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ITSS News Archive
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Information in archived ITSS news was current at publication time but may not reflect the present state of technology or ITSS.
News Briefs: 2010
- Expect delays on U of M Microsoft Office 2007 orders
- 2.1.10 Due to a court ruling that
Microsoft infringed on a U.S. government patent
in their latest version of Word, an injunction has been made which orders
Microsoft to stop distributing Microsoft Office for Windows products.
Microsoft must remove the functionality that infringed on the patent
before it can resume distribution. This injunction does not affect
Microsoft for Macs.
- It will take some time for Microsoft to replace the offending
software, therefore delivery of Microsoft Office for Windows software for student,
faculty, and staff personal use will be delayed to the University of
Minnesota.
- Because Microsoft cannot give the University an exact
time for when to expect new shipments of Microsoft Office, no new orders can be accepted
through UTools (www.oit.umn.edu/utools), the University’s discount
software website. As soon as Microsoft Office is able to ship, the
University will make the software available for purchase. Please check
back with UTools (www.oit.umn.edu/utools) in mid-February for new
information.
- Orders for Microsoft Office for Windows that were placed
before January 29, 2010 can still be picked up. Orders for Office 2007 for Windows that
were made on or after January 29, 2010 will be delayed.
- TechFest 2010
- 3.15.10: See how UMD students,
faculty and staff are using technology to enrich the educational
experience at UMD. Visit TechFest, Friday, March 26, from 9:00-3:00 pm,
Kirby Student Center Ballroom. Free admission and T-shirts (while supplies
last).
- Google Fiber for the Twin Ports
- 3.15.10: Help Duluth win the
Google Fiber project by showing Google the community's passion for fiber -
high speed Internet, video and voice - the highly skilled workforce in our
communities, the strong, supportive entrepreneurial environment, and the
community's visionary leadership. Visit: Google Twin Ports.
- Microsoft software prices to change
- 3.26.10: Due to budget constraints, the University of Minnesota has determined that it is necessary to increase the price of Microsoft Office and Windows operating system software available to students through the Microsoft Campus Agreement program.
- Effective Friday, April 30, the Microsoft software prices for students will be $40 for Office software and $35 for Windows operating system upgrade software, which includes the cost of the media. For details, see: Microsoft Office, Windows OS software prices to change
- TechCenter Summer Hours
- 5.17.10 The TechCenter is beginning its summer hours of 8:00-4:30, Monday-Friday.
- Security Policy Under Review
- 06.09.10 "Securing Private Data, Computers, and Other Electronic
Devices" consults key information from 13 current appendices. The policy reduces risk by incorporating
security measures consistent with several new laws and regulations. The policy is available for review
and comment for 30 days at policy
review.
- CMS Announcement
- 5.20.10 OIT has announced
their decision regarding a Course Management System (CMS). WebVista will
not be replaced by Blackboard Learn. The University will be transitioning
users to Moodle by the start of Fall 2012. For details see: Course Management Systems at the
University of Minnesota.
- New Location for MultiMedia Hub
- 07.26.10: The Hub has moved
and is now located in Lib 260, 2nd floor Rotunda. Summer hours are:
Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- New Technology Policies
- 08.26.10 Please take note of three new technology policies, one system-wide, and two for the UMD campus.
- Security Private Data, Computers, and Other Electronic Devices: This system-wide policy combines and updates a number of past policies and also includes some new information. The policy reduces risk by incorporating security measures consistent with several new laws and regulations.
- Domain Names at the University of Minnesota Duluth: This campus policy defines and clarifies how we will administer
Internet domain names for web sites at UMD.
- Disposing of University Equipment: This ITSS policy describes how we can assist you in disposing of or reselling your University-owned computer equipment.
- "Let Me Google That for You"
- 09.01.10: By now, many of you have experienced
first-hand, or at least heard about the adoption of Google Apps for the University of
Minnesota. Why is the University "going Google?" Read "Let
Me Google That for You:" An Update on the University's Migration to
Google Apps to find out.
- Oakland Apts now wireless
- 09.10.10: The
Oakland wireless expansion has been completed. All five buildings
should now have complete wireless coverage. This completes the first phase
of adding wireless access to all resident halls and apartments. For the
full schedule, see: ResNet.
- TTT: Preventing Malware Infections
- 09.21.10: ITSS Training Team invites you to Tech Tues. @ 2. Please stop by Tuesday, Sept 21 from 2-3 at the Viz Lab (MPAC 154) to hear Frank Simmons from ITSS talk about Preventing Malware Infections.
- Making PDFs Accessible on the web
- 09.27.10: Generally, PDF files are not created with accessibility in mind. There are several methods to check a PDF file for accessibility as well as make changes to the PDF to meet accessibility guidelines. Some "Quick Checks" you can perform on your PDF document to see if it is accessible are:
- Checking for Text versus Image
- Checking for Presence of Text Equivalents
- Checking for PDF Tags
- Checking Reading Order
- Using Acrobat Read Out Loud feature
- For details, follow the link on our WebDev Guide: Tips & Tools or go directly to: PDF Accessibility Quick Checks
Rev: 9.10 sb
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