IT News Index of Article Titles by Issue

Fall 2007 Issue

(www.uwyo.edu/infotech/aboutit/newsletter/Fall2007.htm)

Information Technology Center Groundbreaking
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Information Technology Center was held on September 6, 2007. President, Dr. Tom Buchanan discussed the growing importance of the role of technology in the university’s mission... more

Campus Wi-Fi Wireless Changes - Please Read!
Information Technology has been working on gradually upgrading and expanding the campus wireless data network. Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.11b/g, wireless connections will soon be available in most campus locations... more

2007 Technology Survey
The Division of Information Technology recently asked students, faculty and staff to respond to an on-line survey to help us improve our offerings and services. There were 1,293 responses from students and 1,143 responses from faculty and staff... more

A New Windows Operating System Takes Flight – Vista’s Controlled Release at UW
The new Windows Vista operating system will soon be fully supported by Information Technology for university owned computers... more

HELP is just a phone call or email away!
UW IT Client Support Services Help Desk
Information Technology’s Help Desk hours are 7:30 am to 7:30 pm Monday – Thursday; 7:30 am – 5 pm on Friday; Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm (extended hours on Saturday are offered during the first month of each semester). Help Desk hours are listed on the WyoWeb login page... more

Help in the Classroom –
Instructional Technology Manager, Gary Boulware, Joins IT
UW recently hired Gary Boulware as an instructional technology manager. Gary’s role is to support UW’s growing classroom technology needs. Gary brings 30 years of experience in media services... more

IT Training Program Under New Leadership
Information Technology’s new IT Trainer and Program Manager is Doug Roehrkasse. Doug’s background includes Microsoft Certified Training in Excel and Access and teaching at the Laramie High School and LCCC... more

IT Sales and Maintenance
In an effort to improve our efficiency and response times, IT Sales and Maintenance has a new email address... more

PeopleSoft Upgrades
The PeopleSoft Human Resources system, HRMS, was upgraded from version 8.3 to version 8.9 from October 5th to October 8th, 2007. Software upgrades are a necessary part of running large administrative software systems... more

Gigabit Ethernet – Does it make a difference?
Information Technology often receives questions from departments asking if they should upgrade building wiring and install computers that operate at Gigabit Ethernet networking speeds. Gigabit Ethernet is in theory 10 times faster than a more typical 100 Mbps Ethernet connection... more

What’s New in the UWStudent Lab System?
Microsoft Expression Web, the replacement for FrontPage, was installed in the student lab system and ready for use for the fall 2007 semester. Expression Web is the new Microsoft choice for the professional Web designer, used to create standards-based Web sites... more

Remote Access to UW Network Using VPN – Download
There are basically two types of computer servers on the UW network: public servers and private servers. Public servers are accessible by the general public from either the Internet or the UW network... more

Spring 2007 Issue

(www.uwyo.edu/infotech/aboutit/newsletter/spring2007.htm)

New IT Building and Data Center Update
In March 2006, the Wyoming Legislature approved funding for the construction of a new building to house UW’s central computing operations... more

Sunsetting of Certain Software Applications Effective May 15
Information Technology customers can download and install various software applications directly from the UW network, such as Microsoft Office. The specific versions of some of these applications have differing lifecycles... more

IT Offers Free Online Learning for Microsoft Applications
Do you need to brush up on Microsoft Access to get a project started and can't wait for an IT Training workshop? Are you located at an Outreach office and can't get to Laramie for hands-on instructor led IT workshops? Perhaps you are using an application for which IT doesn't provide training... more

SAS for Linux is Now Available from IT
In a continuing effort to expand software services, IT is pleased to announce the release of SAS 9.1.3 for the Linux operating system... more

Office Enterprise 2007 Released to UW Students & Employees
Information Technology released Office Enterprise 2007 to all UW students and employees in March... more

Message From: UWSPAM QUARANTINE
In response to the UW community’s desire for better spam management, the Division of Information Technology began spam quarantining March 8, 2007 on the central UW email gateways. Email users now receive a single daily email summary that lists all detected spam messages... more

UW's Data Backup System – Better Protection for UW's Data
Information Technology recently upgraded its central data backup capability. The new system, based on IBM Total Storage products, utilizes new tape libraries and new tape drives and is approximately five times faster than the system it replaced... more

Tips for Using Wyo Web
WyoWeb has a number of useful features with many more additions planned. Check out a few of these tips... more

eNews Extra:
IT Computing Survey – Enter to Win!
IT is conducting surveys to help us improve our offerings and services. Faculty and staff, please take a few minutes to fill out our web-based questionnaire to be eligible to win great prizes... more

eNews Extra:
Wireless Network Upgrade – Update
The Wyoming Legislature provided funding for IT to upgrade the University of Wyoming’s wireless data network. The planned upgrade will begin late this summer... more

eNews Extra:
Long-Time IT Employees Larry Sims and Jim Kirkpatrick Retire
Two or our long-time employees recently retired after 72 combined years service in Information Technology... more

Fall/Winter 2006 Issue

(www.uwyo.edu/infotech/aboutit/newsletter/fall2006.htm)

Protecting Social Security Numbers
The University of Wyoming is very serious about the protection of personal data for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other members of the university community... more

UWStudent Remote Lab Pilot Project
Access from Anywhere
Students can now access a UW computer lab node from any remote location that has an Internet connection – anywhere in Wyoming or anywhere in the world... more

IT bids a fond farewell to Alice Freeman
Alice Freeman, Information Technology’s Training Program manager, is retiring after more than 25 years of service to the University of Wyoming... more

WyoWeb – Five Common Questions
What is a W Number and where can I find mine?... more

Active Directory Organizational Unit Domain Services
In the past, many UW departments have implemented their own Microsoft domain servers in order to self-manage departmental computers, accounts, and software... more

Spam – Reducing the Flood
Spam email has become a growing nuisance for all email users. The amount of spam grows each month. The University of Wyoming has taken steps to identify and tag spam email... more

Spring 2006 Tech Survey – Laptops Top the List
Information Technology recently conducted its annual technology survey of students, faculty, and staff... more

