ICT’s Kevin Lowey Wins Award for Innovation
Kevin Lowey, Senior System Analyst with Information & Communications Technology (ICT), has been named a Gold Winner for Innovative Development in the annual, international Blackboard Catalyst Awards. These awards are given to outstanding members of the Blackboard software development community whose contributions enable significant educational innovation and collaboration.
The U of S uses Blackboard, a virtual learning environment, to support online courses and to give instructors the opportunity to supplement face-to-face courses.
Kevin’s award-winning work was on a tool that allows instructors to set up test student accounts in Blackboard so that they can see exactly what their students see. This U of S innovation to the open source program has now been adopted by more than twenty other universities worldwide.
Kevin Lowey credits his colleague Collene Hansen, ICT Programmer Analyst, for the success. While Kevin dreamed up the idea and developed the plan of attack, he maintains, “Collene did all the hard work to make it happen.”
This is not the first time the U of S ICT team has developed ways to make Blackboard easier to use and more accessible to faculty and students. Previous homegrown improvements include developing ways to integrate Blackboard with other local information systems. That has made it possible for courses to be loaded automatically onto Blackboard, and for instructors and students to gain automatic access to their courses on Blackboard.
Kevin, Collene, and the rest of ICT team do regular consultation with the campus community about Blackboard and plan to continue making improvements to better serve instructors and students.
Kevin will receive his award at the annual Blackboard Developers Conference in New Orleans this July.
May 02, 2012
Reorganization of Information & Communications Technology (ICT)
A restructuring of the university’s Information and Communications (ICT) portfolio is now underway.
The purpose of the reorganization is to streamline and centralize ICT services and enhance overall service delivery. We remain committed to providing top level service and responsiveness throughout this time of transition and on into our revitalized future.
Under the new ICT structure, ITS has been replaced by four new units: ICT Planning & Governance; ICT Client Services; ICT Applications; and ICT Platform Services. The directors of each of these units will report directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Associate Vice-President, Information & Communications Technology.
Two other ICT units, ICT Security, and Information Strategy and Analytics (ISA), are also part of the newly reorganized, six-unit ICT structure.
Ed Pokraka, former Director of ITS, becomes Associate CIO and Director of ICT Planning & Governance. Glenn Hollinger, the former Associate Director of ITS, takes on the role of Director, ICT Client Services. The positions of Director, ICT Applications, and Director, ICT Platform Services, will be filled in the weeks to come.
Troy Harkot, Director of ISA, and Lawrence Dobranski, who will begin as Director of ICT Security on June 1, 2012, will, along with the four other ICT directors, form a key part of the university's ICT leadership team.
Over the next several months, references to Information Technology Services (ITS) on university websites and elsewhere will be updated with references to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and/or to the various units within the ICT portfolio.
As these organizational changes unfold over the next few months, please be assured we will continue to offer our high level of service.
November 25, 2011
“All Things Mobile at the U of S” Website Launched
A new website that Kevin Schneider, Acting Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice-President of Information and Communication Technology, referred to as “All Things Mobile at the U of S” in the November 18 issue of On Campus News has been launched. This site lists and describes the university’s mobile-friendly websites, mobile projects that are in development, and other mobile services. The site also makes it easy for the U of S community to suggest ideas for iUsask or to volunteer to be on a focus group to improve iUsask.
If you have built a great mobile service, are working on something great or have mobile resources you’d like to promote, you can email its_mobile@usask.ca to have it showcased on the Mobile at the U of S website. To see the website visit: www.usask.ca/mobile
October 31, 2011
Technology Week 2011 - October 31- November 4
Technology Week is October 31st - November 4th this year and we would like to invite students, staff and faculty to participate in the fun-filled slate of edutaining events!
Select highlights include:
- Retro Movie Night
- Internet Access Panel Discussions
- FREE Laptop Security Clinics
- Copyright Webinars
- Blackboard Demos
- Mobile Security Sessions
- Cloud Computing & SharePoint Presentations
Full details on these excellent Technology Week sessions (and more!) can be found at http://www.usask.ca/technologyweek/.
