit |
Forwards |
Spell Check |
Signature |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
> 25MB |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
Excite |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
3MB |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Hotmail |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
2MB |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
iVillage |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
4MB |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Netscape |
No |
No |
Yes |
5MB |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yahoo |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
4MB |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
The University assumes no responsibility for email that is forwarded off the campus network. ITS highly recommends that students, faculty, and staff utilize their UM-Flint email account to view campus-related messages and to communicate with the campus community.
Speak Up! Let us
know what email provider you currently use most!
Any student can take the poll
on the TECH tab in Blackboard, just visit
http://online.umflint.edu/index2.html
To vote, login
to Blackboard as you would your UM-Flint Outlook Webmail account.
For more details, visit the Email Support Center at
http://www.umflint.edu/outlook/
 |
Mediated Classroom Services (MCS) along with Web and Instructional Technology (WIT), units of ITS, are pleased to announce a new service, the Video Production Center (VPC). The purpose of the VPC is to support the campus community with multimedia projects. The facility is open for students, faculty, and staff to use for campus-related video projects. |
The VPC is located in Room 3106 of the William S. White Building (within the ITS suite at 3102 WSW). The hours of operation are generally Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. An appointment with ITS staff is suggested to guarantee availability of the facility and to request assistance to learn to use the equipment. Contact itsTraining@umflint.edu to schedule an appointment. The VPC has been equipped with the following:
- TV with a VCR and a DVD/VCR combo
- Dell PC with All-in-Wonder capture card and DVD burner
-
A Canon ZR70
camcorder (mini-dv format) is available for faculty and staff to check out
Visit our Open House
on Thursday, June 3rd from 9am-4pm!
Refreshments provided.
For policies and information on the Video Production Center, visit http://ww2.umflint.edu/ITS/labs/3106WSW.html
ITS has increased the free amount of space offered and can now offer additional space at lower rates. Students who previously had 50mb of storage for their home (H:) drive will now have 100mb. Faculty and staff will benefit from an increase from 100mb to 150mb of space on their home (H:) drive. Departments around campus will find an increase from 1 Gig to 5 Gig on their departmental (I:) drive, with additional storage space available for a fee.
|
New Rates effective 2004-2005 |
|||||||
|
Capacity |
Backup 5 times/week |
Backup once/week |
No Backup |
||||
|
MB |
Yearly |
Avg per |
Cost |
Avg per |
Cost |
Avg per |
|
|
Cost |
GB/year |
GB/year |
GB/year |
||||
|
Storage |
100 |
$15.00 |
$150.00 |
|
|||
|
and |
1000 |
$60.00 |
$60.00 |
|
|||
|
Backup |
5000 |
$276.00 |
$55.20 |
$186.00 |
$37.20 |
$96.00 |
$19.20 |
|
|
20000 |
$960.00 |
$48.00 |
$600.00 |
$30.00 |
$240.00 |
$12.00 |
|
Backup |
1000 |
$36.00 |
$36.00 |
$18.00 |
$18.00 |
|
|
For more information visit http://ww2.umflint.edu/its/policies.htm#server.
Been Spammed Lately?
If you have received unsolicited email on the Internet, then the answer is yes! Your email address, just like any email address, is readily available to anyone on the Internet with enough time or interest in obtaining it. Specifically, the dubious marketing companies that employ “spamming” techniques use bulk email systems that target randomly-generated email addresses, list email servers or large targets (such as a university) as a source of harvesting email addresses. In most cases, a user receives spam because they have entered their email address when signing up for some type of service or posted a message in a newsgroup.
ITS has enacted solutions to reduce spam, and we will continue to offer suggestions for student, faculty and staff email systems to help combat the influx of spam.
To set-up a spam filter, consult the
What is Spam?
flyer on
http://ww2.umflint.edu/its/helpdesk/flyers/spam.pdf
They've Got Their "Spy" on You!
Spyware is a type of malware (malicious software) that acquires personal information from your computer and reports it to another computer system or user without your knowledge or permission. Usually Spyware is used by online business for marketing purposes. They use the Spyware to obtain information about the hardware or software you have and the manufacturers. Sometimes Spyware can obtain personal information on what sites you visit and if you do business with any competitors. They can also obtain your email address to sell to other companies, causing an increase of spam.
You
can deal with Spyware by downloading and installing Spybot--Search
and Destroy from
http://www.safer-networking.org/. This is a free program that searches your
computer for Spyware, uninstalls it, and prevents any further known Spyware from being placed on your computer. It is constantly
updated when new Spyware is identified. More information on Spybot
can be found in the
What is Spyware?
flyer at
http://ww2.umflint.edu/its/helpdesk/flyers/spyware.pdf.