Protecting UW Data
Information Technology is committed to maintaining high standards of security for data that the university treats as confidential. In today’s environment of increasing risks to private data, a priority for IT is protecting privacy... more

Data Encryption – Protect Your Data
In recent years, the maturation of computer networks, increased use of email, and the portability of electronic data has heightened the importance of data encryption... more

Podcasting at UW
A number of UW faculty members have expressed an interest in supplementing course materials or providing customers with information via podcasts... more

IT Explores the Use of Apple’s iTunes U
Plugged in and tuned out? Maybe not. The familiar white ear buds of Apple iPods may no longer be the tell-tale sign of students listening to music; rather it may be the new sign of students reviewing past lectures and preparing for exams... more

"Help Yourself," a Guide to Helpful IT Information
In the Winter 2005 issue of IT News, we listed our Top Five Recommended Help Sites. Our number one recommendation then and now is Ask IT... more

New Version of PC-cillin Antivirus Available for Home Computers
Information Technology provides free antivirus software for home computers. The vendor, Trend Micro, recently released its latest version of the antivirus, anti-spam, anti-spyware software licensed by the University of Wyoming... more

WyoWare – Microsoft Software for UW Students
The Wyoming Legislature provided funding to the University of Wyoming to purchase the Microsoft Campus Agreement for students. The purchase allows enrolled UW students to install Microsoft Office, Office Mac suites, and Windows operating system upgrades on their personal computers... more

Planned Network Upgrades
In the last session, the Wyoming State Legislature provided ongoing funding of approximately $1 million per biennium to help maintain the University of Wyoming’s data network... more

National Lambda Rail – Higher Education Research Network
The University of Wyoming recently connected to the National Lambda Rail (www.nlr.net). National Lambda Rail, or NLR, is a high speed optical research data network that connects leading research universities and private sector technology companies in the USA... more

Campus-Wide Wireless Network Planned
In the last session of the Wyoming State Legislature, funding was provided to upgrade the University of Wyoming’s wireless data network... more

IBM Mainframe to Be Retired
For the last several months, the University of Wyoming has been busy replacing its old Student Information System (SIS) with newer systems from SunGard Higher Education... more

Easily Locate a Person in Outlook
How do you easily find a name and email address using Outlook and the UW Global Address Book (GAL)?... more

eNews Extra:
IT Rental Equipment Program Discontinued
Information Technology has recently discontinued our computer equipment rental program... more

eNews Extra:
Wireless Access Points
Because of security and management issues, all wireless access points installed on the UW data network are required to be registered and approved for use by Information Technology. Numerous problems arise when unplanned and/or improperly configured wireless access points are connected to the university network... more

Winter 2006 Issue

(www.uwyo.edu/infotech/aboutit/newsletter/winter2006.htm)

A Simpler Way – Using Outlook from Off-Campus
For several years, users have been able to access Microsoft Outlook for their email from off-campus, but the process has required a VPN session since the installation of the UW network firewall. There is now a much simpler, easier way to get your email... more

Emails from Information Technology to Contain Digital Signature
From time to time, informational and notification emails are sent from Information Technology (itech@uwyo.edu) to students, faculty and staff at the University of Wyoming. With all of the spam, phishing, and other illegitimate emails common in recent months, IT has received questions regarding how recipients can know that email from UW IT is valid... more

CSI: UW Episode 2 "Lock & Key"
What kind of damage could someone do if they had your password? Well, your password is like a key to a lock: With it, others have access to everything you own... more

Adobe Acquires Macromedia – Flash, Dreamweaver at Discounted Prices
This past December, Adobe Systems, Inc. announced the completion of its acquisition of Macromedia, Inc. As a result... more

TV Over Ethernet Coming to UW
The University of Wyoming recently acquired new hardware and software that will allow users to view live television broadcasts on desktop computers connected to the campus data network... more

"Not the Hiring Paper Work Again" – Melding HR and IT Goals through Banner
Information Technology and Human Resources are teaming up to inform all departments about the benefits of getting hiring paperwork completed early. There is much more at stake than ensuring a checkmark is placed next to the "I-9"section of the hiring forms... more

SPAM and Emails with Viruses – Emails with Viruses to Be Quarantined and Deleted
IT is frequently asked, "Why don’t you just delete all messages identified with [SPAM]?" ... more

Software Assurance Renewal Approaching – Microsoft Select and Campus Agreements
Software Assurance for Microsoft Select 6.0 products will expire July 31, 2006... more

Student Information System and WyoWeb Portal Update
On March 6th, 2006, the WyoWeb portal will be made available to all current students, faculty and staff... more

eNews Extra:
New Look for Outlook Web Access
The appearance of Outlook Web Access (OWA) will change Feb. 25th... more

eNews Extra:
Be Careful When Scheduling Meetings with Room Reservations in Outlook
The meeting scheduling capability in the Outlook/Exchange calendar system is a very powerful tool. In addition to inviting people to a meeting, it is also possible to reserve rooms and other resources... more

Fall 2005 Issue

(www.uwyo.edu/infotech/aboutit/newsletter/fall2005.htm)

CSI: UW Computer Security Initiative
Pilot Episode
Undoubtedly, many of our readers have seen the frequent reports of identity theft from universities and organizations across the nation due to breaches of central, departmental, or individual data stored on computers... more

First Phase of the SIS Replacement Project Completed
In early August of 2005, the project to replace UW’s older Student Information System (SIS) with Banner, a new enhanced SIS system from SunGard SCT, successfully reached its first major milestone... more

IT Sets Goals for Windows XP Service Pack 2 on UWYO Domain
Information Technology encourages all Windows XP users to upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 2 before the end of the year. Why should users upgrade to Service Pack 2? Ten reasons... more

Wireless Computer Access at UW
Wireless network access is available at the University of Wyoming in many campus locations. For current locations of buildings with wireless access points, see the campus Wireless Location Map or the List of Wireless Locations... more

UW Technology Services Review
In late 2004, the consulting firm of RSM McGladrey undertook a campus-wide review of information technology services with an eye toward identifying key technology issues and vulnerabilities that affect the University community. As part of the review, RSM McGladrey developed subsequent recommendations... more

