OIT News – December 2013

OIT News
Monthly news briefs, information and announcements
Office of Information Technology, NC State University
Issue 74, December 2013

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Follow OIT on Twitter @NCStateOIT
For up-to-the-minute reports on OIT systems, see SysNews
For help with computing problems, contact the NC State Help Desk

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01: OIT announces new WolfTV cable system
02: Google Books available in Google Apps @ NC State
03: Google Service Team implements two-step verification and lock screen widgets
04: OIT Walk-in Center announces operating hours for winter break
05: New videos demonstrate Web accessibility challenges
06: Think “Green IT” this holiday season!
07: OIT to offer Google Docs/Drive and Gmail training
08: SAR training scheduled for Feb. 6
09: Be safe online this holiday season!

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01: OIT announces new WolfTV cable system
NC State students returning after the winter holiday will notice major changes when they turn on their televisions in their residence hall.

This month, OIT plans to completely overhaul the campus cable system, including installing new equipment, adding new channels and rebranding the entire system, WolfTV. The new WolfTV will deliver all channels digitally in high-definition (HD) as long as OIT receives HD channels from its service providers.

For several years, OIT has been looking at ways to improve the existing analog system, which provides limited channels. WolfTV will deliver a significant upgrade in quality — both picture and content — and better service at the same price point. Home shopping and local government channels are no longer available, and several new channels have been added, including:

  • new sports channels: ESPN Buzzer Beater and Goal Line, all of the regional Fox Sports affiliates, Fox Sports 1 and 2, the NHL, MLB networks, and NBA TV. Wolfpack Sports Television will also be in HD.
  • 16 movie channels including the HBO and Showtime suites of channels and Sundance. The current system has 10 movie channels.
  • seven music-related channels: MTV, mtvU, MTV2, VH1, BET, WLFL Country, and WolfBytes Radio.
  • NC State on Campus, a new cultural and informational channel that pulls content directly from NC State’s iTunes U.
  • a completely overhauled WolfBytes Television.

These changes are part of the first phase of improvements for WolfTV. Subsequent phases, planned for early spring, may include streaming options. More information on the new service is available at WolfTV.

Current cable subscribers do not need to do anything to receive the new WolfTV. New subscribers can sign up at WolfTV. The service will work for subscribers who have newer televisions that have both analog and digital tuners. Subscribers with older cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions would need to get a digital tuner or set top box.

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02: Google Books available in Google Apps @ NC State
The Google Service Team is pleased to announce the addition of Google Books to Google Apps @ NC State.

Google Books allows you to search and preview the full text of millions of books and magazines that Google has scanned, converted to text and stored in its digital database. While Google Books is available to use or search without using your Google account, there are some aspects of Books that do require you to log in (e.g., maybe you are helping to write or edit a book), and you can now use your NC State credentials with Books. Visit Google Books to learn more.

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03: Google Service Team implements two-step verification and lock screen widgets
The Google Service Team recently implemented two-step verification and lock screen widgets for Google Apps @ NC State users.

Two-step verification protects your Google Apps account from unauthorized access should someone manage to obtain your password. When you activate two-step verification, you will be required to log in with both your password and an additional security code that is delivered to your mobile device via text, voice call or mobile app. So even if your password is cracked, guessed or otherwise stolen, an attacker can’t sign in without access to your verification code. For more information see, 2-Step Verification.

If you’re an Android user wanting to use the Google Apps Device Policy with your NC State Google Apps account, you now have access to lock screen widgets. This service gives you the ability to add widgets — which provide a preview of your calendar or messages or a shortcut to your camera —  to your device’s lock screen. Setting up this service may vary slightly depending on your Android device, and it is available only on OS version 4.2 or newer.

If you have questions about these new services, please contact the NC State Help Desk at help@ncsu.edu or 919.515.HELP(4357).

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04: OIT Walk-in Center announces operating hours for winter break
The OIT Walk-in Center, located in Room 101 of the West Dunn Building (corner of Dan Allen Drive and Thurman Drive), will close for winter break at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20  and reopen at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Jan.  2.

