Computing and Telecommunication Center Newsletter
Summer 2003

CTC News and Other Bytes . . .

Using MS Office Products at Home

What makes this reduced price possible is the recently acquired Microsoft Enterprise Agreement which permits us to put MS Office (and MS Operating systems) on desktop machines across the University. The yearly fee for this service is significant, but we believe it is worth it to have a more unified desktop and desktop operating system across campus. This reduces support costs and it increases security (virus protection) across campus. FHSU has funded this fee through the Action Plan process. Because of the Enterprise Agreement, faculty and staff have Work At Home Rights. That is, faculty and staff have the right to use the Microsoft Office products on one computer off campus. Faculty and staff have access to these Work At Home Rights by buying a CD and installing the software on their home computer. Only one copy per version of a product per faculty or staff member is allowed. We selected the MS Office Professional (instead of the Standard Edition) because some users will want to use the MS Access database.

Students do not have Work At Home Rights because they are a different category of user. FHSU could buy an Enterprise Agreement for students, but the costs are prohibitive. Students have had to purchase the Academic Edition from vendors such as Best Buy, Wal Mart, or elsewhere. The cost of the Academic Edition is usually in the range of $125 or so for the Standard Version and more for the Professional Version. With our new agreement with Software Plus, students can buy the license to use the program and the CD with the keycode for $75. So, we are pleased that students will be able to acquire the software from us at reduced pricing too.

We are required to buy the CDs in lots of 25. We are starting the program with the XP versions of Office; the XP version is compatible with Windows 2000 and Windows 98 (but not with Windows 95). Note that when Microsoft comes out with a new version of Office, you will need to purchase an additional CD for that version (if you so desire). Contact the HelpDesk if you would like to request the Macintosh version.

If you have just purchased the Academic Edition with your own hard-earned money, we are sorry. The State did not give us this option until late this spring.

Some day we may be less dependent on Microsoft. There are more applications written for the PC version of Linux and when they become highly functional and easy to support, things may change. We will consider moving away from Microsoft and towards this Open Source software. It will be interesting to see how Microsoft adapts its strategy to address the Linux challenge. Changing to Linux would mean that IBM/Lotus would need to modify the Lotus Notes client to work with Linux too. IBM has made a huge commitment to Linux, so they may make that happen relatively soon. back to top

Miscellaneous Items

The following is a once-over-lightly, non-exhaustive selection of work being done by various areas here in the CTC.

Telecommunications will be especially busy this summer with a variety of projects. Workmen are renovating a portion of Wooster Place each semester for six semesters. Currently, Wooster Place does not have University phone service nor Ethernet (they work directly with Southwestern Bell). During the renovation, Telecommunications will be providing the copper for the phone service and the fiber/copper for the Ethernet connections for each room. Students who live in Wooster will then have fast connectivity on the campus LAN.

The McCartney remodel project (third floor) has necessitated that nineteen faculty members from the College of Business move to Custer Hall. The Telecommunications staff are working to make that transition as seamless as possible for the phone and Ethernet connections.

The Programming staff continue to convert data into the tables required by moving to a relational database (Oracle). Daryl Carswell is working with the load programs that load our data into those tables. Chad Dague is collaborating with Sungard on authentication and the portal web pages. Jackie Ruder is also creating web page access to the Sungard data. Doug Storer knows the PowerFaids (Financial Aid) system well, and he will be constructing an interface between that system and the Sungard system. Larry Rupp is attempting to create an interface between our Blackbaud system and Sungard. Lee Gross continues to make sure that we are all paid by keeping the data from our system flowing into the State of Kansas SHARP (PeopleSoft) program and learning what he can about the Sungard Personnel system.

The Microcomputing staff have finished imaging and customizing the Action Plan PCs that are being distributed to faculty, staff, and labs. Creating a new image of all of the common software (Windows XP, Lotus Notes client, MS Office, McAfee, and other applications) takes time to do correctly. Fortunately, once the bugs are worked out, then it can be loaded onto the PCs in a "mass production" basis.

The Server and Systems staff have some large projects looming too. A new version of Blackboard requires Oracle (not MySQL), and it will take a bit of time for Andrew Fleming and Mike Lacy to configure that properly. We use a program called Samba to authenticate students using lab computers all across campus. Students can login and access their data from multiple locations. There are some remaining issues with Macintosh users and integration with Active Directory. So, Andrew will install a new version of Samba to assist with some of these and other issues. The new version requires him to create a Directory (an LDAP directory). John Kaba is working on a separate LDAP project related to Sungard portal.