For more information, contact
Brad Flavell Office of the Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice-President Information and Communications Technology brad.flavell@usask.ca
February 18, 2011
ITS Mobile Action Plan Released
Demand for access to online services from mobile devices is increasing rapidly. For this reason Mobile Service Delivery has been identified as a priority by Rick Bunt, CIO and AVP Information and Communications Technology.
Since ITS plays a critical role in the ability of the U of S to provide the necessary ICT environment for mobility and to deliver mobile services, ITS has developed a Mobile Action Plan to identify strategies and initiatives that will move the U of S forward with its mobile initiative.
As part of this, a recently established ICT innovation fund has resulted in a call for proposals with the goal of supporting mobile and e-learning initiatives. Read the call for proposals.
Learn more about the ICT Mobile Service Delivery Initiative.
November 30, 2010
PAWS gives thumbs up to text messaging
Faculty, staff and students can now sign up in PAWS to receive timely information and need-to-know campus news on their text-enabled mobile devices. All members of the campus community will still receive these important messages by email, whether they carry mobile devices and have signed up for this new service or not.
This new service allows members of our increasingly connected campus community to benefit from timely information delivered directly to them regardless of their location.
- Phase one, launched today, allows designated staff to send high-priority notices about unexpected events, such as hazards on campus or weather alerts, by text message.
- Phase two, beginning in early January, will allow instructors to send time-sensitive information to students taking their courses. Instructors are invited to explore text messaging as a way to communicate with their students at the beginning of the next academic term.
To sign up for PAWS text messaging:
- log into PAWS and choose the “Mobile” link in the PAWS Announcements channel;
- enter the 10-digit telephone number associated with your mobile device and click “Save”.
For more information about this new service please visit the text messaging FAQs or contact the ITS Help Desk .
November 05, 2010
Free iPad Among Prizes for Student IT Security Quiz
U of S students who test their digital savvy by taking the IT security quiz will be entered in a draw to win one of several great prizes including:
- a 16-GB iPad
- Beats by Dr. Dre headphones (3 available)
- a 1-TB hard drive (3 available)
- a digital camera
Students have until Nov. 24, 2010, to complete the online quiz at www.usask.ca/ITquiz . Winners will be announced in the Dec. 2, 2010, issue of The Sheaf.
The IT security quiz was designed by Information Technology Services (ITS) to show students and others how to protect their computers from viruses and malware, as well as how to safeguard personal digital information and important files.
While only U of S students are eligible to win prizes, everyone is encouraged to take the quiz. You will also find a wealth of useful information in the IT Security Guide on the ITS website.
October 22, 2010
Technology Week 2010 - November 1-5
Join us as we officially launch Technology Week with an Opening Reception in Louis', November 1st from 3:30-5:00 p.m. The reception will feature a presentation on Cyber Culture through YouTube and a demonstration of the Technology in Our Daily Lives.
Technology Week is a great opportunity to hear from our guest speakers about what's on the horizon and how it will affect us. Featured speakers include:
• Darwyn Peachey, University of Saskatchewan Alumnus and Chief Technical Officer of Pixar Canada.
• John Hill, University of Saskatchewan Alumnus and Chief Information Officer of SaskTel.
Rick Bunt, CIO & Associate Vice-President, Information and Communications Technology, will be giving his Annual Technology Update on November 3rd at 1:30 p.m. in the Neatby-Timlin Theatre.
We invite you to attend as many events as your interest and schedule permits. Events are open to the public, students, employees and faculty. Full details are available on the Technology Week website.
February 24, 2010
Helping Change the World, One Computer at a Time
The University of Saskatchewan has recently become a partner in World Community Grid—a global humanitarian effort to harness unused computing power and direct it towards research designed to help address the world’s most difficult health and societal problems.
World Community Grid was launched by IBM in November 2004 with the goal of creating the world’s largest public computing grid to benefit humanity. Only research conducted by public and not-for-profit organizations is accepted by World Community Grid. Progress on critical health issues, such as HIV/AIDS and cancer, as well as environmental and hunger issues, has already been achieved.