SAS Upgrade Available
SAS 9.1.3 for Windows is now available free of charge to UW departments. All currently licensed SAS users should upgrade to version 9.1.3 at their earliest convenience... more

Spring 2005 Technology Survey
In April, 2005, the Division of Information Technology asked students, faculty and staff to respond to an on-line survey to help us improve our services. There were 1,188 responses from students and 952 responses from faculty and staff... more

New VPN Server
The University uses a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to allow users full access to the University data network when working remotely or from the UW campus wireless network... more

Unified Messaging – Voicemails in Your Email
Unified Messaging is an extremely powerful messaging system that integrates voicemail and email... more

Changes for UW Email and the Global Email Address List
Over the summer, Information Technology upgraded the faculty and staff Exchange servers and implemented new student Exchange servers. As a result, all faculty, staff, and students now enjoy the same email services... more

UW BlackBerry® Wireless Handheld is Now Available
A BlackBerry® isn’t a fruit. It is a cellular wireless handheld device that integrates your UW email, address book, calendar, notes and tasks... more

heck your UW email from a Web browser...
Your UW Exchange email account is available from any computer connected to the Internet, worldwide. This is particularly useful when traveling or using someone else’s computer. UW’s email system, Exchange, is accessible from any computer with a Web browser at https://uwmail.uwyo.edu... more

eNews Extra:
Passwords Shouldn't Be Passed On
Your username and password are like your signature: When they are used to log onto a computer system, you are ultimately responsible for any document or transaction generated with your account... more

Winter 2005 Issue

(www.uwyo.edu/infotech/aboutit/newsletter/winter2005.htm)

IT Help Desk’s Top Five Recommended Help Sites
IT's user consultants were asked to list the most useful IT help Web pages, based on the questions users most frequently ask of them. Here are the top five pages/sites according to the IT Help Desk... more

Important Windows XP Update Recommended
Information Technology has tested and recommends the installation of Windows XP Service Pack 2. This major update to the Windows XP operating system provides multiple security enhancements, including the new Windows Firewall... more

Special Pricing Now Available on Adobe Software
The University of Wyoming is now a member of Adobe’s Open Options Contractual Licensing Program (CLP). Membership allows UW to secure volume pricing on various Adobe products, thus significantly reducing the costs... more

PC-cillin Internet Security Software – Free for UW Faculty, Staff and Students
Faculty and staff who have installed Trend Micro’s OfficeScan antivirus software at home should remove it from their personal computers. OfficeScan installed on personal/home computers will not be supported after March 31, 2005... more

SIS Replacement Project Update
The Banner system is moving closer to replacing the existing Student Information System (SIS) and Hole-in-the-Wall, thanks to the 25 specialized “iTeams” formed to manage the Banner SIS Implementation Project... more

Campus-Wide Review of Information Technology
The consulting firm of RSM McGladrey will soon release the results of their review of UW Technology Services. The results will initially be presented to the UW Technology Services Review Planning Team and then given to the UW community for review and comment... more

Video Conferencing Reaches the World
The University of Wyoming recently installed a new video conferencing system. The primary component of the video conferencing system is a multipoint conferencing unit (MCU) that supports interactive video conferences between two or more video endpoints that are connected to the Internet... more

Dark Fiber Lights the Way to UW High Speed Internet
In November 2004, Information Technology activated a new high-speed data circuit that increased by 40 times the speed of UW’s connection to the Internet and other research networks... more

Hummingbird Exceed Upgrade Available
Exceed 10 for Windows is now available on UWApps... more

SPSS Versions Discontinued
Information Technology will discontinue access to some versions of SPSS at the end of the spring 2005 semester... more

Purchasing Departmental Software? Items to Consider
Is your department considering the purchase of a new software application? The more complex the software application and your plans for it are, the more carefully the purchase should be considered... more

Tips for Making UW Exchange Email Better, Faster
IT will upgrade the Exchange email servers in the coming months. In the meantime, here are some steps users can take to improve the performance of their UW Exchange email account... more

Protect your PC from spyware, adware, and other malicious programs
Spyware is, “Any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge.”... more

Practicing Safe Computing
Today’s networked world provides endless resources for academic, administrative, research, teaching, remote support, and technology purposes. It also poses a threat to anyone connected to the Internet. Here are a few suggestions for practicing safe, secure Internet computing... more

Home Users: PC-cillin 2004 Expires Soon – Upgrade to 2005
Faculty, staff and students who still have the 2004 version of UW-licensed PC-cillin Internet Security software installed on their personally owned computers should upgrade to the 2005 version before June to ensure that security updates continue... more

Fall 2004 Issue

(www.uwyo.edu/infotech/aboutit/newsletter/fall2004.htm)

IT Helps Provide Internet Security for Faculty, Staff & Students On-Campus & at Home
According to a July 28, 2004, TechWeb news article, “A firm specializing in the development of anti-virus and anti-spam software said … that 4,677 new viruses were written in the first six months of 2004 – an increase of 21 percent over the same period last year.” To help combat the ever increasing virus and hacking threats, Information Technology has implemented a multi-tiered network defense... more

Remote Access to UW Software with VPN
Now that the UW network firewall is in place, there are essentially two types of servers on the UW network: public servers and private servers. Public servers are accessible from the Internet or the UW network. Private servers are accessible only from the UW network or through the Internet by way of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection... more

Using Exchange Global Email Addresses
The Exchange Global Address List (GAL) is a useful tool for finding the email addresses of UW faculty and staff... more

UW’s Firewall Project Completed
The process of moving the UW data network behind a security firewall was completed over the summer. The firewall helps protect the university’s internal data network... more

Update on SIS Replacement Project
The SIS Replacement project is in full swing. Technical training on the Banner architecture began August 9th and will continue through September... more

IT Automatically Patches and Updates Departmental Computers
Since March IT’s Software Update Services (SUS) has been available for UW campus Windows computers that are members of the UWYO domain. During its first 6 months, 3,456 computers participated... more

Computer Software Training
According to the Human Resources Training Office, the need for software training is mentioned often in university employee performance evaluations... more

