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Dawgbytes, Spring 2008

Volume 6, Number 3

About This Issue...

Information Technology's newsletter, Dawgbytes, is now available online. Dawgbytes is available via a subscription to a list server, DAWGBYTES-L. To subscribe to this mailing list, e-mail a message to listserv@listserv.siu.edu. No subject is needed, but the body or text area of the message should contain only "SUB DAWGBYTES-L Firstname Lastname" without the quotes,

Or simply use this pre-configured e-mail*. *You must still subsitute in your name where appropriate.

This Spring 2008 issue of Dawgbytes includes articles on the new Computer Support Center hours, the transition to new non-SSN SIU ID cards, free Microsoft development tools, free Adobe Photoshop Express, Wireless Emergency Notification System, “vishing” text messages, Nintendo Wii available for RezNet, and new Computer Learning Centers computers will no longer support floppy disks. Links to archived issues of Dawgbytes are available at the end of the newsletter.

New Computer Support Center Hours
During spring and fall semesters, the Computer Support Center is now offering extended service hours. Also new to the CSC, is on-line chat support. Services are available:
M-F 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Walk-in, telephone and on-line/chat support
M-Th 5:00 PM - 7:00PM Telephone and on-line/chat support

On-line chat support is accessed via the IT website at: http://www.infotech.siu.edu/

The Computer Support Center is located in the Northwest Annex, A wing, Room 137 (618) 453-5155. If you need assistance after hours, you may contact the IT Network Control Center at (618) 453-6217. They will log your problem and a CSC representative will contact you the next business day. You may also contact the Network Control Center to report an urgent network issue or a campus-wide outage.

Network ID issues may also be handled through any of the Computer Support Centers (CLCs) M-TH until 7 p.m. and until 5 pm on Friday. Assistance is also available at CLC1, Faner 1025 until 5 pm during University breaks.

The Computer Support Center is closed on weekends, campus holidays, and administrative closures. Hours of operation during summer semester and semester breaks are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. M-F.

You must show a valid SIUC Student/Staff ID available to receive assistance with your Network ID.

New SIUC ID Card Transition beginning June 1, 2008

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) is in the process of transitioning away from using Social Security Numbers. Beginning June 1, 2008, all current SIUC Identification Cards will begin to be replaced with a new ID card (known as a “Dawg Tag”) that will have a system generated 9-digit ID number that will begin with ‘85’. An SIUC ID card with appropriate Debit Dawg funds available is required to use the campus-wide wireless printing system, printers in computer labs across campus and Morris Library. Information on Debit Dawg is available here: http://www.infotech.siu.edu/clc/print/debitdawg/index.htm Anticipated deadline for transition completion is October 1, 2008.

Information on when and where faculty/staff/students can have new ID cards made is available here: http://udc.rocks.siu.edu/udc/dawgtag/get_id_card.html

Microsoft to donate development tools to students

Microsoft Corporation is allowing students to download several of its software development and web design programs for free. The programs include Visual Studio Profession, for software development, a video game development program called XNA Game Studio 2.0, the web/graphic design program Expression Studio and is also providing SQL Server 500 Developer Edition and the Windows Server Standard Edition at no cost.

Read an article from eSchool news on the announcement here: http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?I=52546

The programs are available for download here: https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/

Adobe to offer free Photoshop Express

Adobe is offering its web-based photo-editing program, Photoshop Express for free. The program requires Adobe’s Flash plug-in to work, and is said to operate effectively in all major browsers; however The Washington Post reviewer gave it mixed reviews. No claims or endorsements are made by SIUC IT for this, or any other program, unless specifically indicated. This information is provided as a general service to the reader. Any action taken by the reader is done so voluntarily.