Members of the U of S community are encouraged to contribute their idle computer time to assist humanitarian research by joining World Community Grid and becoming a member of the University of Saskatchewan team.
“World Community Grid takes advantage of a computer’s idle time—such as when we’re in a meeting or off for lunch or coffee—and puts those unused cycles to good use,” says Rick Bunt, CIO and Associate Vice-President, Information and Communications Technology. “By joining, individuals can help make a difference on a global scale with very little effort. We can even select which current projects we want our computers to work on.”
By becoming a partner in World Community Grid, the U of S is joining the IBM Corporation and a group of more than 400 companies, associations, foundations, nonprofits, government agencies and academic institutions. The U of S is the second Canadian university to join.
Learn more about World Community Grid and Join the U of S Team.
February 08, 2010
U of S Collaboration Profiled in WCMS Case Study
The University of Saskatchewan’s implementation of its institutional WCMS service has been profiled in a case study done with the vendor, Hannon Hill.
When Hannon Hill learned how the U of S was using Cascade Server to provide an institutional service in a decentralized environment, they were impressed and the U of S was invited to participate in a case study. They felt others in the Cascade Server community could gain insight from the collaborative approach taken by the U of S.
The U of S is the first Canadian university to have done a case study with them.
If you are interested in reading the case study, it is available on the Hannon Hill website:
http://www.hannonhill.com/customers/case-studies/university-of-saskatchewan.html
July 28, 2009
Enhancement to the University Wireless Service
A new enhancement to the University Wireless Service -- uofs-secure -- is now available.
This service is a fully encrypted end to end wireless solution and as such will only support a limited Clean Access Profile. Before you can access the internal wireless network, identified by the "uofs-secure" SSID, you will need to configure your laptop or device. A wireless set-up guide is available for Windows, Macintosh and Linux operating systems at http://www.usask.ca/its/services/networks/setup_guides/
We would encourage you to use this new “uofs-secure” SSID.
June 11, 2009
VMS servers Admin and Skyway Archives
On June 1, 2009 the University decommissioned VMS servers Admin and Skyway. Personal and shared file spaces (directory) on Skyway were archived at that time. Until May 31, 2011 owners of files spaces on Skyway may contact the ITS Help Desk to request the files be recovered to their individual file storage on Cabinet or to departmental file storage on Jade.
December 08, 2008
Wiki Service Announcement
There's an exciting new way to collaborate with your classmates and colleagues at the U of S. A new Wiki Service allows students and instructors, staff members or other self-organizing groups to participate in developing and sharing knowledge locally (or globally) using the web. To ensure that all your collaborators are "on the same page," U of S members can invite Non-U of S members explicitly to participate in a wiki space.
This new service is accessible via PAWS. If you're logged in to the campus portal, the Wiki Dashboard channel is your one-click link to this application -- there's no need to log in separately to gain access to the service. (To add the Wiki Dashboard channel to your PAWS layout, click the Add Stuff link at the top left of your screen in PAWS.)
For more information about the Wiki Service, visit the ITS website, or contact wiki_service@usask.ca for a demonstration or additional information.
July 23, 2008
Webpage Content Management Service in Development
Earlier this year, the U of S purchased a Webpage Content Management System (WCMS) for institutional use. Since then, several units including Information Technology Services (ITS), University Communications, Financial Services Division (FSD), Edwards School of Business (ESB), Educational Media Access and Production (EMAP), College of Engineering and Student Enrolment and Services Division (SESD) have been learning about the system (Cascade Server by Hannon Hill) and creating a central support structure to handle enquiries, training and troubleshooting.
Several Units have completed successful pilots using Cascade to implement webpages and how-to-use training sessions have been held for personnel in the University Secretary’s Office, President’s Office, Provost’s Office, University Advancement, VP Research Office, Food Services and the Wilson Centre. EMAP has completed several of the sites mentioned and is using Cascade for future website development.
