INFORMATION SERVICES
February 2004
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Announcements from the Bulletin, Today, Notification-L

02/27/04, Privacy, Network Vulnerabilities
Please have a look at a couple policy white papers at http://www. macalester.edu/infoservices/planning/. One has to do with the strict guidelines we propose to follow to safeguard personal information in our systems. The other outlines steps we perceive to be necessary to protect our network from attacks and other service interruptions. Comments welcomed by Eric Wiertelak, Chair, Information Services Advisory Committee, or Joel Clemmer. [Bulletin]

02/27/04, Learn All About It
The Library and CIT have teamed up to offer a variety of hands-on classes for students, faculty and staff on software packages such as Excel, PowerPoint, Dreamweaver and Photoshop. Information about Spring Semester 2004 sessions has been posted at http: //www.macalester.edu/library/lab/services/classes.html. [Bulletin]

02/27/04, Your Forward Key
You probably have a button on your phone labeled 'Forward'. Ever used it? Don't know what it's for? Using it properly will "forward" your calls directly to voice mail, or another extension, without ringing your phone. This is a great thing when you will be away from your desk, especially if for a few days or more. It's a courtesy to your callers, so they don't have to spend their time waiting for your phone to ring three or four times before going to voice mail (and to your co-workers, so they don't have to listen to your phone ring, knowing you aren't there.)

To activate the "forward": press the forward key, enter 6666 if you want your calls to go directly to your voice mail box (or another extension), then press the forward key. The forward key should now have a solid triangle next to it. To undo the forwarding, press the forward key again. The triangle should disappear.

If you have any questions, please call Telecommunications at x6566. [Bulletin]

02/24/04, WebBoard Upgrade Friday 2/27/04
We will be upgrading Macalester's WebBoard Bulletin Board software this Friday, February 27, 2004. The process will begin at 8:00 AM and continue until the upgrade is complete and all systems have been checked. During parts of the upgrade and testing phases, the server will be online; we ask that everyone refrain from using the Bulletin Boards until a notice has been posted to announce that the Boards are open again. For status updates, visit this webpage:

www.macalester.edu/~jorissen/webboardstatus.html

We hope to have the server available for posting by early afternoon on Friday. Questions? Call Jenny Jorissen at x6307.

Instructors, if you are not currently using WebBoard to communicate with/among your students, and are interested in discussing how it might be useful in your teaching, please contact Jenny as above. [Notification-L, also Bulletin 2/25/04, 2/27/04]

02/23/04, 2004 Information Services Survey is Here
Please go to http://www.macalester.edu/issurvey. Information Services is actively seeking your opinions. Give us five minutes of your time to help improve our services. Anonymity is guaranteed. After completing the survey, register for a prize drawing. Print copies of the survey are available at the Library Reference Desk and the CIT Help Desk. [Bulletin, also 2/25/04, 2/27/04]

02/23/04, Privacy Policies
The Information Services Advisory Committee worked hard last spring to formulate appropriate policies on privacy of digitally-based personal and personally created information. The result of extensive discussions is available to you at http://www.macalester.edu/infoservices/planning/privacy.html. Please have a look! Comments are welcomed by committee chair Eric Wiertelak and/or Joel Clemmer by the end of Wednesday, February 25. [Bulletin, also 2/25/04]

02/20/04, Protect Yourself
Over the past 18 months the Internet became a nasty place and our network is under constant, not occasional, attack. We have network level controls in place and are working on improvements but, as national headlines demonstrate, all computers are to some degree vulnerable, particularly those using the Windows operating system.

Here's what you should do:

1. Ensure you have the latest Windows service pack (SP) installed. In Windows XP, click Start, then right-click (click with the right mouse button) My Computer -> Properties. Go to the General tab, and look for 'Service Pack 1'. Here is a sample screenshot, with where 'Service Pack 1' should appear, circled in red: http://www.macalester.edu/cit/safecomputing/ images/check_xp_sp_level.jpg. Go to http://www.macalester.edu/cit/software/index.html#microsoftsp to get the latest Windows service packs. Avoid leaving spaces in these and following URLs!

