ITD NEWS - University of New England€¦ · News in Brief Room to store more ITD has just completed a major upgrade of its storage systems providing increased storage for core computing

ITD NEWSVolume 3, Issue 3, Spring 2007

ITD News, Spring 2007, page 1 of 4

Information Technology Directorate

Testing time for textNo more waiting for exam results to arrive in the post - now you can opt in for SMS

SMS delivery of course results is in the final test phase with MBA students recently offered the chance to receive their second trimester results by SMS.

Once electronic results distribution begins all students will automatically receive their results by email. In addition students can opt in to have results sent to them by SMS.

E-results developer, Damon Ferris thinks that the flexibility of e-results will make it popular with students ‘It means that you can get your results instantly wherever you happen to be which is really important especially over the summer holidays.

Once the current test phase is completed SMS delivery of results will be extended to all students.

Coming soon - UNE results by SMS

More spam to be cannedA new anti-spam device will lead to a significant reduction in the amount of spam arriving at UNE.As part of the UNE Network upgrade a new email filtering system will be installed that should reduce spam and improve email flexibility.

Gordon Smith, Principal IT Officer, says that while UNE is currently achieving industry best practice in spam filtering, the new box should pick up another 6-7% of spam emails. “Of course we will never eliminate spam emails entirely but with this new device we should get another step closer”.

Unlike previous spam filters the new device can look into the contents of an email to help determine whether it’s likely to be spam. u

ITD News, Spring 2007, page 2 of 4

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u Any email tagged as ‘spam’ will be sent to a special quarantine area rather than a user’s inbox. Users then have the option of checking quarantined emails or simply ignoring them. “it’s a bit like a virtual dial that you can set to suit your own needs – you can decide how much spam you want to see.” explains Mr Smith

The new device will also be able to screen attachments making it safe to send zip files and other formats currently blocked by the network. Access to the internet will also be improved with new applications such as Skype working on the UNE network.

Access all areasForget the hassle of registering your computer on the network, visitors to UNE will soon be free to bring their own de-vices for use on the UNE network.Gordon Smith explains “Once the new anti-spam anti-virus box is installed we will be able to do a quick security check on all devices plugged into the network. If a device looks like it poses a threat the user will be notified. Because of this improved security its possible to open up the network to visiting users”

It should also mean increased flexibility for on campus staff and students. On the new network the emphasis is on individuals not machines. Individual users will be required to identify themselves on the network using their UNE username and password.

Having identified themselves users will have the same level of access to the network no matter which machine they happen to be using.

Callista UpgradeUNE will be one of the first universities to upgrade to the latest version of the Callista stu-dent administra-tion system.When version 10 of the Callista student administration system was launched on 1st August, UNE immediately began testing the new system in preparation for the upgrade scheduled for 1st October.

The Callista student administration system is UNE’s administrative backbone. The latest version of Callista, version 10, is a big jump from the version of Callista that UNE has been using for some time. The upgrade also involves an upgrade to the hardware and operating systems associated with Callista.

For users this means significant changes but, more importantly, powerful new functionalities. Project manager Kylie Day explains, ‘The new version of Callista includes a number of significant performance improvements. It also includes options for online admission and other self-service functions.” The latest version of Callista also allows UNE to simply and easily comply with new DEST reporting requirements.

The upgrade is scheduled to take place on the Labour day long weekend 29th September- 1st October. There will be disruptions to online services on this weekend although efforts have been made to minimise the impact on students.

Bot AttackRecent spam surges are thought to be the result of hijacked PC’s known as BOTs.

BOT-hearders attack PC’s with malicious software allowing them to be controlled remotely. Networks of zombie PC’s then flood the world with spam.

The FBI’s operation BOT-roast launched this year has already uncovered more than a million infected machines. For more see http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june07/botnet061307.htm

Desktop Doctors on DemandGuaranteed response times and flexible pric-ing are fea-tures of new onsite desk-top support contracts.The recent tender process for the provision of onsite desktop support was highly successful with three suppliers signing contracts to supply desktop support services to UNE. Allcom Networks, Armidale IT and Mac 1 will take on the task of setting up, maintaining and troubleshooting computer problems that cannot be resolved over the phone at your desk.

The contracts negotiated by ITD cover a range of core services including setting up new machines, installing software and peripherals, troubleshooting and arranging repairs. Flexible pricing allows users to pay per machine or by the hour.

