INFORMATION SERVICES
July 2004
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to Information Services
Announcements from the Bulletin, Today, Notification-L
07/30/04, Library Journals/Classified Serials Cancellations
Per consultation with Faculty Library Representatives, the library is
planning to cancel the following journals and classified serials
beginning January 2005:
German Department:
Unterrichtspraxis
Deutsche Literatur des Mittelalters - Verfasserlexikon
Deutsche Lyrik der fruhen Neuzeit
Asian Languages and Cultures Department:
Fujin Koron
If your department is interested in paying for and maintaining any of
these titles, please contact Katy Gabrio (x6703) by September 1. Thank you! [Bulletin]
07/30/04, Viruses and Filenames
Many users know that a file that ends in .jpg is a picture, a file that
ends in .mov is a Quicktime video file, a .doc file is a Word document,
and so on. Other legitimate filenames which have more potential for harm
are .exe, .com, .cmd, .bat and .pif files. Files with any of these
endings are programs which may run and infect your computer.
What virus writers have done is to name a virus something like
"great_picture.jpg.pif." Unwary users will notice the filename has
".jpg" in it and think it is a picture. But the important part is the
ending of the filename; "great_picture.jpg.pif" is actually a ".pif"
program file and may infect your computer.
So be wary. To protect your system, look at the entire filename. The
very last part, the extension, tells your computer what the file is and
what to do with it. Filenames with other extensions in the name, like
"great_movie.mov.exe" are almost certainly viruses. The only reason to
include extension names in the filename would be to deceive you.
[Bulletin]
07/30/04, Computer Virus Warning:
'Macalester.edu Team'
Several individuals on campus have
received e-mail messages this week which purport to be from 'the
macalester.edu technical support team.' While the exact wording varies,
the messages all appear to be warnings that your computer is sending
spam, while urging you to run an attached file 'in order to keep your
computer safe.' The messages are bogus and the attached files are
viruses: if you open and run the attachment, whether it is a
.pif, .scr or .exe
file, your computer will be infected. Don't. Delete
the message, please.
What is particularly insidious about this crop of virus messages is that
they seem to originate from Macalester e-mail addresses. This is because
the computers propagating the viruses are here on campus. We cannot
stress too highly the need for everyone, particularly Windows PC users,
to keep your operating systems patched and your virus definitions
up-to-date. (How? Begin by visiting our Safe Computing pages at
http://www.macalester.edu/cit/safecomputing and downloading any
patches you haven't already installed. Do the same with Symantec
Anti-Virus. if you've done both of these, go to
http://www.macalester.edu/infoservices/news/ and look for the
Notification-L posting from July 22. This will explain another virus
hoax and gives links to some new patch updates.)
In addition to making sure your computer is patched and prepared, be
suspicious of any e-mail messages from sources you do not know well. If
something looks fishy, it may well be faked, even deliberately designed
to gull you. Macalester CIT staff will communicate with you in the event
of system problems and viruses - but we normally use Notification-L and
other official College venues to do so. We do not normally write in
broken English, nor do we sign our communications as 'the macalester.edu
team.' For a more thorough (and entertaining) analysis, see previous Notification-L postings on this subject from March
2, 2004 (http://www.macalester.edu/infoservices/news/2004march.html)
and from June 10, 2003
(http://www.macalester.edu/infoservices/news/2003june.html). [Bulletin, also Notification-L 7/27]
07/29/04, CARS Downtime Friday 7/30
The Jenzabar/CARS system will be taken down for approximately four hours
on Friday, July 30, beginning at 2:00 PM. The downtime is necessary so
that SMOs can be installed. (The acronym stands for System Maintenance
Orders; basically, patches and updates to the system.) If you have
questions, please contact Ramón Rentas, Database Manager, at
x.6633. [Notification-L]
07/26/04, Printing Problems Across Campus
Some offices and individuals are reporting problems with printing.