Information sessions or demonstrations of the tool and the sample site were conducted for representatives from College of Medicine, IT Managers Forum, Graduate Studies and Research, Campus Safety, and Offices of Communication, Development and Alumni Relations. The School of Environment and Sustainability websites are expected to be in Cascade shortly, and the Department of Computer Science is currently exploring the system.
Sites built using Cascade appear no different from websites built using other tools, and interact seamlessly with them. You can see a sample of sites built using the institutional WCMS system at:
- http://www.usask.ca/vpresearch/
- http://www.scifi.usask.ca/
- http://www.usask.ca/consumer_services/foodservices/
- http://www.cuccio-cdpiuc.ca/
Watch for the Edwards School of Business site which is being implemented using Cascade and going live to coincide with the School’s first anniversary.
Next Steps
Following completion of the pilot phase, we expect to fully launch the new WCMS Service in the fall of 2008.
See http://www.usask.ca/its/about/projects.php for highlights and FAQs about this project.
June 11, 2008
Eduroam Wireless Service Now Available
The U of S is now participating in the Canadian Eduroam Federation. Eduroam (see eduroam.org) is a collaborative wireless network that allows faculty, student and staff members of participating higher education institutions to access wireless services at other participating institutions, without the need to obtain a guest account when they visit.
Using Eduroam, U of S employees and students can access the Internet at a participating institution using their U of S NSID username and password. Several institutions in BC (including UBC, Simon Fraser, BCIT and Uvic) currently have Eduroam service available. In addition to the U of S, the University of Calgary and the University of Western Ontario will also be establishing Eduroam this spring. Participation by more Canadian Universities is expected to follow this year. In the future, access to Eduroam wireless services in other countries may become available.
Before using Eduroam while travelling, U of S employees and students must first ensure that their laptops are set up correctly and work on the U of S Eduroam wireless network. Eduroam set-up instructions for members of the U of S are available online.
More information about the new Eduroam service is available on the ITS website.
January 21, 2008
Wireless Coverage on Campus Doubles!
A major expansion of the wireless network on campus has been completed resulting in double the coverage on campus. The focus of this expansion is student, teaching and public spaces on campus. The wireless network will continue to expand to cover more areas over time in a continuing effort to meet the needs of the U of S community.
Visiting faculty, conference attendees, family and friends can connect to the Internet easily using the U of S wireless network. This creates a more open environment for visiting scholars and enables easy on-site collaboration. While only available in limited areas previously, Wireless Guest Access service is now available at every wireless location on campus.
Employees can provide guest access to the wireless network for visiting faculty and conference attendees through PAWS. Requesting Guest IDs through this channel will provide visitors with a faster connection to the Internet.
Members of the public can also access the Internet while visiting the U of S as part of the provincial government’s Saskatchewan!Connected initiative.
For more information on the wireless service, visit:http://wireless.usask.ca
January 16, 2008
A Blast from the Past Birthday Bash - January 31
Celebrate 50 Years of Computing at the U of S!
This fall marked 50 years of computing at the U of S. The University's first computer, a Royal Precision LGP-30, was purchased jointly with the National Research Council's Prairie Research Laboratory and the Saskatchewan Research Council in October of 1957.
To celebrate this historic milestone, A Blast from the Past Birthday Bash will be held January 31. The celebration includes interactive displays, media gallery, vintage equipment, retro games, prizes and refreshments. This come-and-go event will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in Room 280 of the College Building. The cake cutting will occur at 4:00 p.m.
November 19, 2007
E-mail Spam Attacks on the Rise
Over the past several weeks members of the U of S community may have noticed an increase in the number of spam e-mail messages arriving in their inboxes. This increase is directly proportional to the volume of spam that the University is receiving as a whole. The spam filters are still blocking and quarantining the same percentage of spam messages, but the overall volume has increased. Currently the spam filters block 2,500,000 and quarantine 680,000 spam messages every day. Messages are blocked if they originate from a known spam site or are sent to an invalid U of S e-mail address. Messages are quarantined if analysis of the message results in a spam rating that exceeds a specified threshold.
