Enhancements to Campus Computer Labs

During summer 2004, ITS made some upgrades and improvements to campus computer labs. Jan Enright, Lab Services Coordinator, moved to the newly-created Student Learning Center in the Tutt Library to start up the Computers and Advanced Technology (CAT) lab. This lab houses the digital video, scanning, and other multimedia equipment that used to be in the front part of the Keck Humanities Lab.

The Macintosh lab, formerly housed in Barnes, moved to the Keck Humanities lab in the third floor of Armstrong. It is equipped with an instructor station and ceiling-mounted data projector, making it an excellent digital teaching space. The improvements to the Mac lab mean there are now three ITS-managed digital teaching spaces available for instructors to use - Keck Mac, Barnes PC, and Palmer 20. The move of the Mac lab to Armstrong also means that, for the first time, the humanities division has a teachable computer lab in close proximity to where many of its classes are taught. A number of classes already have taken advantage of this.

Other improvements include the installation of a SmartBoard in the Barnes PC lab, as well as a redesign of the physical layout of the lab.

The Keck Mac, Barnes PC, and Palmer 20 labs are reservable through the lab reservation system at http://www.coloradocollege.edu/computing/reserve/rlmain.html Please note that you will need to use Internet Explorer to access the lab reservation system. If you need help making a reservation, please contact your divisional technology specialist if you are a faculty member, or the help desk if you are a staff member.

ACAD, a PHP/mySQL Server, Now Available

More and more people on campus have been asking for a server that could host PHP and mySQL programs. For a time, the Academic Technology Services team ran a test server that provided PHP and mySQL. However, security and reliability issues quickly became a problem, and it became clear that we needed a more secure and stable system. Enter the ACAD server. It provides support for both PHP and mySQL, but the operating system is Windows rather than FreeBSD.  This means that the Network Systems Group is able to provide operating system support, install security patches, and generally keep the server in "good health." It also means that you can connect to your space on this server the same way you connect to other network drives like your h: drive.

If you had pages on the ATS test server that you used regularly and that you want set up on the new ACAD server, contact Justin Pohlmann x6255 or David Ziemba x6063. They can also help you if you are interested in setting up a new application on the ACAD server.

Audio/Visual Services Video Lab is Now Digital

Over the last year or so, Audio Visual Services has converted its video editing lab to a digital editing facility.  The room now has four I-Mac editing stations with I-Movie software.  Users can import content from a variety of sources including Mini-DV tape, VHS tape, and DVD, as well as CD and microphone audio sources.  We still have one VHS tape editing system in the room.

Like its tape-based predecessor, the AVS Digital Editing Lab is open to the campus, for class work or independent projects.  It is located in Armstrong 21.  Check in at the AVS Office (Armstrong 18) to use the lab, and get a brief tutorial, if needed.  Hours are limited to 8:30AM to 5:00PM weekdays.  For more information contact Dan Wiencek at 389-6378.

New "protect your computer" webpage

One of the biggest computer issues we all face is how to go about making sure our computers are protected against the large number of threats arrayed against them in the modern world. Because these threats to your privacy, identity, and efficiency are so varied, there is no one single solution that can protect you against everything. With all that complexity, how are you to know what steps you should take to protect yourself?

Over the past few months, the Help Desk has worked hard to create a robust webpage designed to be a "one-stop shop" where you can easily find all the information and detailed instructions you need to make sure your computer is protected.

http://helpdesk.coloradocollege.edu/howto/protectyourcomputer

Zip disks becoming an obsolete format

Those of you who use Zip disks and have either gotten a new computer recently or visited a public lab may have noticed that support for this format is not as ubiquitous as it once was.  With built-in cd burners a standard option on most computers and the rise in popularity of USB keychain/thumb drives, support for the Zip disk format has been declining. 

For a couple of years now, no new Macintosh computers have shipped with internal Zip drives.  Starting this year, the same will be true of all new Dell PCs ordered through the college. 

So, if you still have a lot of data on zip disks, what are your options?  If you use your Zip disk to transfer data between your home and work computers, a USB flash drive is an excellent choice.  Most drives are about the size of your thumb (hence one of their common nicknames, “thumb drive”) and can store from 256 MB up to 1 GB of information.  Prices range from approximately $35 for a 256 MB thumb drive, $53 for a 512 MB drive, and $120 for a 1 GB drive.  You can find them for sale at any consumer electronics store and some office supply stores, or you can order one through ITS computer purchasing by contacting Millie Brence-Austin (x6250) with a budget code and the size of flash drive you would like to purchase.

If you use your Zip disks to archive or back up data, a network storage drive and burnable cds are two options.  Your personal network storage drive (also known as your H: drive) is a very good place for critical documents, because the data on these drives is backed up daily by the Network Systems Group.  However, the downside of network storage is that space is limited to 100 MB per person (50 MB for students).  So, if you are archiving the two thousand photos from your recent trip to Turkey, a burnable cd is a better choice.  CDs hold up to 800 MB of data, and most computers that are two to three years old will have an internal cd burner.  Mac users whose computers have SuperDrives have the option of burning data onto a DVD disk.  A DVD can hold up to 4.5 gigabytes  of information.

So, take advantage of the zip drive in your current computer, or visit the Tutt Library garden level lab or the PCs in the Keck Humanities lab, and start transferring your files to your network storage drive, cd, dvd, or flash drive.  If you need help, feel free to drop by the Help Desk or call them at x6449.  That way, when the last computer with an internal Zip drive leaves campus, you’ll be ready.

For more information about the various storage options available to you, visit

http://helpdesk.coloradocollege.edu/howto/protectyourcomputer/dataloss.htm

Modem Pool Reaching the End of Its Life Cycle

Many members of the community use the CC modem pool to connect to the internet from home.  Unfortunately, the modem pool equipment is very old and is failing more and more often.  We will provide this service as long as we can, but users can expect service interruptions, and we expect to retire the modem pool within the next year. Those of you who use the modem pool may wish to begin exploring other ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to be prepared for when the modem pool goes away.  Some options include:

• Adelphia broadband internet (extremely fast and reliable, costs appx. $55 / month)
• Qwest DSL broadband service (fast and reliable, costs appx. $35 / month)
• An alternate dial up service such as Earthlink or Netzero (extremely slow, but reliable, costs appx. $10 / month)
• ATT Global net – nationwide dialup service and easily configured for access.
    (To take advantage of the AT&T Internet offering, register for service using one of the following methods):
        - Web site at http://services.prserv.net/svcor
        - Call 1-800-821-4612.

ITS is happy to consult with you about this.

Campus addresses and phone numbers now available in Global Address Book

The Outlook Global Address list now also contains information about campus addresses and phone numbers. Look for details about this feature in the near future.

Now hiring student workers

The Help Desk is looking for bright, motivated students with an interest in learning how to support technology.  If you know such a student, please send them our way to get an application!