IT-Digest: Vol. 5
August 30, 2005
This e-newsletter is intended to inform the USM community about technology related issues, events, updates and news.
Back to School Issue!!
- UNET Account Activation
- Account Activation for New Faculty and Staff
- 10 Steps to Safe Computing
- Expanded Network User Drive
- Symantec Antivirus Upgrade
- HelpDesk Overview
- PeopleSoft Financial and Excel Training Suggestions
- Beware of "Phishing"
- GroupWise Meeting Scheduling
- HelpDesk Extended Hours
1. UNET Account Activation
It's back to school time! What's the first thing that you should do to prepare for the Fall semester at USM? ACTIVATE YOUR UNET ACCOUNT!! Every USM faculty, staff and student will need to know and use their UNET account. Faculty and students will need to use it to log into computer lab and classroom machines, use BlackBoard, or to use on campus wireless services. University staff will use it for the same reasons as faculty and to have access to their PeopleSoft accounts. All UNET accounts also include a username@maine.edu email account. The University of Maine System uses the UNET email address for official university communications. In addition, email generated from BlackBoard also uses the UNET email address. The UNET address can be forwarded to another email address by activating your account and going to http://mail.maine.edu and selecting the Mail Forwarding link. Visit the HelpDesk in Luther Bonney Hall in Portland, the computer lab in Bailey Hall in Gorham, or the computer lab at Lewiston Auburn College with photo ID to get your Activation Key Code.
2. Account Activation for New Faculty and Staff
Computing Services is able to create UNET computing accounts for faculty and staff who may not be in the Human Resources/PeopleSoft system yet. The UNET account is created automatically when that employee is entered into the system but occasionally, the timing of this process may not be soon enough. In this case, contact or visit the HelpDesk and provide your legal name, social security number, college or department, and contact info. The account can be created quickly and the HelpDesk will also assist in activating the account. Once activated, this account will allow access to email, lab and classroom computers, and Blackboard entry. This will not allow entry into PeopleSoft until Human Resources enters the employee but once that occurs, the username and password will remain the same.
3. 10 Steps to Safe Computing
There are a number of steps that you can take make your computing experience at USM safer and more secure. These steps range from using a strong password to storing your important and sensitive documents on the network User Drive. USM has adopted a document that details the 10 Steps to Safe Computing.
4. Expanded Network User Drive
IT Network Services is pleased to announce a dramatic expansion of the network User Drive for all faculty and staff computer users. Often referred to as the U: Drive, this network storage space has been increased 10 fold to 500 MB for each user. This increased space is available to both Windows and Mac users. Documents stored on your local hard drive are accessible to anyone who logs onto that machine and are NOT subject to any automated backup. Documents stored on your department's N: (Common) Drive are accessible by all members of your department. The N: drive should be used files and documents to be shared within your department. Documents stored on your U: User Drive are secure and backed up nightly in case disaster recovery is needed. For more information and help on storing files on the U: drive, see the File Storage FAQ.
5. Symantec Antivirus Upgrade
Symantec Antivirus software has been upgraded to version 10 for home installs and USM owned computers that are not on the university network. To upgrade your installation, go to http://antivirus.usm.maine.edu/symantec and run the installer. You will need your activated UNET account to install and this will replace the previous installation of Symantec 9. Do not use this install method for machines that are on the USM network. That upgrade will occur automatically in the future.
6. HelpDesk Overview
The USM HelpDesk is staffed by three full time professional employees and assisted by 4-6 students. These employees can solve a vast majority of the problems and questions at the time of the first call. They will also enter your call in our database so that if they can not solve the problem immediately, they will assign your call to a scheduled second level technician who will either work with you immediately or research the problem and get back to you in a timely manner. Bypassing the HelpDesk and calling a Computing Services employee directly can cause problems with our ability to service your call. These problems include availability of the technician, follow up to the problem, and getting your call entered properly in the database. Please report all computing issues through the HelpDesk at 780-4029 or by emailing helpdesk@usm.maine.edu.
7. PeopleSoft Financial and Excel Training Suggestions
The Division of IT coordinates with HR Employee Education & Development to offer a variety of computer related training sessions. With the Financials move to PeopleSoft, more people are required to use Excel in some capacity to analyze or report financial data. We are soliciting topic suggestions for the upcoming Excel sessions. Please send any ideas to helpdesk@usm.maine.edu. To view the current schedule of sessions, visit the Employee Education & Development Workshops schedule.
8. Beware of "Phishing"
There are numerous email scams that appear to be legitimate requests for a user's personal and private information. Be very wary about these requests. They are clever and can be very convincing that they are valid requests. They often direct you to a web site that also appears to be valid and asks you to enter your data. That data is then stolen and used for a variety of reasons including password stealing and identity theft. Be sure to validate such requests. One resource that is available is the Anti-phishing Working Group at www.antiphishing.org/.
9. GroupWise Meeting Scheduling
GroupWise Calendar usage at USM continues to grow. Many are using the Calendar as their primary schedule. Use the Calendar to invite others and resources to meetings. Using BusySearch, you can check their availability. For a complete document about using the GroupWise calendar to schedule meetings, see the HelpDesk Special Edition Newsletter on this topic.
For other GroupWise issues and questions, see the GroupWise @ USM page.
10. HelpDesk Extended Hours
To provide convenient customer service to our university community the I.T. User Services HelpDesk will be offering extended hours at the start of the Fall 2005 Semester.
HelpDesk Extended Hours are as follows:
- Monday, Sept. 5: CLOSED
- Tuesday, Sept. 6: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Wednesday, Sept. 7: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Thursday, Sept. 8: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Friday, Sept. 9: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
- Saturday, Sept. 10: 9:00 am to Noon
- Sunday, Sept. 11: CLOSED
- Monday, Sept. 12: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
The HelpDesk regular hours are M-F, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
If you have any questions or IT problems, please contact the USM HelpDesk at 780-4029 or email helpdesk@usm.maine.edu.