Individual areas are able to negotiate directly with any of the three suppliers for the supply of ongoing or one-off support services. It will also be possible to call the Service Desk and request “ad-hoc” onsite support. The Service Desk will then negotiate with one of the suppliers in order to organize a service technician to come to your desk.

For further information on arrangements for onsite desktop support contact Martina Linnemann [email protected]

Weather PortletNo more getting caught without your umbrella, MyUNE now includes a three day weather forecast. With information provided by weathercom.au and updated every 20 minutes you’ll always be prepared. Developer Matt Peterson says it is a popular addition to MyUNE “We have already had some really positive feedback from both students and staff.”

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A Tree-changer’s Vision for UNEDaniel Gooch’s vision of the good life has taken him from Denmark to Armidale. Now he’s got a vision for IT @ UNEDaniel Gooch was living in Demark and working as e-commerce manager for shipping giant Maersk when he decided that it was time for a tree-change.

“My wife Collette and I wanted to have children but we really wanted to have the time to enjoy our children. We really wanted all those quality of life things, time together, a great environment and rewarding work of course.”

Daniel Gooch

But it was a chance meeting that brought Daniel to UNE. “Collette and I were staying at a B & B which was run by Anne Abbott. We got talking and in the end I met Rick Nelson late one Friday evening. Rick mentioned that there was a job available heading up UNE’s web project, so I jumped at the chance.”

As well as heading up the UNE web project, Daniel will now take on the challenging task of implementing recommendations from the recent external Rebbecci IT Review and UNE-wide IT sub-plan.

“It’s going to lead to some real changes in how we think about IT at UNE. IT isn’t just some back of house thing that ITD does - it’s a key part of achieving UNE’s strategic goals. We really need to align all of the diverse IT activities of UNE.”

Daniel will spend the next six months translating recommendations into concrete outcomes. His first priority is to consult with key stakeholders and engage the broader University community in the planning process.

ITD News, Spring 2007, page 4 of 4

ITD NEWS Service Desk

ITD NewsProduced by the Information Technology Directorate at the University of New England.

Editor: Kate Nash

ITD News welcomes your comments and suggestions. For further information about any of the stories in this issue, or if you have an idea for a story, please feel free to contact us:

Phone: 6773 4521 Fax: 6773 3390 Email: [email protected]

News in BriefRoom to store moreITD has just completed a major upgrade of its storage systems providing increased storage for core computing functions. This has included the purchase and installation of two new storage units.

The new data storage system will mean quicker access to data and a significant increase in storage capacity. Data centre staff are now busy with the job of moving data off the old storage system and on to the new.

Cutting out plagiarismAcademic plagiarism is an increasing problem for universities. UNE is currently planning for the integration of turnitin anti-plagiarism software for screening assignments in 2008. For more information on the software visit http://turnitin.

com/static/home.html

Put your feet up and CollaborateThe ground floor of the ITD building has been transformed with the addition of bright comfy chairs and coffee tables. The student collaboration space provides a safe and comfortable environment in which to work or take time out. With access to the wireless network it’s a great place for computer based collaboration.

From the Service DeskMobile Phone SupportUNE mobile phone purchasing, support and account administration is now handled by the service desk. More information can be found at: http://www.une.edu.au/it-services/staff/phone/mobilephone.php If you have questions or problems with your mobile phone contact service desk staff.

ITD News BlogWith an average of 300 visits a week the ITD News blog is becoming an important source of information for UNE staff and students.

ITD News covers a range of stories including service updates, virus warnings student information as well as general IT news. To access the blog visit http://blog.une.edu.au/itd-news

It’s so easy being greenMore than 700,000 computers end up in landfill every year and thousands more are gathering dust in offices and spare rooms. Computers contain a cocktail of toxic chemicals including lead, mercury, barium and cadmium. Many of these chemicals are known to cause cancer, birth defects and disabilities. If you have old computer equipment consider taking it to a computer recycler. They will spruce up your old computer and donate it to a family in need. In Armidale you can take old computers to the Armidale recycling centre, Long swamp road or the Uralla Computer bank 222 Donnelly

Street Uralla.

Printable phone bookA printable version of the UNE phonebook has been made available online. You can find it at http://www.une.edu.au/it-services/staff/phone/phonebook.php