Campus-Wide Review of Information Technology
As part of the university’s Support Services planning activities, a campus wide review of information technology is underway. This spring the consulting firm of RSM McGladrey, Inc. was selected to conduct the review... more

Faculty & Staff Input Requested for IT Support Services Planning
The Division of Information Technology has started the development of its 2005 – 2009 Support Services Plan. Information Technology’s focus will be on cost-effective technology support for the University’s implementation of the Academic Plan through programming efforts, personnel assignments, and budget commitments... more

UW Wide Area Network Enhanced by “Dark Fiber”
Thanks to funding from President Dubois and a grant from the National Institutes of Health, UW has been able to acquire a “dark fiber” communications line between UW and Denver, Colorado... more

How IT Backs Up Data on UW’s Central Servers
In 2001 the Wyoming Legislature funded a remote data backup and disaster recovery system for the State of Wyoming’s Cheyenne central computer systems. The State’s central systems are operated and maintained by... more

UW VPN Doesn’t Secure All Data
Users can connect to the UW network from remote locations using UW Virtual Private Network (VPN) services. One of the primary advantages of VPN is that it creates a secure, encrypted data communications channel back to the UW network. Users should be aware that during a VPN session only their connection back to the UW network is secure... more

Check your UW email from a Web browser...
Your UW Exchange email account is available from any computer connected to the Internet, worldwide... more

Yet Another Internet Scam
In a recent newsletter article we warned users to watch out for fraudulent "phishing" scams. These scams are potentially very serious. Another scam has been popular in the last couple of weeks. It’s a spyware scam... more

Microsoft releases Windows XP Service Pack
Microsoft continually works to improve the performance and security of the Windows XP family of operating systems. As part of this effort, Microsoft develops updates, fixes and other improvements that address recognized issues... more

Ping and Trace Route Servers
"Ping" and "Trace Route" are software tools typically used by more advanced computer users to test and/or troubleshoot network connectivity from a command-line environment. Unfortunately, these useful tools are often used for illegitimate purposes by viruses and worms... more

Spring 2004 Issue

(www.uwyo.edu/infotech/aboutit/newsletter/Spring2004.htm)

The Student Information System: SIS Replacement Project Update
UW has been working to decide on a replacement for its aging Student Information System, or SIS. On March 30, 2004, after many months of planning, hard work, and negotiation, UW signed contracts with SCT...

IT Computing Survey: Enter to WIN a digital camera!
Information Technology is conducting general computing surveys to help improve our offerings and services...

Sandy Warvi Retires
Sandy Warvi, longtime IT employee and IT’s Business Manager, Executive retired April 30, 2004...

IT Plans Upgrade of Exchange Email
In recent years, usage of the MS Exchange servers at the university has grown significantly...

Phishing, another E-mail Scam
What is Phishing?Webopedia^TM offers the following definition...

Video Conferencing
Through a U.S. Department of Education grant, the University of Wyoming has recently acquired infrastructure to support H.323 (Internet) multipoint video conferencing. This system will be used for a number of research, academic, and administrative purposes...

Email Viruses
The university receives a substantial amount of email that contains virus attachments. Virus attachments are removed by the central email gateway...

PeopleSoft Projects Update
Due to the hard work and long hours of many people across campus, both PeopleSoft applications, HRMS and Financials, have been successfully upgraded...

IT Announces Support for FrontPage 2003
If you plan to upgrade to FrontPage 2003, please be aware that you must also upgrade all of your Microsoft Office products...

Wireless Access Points
Because of security and management issues, all wireless access points installed on the UW data network are required to be registered and approved for use...

IT Considers Results of Home Computing Survey
Information Technology distributed the “UW Home Computing Survey” in January of this year. Some of the results indicate
our customers may not be aware of all the services available...

IT Offices Move to Ivinson Building
During the week of March 29, the Office of the Vice President & CIO for Information Technology, along with the Business Services Dept., moved from Old Main to the second floor of the Ivinson Building...

IT Adds Dell to Computer Sales and Repair Services
Information Technology PC Sales and PC Maintenance currently provide sales and warranty service for...

Winter 2004 Issue

(www.uwyo.edu/infotech/newsletter/Winter04.asp)

Automatic Central Security Patch Management -
Software Update Services
Are you tired of patching your computer? Unsure of where one worm ends and the other begins...

"Work at Home" Using Microsoft Office and Windows XP Pro
UW’s Microsoft Campus Agreement now offers a program called Work At Home. The Work At Home (WAH) program allows faculty and staff to run Office and Windows XP at home...

Email Spam and Virus News
Sophos, UW’s email virus scanning software provider and PureMessage, UW’s spam filtering provider have recently merged into one company...

Recent Changes to UW eMailing Lists
Recent security reviews revealed that the university’s electronic mailing list software (known as Majordomo) presented several potentially undesirable exposures for the university....

Changes to Email Display Names
In the past, email display names have been created from a person’s first, middle, and last names, for example, "Jonathon R. Doe." Recently, due to numerous problems parsing middle initials, email display names have been changed...

MS Office 2003 Available to UW Users
Microsoft Office 2003 is now available to UW users. IT user consultants are ready to offer support for the upgraded core Office 2003 applications...

One Down, One to Go—
UW PeopleSoft Projects: PeopleSoft HRMS
UW has successfully implemented the PeopleSoft Human Resources Management System (HRMS) version 8.3 Service Pack 1. In fact, the paychecks that university employees received at the end of October, 2003 came from the new system...

Campus Wireless Access – Authentication Now Required
Over Winter Break Information Technology installed wireless gateways and Virtual Private Network (VPN) services on the UW wireless network...

Dell Program for UW Faculty, Staff & Studentss
The University of Wyoming is now a participating member of Dell’s Education Personal Purchase Program. UW faculty, staff, and students are eligible to receive special discounts...

UW Network Access May Be Restricted for Infected and Un-Patched Computers
Many university computers remain vulnerable to hackers and viruses. Security patches are not always being installed in a timely manner. This creates serious problems and substantial risks for UW...