Read the full article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/02/AR2008040203259.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter and a follow-up piece about the user agreement is here: http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fasterforward/2008/04/adobe_eases_photoshop_express.html

The program is available for download here: http://photoshop.com/express

Wireless Emergency Notification System available

Although not an Information Technology system, we do want to make you aware of an important program on campus, the Wireless Emergency Notification System. Notifications are sent via text messages to your cell phone to advise you of critical events on campus. These may include, but are not limited to, closures due to weather events, building status reports (e.g., closures in Life Science due to chemical spills), power outages, safety threats, etc. While no notification system is foolproof, this new program is a timely, valuable way to receive critical campus information. To sign up for this service, go to: http://www.siuc.edu/emergency/wens.html

Also in wireless emergency notification, an article in the April 10, 2008 New York Times, as first reported by the Associated Press, indicates that a national wireless emergency system that spans corporate telephone system/text providers is anticipated to be in place by 2010 with sign-up by individuals being voluntary. The system implementation is part of the 2006 Warning Alert and Response Network Act, which is a federal law that requires the FCC to find ways to alert the general public about emergencies. It is anticipated the system will provide three types of alerts: national alerts from the President of the United States, what were termed “imminent threats” such as those dealing with national/weather disasters such as hurricanes or tornados and university shootings, and the third for Amber Alerts. Read the full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/washington/10alert.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

Spammers/Hackers attack via text messaging

Just a reminder to be vigilant in ALL areas of technology you use. As reported in the Washington Post, (see the full article here: http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2008/03/the_anatomy_of_a_vishing_scam_1.html ) phishing attacks (attempts to gather your personal information) have spread into the world of wireless phones and are known as “vishing”. Scam artists are now sending text messages to cell phone users that appear to come from their banks. Text messages typically state there is a problem with their account or credit card, such as is suspicious activity and their account has been closed and then gives them a phone number to call to resolve the issue. When the user calls the telephone number, they receive an automated voicemail requesting their credit card number, expiration date, PIN number and the like.

If you receive ANY type of message claiming to be from your bank, or any company with which you do business and it appears they are requesting personal information via a URL or phone number, DO NOT respond. If you feel it may be a legitimate request, contact the business directly via their published telephone number.

In their usual arenas, the New York Times article reported that some executives are receiving fake subpoenas as a means of phishers attempting to gain personal information. The article can be read in full here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/technology/16whale.html?th&emc=th

Nintendo Wii added to list of available game consoles for RezNet

The Nintendo Wii is now among the game consoles available for on-line gaming for students via RezNet. Other systems available include XBox/XBox 360, PS2 and PS3. The service is available for a fee of $57.00 per semester with sign-up via RezNet, and billed to the student’s Bursar account. The link for sign-up is located here: https://websec.it.siu.edu/util/game_console_request.html

Students should be aware that although the Wii has a wireless feature built-in, if they wish to use the system in a residence hall room they must purchase a USB LAN adapter. Information on where to purchase the adapter can be found in the documentation at: http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/acc/wiiLAN.jsp

Notice – Effective Summer Semester 2008, new computers installed in all Computer Learning Centers will no longer have floppy disk drives. We recommend you begin transferring your important work to jump drives (also known as USB, thumb, or flash drives). Our staff will be glad to assist you with the transfer of your information.

REMEMBER – SAVE ENERGY! TURN YOUR MONITORS AND PRINTERS OFF AT THE END OF THE DAY.

Archived Issues of Dawgbytes

The Fall 2007 issue of Dawgbytes includes articles on the Greening of Campus Wide Printing; Saving Energy Through Efficient Use of Your PC; Protecting Yourself, Your Computer and SIU; a Wrap-Up of the Fall 2007 RezNet Move-In Project; Helpful Info from Telecommunications Services; and a profile of a new hire at the Computer Support Center. This archived issue of Dawgbytes is available at this link.

The Summer 2007 issue of Dawgbytes includes articles on Electronic Forms and Digital Signatures; the Fall 2007 RezNet Move-In Project; and a new hire at the Computer Support Center. This archived issue of Dawgbytes is available at this link.

The Spring 2007 issue of Dawgbytes, which includes articles on protecting computers and personal data at SIUC; Progress on the SIS Banner project at SIUC; SIUC campus wireless access maps; Microsoft Windows Vista; New Office 2007 Products Coming to Computer Learning Centers; Training from Microsoft for Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007; Identity Management; Subscribing to the Schooner News Server; and Data Encryption Software is available at this link.

The Fall 2006 issue of Dawgbytes, which includes articles on The RezNet Move-in Project; Campus Wide Printing Services; Software Site Licenses at SIUC; The Student Information System; The New Electronic Forms Service; Security Tips; and The SMART Boards Web Site is available at this link.

Questions or comments: kriddle@siu.edu

Comments: IT Webmaster