ITS is aware of the problem and frustration it causes and is working on supplementing the existing filters to improve their accuracy and to further reduce the volume of spam making it through to inboxes.
ITS is in the process of implementing an additional spam-tracking database that will result in fewer spam getting through the spam filters successfully. Other initiatives being worked on include making certain mailing lists inaccessible from off-campus and preventing spam sites from bypassing the spam filters.
Information in the Use E-mail Safely section of the security guide can help you avoid becoming a target for spammers. General information about spam filtering and blocking is also available on the ITS website.
November 02, 2007
ITS Services During Labour Disruption
Students, instructors, researchers and staff should expect normal operations for most ITS services during the current labour disruption.
Computer and printer repair services will be unavailable during the labour disruption. ITS has identified alternative mechanisms for providing these services. Please contact the Campus Computer Store for assistance at comp.store@usask.ca or 966-8375.
Disruptions to electrical and air conditioning services, or hardware or software failures, will cause IT service interruptions. The time to restore some services to normal operations will take longer during the labour disruption.
We will continue to work to provide reliable services during the current labour disruption. If you have questions or concerns regarding ITS service availability please contact Chad Coller, the ITS Help Desk Manager at 966-5605.
Please continue to check the blog for up-to-date information at www.blogs.usask.ca/updates. If you have any comments or questions, please contact the Call Centre at 966-6510.
October 12, 2007
Online SEEQ Course Evaluations Coming in April 2008
ITS intends to provide an institutional service for online Student Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ) evaluations in time for the April 2008 course evaluations. This service will be a full, flexible service, integrated with PAWS, with good reporting capability and will provide a consistent student interface for all the course evaluations students are asked to complete online.
The SEEQ survey instrument was used by the Integrated Planning Office in a pilot project in fall 2006 and spring 2007. At its June 14, 2007, meeting University Council endorsed recommendations from the Instructional Development Committee designating SEEQ as an approved, validated instructor/course evaluation instrument at the U of S and encouraging its use in an online format.
For evaluations at the end of Term 1, those involved with the pilot project will be able to use the online SEEQ evaluations. Other colleges and departments should continue to use their current course evaluation processes.
Visit the Course Evaluations section of the website for more information.
October 05, 2007
New Monthly Downtimes Begin - First Scheduled October 10
In order to improve the security of the institutional IT services, ITS is implementing a monthly downtime to apply security and related patches to all systems (applications, databases, and servers) that ITS operates. To minimize the impact of service outages, we will coordinate these with other existing scheduled outages (monthly patching of Windows Servers, weekly downtimes of SiRIUS and Unifi) so there is only one scheduled service outage per month.
Monthly outages, occurring on the second Wednesday of the month between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., will begin Wednesday October 10. All IT services provided through ITS, except those listed below, will be unavailable during that time. There will be rare occurrences when the outage will be rescheduled to the third Wednesday of the month and these changes to the schedule will be announced one month in advance.
Services that will be available are:
- About-Us (HR system)
- Network
- Voicemail
Services that will NOT be available are:
- PAWS
- SiRIUS
- UniFi
- U-Who
- U-friend
- File Services (Cabinet, Folder, Jade)
- Web Services (www, homepage)
- Print Services (CPAS, Green)
- Database Hosting (SQL server & Oracle)
- E-mail, including Webmail
- Blackboard/WebCT
- MITS
September 07, 2007
U of S Network Security Given a Boost
A new network security policy will help ensure that the University computer network is a safe and reliable environment so that members of the University community (instructors, students, prospective students, researchers, staff, and others) have access to the network resources they require and are given the protection they need.
The Network Security Policy applies to all members of the University of Saskatchewan community and authorized guests of the University who access resources or services that are located on the network from on or off campus.
Members of the University community are responsible for becoming familiar with (and abiding by) the network security policy. It is available online at: http://www.usask.ca/university_secretary/policies/operations/4_43.php
The policy defines responsibilities both for people who use the network and for ITS as the network provider. It seeks to balance security (limiting opportunities for and the impact of network attacks) with network functionality and user productivity.