Symptoms are simple: a print job is sent and is queued normally, but it
never actually prints. We have discovered that the problem is rooted in
a conflict between Novell Netware and Hewlett-Packard printing software.
Having found the problem, network staff have begun fixing the conflicts.
This must be done one printer at a time, but does not require office
visits. Printers connected directly to computers should not be affected
by this problem (nor are all networked printers affected). We regret
the inconvenience and are fixing the problems as quickly as possible.
[Notification-L]
07/23/04, Server Consolidation Postponed
The server consolidation that was tentatively scheduled for this weekend
will not take place [see Bulletin article from 7/09/04 - ed.]
(We ran out of staff capacity). The consolidation will be rescheduled
for a later time. We will make announcements in advance when we have a
new date. [Bulletin]
07/23/04, New Faculty Starting? Playing Musical Offices?
Department Coordinators - if you haven't already contacted
Telecommunications, x6566, regarding new faculty members and where they
will be officed, or office changes within your department, please do so
at your earliest convenience. For those that have, thank you! The more
we can plan for, and do, ahead of time, the better! [Bulletin]
07/23/04, Wireless Networking Project
In recent weeks, we brought wireless networking to 37 Mac, Wallace,
Bigelow, and 30 Mac. By the beginning of the academic year, we will have
achieved coverage of all on-campus residences in addition to most
academic spaces. Our objectives are to allow access to networked
services from any indoor space and to position us to disallow
personally-operated network devices that have a history of interfering
with network access by others. [Bulletin]
07/23/04, Updated: Summer Projects List
Summer is a very busy time in CIT and our project list for 2004 shows
you how and why. We have updated the list to reflect progress as of July
21. Check it out at http://www.macalester.edu/infoservices/planning/summercitstatus7-21.htm.
[Bulletin]
07/23/04, The Microsoft Settlement: What's In It for Macalester?
You may have seen recent news about a proposed settlement in the
class-action lawsuit between Minnesota and Microsoft Corporation.
Briefly, if the settlement terms are approved by the court in October,
individuals and businesses that purchased specific Microsoft software
products between May 18, 1994, and March 17, 2003 for use in Minnesota
may file claims for reimbursement. This reimbursement will take the
form of vouchers, with differing cash values depending on which
Microsoft products are involved.
CIT has reviewed the proposed terms and it appears that Macalester will
be able to claim some funds from the settlement. The exact amount is
unknown as yet, and of course any fund recovery will depend on how, if
and when the settlement is finalized. In any event, Macalester's share
will not amount to more than a few thousand dollars at most, nor will we
receive any vouchers for at least another year.
Individual employees and students who purchased Microsoft products with
personal funds during the dates covered by the settlement may wish to
explore the proposed terms - you may be entitled to file a claim in the
settlement yourself! Full details are at the following Web site:
http://www.microsoftminnesotasettlement.com/index.htm
[Bulletin]
07/22/04, New Virus Hoax Today
Several people have received an e-mail titled "Osama Found Hanged."
Attached to the e-mail is a zip file, which the e-mail CLAIMS to contain
photos of a hanged Osama Bin Laden. The zip file actually contains a
virus. Do not open the zip file. Just delete the message.
Macintosh users cannot get infected by this and have nothing to worry
about.
Windows users who have opened the zip file, AND run the program it
contains, are probably infected. If you think you are
infected - remember, you will have had to open the zip file, AND run the
included program - contact the Help Desk for assistance cleaning it up,
at x6525.
Get the latest virus removal tools!
For Windows, Symantec Antivirus and Stinger:
https://www.macalester.edu/crash/software/restricted/pc/sav/9.0/sav9.exe
http://download.nai.com/products/mcafee-avert/stinger.exe
Windows Tip:
Most thorough method for virus scan/removal: Download both Symantec
Antivirus and Stinger. Install Symantec Antivirus (Stinger doesn't need
to be installed). Run Symantec Antivirus, and click the LiveUpdate
button, to update your computer with the newest anti-virus definitions.