2. Make sure your operating system updates itself automatically. In Windows XP, click Start, then right-click (click with the right mouse button) My Computer -> Properties. Go to the Automatic Updates tab, check 'Keep my computer up to date', select 'Automatically download the updates', select 'Every day' and pick a time of day when your computer is usually on. Here is an example screenshot: http://www.macalester.edu/cit/safecomputing/ images/windows_update_setup.jpg.

3. Go to our Safe Computing page and make sure you understand how Symantec (formerly Norton) Anti-Virus works and how to keep it up to date on your machine. That's http://www. macalester.edu/cit/safecomputing/.

As always, call the Help Desk at x6525 with questions.

Yes, these steps seem a chore. The problem is that one compromised computer on our network brings down performance for everyone. So you should take protective measures not just for your own sake but for everyone else's. [Bulletin, also 2/23/04, 2/25/04, 2/27/04, also Notification-L 2/18/04]

02/20/04, Sisk Going On Leave
David Sisk, CIT, will be on parental leave beginning Monday, March 8, returning to campus on Monday, April 19. His access to e-mail will be very limited. If you are considering any institutional hardware and software purchases, please contact David as soon as possible in advance of that. [Bulletin, also 2/23/04, 2/25/04]

02/20/04, Call for Proposals - Classrooms of the Future X Symposium
Macalester will host the 10th annual Classrooms of the Future Symposium on Tuesday, May 25. Sponsored by the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities, the theme is "Learner-Centered Learning."

All faculty and staff are invited to submit proposals for the COTF conference sessions as well as the pre-conference workshops on May 24. Talk with your colleagues about:

* Exploring impacts of learning styles
* Accommodating learner diversity
* Gaming as learning
* Measuring learner outcomes

Classrooms of the Future is an opportunity for higher education professionals to come together to talk about their practices for teaching with technology. COTF intentionally creates a relaxed atmosphere to promote discussion and dialogue between you and your colleagues. Individual or group presentations, as well as student co-presenters, are encouraged. Presentations may be lecture or interactive hands-on format.

Don't miss your chance to submit a proposal for COTF X before March 15. To submit and for more information go to http://www. associatedcolleges-tc.org/cotf. [Bulletin, also 2/9/04, 2/11/04, 2/16/04, 2/18/04, 2/20/04, 2/23/04, 2/25/04]

02/20/04, A Telecomm 'Did You Know?'
The Staff/Faculty Directory contains sections that list the departments alphabetically, followed by the members of that department. Did you know that you can get that same information on our on-line directory? From the home page, click on Directory, then type in a department name (i.e. Computing) and search. The department information, followed by the department members, should pop up.

Any phone or voice mail questions that you'd like to see answered here, just call Telecommunications at x6566. [Bulletin, also 2/23/04, 2/25/04]

02/20/04, CARS/CX Interruption
We must upgrade the operating system and database on April 3-4. Prep work will begin April 2 after business hours (4:30 PM). That means that users should not queue jobs/reports to run April 3-4. Because the faculty and student information systems run in the computer 'box' being upgraded, they will also be unavailable. It is an inconvenience, we know, but we must perform these vital upgrades. Thank you. [Bulletin, also 2/23/04, 2/25/04]

02/18/04, Yesterday Afternoon's Internet Trouble
A hacked computer, programmed to attack another Internet site, was the cause of yesterday afternoon's dismal Internet performance.

Microsoft provides Windows tools for detecting and removing two of the latest viruses, Mydoom and Blaster. Get them here:
http://www.macalester.edu/cit/safecomputing/.

Update your Windows computer to the latest service packs. Get Windows XP SP1 and Windows 2000 SP4 here:
http://www.macalester.edu/cit/software/#microsoftsp.

Then run Windows Update to get all of the latest patches. In Internet Explorer, click Tools -> Windows Update, and just follow the prompts.

Finally, set Windows Update to automatically download and update Windows every day. Here's how:
In Windows XP, click Start, then right-click (click with the right mouse button) My Computer -> Properties. Go to the Automatic Updates tab, check 'Keep my computer up to date', select 'Automatically download the updates', select 'Every day' and pick a time of day when your computer is usually on. Here is an example screenshot:
http://www.macalester.edu/cit/safecomputing/ images/windows_update_setup.jpg. If you make yours look like this, that would be good.