Furthermore, the main University web server, Bigcat, is aging. So, we will move it from a relatively expensive RISC based server to an existing, less expensive Intel based server. A past Action Plan funded a server consolidation project which has proven very beneficial in making virtual servers available. Long ago IBM constructed mainframes that could host guest operating systems. In essence this made it possible for one physical machine to appear to be multiple machines. This same functionality has now been ported to PC based servers. Cheryl Helget has created a number of virtual machines using different operating systems and different database software on single (physical) servers. These servers support the data warehouse (Impromptu), Active Directory, Raiser's Edge (Alumni), Blackbaud General Ledger (Endowment), PEAP (wireless security), Docking, and other departments. In theory, one physical machine could be configured to host 32 guest machines. A special version of Linux allocates memory, disk space, and the networking environment for all of the guest machines. This environment is especially good for testing new operating systems and applications.

Dan Pfeifer and Cheryl Helget (and Derek Johnson, student employee) have had success with implementing secure wireless authentication and transmission. They had used one system with digital certificates for users, and now they are testing a system that simplifies security further. Wireless communications are notoriously insecure, so FHSU has been quite cautious in implementing wireless LANs across campus. With Microsoft's and Enterasys' support of 802.1x security, we are now able to deploy wireless safely across campus. If this works as advertised, we will have the first really secure, easy-to-use wireless system among the Regents' Universities (speaking totally objectively, of course).

In addition to providing Microsoft Office purchasing, Nancy Cunningham and her HelpDesk staff will be working with users to provide an orderly way to acquire new wireless accounts (as soon as that is ready for production).

Jane Rajewski and Al Leiker are making good progress on a common data set report requested by University Relations. This will provide a reference point for data requested by numerous agencies and reports by a variety of departments. Jane has purchased a new scanner to replace our aging Mark Sense scanner that many faculty use for giving tests. Since the new scanner has all new software, she will need to customize that software to accommodate our forms including the TEVAL forms.

Viv Zimmerman has been updating the lab web pages, doing the CTC Newsletters in paper and web formats, providing a variety of training classes, and updating numerous LN groups and databases. She has also created a web page schedule for the CTC training workshops. Click on the Faculty/Staff Training link from the navigation bar on any of the CTC web pages.

Melanie Chapman and her student staff continue their phone support of the Virtual College and the rest of campus in the campus switchboard. As campus procedures change, it is important for the student operators to provide accurate information to those seeking access to classes, services, and people here at FHSU. Melanie frequently updates a database used by the student operators.

Jack Jackson and Odus Trober continue to upgrade the Mediated Classrooms to the touch screen control system. The touch screens are easy to use and they shut off the video projectors when they are not in use. This is important because replacement bulbs are quite costly. They are also designing a new type of mediated classroom for Rarick Hall 327. This is one of the first conference rooms to be mediated, and after some thought they decided to use a mounted projector. They are also doing some custom work for a new mediated classroom in Malloy 112.

I am sure that I have left out some other important work, but this provides a sketch of some of our summer projects. back to top

Summer Mail Cleanup!
by Mark Griffin, Mgr, Servers & Deksktop Systems

To archive selected documents, you can put a checkmark next to particular documents that you wish to archive, then click Actions - Archive - Selected Documents. Or, you can go into Actions - Archive - Settings and set it up to automatically archive all documents that are over a certain age (eg. all documents over 180 days old). After entering the settings you wish, click Actions - Archive - Archive Now.

If you have trouble archiving, please contact me or call me at 4026 and I will gladly help you. Cleaning out your Notes mail will help our system run more efficiently. Thank you for taking care of this important maintenance issue. back to top

Change Your Network Password!

The FHSU CTC has not taken the strong stance other universities have taken regarding changing your network passwords. Many universities require a password change at least yearly, sometimes even more often. We have tried to balance security along with usability for everyone.

However, with the Internet growing ever larger and more dangerous, we are recommending that all users periodically change their network password as well as Lotus Notes and CICS passwords. Many of you have probably not changed your Windows network password since you were first added to the system years ago! Now might be a good time to change it.

