Spring 2013
Contents:
Classroom Technology Hotline
SkyDrive Replacing Old Student File Storage
ITS by the Numbers
Meet the Help Desk
Student Technology Sessions
Windows 8 Operating System
IT Security Tip: Five Tips for Being Private with Social Media
Classroom Technology Hotline
In the event a faculty member has an urgent issue or needs assistance with the technology in a classroom, they can call the Classroom Technology Hotline telephone number. It is (904) 620-2909.
SkyDrive Replacing Old Student File Storage
With the introduction of the SkyDrive, file storage in Ospreys Email, the old student file storage referred to as H Drive, WebDrive, or the Andromeda Drive is going away on June 1, 2013. In preparation for this, the old student file storage system will become read only on Jan. 20, 2013. Students will not be able to save files on the Andromeda Drive, but will be able to view and retrieve them until June 1.
Students should save files to the SkyDrive, which is accessed through their Ospreys Email account. The SkyDrive provides significantly more storage space than the old student file storage system and can be accessed with a mobile app. Click here for additional information.
ITS by the Numbers
Information Technology Services’ mission is to acquire, implement and support information technology that enhances the educational, research, service, and administrative activities of students, faculty, and staff. Below are some numbers that reflect a portion of their work effort in 2012.
- 30,000 requests for assistance were received in 2012 - an average of over 80 requests per day.
- 960 wireless access points provide wireless services to students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
- 86 technology-equipped classrooms are available throughout the campus (supported by ITS).
- 15,672 students were enrolled in at least one Blackboard course site in 2012.
- 710 faculty members requested and used at least one Blackboard course site in 2012.
- 16,294 UNF web pages are published in the Content Management System, making up 172 UNF web sites.
- 71 computers are available for students in the Mathews General Purpose Computer Lab.
Click here to view more 'Numbers'.
Meet the ITS Help Desk
Today's ITS Help Desk Technician is customer-service focused, experienced, and knowledgeable. Help desk technicians undergo an advanced hiring process, comprehensive orientation, ongoing training and regular evaluations. The median age of a help desk technician is 31. Almost all of the help desk technicians have earned degrees and a third of them are currently working toward a master’s degree. Help desk technicians have experience from a variety of areas. Several have served in the military and one volunteered for the Peace Corps. Some of their previous positions were with CSX, Osprey TV, CompUSA, Robert Half Technologies, a construction company, an engineering firm, a local golf business, a hospital emergency room, a data center, and a news media graphic design firm.
The help desk technicians provide support throughout the campus community and are ambassadors to the campus! To get assistance from a technician, call 904-620-4357, email helpdesk@unf.edu or visit the Mathews Computer Science Building, Building 15, Room 2102. The ITS Help Desk is open seven days a week to serve students and faculty. Click here for additional information.
Student Technology Sessions
Information Technology Services provides free technology training sessions at the start of the term for students. Topics include Blackboard, email, myWings and student file storage. The workshops will help students new to UNF or those who want to learn more about UNF’s technology resources. Students may bring their technology questions and issues to these sessions. Faculty are asked to share this information with their students on the first days of class. Learn more about the student technology sessions.
The student technology session dates and times for Spring 2013 term are:
Wednesday, January 9 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Brooks College of Health, Building 39, Room 1003
Tuesday, January 15 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in Brooks College of Health, Building 39, Room 2002
Wednesday, January 16 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Brooks College of Health, Building 39, Room 1003
Windows 8 Operating System
Microsoft has recently released the Windows 8 operating system. It is the biggest change in the user experience of Windows since Windows 95 was released over a decade ago (Gartner). Information Technology Services has determined that Windows 8 has compatibility issues with current hardware, software and services used on the campus. These issues will need to be fully identified and mitigated before Windows 8 can be installed on faculty computers. ITS does not have an estimated timeframe for when Windows 8 will become available for UNF-owned computers.
Windows 8 is available for purchase through e-Academy for personal use. As with any new operating system, ITS recommends waiting several months before upgrading home computers to allow time for vendors and software developers to resolve incompatibility issues.
ITS continues to provide full support for the Windows 7 operating system. Windows 8 will not be fully supported on campus until it is released for use on faculty computers.
IT Security Tip: Five Tips for Being Private with Social Media
The popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube and others has expanded tremendously in recent years, with nearly two-thirds of Americans using these sites regularly. These sites are prime targets for malware distribution and scams because of the volume of users and the amount of personal information being posted. ITS offers these five tips for staying private with social media.
- Don't assume privacy. Confidential information should never be shared. Only post information that you are comfortable sharing with a stranger.
- Don't sign up for a social networking account using your UNF email address. Create a new email address strictly to connect with your social networking profiles(s). Make sure the email account has a strong password.
- Be cautious of scams. Criminals take advantage of the open nature of social networking sites to defraud individuals. Be cautious when contacted on a social networking site with a request for money or with an offer that’s surprisingly good.
- Review a site's privacy policy. Some sites may share information such as email addresses or user preferences with other parties. If a site's privacy policy is vague or does not properly protect your information, do not use the site.
- Be cautious of installing applications. Some social networking sites provide the ability to add or install third party applications or “apps”, such as games. Keep in mind there is little or no quality control or review of these apps and they may have full access to your account and the data you share.
Questions or comments regarding this Technology Update may be directed to its-infomail@unf.edu