Restart your computer in 'Safe Mode' (see below). Run Stinger, then run
Symantec and do a full C: drive scan. Reboot back into normal mode (see
below).
How do you boot into 'Safe Mode'?
(Print this info before you start into Safe Mode; you will not be able
to access e-mail in Safe Mode!) Click Start -> Run, then type
'msconfig' and click OK. Click the 'BOOT.INI' tab. Check the
'/SAFEBOOT' box and click OK. Click Restart.
How do you boot back into normal mode?
Click Start -> Run, then type 'msconfig' and click OK. Click the
'General' tab. Click on the 'Normal Startup' radio button. Restart.
For Macintosh, Norton Antivirus:
https://www.macalester.edu/crash/software/restricted/mac/nav/version_9/NortonAntiVirus_9.0_for_MAC_Corporate_Edition_EN.dmg.sit [Notification-L]
07/16/04, CX (CARS) and Macintosh
If you use Mac OS X and CX (neé CARS), we have a new program for you. It
is an OS X native version of the CX Telnet client. This will allow you
to interact with CX without starting up the NCSA Telnet program in
Classic mode. To install this go to
http://www.macalester.edu/cit/software/ and click on or
scroll down to the section called CARS for OS X Installer. After you
download the installer, run it. It will install the terminal session in
your Applications folder. You can run it from there, or drag it into
your dock if you use it frequently. One difference in use: hit [Command] + [Q]
to quit, or type "exit." If you have trouble with the installer, the Help
Desk (x6525) can walk you through it. [Bulletin]
07/16/04, CX (CARS) Downtime 7/18
The CARS administrative system will be unavailable on Sunday, July 18,
from 8:30 AM until around 2:30 PM. We must take the system down in
order to refresh the data in the train database. If you have questions,
please contact Database Manager Ramón Rentas at x.6633. [Bulletin, also Notification-L 7/13]
07/16/04, Your Old Stuff
Here's an opportunity to clear out old, personally-owned equipment.
Office Depot is partnering with Hewlett-Packard to offer recycling of
one electronic product a day for free all through the summer. See
http://money.cnn.com/2004/07/13/news/fortune500/recycle_pc/index.htm. [Bulletin]
07/16/04, Security Holes and You
Additional security holes have been discovered in the Internet Explorer
browser and Microsoft just issued five new critical updates - with
more likely to come soon. Background is available at
http://secunia.com/advisories/12048/. What to do? On the IE problem,
see our July 9 announcement entitled "Browsers Beware!" [below - ed.]. Windows users should use
the Windows Update feature under Start/All Programs to protect
themselves. If you do not find the Windows Update feature, go directly
to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/. [Bulletin]
07/16/04, The Good Ol' Summertime
Many of our planning and policy initiatives are described at
http://www.macalester.edu/infoservices/planning/. For example, you
will find there a compendium of information technology projects we will
complete or begin this summer. Your commentary on these (or anything
else [almost]) is welcome at clemmer@macalester.edu. [Bulletin]
07/14/04, Voicemail from Discover is a Scam!
A scam artist has called Macalester folks who use the Discover card. If
you recieve a voicemail message claiming to be from Discover, do not
call the phone number given without verifying its authenticity. The
scam brings you to an automated system that asks for your Discover card
number.
If you have already called the 800 number and entered your credit card
numbers, call Discover's real customer service line, 1-800-DISCOVER
(1-800-347-2683) and alert them.
Our Telecommunications Manager has blocked the scam outfit's 800 number
from our system. [Notification-L]
07/13/04, CARS Unavailable 7/18
The CARS administrative system will be unavailable next Sunday, July 18,
from 8:30 AM until around 2:30 PM. We must take the system down in
order to refresh the data in the train database. If you have questions,
please contact Database Manager Ramón Rentas at x.6633.
[Notification-L]
07/09/04, How's Your Summer?