SIS Replacement Project Update
Early in 2003 UW started the search for a replacement to our aging Student Information System (SIS). Three vendors (PeopleSoft, SCT, and Oracle) were selected to receive the university’s Request for Proposal...

IT Computer Support – What’s Availablee
Information Technology’s user consultants offer full support of standard hardware and software on university owned standard desktop computers...

Firewall Update
Information Technology has long had a router firewall between the campus network and the Internet. Several months ago a Cisco PIX "hardened" firewall was installed on the campus network...

New "Ask IT" User Self-Help Web Site Available
A new Information Technology help Web site is now available for University of Wyoming (UW) computer users...

Fall 2003 Issue

(www.uwyo.edu/infotech/aboutit/newsletter/Fall2003.htm)

New software filters email SPAM
SPAM has grown into a massive problem – not just at UW but nation-wide. Studies estimate that SPAM represents between 40 and 60 percent of all email...

Security Update for Microsoft Windows
Information Technology strongly encourages Windows users to install the security patch recently released by Microsoft – patch MS03-026...

UW to replace the Student Information System
The Student Information System (SIS) at UW is a mainframe-based application that was originally installed in the 1980s...

Wireless Network: an update
This summer, Information Technology installed wireless gateways and Virtual Private Network (VPN) services on the UW wireless network (also know as “WiFi” or “802.11”)...

Campus firewall installed
Information Technology has implemented a number of new systems and network configurations intended to help make university computers less vulnerable to hacking attacks and viruses...

“Voice over Internet”: new telephones operate over campus data network
During the summer, IT implemented a new communications technology on campus. Telephones equipped with voice over internet protocol (VoIP) were installed in the recently purchased Farm Bureau Building (now the University Office Annex)...

Hardware giving you trouble? Request your repair onlinee
Do you have a printer that’s jamming or needs cleaning, a keyboard with keys that stick, a monitor that has a fuzzy picture, or a PC that won’t power up? Is anything keeping your PC or related equipment from working like it should...

Copyright-protected media: what you should know
Many users enjoy access to their favorite music via the Internet. However, it is illegal to have and share unlicensed copyright protected material on university computers, including music, videos and software...

Spyware “watches” your surfing habits
If you see excessive popup windows, a changed homepage, or new toolbars in your browser, it’s likely that you’ve been infected with spyware...

Software Assurance, Microsoft Select License 6.0: Your chance to reneww
The University of Wyoming's new Microsoft Select License 6.0 became effective Aug. 1, 2003...

Special computer accounts offered by IT: an update
Every UW employee and student is eligible for a UW computer account. To meet individual departmental needs, Information Technology also provides special computer accounts for such things as occasional outside consultants working on UW projects or for shared use by university faculty or staff...

PeopleSoft news
The implementation of the new PeopleSoft Human Resources Management System (HRMS) is scheduled for this fall...

Worm_SoBig.F follows on the heels of MSBlaster
On Tuesday, August 19, 2003, a massive flood of email messages with subject lines such as Re: Wicked Screensaver, Re: Thank you!, Re: Approved, and others began arriving in email inboxes across campus (and the world)...

Spring 2003 Issue

(www.uwyo.edu/infotech/aboutit/newsletter/Spring2003.htm)

Microsoft Drops Support for Windows 98 and NT 4.0 June 30
As announced in earlier Information Technology emails, as of June 30, 2003, Microsoft will stop supporting two of its operating systems, Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0 Workstation...

Important Notice for PeopleSoft Users!
Windows XP is not supported by PeopleSoft for UW’s current 7.02 version of PIStOL. However...

IT Server Support Options
Information Technology announces two new server support options for departments that require specialized servers...

Network Firewall Update
A recent Carnegie Mellon University study suggests that attacks by computer hackers have increased by 277% in the past two years. UW Information Technology has made significant progress in protecting the UW network from malicious and harmful computer attacks coming from the Internet...

Mac/Linux Self-Support Initiative
Are you having difficulties because your research or teaching requires non-Microsoft based computing platforms? Are you trying to get your non-Windows computer to work in the university environment...

Campus Wireless Network Update
To make the UW wireless data network (a.k.a. WiFi or 802.11) more secure and easier to access, upgrades are planned for this summer...

PeopleSoft Projects Update
The University of Wyoming has undertaken two significant projects: the implementation of a new Human Resources Management System (HRMS) and the upgrade of the current financial system, PIStOL...

Year-End Special Prices on Computerss
Information Technology, the UW Partners group and UW Purchasing have worked together to develop hardware specifications and special pricing for standard computers on campus...

Software Assurance May Need To Be Renewed In July –
New MS Select Agreement To Be Signed
Do you have Microsoft FrontPage, Project, Visio or other software that you plan to upgrade in the next three years...

Computing Resources Are Available to Visiting Groups
A variety of computing resources are available to the many individuals, conferences, institutes, high school summer groups and other groups making official visits to the University of Wyoming campus each year...

Winter 2003 Issue

(www.uwyo.edu/infotech/aboutit/newsletter/Winter2003.htm)

What's New in Computer Training?
Information Technology continues to provide University of Wyoming faculty and staff with instructor-led workshops, software lectures and demonstrations, as well as opportunities for self-paced training...

IT's Hot Page
If you suspect problems with the UW computer network or the phone system, find answers on Information Technology’s Hot Page at http://it.uwyo.edu...

PeopleSoft Upgrade
The University of Wyoming is updating its PeopleSoft Financials system as well as upgrading the Human Resources System to PeopleSoft...

ASUWlink Server Upgraded
During winter break, Information Technology upgraded the student ASUWlink server to provide better and more reliable service...

Exceed 8.0 Available
Exceed 8.0 for Windows is now available on UWApps. Licensed users who have purchased yearly maintenance can install it..

What is Remote Support?
Remote support is an internet-based desktop-sharing technology that allows you to receive help solving your computer problems over the phone...

ASU Keeps Computer Labs Humming
The Information Technology Academic Support Unit (ASU) is a small group with a large responsibility: making more than 1,000 computers available for use in 86 academic computer labs and classrooms across campus...

Fall 2002 Issue

IT to Install Campus Network Firewall
In the past year, UW has seen numerous attacks on systems connected to our computer network...