The network security policy was developed through widespread consultation with Council committees, advisory groups, and college and department IT managers. The policy was formally approved by Council on May 17, 2007 and by the Board of Governors on June 22, 2007.
August 15, 2007
Guest Access to Wireless Network Now Available
ITS is making improvements to the U of S wireless network that allows guests to use it when visiting the University. Two types of guest access are available—one for invited guests such as visiting researchers or instructors and conference attendees, and one for members of the general public.
Invited guests will be able to access the U of S wireless network with a guest ID for up to 14 days. The special guest ID (username) and password is provided by an employee who has requested access on their behalf. Conference attendees can be provided access to the wireless network with a special guest ID requested by the conference organizer. Conference IDs can also be used for up to 14 days.
Members of the public who visit the University will also be able to use the U of S wireless network. Access is available to the public as part of the Government of Saskatchewan's Information Technology Office (ITO) initiative to make WiFi available to the public. Details of the government’s initiative are available at http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=71f283b3-f8f8-44c4-b0d6-693921262e29.
Initially, this access is only available in a limited number of locations on campus. Over the next few months, the number of locations where guest access to the wireless network is available will be expanded to include all University locations that have wireless access.
More information on wireless guest access is available in the networks section of the ITS website.
July 20, 2007
Technology Week 2007 - Call for Topics
Technology Week 2007 runs from November 5-9 and the Technology Week Planning Committee is starting to plan for this year’s event.
Technology Week and the Technology Forum provide an opportunity for the U of S community to see what technology is available and how it is used on campus. It is also a chance to hear about what’s on the horizon and how it might affect us. Connect & Explore!
Do you have suggestions for presentations, demonstrations, workshops or events that you’d like to see during Technology Week? Send us an e-mail at technology_week@usask.ca to let us know. If you’d like to become actively involved in Technology Week let us know how.
For more information visit http://www.usask.ca/technologyweek/ or contact:
Technology Week Planning Committee
technology_week@usask.ca
June 05, 2007
My IT Services (MITS) Now Available
My IT Services (MITS) is a new web application that will allow members of the U of S community to manage or retrieve information for various IT services accessed using the NSID username and password.
MITS incorporates the ability to create and manage aliases previously provided by the Nameserve application and the ability to change your password, check quota information for various services, and forward mail.usask.ca e-mail messages previously provided by the Server and Services Account Management (SSAM) application.
MITS includes several new features as well, such as the ability to:
- Create secret questions so that you can set a new password if you have forgotten your current one.
- Set your own vacation/out-of-office auto replies for mail.usask.ca e-mail addresses.
- Synchronize your password if you have been granted access to additional services.
More information about MITS is available online. To log in to MITS, visit https://mits.usask.ca
March 22, 2007
ITS Making Major Improvements to the Wireless Network
ITS will begin making major improvements to the wireless network in the next few months. These improvements will provide more widespread coverage for the wireless network, allow easier access to the network, and allow visitors to the University access the wireless network. There will be a significant expansion to wireless areas; ITS hopes to double the area covered by wireless service during these improvements.
Recently the Government of Saskatchewan announced Saskatchewan! Connected, an initiative to “offer users basic Internet service in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Regina, and Moose Jaw via a wireless Wi-Fi network.” The initiative includes wireless service at the University of Saskatchewan along with other locations. Details of the government’s initiative are available at http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=71f283b3-f8f8-44c4-b0d6-693921262e29.
The U of S (ITS), in partnership with the Information Technology Office (ITO), will be expanding and enhancing wireless services at the University in line with both the Premier's announcement and the University's own goals for Wi-Fi services. Services for visitors and members of the University community will work together and complement each other.
As a result of funding for this initiative, Wi-Fi will be available in more areas of the U of S campus for students and visitors, the public will have access to Wi-Fi at the University, and other goals identified in the Premier's announcement will be met.
While the University’s partnership with the Province will enable a significant expansion to campus coverage, coverage of the complete area identified in the Premier's announcement is unlikely since funding provided by the program is limited. Further expansion will be needed beyond this program to meet the needs of the University. This program will, however, allow the University to make excellent progress in improving Wi-Fi services for the University.