If you are running Windows 2000 or Windows XP, changing your network password is a reasonably simple task to do. On Windows 2000 and Windows XP machines, strike the Ctrl-Alt-Del keys and click Change Password. Follow the prompts and the next time you bootup or re-login to the network you will have to enter your new password. We don't recommend writing it down, but you do need to remember it!

Windows 98 and Windows 95 users have a little more difficult task in changing their network password, but it still isn't a bad idea to do so once in awhile. In some cases, you may require assistance from the CTC - which is fine, just call us. Follow the procedure below and you should do fine:

• Log into your computer normally using your domain login. When your computer first boots up, you should have a box that says username, password, and domain. If you do not have the box that says domain on your log on screen, please contact the CTC.
• After logging in, click on Start, then Settings, then Control panel. A Control Panel window will open.
• Double click on Passwords. Another window will open.
• Click on Change Windows Passwords.
• A window that says Change Windows Password will open. Select the check box next to Microsoft Networking and then click on OK.
• Enter your old password in the box labeled Old Password. Enter your new password in the box labeled New Password and again in the box labeled Confirm New Password then click on OK.
• If you receive a message saying your Windows password is incorrect, try leaving the old password entry blank. You will then be prompted for the Old password for Microsoft Networking.
• You should then see a message saying that your Windows password was successfully changed. Click on OK and then close the Control Panel Window.
• The last thing to do is to log off your computer or restart your computer and try to log in with the new password.

When changing your password, we highly recommend using at least 6 characters using a combination of numeric and alphabetic characters. It doesn't hurt to use both capital and lower case letters as well other symbols (eg. #, %, *, ;, ). Again, if you have trouble with your new password, please call us. back to top

Bigcat to Undergo Changes!

Of course, the main thing you want to know is how this will affect you. Well for the most part, I hope it affects you very little. But, for some of you there will be some ramifications of this change. For one thing, at some point, the server will have to be down for a short period of time. We haven't decided the date yet, but hopefully, when we make the switch, it will only be down for a few hours or so. Once we make the change, it is possible that some web programs might not run correctly. We think there will be few cases in which this occurs but there could be several. If you find programs that don't work right after the change, let us know and we will help to get the problem fixed as soon as possible. Another benefit to this change is that we should be able to consolidate the gold.fhsu.edu server into this new Bigcat server. Those that have PHP programs on Gold will eventually have them moved to Bigcat, but that will be a little farther down the road.

Prior to moving the Bigcat web server, we are asking that everyone who is using the Bigcat server for E-mail please setup an E-mail account somewhere else. We would like to quit using Bigcat as an E-mail server. You can forward your Bigcat E-mail to your Notes account, or you can forward it to an account setup on Scatcat. Many faculty already have Scatcat accounts and we can set up accounts for those who do not. The reason for making this change is so that we can get down to supporting only two E-mail servers (Notes and Scatcat), and it will allow us to improve security on the web server. Any additional services on a server create more possibilities for security problems. Another noteworthy reason to change is that Scatcat and Notes E-mail are automatically scanned for viruses where Bigcat does not have this feature. We know this will be a bit of a nuisance for some users but we will be glad to help you forward your Bigcat mail to other locations (eg. Scatcat), just contact Mark Griffin (4026) or Andrew Fleming (4433). back to top

CTC HelpDesk News
by Nancy Cunningham, HelpDesk Supervisor

Student Scatcat E-mail Accounts

Please encourage your students to activate and use their Scatcat E-mail accounts. Accounts are provided to students free of charge. The Scatcat user name and password is also used to access computers in many computer labs on campus, and important notices about FHSU activities and services are sent to students via their Scatcat accounts.

Because FHSU is unable to provide support for other E-mail systems, we cannot assist with support issues, space restrictions, spam, or other problems that can occur when using other E -mail providers. Therefore, we recommend that students access their Scatcat accounts directly in order to receive official University mail and messages. However, if they still prefer to use another E-mail service, they may activate their Scatcat accounts, and then forward them to their account of choice. Forwarding information can be found on the Scatcat Home Page.