Welcome Back UW!
On behalf of the Division of Information Technology (IT), I would like to welcome all new and returning faculty and staff to campus...

IT Now Supports Windows XP Professional
You may notice several references to the Windows XP operating system in this edition of ITNews. Does that mean Information Technology now supports Windows XP?...

Spam: A Growing Problem
Do you feel like you now spend more time deleting unwanted email than you did a year ago, or even a few months ago?...

VPN Server Installed
To increase University of Wyoming network users’ security and privacy, Information Technology has installed a Virtual Private Network (VPN) server...

Microsoft Exchange Improves Email for Mac Users
Information Technology now offers a better way for campus Macintosh users to read and send email...

UW Partners Program Recommends Business Class PCs
When purchasing a PC, it’s important to realize that "consumer class" computers are very different from "business class" computers...

Protecting Your Desktop – How You Can Help
Today’s networked world provides endless resources to computer users for academic, administrative, research, teaching, remote support, and technology purposes...

Spring 2002 Issue

IT offers remote assistance for UW computer users
Have you ever been working on your office computer and run into a problem that you think can be fixed with a quick question to Information Technology’s Help Desk?...

iCalendar adds useful features to Outlook
Many UW faculty and staff currently use the calendar features of Outlook and Exchange to manage their calendars and schedule appointments with others...

Recovering Deleted Email Messages
If you accidentally delete email from your Microsoft Outlook Exchange mailbox, you can usually recover it for several days after the deletion occurs...

Wireless Networks Expand to More Campus Locations
The University of Wyoming has installed wireless Ethernet networks (specifically, 802.11b networks) in several campus locations...

UW to Upgrade PeopleSoft
In February of 2002 the University embarked upon a project to upgrade two of its administrative applications...

Why Does UW Use Generic Web Addresses and Domain Names?
The Web addresses, or URLs, for most UW Web services use generic address names...

Windows XP Not Yet Recommended for Campus Use
When Microsoft or Apple releases a new operating system, it generally takes the third-party software companies several months to update their applications...

UW Network Offers Increased Security
The Internet has matured and millions of the world’s computer systems are now accessible via the Internet...

Deadline Approaching for Faculty to Request Computer Lab Software
In an effort to provide the most reliable and secure computer labs and classrooms, twice each year IT updates and rebuilds over 800 lab computers...

eNews Extra:
End of Year Purchases - Save Approximately $200 on Desktop Computers
Information Technology, the UW Partners group and UW Purchasing have worked together to develop hardware specifications and special pricing...

Winter 2002 Issue

Peer-to-peer file sharing
In recent years, computer-to-computer file sharing systems (referred to as "peer-to-peer" systems) have become very popular at UW...

UW drops old software support
As mentioned in the Fall 2001 IT News, IT officially discontinued support for the Windows 95 operating system December 31, 2001...

Interactive Web Calendar available
IT is now offering UW departments and programs free use of an interactive Web calendar...

New Cache Server
In order to increase campus Internet performance, Information Technology has begun to use an Internet cache server...

UW to offer Virtual Private Network
The University of Wyoming will soon make available Virtual Private Network (VPN) services for faculty and staff...

Network storage prices reduced
Information Technology is offering new options and pricing for network storage...

Voice Mail: Call Again
Are you taking advantage of features offered through the university’s Voice Mail and telephone systems...

eNews Extra:
Mail Gateway Replaced
The central email gateway, formerly "Roper," has been replaced by a larger-capacity system...

Fall 2001 Issue

UW to sign new licensing agreement with Microsoft
Information Technology will soon offer UW computer users the benefits of Microsoft Campus Agreement 3.0. With this licensing program, UW can easily stay compliant on core software programs while saving the University money...

IT Makes Wireless Ethernet Available
Computer users can now access the UW network via the Central Student Fee Committee funded wireless Ethernet in the Coe and Law Libraries (see IT News, "Wireless Data Networks Arrive at UW," Spring 2001)...

Office XP Update
This summer, Information Technology consultants tested Microsoft’s most recent Office release, Office XP, on UW systems. While UW users do not need to upgrade to Office XP, we do offer support for the product on campus...

UW Email System Upgraded to Exchange 2000
Information Technology recently upgraded Exchange email servers to Exchange 2000, which offers enhanced reliability and support for larger data stores...

How do I get help? Tips from the Help Desk
Call 6-HELP (6-4357), option 1.
Since its inception in August 2000, the Client Support Help Desk has taken over 20,000 calls regarding computer hardware and software, including questions on training, licensing, equipment checkout and repairs...

Buy Compaq PCs with UW "Image"
Client Support Services has been working with Compaq to provide PCs with preloaded software to UW customers...

Access your email from the Web
Checking your email from a Web browser is particularly useful when traveling or using someone else’s computer...

eNews Extra:
IT Support for Oracle
The Oracle database platform is used here at UW to provide the backbone for many of UW’s mission-critical applications, including PISTOL and the forth-coming HRMS system...

eNews Extra:
Help with telephone features: Call transfer
When you receive a call intended for someone else on campus, do you sometimes have trouble transferring the call to the correct number?...

IT fights viruses, worms, Trojan horses and other electronic monsters
With the growth of the Internet we have to take the bad with the good...

UW changes its Access Control Server
(users of dial-in modems, DSL and wireless Ethernet affected)
On August 26, 2001, Information Technology changed it’s authorization procedures for users of DSL and the student dial-in modem pool (742-1200)...

New Email Attachment Size Limitations
The size of email attachments at UW has recently been restricted to 50 megabytes...

Microsoft to drop support for Windows 95, Office 97, Outlook 97/98
Microsoft has announced dates when it will stop supporting the following products...

Spring 2001 Issue

Wireless Data Networks Arrive at UW
Wireless data networks have become popular in recent months with the availability of affordable IEEE 802.11b wireless networking products...

Student Computer Lab Software Submittal Deadline Approaching!
July 1 is the deadline for submitting software to be placed on the UWStudent lab system for Fall 2001...

