OIT News – November 2012

OIT News
Monthly news briefs, information and announcements
Office of Information Technology, NC State University
Issue 61, November 2012
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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:
Mark your calendar for FOSS Fair 2013!
02: OIT ComTech moves campus to new IP address management system
03: Google Apps @ NC State offers Consumer Apps
04: Security access certification for the Student Information System due Nov. 30
05: Try the new Gmail composer
06: Attention WolfPrint users: Online convenience fee reduced
07: VCL reservation hours extended
08: AFS quota is now 2GB
09: OIT to decommission Novell NetWare Directory Services
10:
OIT disbands SAS website
11: Free Paper Shredding and Electronics Recycling Drive
12: Report2Web demo and training session available today
13: OIT releases new training calendar
14: SAR training scheduled for Jan. 16
15: Avoid holiday scams
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01: Mark your calendar for FOSS Fair 2013!
Make plans to attend the fair! FOSS Fair 2013 is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 9 beginning at 9 a.m. in Room 3211 of Engineering Building II on NC State’s Centennial Campus.

 

OIT Campus Linux Services brings you this year’s unconference-style event, which is completely driven by its participants. Any topic relating to free and open source software is welcome. You can suggest a session, volunteer to give a talk, register for the fair, or get more information at the FOSS Fair 2013 website. You can contact event coordinator Jack Neely at linux@help.ncsu.edu. Lunch will be provided for registered participants only, and you must sign up by Friday, Feb. 1 to be included in the lunch count.

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02: OIT ComTech moves campus to new IP address management system
Today,  (Wednesday, Nov. 14), Communication Technologies will transition the campus to a new vendor-supported Internet Protocol (IP) address management system. This move will take place from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. Thursday. During this transition:

  • Be aware that you may experience intermittent connectivity issues when using any of these networks:
    • Virtual Private Network (VPN)
    • Residential Network (ResNet)
    • Nomad Wireless Network
  • Save your work frequently if you are performing academic or business-related tasks during these hours.
  • Re-enter your ID and password, if needed, when you are logged into a website that requires authentication such as Wolfware. You may also need to restart your computer/device.
  • Visit the BlueCat website for migration details.
  • Address any questions or concerns to the NC State Help Desk at help@ncsu.edu or (919) 515-HELP (4357).
  • Check SysNews for migration updates.

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03: Google Apps @ NC State offers Consumer Apps
Google offers an array of apps defined as either or core or consumer. Core Apps in use at NC State include Gmail, Docs/Drive, Calendar, Groups, Sites, and Talk. Now, as of Nov. 12, a number of Google Consumer Apps have been enabled in Google Apps @ NC State, including YouTube, Maps, Google+, Reader, and Picasa. To see the
complete list of available apps, visit Google Apps @ NC State.

Now that these Consumer Apps have been enabled, the first time you log in to any Core or Consumer App you will be prompted to accept a new Terms of Service (TOS) agreement. You must do this in order to continue using any feature of your Google Apps @ NC State account, including Gmail, even if you don’t yet use the Consumer Apps. The new TOS won’t apply to you until you actually use one the new Consumer Apps, and if you do, you won’t be prompted to accept the new TOS again. Some important differences to keep in mind:

  • All of the Core Apps use Google’s general Terms of Service, and the Core Apps TOS is between NC State and Google.
  • Most of the Consumer Apps at NC State also use Google’s general TOS, and the Consumer Apps TOS is between you and Google.
    Note that each of
    Google News, Picasa, and YouTube has its own Terms of Service, which you can see by clicking on its respective link.

More about the new Consumer Apps and their Terms of Service:

For answers to questions about availability of Consumer Apps or their Terms of Service, contact the NC State Help Desk: help@ncsu.edu or (919) 515-HELP (4357).  

 

04: Security access certification for the Student Information System due Nov. 30
In accordance with University Data Management Procedures, the OIT Security and Compliance unit is
requesting that each dean and vice chancellor take both of the following actions by Friday, Nov. 30:

  • Complete the semi-annual review of his or her staff’s security access to the Student Information System (SIS).
    To do this, access the Web Security Report directly or use the MyPack Portal. In the Portal, select For Faculty and Staff, Security Access / SAR and then Security Reports. Select the Student (SIS) button. The security report shows both active and inactive employees who are currently assigned to a specific department and have access to the system. The report is now available for the four-digit organizational unit code (OUC) and the six-digit OUC level. The Security Exceptions Report displays individuals who have security access to your department and may have transferred to another department or left the University.