Complete information about how to activate and use student Scatcat accounts is available from the CTC HelpDesk home page. back to top

Where to Find E Mail Addresses

Attention New Faculty and Staff
Here's how to apply for Internet service through FHSU

If you are interested in applying for an account, just stop by the CTC HelpDesk (Tomanek Hall, Room 113) to complete an application. A photo ID is required. There is no service fee for faculty or staff accounts.

For more information about Internet Dial-Up accounts or other services provided by the CTC HelpDesk, view our Web site, call us at (785) 628-5276, send us E-mail to, or visit our office.

Welcome to Fort Hays - we hope you have a great summer! back to top

Faculty Access for On-Campus Labs

The student Scatcat login is used to access Student Logon Information that includes a current list of labs using the Scatcat login process is located on the CTC HelpDesk home page.

Faculty Scatcat accounts have been set up for many faculty who frequently work in computer labs. If you need access to one of these labs, call or stop by the CTC HelpDesk to find out if an account has been created for you or to request an account. Please allow up to two working days for the creation of a new account. back to top

CTC HelpDesk Summer Hours

Virus Warnings and Solicitations: What Should I Do? back to top

FHSU Tiger Card Now Accepted at the CTC HelpDesk

Microsoft Office Available at Volume Discount Prices! back to top

User Services News
by Viv Zimmerman, User Services

CTC Labs Hours

CTC Training Schedule on Web

Reserving CTC Computer Labs

LN 5.0 Hints & Tips. . .

Ambiguous Name Dialog Box

If this box appears, it merely means that more than one match was found for the name. For instance, when sending a note to the Faculty group, this Ambiguous Name dialog box appears with the choices of "Faculty" and "Faculty Senate". Click on Faculty and then click the OK button and the note will go to everyone in the Faculty group.

The same may happen when a note is sent to other groups or users that have a common word within their group name, or first or last name. Scroll through the list in the Ambiguous Names dialog box, click on the desired group or user, and then click the OK button. Your note will then be sent to the appropriate group or user. Caution: If you click the Skip Name button, that group or person will not receive the note. back to top

Filtering New Mail

If you would like to filter some of your mail into folders using this feature, click on the Help Menu, choose Help Topics, choose Index in the left window, enter Filter, click on the drop-down arrows by Filtering mail and using rules, and double-click on Filtering new mail using rules. If you want to print these instructions for further reference, right-click in the right window where the topic is displayed and choose Print. Hit Esc to exit the Help Menu.

You can also find information about Working with Rules in our FHSU CTC Handbooks Database on Lotus Notes. To load this into your Databases Bookmarks folder, click on the File Menu, Databases, Open, change server to NotesHub/FHSU, double-click on the yellow apps folder, and then find FHSU CTC Handbooks and bookmark it in your Databases bookmark folder and click the OK button.

If you need assistance setting up a rule, contact Viv Zimmerman at 4031. back to top

End of Semester Acct Maintenance

It is imperative that all security is removed for those who no longer work in your office. It is also important that you not share passwords with others. If you have student employees who need access to Lotus Notes, CICS, or other systems to perform duties in your office, please contact us to set up an account. Many offices have set up generic student Lotus Notes or CICS accounts for student employees in their offices and merely change the password each time a student employee quits. back to top

LN Password Information

Changing Your LN Client Password

You may continue working; however, from now on, you must use your new password the next time you start Notes or if you clear your logon.

Passwords are case sensitive and must have at least four characters. You may use letters, numbers, or a combination of letters and numbers. Try not to use a password that is easily guessed. Never use "lotusnotes", your "LN ID", "the last four numbers of your SSN", or anything that would be easily guessed such as your "birthday" or "phone number" as the password. Be sure to change your password anytime you feel that it has been compromised.

The password always goes with the user ID. It is specific to the user.id file on the computer that you are working on. The password is secure; it never goes out over the network. back to top

Changing Your LN Internet Password

For the average user who is just occasionally checking E-mail from home or looking at the calendar, it may be easier to do this using the browser. The browser address for checking your E-mail/calendar when you are away from your desk or from home is tiger.fhsu.edu .

You must logon to the LN Client to change your LN Internet password; if you use LN through browser access only, contact Viv at 4031 or Jane at 5819 to change your password. Follow these instructions to change your Internet password:

This will change the password used to access your E-mail through use of the POP3 server (for example, if you access your E-mail using Internet mail software, such as Netscape Mail) and the password used to access LN through an Internet browser. back to top

Browser Hint