Where does that student computer fee go?
In December of 1996 the UW Board of Trustees approved an $18 per semester increase in the general student
computer fee, from $2.00 to $20 per semester...

eNews Extra:
UW's Outbound Calls No Longer Support Caller ID
In the past, when an on-campus UW caller placed a local telephone call to the Laramie area the UW telephone number
would be displayed on telephones equipped with Caller Identification...

World Wide Web Hosting Services at UW
Every UW department is entitled to a website on the central UW web servers...

Disk storage quotas coming to UW WWW servers
Disk storage on the UW central web servers will soon be set to a 40 Mbyte limit for each department...

UW Email Now Has Virus-Scanning, but Good User Habits Still Essential
Information Technology recently implemented virus scanning for all email processed through the UW central email gateway...

Student Web Email: Now Available on ASUWLink!
Web Mail is now accessible on the student email server, ASUWLink at webmail.uwyo.edu...

TrendMicro OfficeScan Antivirus Tips
Information Technology offers TrendMicro’s OfficeScan as the standard antivirus software for UW desktop computers and workstations...

Winter 2001 Issue

The Ups and Downs of UW Internet Access
UW has two connections to the Internet. One connection is to the Internet2 research network that consists of approximately 160 universities...

Windows ME - Not Recommended for UW Use
Microsoft recently released Windows Millennium Edition, also known as Windows Me...

eNews Extra:
Get Ready Now for Summer!
Because of increased summer construction activity, our telecommunications installation team is already nearly booked full for the summer...

Searching For and Cleaning Out Unused UW Network Addresses
In the summer of 1999, IT began converting campus computers to Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, (DHCP)...

AppleTalk and IPX Leave UW Network
On July 1, 2001, IT will discontinue routing the AppleTalk and Novell IPX protocols across the campus network backbone.

New: Web Browser Support for Languages Other Than English
IT recently added enhanced functionality to the Internet Explorer web browsers in the Student Computer Labs...

eNews Extra:
Computer Service, Sales and Parts
PC and Apple Maintenance have three certified technicians to provide Warranty Assistance and Time and Materials services for institutionally owned computers and laser printers...

Adobe Discontinues ELP Software Discounts
In the past Information Technology was able to offer discounted prices on Adobe products through the Adobe Educational License Program...

Windows 2000 Active Directory
In the Fall Edition of IT News we reported that the UWYO and UWSTUDENT Microsoft NT domains were converted to Windows 2000 Active Directory...

Fall 2000 Issue

Welcome Back UW!
The employees of the Division of Information Technology (IT) would like to welcome all new and returning faculty and staff to campus...

Tired of Getting a Busy Signal on the Dialup Modems?
High-speed home DSL service is coming!
UW Information Technology and Qwest (formerly US West) have teamed up to provide high-speed access to the campus network and the Internet for off campus students, faculty and staff...

e-News extra:
Windows Me
Microsoft recently released Windows Millennium Edition – also known as Windows Me...

The New Call Center at IT Client Support Services
Information Technology has expanded and improved Client Support Services...

Telecommunications Help Desk: Customer Service is our goal!
The Telecommunications Help Desk recently implemented a call answering system that distributes calls uniformly to our customer service staff...

New AntiVirus Software
Problems with Command Antivirus have prompted Information Technology to purchase Trend Micro's OfficeScan antivirus software...

Data network upgrades: One billion bits per second!
Information Technology began working on a major upgrade of the campus data network this summer...

Partners Program: Technical subcommittees tackle campus computing issues
The UW Partners Program is a committee of technology professionals and other interested individuals, working to improve the use of computer technologies across campus and the services and products of the Division of Information Technology...

IT announces support for Windows 2000 Professional
Information Technology is pleased to announce support for Windows 2000 Professional...

Where IS it?
Searching for information doesn’t have to be difficult
The University of Wyoming Division of Information Technology web site contains a wealth of information...

e-News extra:
Email aliases and email lists, generic mailboxes and special computer accounts
Email aliases allow mailboxes to be known by more than one name...

View Your Web Stats
Information Technology has had numerous requests from web site authors for statistics about their web site visits without having to add counters to web pages...

Spring 2000 Issue

Windows 2000 at University of Wyoming
Microsoft officially released Windows 2000 on February 17, 2000...

New WWW Search Engine Makes Searching University Website a Snap
A new WWW search engine was recently installed that resolves a number of problems with the old search engine...

Hello, Operator...
McLeod New Phone Vendor
The Division of Information Technology will soon utilize McLeod USA as the contracted vendor for telephone operator services...

Adobe Software Available At Reduced Costs For University Of Wyoming Faculty And Staff
Information Technology is interested in what you, our customers, have to say about software that you want...

Update on SMS, PeopleSoft at UW
Information Technology is continuing to test SMS (System Management Server) at UW...

BioScience Open Computer Lab announces extended hours!
There’s a new lab in town and now it’s available all day and night...

New Products for Campus
Information Technology periodically evaluates hardware and software for use at the University of Wyoming...

Winter 1999 Issue

Near Instant Software Updates! SMS Implementation at UW
The University of Wyoming began installing a new systems management software product, Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) version 2.0 in November, 1999...

UW Partner’s Program: Back in the Saddle
Change is upon us. It seems like everything we know and what we do is changing...

Recovering Deleted Exchange E-mail
Recovering deleted e-mail on the Exchange server has been nearly impossible in the past...

MajorDomo mail list change
A configuration parameter ("maxlength") is associated with each e-mail list (a.k.a. listserve list)...

What's the Latest Version of....?
IT provides many software products to its customers over the UW network...

Is Your Department Ready for Y2K?
Just a few weeks remain until the year 2000...

What Your User Consultant Can Do for You!
Your User Consultant is your first stop to all of your computer-related questions...

Mail lists at the University of Wyoming
Often times Information Technology staff receive requests for a mail list to be created for one of our clients...

Searching in MS Email Programs is a Snap!
Tips for Searching in Outlook...

Fall 1999 Issue

Welcome back!
The employees of the Division of Information Technology (IT) would like to welcome all new and returning faculty and staff...

Year 2000 Seminar Set for Sept 16
Info Tech will be repeating its presentation for new Y2K departmental coordinators on September 16, 2:30 - 4:00 pm in CR302...