March 06, 2007
Lenovo ThinkPad Notebook Battery Recall
On March 1, 2007, Lenovo issued a battery recall. It affects the following ThinkPad models: R60 and R60e, T60 and T60p, Z60m, Z61e, Z61m, Z61p. Lenovo advises customers to determine if they are using one of the recalled batteries by visiting www.lenovo.com/batteryprogram. FAQs about the recall are also available on the Lenovo website.
March 01, 2007
Sophos Anti-virus 4.1x Expires March 1, 2007
Sophos Anti-virus software version 4.1x for Windows expires today, March 1, 2007. You can recognize if you have this version of the software by looking in your Windows Task Tray (bottom right-hand corner) for:
a) a Red Lighting Bolt icon, or
b) a Blue "Flower" icon.
If you have this version installed on your computer, you will get a Sophos Notification Message advising you that:
- the version expires March 1, 2007, and
- you need to obtain a new version of the product from Sophos to remain protected.
If you see the expired notification please do the following:
- uninstall the 4.1x version using the "Add/Remove Programs" in the Window's Control Panel
- download and run the new installer found on: http://sophos.usask.ca
If you require further assistance, please contact the ITS Help Desk.
February 22, 2007
Linux Users Group Established at the U of S
A Linux Users Group (LUG) has recently been set up on campus.
Linux4US is a Users' Group in support of Linux and Open Source at the University of Saskatchewan. Any instructors, researchers, students or staff of the University of Saskatchewan can join Linux4US by subscribing to the mailing list. Instructions for subscribing to the mailing list are available at http://linux4us.usask.ca/.
The objectives of the group are to educate, collaborate and advocate Linux and Open Source at the U of S.
Monthly meetings will be held on campus on the first Wednesday of each month from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Meeting locations will be posted on the website.
For more information visit http://linux4us.usask.ca/
February 20, 2007
High Performance Computing Symposium
The High Performance Computing Symposium (HPCS 2007) will be held in Saskatoon at the University of Saskatchwan from May 13-16, 2007. The theme for HPCS 2007 is “Transforming the Face of Research.”
HPCS is a multidisciplinary conference that focuses on new and exciting scientific and technical work involving High Performance Computing (HPC). HPCS is Canada’s preeminent forum for HPC initiatives. This four-day conference draws attendance from Canadian and international HPC experts and researchers renowned in the sciences, engineering, mathematics and applied human sciences.
For more information, visit http://www.westgrid.ca/hpcs2007/whatis.html
February 15, 2007
TLt/iT Summit 2007: Learning in a Digital World Conference
TLt/iT Summit 2007: Learning in a Digital World is the joint conference of the Educational Technology Consortium and Campus Saskatchewan. The conference will focus on “the diverse impact of technology on teaching and learning.” It will also “showcase the contributions and advancements in technology enhanced learning…”
The conference will be held on May 1-2, 2007 at the Saskatoon Inn in Saskatoon. The Instructional Design Pre-Conference will be held on April 30, 2007.
For more information about the conference, visit: http://www.tlt-itsummit2007.ca/
February 02, 2007
ITS Advises Campus to Delay Upgrading to Microsoft Windows Vista
Microsoft released its new operating system, Windows Vista, on January 30, 2007.
While Vista is now being shipped pre-installed on new computers, Information Technology Services (ITS) recommends that people delay upgrading existing Windows XP computers to Windows Vista until at least summer 2007.
- Windows XP is still a viable operating system. Most offices can continue to operate efficiently for 6 -12 months or longer with XP.
- Computer(s) may not have the memory, CPU speed, video display memory or disk space required to run Vista. Windows Vista is considerably larger and more complex than any previous version.
- Some third party software vendors have not yet released versions of their software that can be used with Vista. Therefore, some software may not run with Vista.
- Some hardware peripheral manufacturers (e.g. printer, scanner, etc.) have not yet released software drivers for Vista.