Information Services departments use the summer for special projects and
preparations for the semester. To follow CIT activities and preview
changes that might affect you, see
http://www.macalester.edu/infoservices/planning/summercit.html.
[Bulletin]
07/09/04, Library Resources News: ARTstor
The library is pleased to announce that Macalester now has access to
ARTstor!
ARTstor is a non-profit initiative, funded by The Andrew W. Mellon
Foundation, with a mission to use digital technology to enhance
scholarship, teaching and learning in the arts and associated fields.
The ARTstor Digital Library Collection is:
07/09/04, Current Contents Online Resource
We are discontinuing access to Current Contents online resource. We have
found that this resource overlaps with the content we already receive
via the Web of Science (WoS). Please use WoS for any research you have
previously done via Current Contents.
Questions or comments? Please contact the reference desk:
http://www.macalester.edu/library/about/askus.html
[Bulletin]
07/09/04, Browsers Beware!
The US Computer Emergency Reponse Center (CERT, http://www.cert.org) has
issued a warning to those browsing the internet with Internet Explorer.
Just by going to one of hundreds of sites you may infect your computer.
This infection could allow attackers to view what you type, like
passwords or personal information.
Three things you can do to protect yourself:
1., make sure your virus software is up to date. See
http://www.macalester.edu/safecomputing.
2., make sure you have all the
critical updates from http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
3., consider using a different browser, like Mozilla (available locally at
http://www.macalester.edu/cit/software/#browsers).
For further information, see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3840101.stm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6746-2004Jun25.html
http://www.cert.org [Bulletin]
07/09/04, Mathematica Passwords Are Expiring
You may have noticed Mathematica prompting you for a new password. This
is normal, and you simply need to provide the replacement password.
Windows users can find the new password in the Novell Application
Launcher (doubleclick on Mathematica 5 and read the note), while
Macintosh OS X users can go to http://www.macalester.edu/cit/software,
download Mathematica and read the included note. The password is also
available at the Help Desk, x6525. Users of Mathematica 4 should upgrade
to version 5, if possible. [Bulletin]
07/09/04, Two Servers Become One
The Admin and Academic servers will be combined on a single server this
summer. The new server will be named Summit and will contain all the
information that is currently on the Admin and Academic servers. Summit
will be a two-node server cluster that will look like a single machine.
However, it will provide redundancy against server failure, since one
server can handle all the functions of the cluster if the other server
goes down. It will also make it easier for people that are currently on
different servers to share files.
PC users will see very little change after the consolidation. You will
notice a couple of new drive letters, but the H:, G: and M: drives that
you are accustomed to using will still point to the same files that
you're used to seeing there now. The new drive letters will be K: for
course folders, P: for projects and O: for student organizations.
Macintosh users who have set up aliases for folders on Admin or Academic
will need to recreate the alias using the new server name. Aliases for
departmental or organizational Web pages hosted on the server Web will
not need to be changed.
We are tentatively planning for the upgrade to happen over the weekend
beginning Friday, July 23. Details from Geri Olson, olson@macalester.edu or x6171.
[Bulletin, also 6/25]
07/09/04, New Statewide Databases Arrive at Macalester
After a lengthy statewide RFP process, there have been changes to the
suite of resources that Macalester gets through ELM (Electronic Library
for Minnesota). The most considerable change is the replacement of our
Gale databases with new Ebsco databases. This change took effect on July
1. We are in the process of updating our access points and information
to reflect this change.
New Databases:
Ebsco: Academic Search Premier, Business Source
Premier, MasterFILE Premier, Regional Business News
Databases going away:
Gale: General Reference Center Gold, Expanded Academic
Index ASAP, General Business File, Business and Company Resource Center,
Health Reference Center Academic, Health and Wellness Resource Center,
Computer Database, InfoTrac One File, Contemporary Authors.