In Windows 2000, click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel, then Automatic Updates. Check 'Keep my computer up to date', select 'Automatically download the updates', select 'Every day' and pick a time of day when your computer is usually on. Here is an example screenshot:
http://www.macalester.edu/cit/safecomputing/ images/windows_update_setup.jpg. If you make yours look like this, that would be good. [Notification-L]

02/18/04, Coming Soon: Information Services Survey
Win prizes and make your opinion count by completing the Information Services survey. Surveys will be available starting Monday, February 23, on the Web and in print. [Bulletin]

02/13/04, Mydoom and Friends
Please go to http://www. macalester.edu/cit/safecomputing/ and read about what you should be doing! [Bulletin, also 2/16/04, 2/18/04]

02/13/04, A Telecomm 'Did You Know?'
Did you know that you have a redial key? If you are using a digital telephone (a phone with 8 or 16 function keys), your extension key (bottom right key) is also your redial. Just pick up your handset and press that key and you'll redial your last number called.

Any phone or voice mail questions that you'd like to see answered here, just call Telecommunications at x6566. [Bulletin, also 2/16/04, 2/18/04]

02/13/04, Micro Fund: Deadline Looming!
Friday, February 20 is the deadline to apply to the second, and last, round of the 2003-2004 Microcomputer Fund. If one of the following describes you, please apply:

• you wish to replace a computer that is not yet four years old
• you need something above and beyond the standard
• you want to switch from Windows to Macintosh (or vice versa)
• you want to switch from desktop to laptop (or vice versa)
• you want a computer for a newly-arisen need

02/13/04, Administrative System/CARS Upgrade
We'll be upgrading our operating system and database releases April 3-4 and this upgrade entails disruption of service. Prep work will begin April 2nd after business hours (4:30 PM). Please do not queue jobs or reports to run April 3 or 4. Because the faculty and student information systems depend on the back-end systems being upgraded, they will also be unavailable. We regret the inconvenience and hope that this early warning provides needed planning time. Call Ramón Rentas, x.6633, with questions. [Bulletin, also 2/16/04, 2/18/04]

02/06/04, Ask Us - Library Reference Service Online
Up at 3:00 AM with a burning question? Away at a conference and need access to a library database? Hunkered down in your office when it's below zero? If your answer is yes to any of the above - or if you simply feel like giving the service a try - "AskUs" is for you. Macalester's crack Reference Librarians (the human search engines) are standing by 24 hours a day to assist you. Well, not exactly standing by, but we do promise a response to your question within 24 hours. To connect, click on the "AskUs" link found within the gray bar on the library web page, or go directly to: http://www. macalester.edu/library/about/qpemail.html. [Bulletin, also 2/9/04, 2/11/04]

02/13/04, Call for Proposals - Classrooms of the Future X Symposium
Macalester will host the 10th annual Classrooms of the Future Symposium on Tuesday, May 25. Sponsored by the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities, the theme is "Learner-Centered Learning."

All faculty and staff are invited to submit proposals for the COTF conference sessions as well as the pre-conference workshops on May 24. Talk with your colleagues about:

• Exploring impacts of learning styles
• Accommodating learner diversity
• Gaming as learning
• Measuring learner outcomes

02/06/04, Computer Training Sessions
The Library and CIT have teamed up to offer a variety of hands-on classes for students, faculty and staff. Want to learn how to work with Excel spreadsheets, use Dreamweaver to create Web pages, Powerpoint to do presentations, or RefWorks to track your research resources? These are just some of the topics offered. Information about all Spring Semester sessions has been posted at http://www.macalester.edu/ library/lab/ [Bulletin, also 2/9/04, 2/11/04]

02/06/04, Speaking of Computer Education
In addition to our array of training options here on campus, other options are available to you for either your work or personal needs. For example, the Science Museum of Minnesota Computer Education Center is offering anyone who has not taken a class at their Center, $30 off any class that costs $129 or more. The offer is good for one class only. For details and the coupon offer check out:

http://comped.smm.org/30OffCoupon.pdf

If you have already attended a class, send the above Web address to someone who hasn't and receive two free tickets (exhibits and OmniMax Theatre) to the Science Museum of Minnesota when they take their class.