For
more information on Spam and Spyware, consult the HelpDesk website
http://www.umflint.edu/helpdesk/
Contact the HelpDesk with questions or concerns at (810) 766-6804 or ITSHelpDesk@umflint.edu
|
|
You’ve seen them in classrooms around campus, now you can master them. Whether you are giving a presentation, showing a video clip, or viewing transparencies, the SmartCart is the answer to your in-classroom needs. The SmartCart is fully-equipped with a computer, projector, DVD/VCR combo, document camera, and remote mouse. Faculty, staff, and students can connect to their personal and departmental drives and can also connect a laptop to the cart to project files. |
|
For a list of classrooms equipped with the SmartCart visit http://ww2.umflint.edu/its/mcs/rooms/ |
|
| Now YOU can receive training in a classroom setting or receive web-based training by viewing a PowerPoint slideshow. Visit http://ww2.umflint.edu/its/training.htm#mcs for more details. | |
Go Behind-the-Scenes with DIM
Did you know that many of the online tools you use, like Student Information Services (SIS), are maintained or were created by the Data and Information Management (DIM)team?
The DIM team is responsible for the maintenance and administration of UM-Flint’s central administrative databases; regulating data security and integrity; developing custom reports and programs to enhance central processes; and offering consulting services for design, development, and implementation of non-centrally-operated databases.
Most recently, the DIM team was involved in the setup of the online admissions application, online financial aid scholarship application, link from Banner to Blackboard portal, and credit card web registration for non-credit online courses.
In helping departments around campus automate processes and improve security, DIM is providing an excellent service to the UM-Flint community. Learn more about DIM at http://ww2.umflint.edu/ITS/about.htm.
Build Your Own Computer for $400
A Computer Building Class will be held Saturday, May 22nd from 9am-5pm. Offer good for UM-Flint students, faculty, and staff only. Price includes all CPU parts listed below, Windows License, lunch and training. Class size is limited to 15 people, so register early to guarantee your spot!
Computer Specs: |
|
If you would like to upgrade the specified system in any way please ask for details. Payment is due by Thursday, May 20th. Cash, Checks and Credit Cards (Visa\Mastercard) are accepted. For more info call: 810-762-3091.
Register
online at http://ww2.umflint.edu/its/cbp/
Brought to you by UM-Flint ITS and OEL Departments.
Enhance Your Resume with Microsoft Office Specialist or IC3 Certification
Did you know The University of Michigan-Flint is an Authorized Testing Center for the Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (formerly MOUS) and Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) exams?
|
|
Microsoft Office Specialist certification sets the first global standard for desktop productivity across Microsoft® Office applications. Tests are performance-based and participants interact within the test environment to complete tasks. The Microsoft Office Specialist program is the ONLY Microsoft approved certification program designed to measure and validate users’ skills with the Microsoft Office suite of desktop productivity applications (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint®, Microsoft Access and Microsoft Outlook). |
|
Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) is the ideal starting point for anyone interested in learning computer and Internet basics. The program gives individuals sufficient Internet and computing literacy skills to enter current job markets or begin higher education programs. |
|
Visit the
Microsoft Office Specialist Certification or
IC3 Certification web pages for answers on exam cost, scheduling or how
the exams are conducted or send email to
certification@umflint.edu.
Can't fit testing
into your busy day? No problem!
Schedule your test on a Saturday or on a week night
at one of our
special, after-hours
"Go For It!" sessions.
Look for A+ and other Microsoft Certifications...coming soon!
Computer Lab Update
|
|
ITS would like to
remind you of the available computer labs on campus and their uses.
Due to numerous student requests, the computer lab in room 3174 of the William S. White Building was developed as a collaborative lab where students can work on their group projects. You will find a
comfortable office-like atmosphere conducive to group activities; however,
the noise level may be higher than in the other labs. Please keep this in
mind as you plan your lab time. And remember, no cell phone usage in
any of the labs. |
For a list of computer labs and their Spring / Summer hours visit http://www.umflint.edu/labs/
Go Wireless!
|
Have you tried to
connect to our wireless network yet? Over 650 students, faculty, and staff
are using the wireless network.
Wondering what wireless will do for you? You have the ability to utilize the Internet, email, Progdata, your H drive, and printing services (Uniprint) (with Novell client) anytime and just about anywhere on the UM-Flint campus. |
|
|
Wireless coverage is available in all student-populated areas of the buildings on campus, both inside and out! So, if you have a laptop or tablet PC and a wireless access card and would like to utilize the services on our network, consult Quicknotes 15 and either 45, 55, or 65 online at http://ww2.umflint.edu/its/helpdesk/qnindex.htm. |
|
If you do not have a laptop and would like to obtain discount pricing, ITS at UM-Flint ONLY has set up a special discount for computer purchases through Dell. However, you must order through our website to receive these rock bottom prices (much lower than ordering through Dell-direct). http://ww2.umflint.edu/dell/.
Have Kids? Grow Their Minds!
|
|
Last
summer, 55 kids participated in the second annual Camp Imagination organized by
the Office of Extended Learning (OEL) and supported by ITS.
Third through eighth grade students had the chance to enjoy any or all of the following activities: creative writing and publishing; hands-on computer building and computer game design; musical theatre production and performance; or art and animation through graphic design. |
ITS staff participated by developing the Camp Imagination website and teaching computer building and computer programming sessions. ITS also provided technical support for the Art and Animation through Graphic Design session.
Check out the Summer
2004 schedule for Camp Imagination
or view picture of the Summer 2003 activities by going to
http://www.campimagination.net