We know these changes will bring questions. If you have questions about
the products, or questions as you begin using the new products please
contact us using our AskUs e-mail form, available at
http://www.macalester.edu/library/about/qpemail.html - Terri Fishel,
director, DeWitt Wallace Library [Bulletin, also 6/25, 7/02]
07/07/04, Brief Voicemail Downtime 7/8
Our Octel Voicemail System will be rebooted Thursday, July 8 at 7:30 AM.
We have found some glitches that require a reboot - taking the system
down and starting back up - to fix. The reboot should be completed
within 15 minutes of shutdown. No settings, greetings or messages will
be lost. During the downtime, if someone calls you and you're not
available to answer, the call will not go to voicemail; it will just
ring until you answer, or the caller hangs up.
If you experience any voicemail problems after 8:00 AM on Thursday, July
8, please call Telecommunications at x6566. We apologize for any
inconvenience. [Notification-L]
07/02/04, Statewide Database Program Brings Changes
To Macalester Library Online Resources
All libraries in the state of Minnesota benefit from a statewide
database program called ELM
(Electronic Library for
Minnesota). We have access to a number of online
library resources because of this program. The legislative intent
for ELM is to provide Minnesota with the best possible access to
information resources across the educational spectrum, including K-12,
higher education, state government and public libraries.
After a lengthy statewide RFP process, there have been changes to the
suite of resources that we get through this program. The most
considerable change for Macalester is the replacement of our Gale
databases with new Ebsco databases. This change will take effect on July
1, 2004. We are in the process of updating our access points and
information to reflect this change.
New Databases coming July 1:
Ebsco: Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier, MasterFILE
Premier, Regional Business News.
Databases going away:
Gale: General Reference Center Gold, Expanded Academic Index
ASAP, General Business File, Business and Company Resource Center,
Health Reference Center Academic, Health and Wellness Resource Center,
Computer Database, InfoTrac One File, Contemporary Authors.
As we receive new information concerning this significant change,
including activation of the new resources, we will be in touch. We know
these changes will bring questions. If you have questions about the
products, or questions as you begin using the new products, please
contact us using our AskUs email form, available at http://www.
macalester.edu/library/about/qpemail.html - Terri Fishel, director,
Macalester Library [Bulletin, also 6/25]
07/02/04, Popups, Search Toolbars and Time
Beware of any program or add-on purporting to be a 'Search Toolbar,'
'Popup blocker' or a clock synchronizer. Nearly all 'Search Toolbar'
and 'Popup blocker' programs are also spyware, that slow down your
computer, monitor your activity, and open unwanted Internet Explorer
windows. Likewise with the time synchronizers - they install a lot of
other garbage. Your (Windows) computer is automatically synchronized
with the Novell servers when you login, and the Novell servers are
synchronized with the government's atomic clock. Macintoshes are easily
configured to do the same, so your time is fine anyway.
If you don't want popups (who does?), use a browser that has blocking
capabilities built-in, such as the much-lauded Opera or Mozilla. Both
of these are free, and available from CIT's software page, at
http://www.macalester.edu/cit/software/. [Bulletin]
07/02/04, Computer Inventory Check
During July, CIT will conduct a routine physical inventory of
College-owned computer equipment. This process will involve checking
the Macalester ID sticker numbers of computers and workgroup printers,
then noting the building and room number in which the equipment is
currently located. That's all: no devices will even be turned on, and no
information other than ID numbers will be collected. Files will not be
examined and no equipment will be moved. We do this annually to help
make our equipment inventory database as accurate as we can. This
'equipment snapshot' benefits you, as the information is useful when it
comes time to replace College-owned computers. If you have questions
about the inventory check, please contact David Sisk at x.6745.
[Bulletin]
07/02/04, Wireless Macalester
C.I.T. staff are installing wireless infrastructure (yes, we recognize
the irony) across campus. We hope to provide opportunity to use digital
resources anywhere, any time. Currently, the following locations feature
wireless access: Campus Center, Library, Carnegie, Old Main, Olin-Rice,
Humanities, Weyerhaeuser Boardroom, and Kagin. More is on the way.
[Bulletin]
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