Act now. The class must be taken by May 31, 2004.

Alternatively, you or someone known to you may be well-served by SENIORNET, an online service for those over 50 offering tutorials, discussions and other opportunities. See http://www.seniornet.org [Bulletin, also 2/9/04, 2/11/04]

02/04/04, Internet Outage Due to DOS Attack
We are currently experiencing a severe denial of service attack which has slowed our internet connection to a crawl. A DOS attack works by bombarding a connection beyond what it can handle. The network staff is continuing to work on the problem and will have us up and running as soon as possible. There may be a complete shutdown of our connection as we attempt to get back online. [Notification-L]

02/04/04, Oh Baby
David, Meg and Ben Sisk are proud to announce the birth of Susannah Corinne Sisk, on Thursday, Jan. 22. She's a keeper, weighing in at 9 lbs. 12 oz. and measuring 21 1/2 inches. Everyone is doing well. [Bulletin]

02/04/04, Sara Suelflow, Web Coordinator
Web Coordinator Sara Suelflow, who is expecting twins on March 1, is on medical leave as of February 1. Please join all Information Services staff in welcoming Web Manager Jenny Jorissen to the Macalester community. Jenny has been with us since mid-December and can be reached at x6307 or via e-mail at webmaster@macalester.edu or jorissen@macalester.edu. If you have questions about Web services or need assistance with your department, course or personal Web site, please contact Jenny. [Bulletin]

02/02/04, To-Do List for Windows Users
The latest worm/virus outbreak affects Windows computers. Please do the following:

(1) Make sure you have Symantec Antivirus installed with updated definitions. It is FREE for everyone at Macalester and may be downloaded here: http://www.macalester.edu/cit/safecomputing/how_to_install.htm
(2) Go to Start -> Programs -> Symantec Client Security -> Symantec Antivirus Client. In the lower-right corner, you will see a 'Virus Definition File' date. It needs to be 1/26/2004 or later. If it isn't, click the 'LiveUpdate' button to update your antivirus definitions. If the 'LiveUpdate' button is grayed out, reinstall Symantec Antivirus with step (1) above, then do this step again.
(3) Don't open strange attachments! [Bulletin, also 1/30/04 and 2/4/04]

01/30/04, Mydoom
The Mydoom worm/virus has been making headlines as it affects millions of computers around the world. Macalester has fared pretty well against it, though a couple dozen computers on campus are infected. Contact the Help Desk at x6525 if you think you might be! All users are encouraged to download and install the FREE Symantec Antivirus, at http://www. macalester.edu/cit/safecomputing/. In the meantime, users will continue to receive bogus e-mails from other infected machines and our Internet "pipe" will continue to clog with thousands of messages from infected computers world-wide. Senders may get messages kicked back because of that but we know of no reason why messages would be lost. [Bulletin, also 2/2/04 and 2/4/04]

01/30/04, FirstSearch Interlibrary Loan Change
Attention, members of the Macalester community who use the ILL (Interlibrary Loan) link available in the library's FirstSearch databases, e.g. Worldcat, Econlit, etc.! This link will become unavailable starting February 2nd. Other methods to submit Interlibrary Loan requests from FirstSearch databases will still be available such as the SFX link and our web forms available from http://www.macalester.edu/library/about/policies/interloan.html. If you have any questions please contact Aaron Albertson (e-mail albertson@macalester.edu, phone x6530) or the library reference desk (x6618). Thank you. [Bulletin, also 2/2/04 and 2/4/04]

01/30/04, Help Our Switchboard!
If you are hosting an event that will be held on campus that would involve outside guests, please notify Colleen Nelson, our switchboard operator. Please call x6000 or e-mail her at nelsoncm@macalester.edu with: what?, where?, when?, who?, & cost?. This would be a great help to her, to your participants, and to you! [Bulletin, also 2/2/04 and 2/4/04]

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