Please note: While the university resumes its normal hours of operation on Monday, Dec. 23, the Walk-in Center will be closed.

Customers who have left computers at the Walk-in Center will have to pick them up before 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, or they will have to wait until Jan. 2, when the Walk-in Center reopens.

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05: New videos demonstrate Web accessibility challenges
If you’re a Web content creator, the IT Accessibility Office has released three accessibility videos to help you understand various problems that people with disabilities encounter with inaccessible Web content. The videos include:

To find out how to correct these and other accessibility problems, you can reference the Accessibility Handbook and the IT Accessibility Quick Guide.

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06: Think “Green IT” this holiday season!
You can do it! You can help NC State reduce its carbon pawprint during this year’s Winter Holiday Energy Saving Initiative, which involves lowering building temperatures and turning off lights and non-essential equipment from Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, 2014.

Before you leave for the winter break:

  • Turn off any non-essential electronics, including scanners, printers and other computer peripherals that won’t be used while you’re away.
  • Consider a “shutdown” of your computer as opposed to a “sleep” or “hibernate” state, if compatible with your business processes.
  • Turn off lights and close all doors and windows.

Last year during the Winter Holiday Energy Setback, your efforts helped to save the university more than $281,774 in energy costs and a total of $2.1 million since the program’s inception in 2005.  For more information on ways you can reduce energy consumption, visit Winter Holiday Energy Saving Initiative.

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07: OIT to offer Google Docs/Drive and Gmail training
OIT is offering the following workshops this month:

  • “Create and Collaborate with Google Docs/Drive” will be offered on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 110 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to use Docs/Drive in a collaborative environment, including editing a file simultaneously with other people, securing a document through file sharing permissions, and creating files for use by a group of colleagues or friends. For this workshop, you will need to have an active NC State University Unity account with access to Google Apps at NC State. If you would prefer using your own laptop or other mobile device, feel free to bring it. To register, visit Classmate.
  • “Gmail: Advanced Tools, Tips & Tricks” will be offered on Tuesday, Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Room 110 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. If you’re comfortable with the basics of Gmail and are ready to learn more advanced features, this hands-on workshop is for you. You will learn about labels, filters, canned responses, and more. If you would prefer using your own laptop or other mobile device, feel free to bring it. To register, visit Classmate.

Check the Classmate training calendar for other available workshops. If you’re interested in custom software training for your department, unit or classroom, please complete the Custom Training form. If you have any questions about OIT training, contact Katie McInerney, OIT training coordinator, at 513-4091 or via email at classreg@ncsu.edu.

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08: SAR training scheduled for Feb. 6
Security Access Request (SAR) training for campus requestors and approvers of access to secured university data will be held Thursday, Feb. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to noon in Room 108 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. Please visit Classmate to sign up for training. There will be no SAR training in January.

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09: Be safe online this holiday season!
OIT Security and Compliance offers some helpful tips to avoid old and new online holiday scams.

  • Trojan holiday screensavers, ringtones, e-cards, and mobile apps
    These may actually look or sound great, but scan them for viruses and don’t open them if you don’t know who sent them.
  • Phishing scams
    If you receive suspicious email from your bank or credit card company indicating that your credit card has been declined, suspended or cancelled, don’t click on any link in it. Instead, call the bank or credit card company directly. The notice could be a fake or have a virus attached.
  • SMishing scams
    Do not reply to a SMS message that states you may have won a gift card and you need to send your bank or credit card information.
  • Fake warnings about end-of-year activities
    Be on the lookout for malicious links in email and attachments about fourth quarter taxes or end-of-year business reports. If the email is from someone you don’t know or if you were not expecting it, don’t click on any links or open any attachments.
  • Holiday travel scams
    Scammers send offers of free or discounted airline tickets in hopes of obtaining your frequent flyer username and password. To see the real deal, go to the airline’s website directly. Also, be leery of “I’m destitute and need money” scams.
  • Fake charities
    Holidays are a time for giving, but also a time for scams. Use sites like the Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau to check out a charity or business.

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