  • Complete the annual certification of the security profiles.
    The certification form should be completed and sent by Friday, Nov. 30 to the Security and Compliance Administrator by one of these means:

    • mail to Campus Box 7109
    • fax to 919-515-1958
    • email in PDF format to Beth Jones (beth_jones@ncsu.edu)

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the NC State Help Desk at help@ncsu.edu or (919) 515-HELP (4357).

 

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05: Try the new Gmail composer
NC State Gmail users will be prompted this week to try out a new Compose window in Gmail.


While Google Inc. is still tweaking the final look and functionality, you can opt in and try the new way to compose email. The new streamlined window allows you to compose email without losing the view of your inbox. While typing in the Compose window, you can also check for new email, view existing email, and minimize drafts for later. You can even compose two messages at once using the new Compose window.

Google is expected to make this new Compose window permanent in early 2013. Until that time, you can continue to use the old look, or try the new one, switching back and forth if you would like. For more information on the new look and its functionality, visit Gmail’s new compose and reply experience. If you have any questions, contact the NC State Help Desk at help@ncsu.edu or (919) 515-4357 (HELP).

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06: Attention WolfPrint users: Online convenience fee reduced
Students using NC State’s AllCampus Network to fund printing through OIT’s WolfPrint system now have an option for avoiding the $2 convenience fee associated with deposits made online with a credit card.

Effective immediately, all online deposits of $10 or less will incur only a 25-cent convenience fee. Students may also make no-fee deposits at the Wolfpack One Card office, located in the lobby of Talley Student Center, or via U.S. mail. For more information, please visit the Wolfpack One Card website or call (919) 513-3017.

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07: VCL reservation hours extended
Campus users now have twice the amount of time to utilize the NC State Virtual Computing Lab (VCL), a cloud computing system. Effective Oct. 25, the VCL default reservation time increased from four hours to eight hours. Special requests for longer durations to accommodate class, research or departmental projects can be made by email to vcl_help@ncsu.edu.

Developed in 2004 by OIT High Performance Computing (HPC) and the College of Engineering, the VCL provides 24×7 remote access for students, faculty or staff to use various VCL environments running on dedicated machines from anywhere with an Internet connection. Initially supporting approximately 200 engineering students, the VCL now supports remotely a wide range of users around the world in curriculum from advanced analytics to zoology.

This summer, the VCL source code was accepted by the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) as a top-level project. Top-level status is given to projects that have matured to being accepted and supported by a diverse open source community. Visit the VCL website for more information.

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08: AFS quota is now 2GB
OIT Shared Services has increased the default Andrew File System (AFS) quota from 350 MB to 2 GB per account. This recent change will make it easier for students to run applications such as Matlab and Maple in order to complete certain course assignments.

Campus file storage requirements vary a great deal among students, faculty and staff. The university is reviewing those requirements in the context of a broader information technology strategic plan. If you have any questions about this recent change or encounter any problems, please contact the NC State Help Desk at (919) 515-4357 or help@ncsu.edu.

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09: OIT to decommission Novell NetWare Directory Services
On Monday, April 1, 2013, OIT will decommission NC State’s Novell NetWare Directory Services (NCSUNDS), which provides storage space for campus users who log in to their computers using a Novell login and password.


OIT has identified the remaining users of NCSUNDS and is transitioning them to Active Directory-based file services. If your department is still using Novell resources, contact OIT immediately at oit_windows@help.ncsu.edu for assistance in transition planning. 

 

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10: OIT disbands SAS website
On Friday, Dec. 14, OIT will discontinue the campus SAS website and move all SAS information to the newly designed Software Licensing website. Users will have a one-stop website for SAS information, software and licenses. For additional information, contact sas_help@ncsu.edu.

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11: Free Paper Shredding and Electronics Recycling Drive
NC State University is hosting a free Paper Shredding and Electronics Recycling Drive on Thursday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 830 Main Campus Dr. on Centennial Campus (at the corner of Partners Way and Main Campus Drive).

Among the IT-related recyclables being accepted are computers, computer monitors, computer parts and peripherals, batteries, cell phones, personal handheld devices (PDAs), CDs, cassettes and USB drives. For information about acceptable non-IT-related materials (e.g., small kitchen appliances, TVs), visit NC State Recycles.


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12: Report2Web demo and training session available today
Campus users are invited to attend a one-hour Report2Web demonstration and training session today (Wednesday, Nov. 14) from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the ITTC Lab 2 of D.H. Hill Library. Report2Web is a Web-based report document repository at NC State.


To register for training, visit Classmate. For more information about Report2Web, contact Derek Jordan of OIT Shared Services at dcjordan@ncsu.edu.