ITS recognizes that many individuals and departments/units on campus will purchase new computers that will arrive pre-installed with Windows Vista. It is important to ensure that critical software and peripherals work with Vista before ordering.
ITS will work to ensure that computers running Vista will operate with e-mail, file storage services, the wireless network, PAWS, WebCT and other campus IT services. If you have problems, contact the ITS Help Desk or your local college/unit IT support personnel.
While ITS recommends that you delay upgrading to Windows Vista until at least summer 2007, the following references are provided:
- For detailed information on Windows Vista, visit Microsoft's Vista Website: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/
- For information on the different versions and how to acquire Vista, visit the Campus Computer Store’s information on Vista at: http://ccs.usask.ca/Software/vista-info.php
- For information on upgrading to Vista on existing hardware: http://www.usask.ca/its/hardware/vista.php
January 24, 2007
High Performance Computing Advanced by CFI Award
On December 22, CFI announced a research grant award to Saskatchewan universities as part of a pan-Canadian initiative relating to high performance computing. The Saskatchewan portion of the overall project is almost $5,000,000.
A major component of this project will see the U of S establish and host a petabyte storage facility--one of the largest in Canada. ITS has assisted in the U of S participation so far and will manage the infrastructure elements which will be located at the University of Saskatchewan.
Additionally, the U of S and U of R will each also establish an AccessGrid collaboration facility as part of this project. The value of the CFI award is almost $2,000,000. Most of the additional funding required is expected from the province and industry; some University funds will be required. The award also provides additional funds for operations.
The principal investigator for the project is Dr. Ray Spiteri from the Department of Computer Science.
The U of S press release is at http://announcements.usask.ca/news/archive/2006/12/saskatchewan_un.html
The CFI press release is at http://www.innovation.ca/whatsnew/dsp_news.cfm?newsid=201
Notes on New Office 2007 File Format
Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint within Office 2007 use a new way to save documents. The new file format can be identified by the addition of an “x” at the end of the extension. For example a word document might be called “assignment1.docx”. Compared to older versions of Office, this new file format is usually smaller, easier to repair from a corrupt file, and reduces or eliminates “macro viruses.”
It is possible to read and write the new file format in Office 2000, XP and 2003 after an update is installed. This update is called the “Compatibility Pack for Office 2007” and is a free downloaded from Microsoft. The update is found here: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/HA101686761033.aspx
Office 2007 can read and write the previous file format. It is possible to configure Office 2007 to always use the previous file format so that you can open the document on machines that do not have the compatibility pack installed.
If you need to configure Office 2007 to always use the previous file format, open Word and press the Office Button at the top left, then choose Word Options. Click the "Save" tab at the left, and change the file format beside "Save files in this format" to Word 97-2003 (*.doc") for the previous format. Repeat this procedure for Excel and PowerPoint.
An Office 2007 compatibility pack for Macintosh computers is not yet available. To address cross-platform compatibility issues, Microsoft personnel currently recommend “…that Mac users advise their friends and colleagues using the 2007 Office system to save their documents as a “Word/Excel/PowerPoint 97-2003 Document” (.doc, .xls, .ppt) to ensure the documents can be easily shared across platforms.” http://blogs.msdn.com/macmojo/archive/2006/12/05/converters-coming-free-and-fairly-fast.aspx
December 04, 2006
ITS Redesigns Website
ITS has recently redesigned its website in order to provide more comprehensive and integrated information about IT services. The new structure is service based and has integrated information from several separate sites into one; it provides general service information and support documentation in a single location.
The revised site has five key areas: Accounts & Passwords, Services & Support, Hardware & Software, Guides & Resources and About ITS. ITS is continuing to expand the information provided on this site. A number of areas have been identified for expansion, including e-learning services and research computing, and additional role-base guides are scheduled to be developed in the new year.
As part of the revision process, ITS took this opportunity to revise the look of the site so that it is consistent with the look of the U of S homepage.
November 20, 2006
Welcome to the ITS Announcements blog!
Welcome to the ITS Announcements blog! ITS announcements will provide you with information on new services, system status, upcoming training, alerts, news and more.