 

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13: OIT releases new training calendar
OIT has updated its training calendar with new and popular workshops and seminars. Some of these offered in November include:

  • Google Apps @ NC State Mail and Calendar training will be offered on Tuesday, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon in Room 110 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. This hands-on workshop will cover everything you need to know to get started with Gmail and Google Calendar, including an overview of the apps and helpful resources. To register, visit Classmate.

  • Website Accessibility Tune-Ups will be offered on Tuesday, Nov. 27 from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 106 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. Do you have questions about your website’s accessibility, but don’t know who or what to ask? Bring your website URL and any questions you have to this informal Lunch & Learn session to get advice from Greg Kraus, the University IT Accessibility Coordinator, on easy steps to make your site more accessible. To register, visit Classmate.

  • Don’t get hooked! Avoiding phishing email attacks & analyzing your spam will be offered on Wednesday, Nov. 28 from noon to 1 p.m. in 216 Scott Hall. Phishing is a disguised attempt to steal your personal information and can be extremely damaging to you and NC State University. See if you can tell a phishing attack from a legitimate email message, and learn how to protect yourself from phishing, spam, and other destructive email. To register, visit Classmate.

  • Learning to Think Like an Accessible Web Designer: Accessible Modal Windows will be offered on Thursday, Nov. 28 from noon to 1p.m. in ITTC Lab 2 of D.H. Hill Library  ITTC Lab. Come to this presentation to learn how to make rich Internet applications accessible to people with disabilities using the  W3C Accessible Rich Internet Application (ARIA) Suite. To register, visit Classmate.

  • InDesign: Introduction will be offered on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 9 a.m. to noon in Room 110 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. In your unit or department, are you responsible for print campaigns such as brochures or advertisements? During this workshop, you’ll use InDesign to create a page layout for a single-sided project, and in the process, you will learn about typography, integration with other Adobe applications, and layout design. You will also investigate how tone, audience, and purpose impact design decisions. To register, visit Classmate.

  • Choosing a Digital Camera will be offered on Friday, Nov. 30 from noon to 1p.m. in 216 Scott Hall. Come learn about the many considerations in digital photography through a clear and concise lens, and learn how to select the right digital camera for your personal or work use. To register, visit Classmate.

Check out the many workshops offered in December on the Classmate training calendar. If you’d like to request a custom training workshop for your department, unit or classroom, please complete the Custom Training online form.

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14: SAR training scheduled for Jan. 16
Monthly Security Access Request (SAR) training for campus requestors and approvers of access to secured university data will be held Wednesday, Jan. 16  from 9 a.m. to noon in the ITTC Lab 2 of D.H. Hill Library. SAR training will not be held in December. Please visit Classmate to view available classes and to sign up for training.

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15: Avoid holiday scams
As the holiday season draws near, Security and Compliance wants to offer you some helpful tips to avoid 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 emails from your bank or credit card company indicating that your credit card has been declined, suspended or cancelled, call the bank or credit card company directly. The notice could be a fake or have an attached virus.
  • Phony offers for Black Friday/Cyber Monday
    Using the Internet to search for coupons can lead to a bad deal if you’re not careful. Be wary of coupon offers that ask for your password or credit card number. Look for malicious links in emails and even QR codes. Use your mouse to hover over the link to see where it really goes and use the safe search settings in your search engine to filter out bad deals.
  • Fake warnings about end-of-year activities
    Be on the lookout for malicious links in emails 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 the link or open the attachment.
  • Holiday travel scams
    Scammers usually send free or discounted airline ticket offers to obtain your frequent flyer username and password. To see the real deal, go to the airline website directly. Be leery of “I’m destitute and need money” scams.
  • Search results
    Everyone is buying more online and more searches are done on mobile devices than desktops. The first few pages of search results are usually trustworthy and later pages may be OK too, but beware that the larger the page number, the greater the chance the search result is a scam or contains malicious information. Criminals are creating thousands of fake pages with common search terms so they display in Google searches. These pages are rigged to send benign content when Google scans them and malicious content when you visit them from a search result.
  • Fake receipts, shipping notices and orders
    Your purchase will likely be shipped, but beware of fake notices from UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL like “track your UPS delivery online” and your “Amazon book order has shipped.” Go to the shipper’s website and don’t open email attachments you aren’t expecting.
  • Social media scams
    Be on the lookout for scams via your Skype, Facebook, Google, or Twitter account.

  • Home security
    As you travel during the holidays, don’t post on Facebook or Twitter that you’re on vacation or away from your home. Thieves will use this information to target and rob you. Be safe this holiday season!

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