Where is it? Searching for information doesn't have to be difficult.
While the University of Wyoming Division of Information Technology doesn’t claim to have the answers to life, the universe, and everything, we know how frustrating it can be when you can’t quickly find information...

Virus Protection for Servers
Are you concerned about viruses ruining your day?

Microsoft 2000 now offered through IT Select Agreement
Information Technology can now offer Microsoft Office Professional 2000 to its customers through the Select Agreement...

Ranger's Last Month
Information Technology announced in May 1999 that we would discontinue support for several older programs currently residing on the information server, Ranger...

SMS Makes First Appearance this Fall
This fall Information Technology plans to begin another project that will reduce the time and knowledge required to support and maintain networked computer systems...

Pistol & Upgrade coming to an office near you
The PISTOL implementation team is currently in the process of upgrading PISTOL from version 6.0 to version 7.0...

IP Address assignments and DHCP
Information Technology began a project this summer that reduced the time and knowledge required to install new computer systems on the UW network and maintain existing computers...

Great Prices on Compaqs!
Compaq DeskPro EN only $1535 Desktop or Tower, NT or Win95...

Summer 1999 Issue

Do you use Ranger? It’s Going Away
In an effort to address the Year 2000 issue, or "Y2K", Information Technology will be ending support for several older programs currently residing on the information server, Ranger...

Mail Relay, SPAM and POP Email Clients
A few months ago, UW was forced to change the way we handle the relaying of electronic mail...

IP address assignments and DHCP
This summer Information Technology plans to begin a project that will reduce the time and knowledge required to install new computer systems and maintain existing systems...

UWSTUDENT Lab System Software submittal deadline approaching
It’s that time of year again...

Are those Modem Lines Busy? Here’s Why!
Information Technology provides dial-in access to faculty, staff, and students of the University of Wyoming...

Why do we need standards?
There are many options in the microcomputer and workstation environments that include decisions on what to buy, whether it will work with the campus network, and who to call if there are problems, etc...

Telecommunications Team Ready to Assist You
Meet your Telecommunications Technicians Joy Sims, Tilma Giesse, Russ Ingram and Lindsay Mitchell...

Automatic: Why Command AntiVirus is used by InfoTech
The Melissa virus was a good wakeup call for us all to check our computers’ virus protection...

Spring 1999 Issue

Web Site Gets New Look, New Address
If you are looking for current information on services provided by Information Technology, then look no further than our revised resource guide now located at
http://www.uwyo.edu/infotech...

Modem Pools Support V.90
The University of Wyoming dial in modem pools were recently upgraded to support the new V.90 modem technology...

Year 2000 and UW
The year 2000 (Y2K) problem refers to the potential business problems facing organizations at 12:01 on January 1, 2000, with many facing the risk of business interruptions or failures of their core business processes as computer systems malfunction or produce incorrect information...

Training Opportunities Afforded to UW Employees and Affiliates
The Division of Information Technology provides hands-on computer training for the University of Wyoming...

Virus Concerns on campus
There is a new variant of a word macro virus that is spreading around campus...

Netiquette and Email
In the course of using email or surfing the web you may come across unsolicited or offensive material...

Winter 1998 Issue

Teamwork makes Hole in the Wall a success!
Thanks to a strong inter-divisional team comprised of Julie Schroyer, PJ Vaske, Paul Troiano, Mike Sullivan, Jerome Cornelius, Andy Wiley and Steve Massei, Phase 1 of the World Wide Web interface to the Student Information System (SIS) successfully went live November 2nd and is running well...

Updated supported e-mail client
Outlook 98 replaces Exchange...

RFP for new long distance contract
The University of Wyoming is issuing a Request For Proposals for several types of 1+ long distance telephone service...

Netiquette and Email
Are you ever not sure how to conduct yourself while out surfing the net?

Human Resource and Student Information systems are now Year 2000 compliant
Another success story for UW is Y2K (Year 2000) compliance for our Human Resources System (HRS) and Student Information System (SIS)...

Web Interface for Exchange, Calendar!
You now have the option of using a World Wide Web browser to access the Exchange servers...

BSR Prospect Tracking goes live
Information Technology is pleased to announce that Prospect Tracking, the second of four modules of the new Advance Client Server system, is fully operational...

Professional Consulting Services Offered Free to UW
Did you know that the professional consulting services offered by Information Technology are free to the University?

Fall 1998 Issue

New Consultant:
Russ Oliver is the newest Senior Consultant with Information Technology...

New Information Services Programmer
Carl Cubba is the newest Programmer Analyst Executive with Information Services (DIS)...

IATAC Call for Submissions
The Institutional Administrative Technology Advisory Committee (IATAC) is a planning and policy advisory committee appointed by the President...

Information Services (DIS) Happenings
The most important topic in organizations today is quality customer service...

Modem Pool Changes Brings 56K Speed
In order to solve problems users have been experiencing with the old modem pool and to provide faster modem service, Information Technology upgraded the 721-0400 modem pool on Monday, October 5th...

Print Quotas in Student Labs
The issue of print monitoring came up after allowing unlimited printing last year, which caused over 2 million pages to be printed from students...

Customer Service Week
As Information Technology is dedicated to providing excellent Customer Service we are going to take advantage of an exciting opportunity to participate in Customer Service Week...

Systems Presentation:
Robert Morrison, Director of Telecommunications and System Services, will present an overview of the University’s computing systems and data network on Friday, Nov. 20th, in CR 308, 2:30 - 4:00 PM...

Summer 1998 Issue

Supported Operating Systems Reminder
Of the Microsoft operating systems and their versions, Information Technology currently will support Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 3.51 and 4.0...

Upgrade may not be in your best interest
Windows 98 is now shipping with many new PCs...

Your Input is Sought!
Information Technology departmental consultants are leaving Customer Survey Cards with people across campus...

Restructure of UW WWW servers
In order to streamline WWW addresses and resolve various system management issues, the disk directory on the UW World Wide Web server, www.uwyo.edu (a.k.a. wrangler.uwyo.edu), will be restructured...

Class Status
Class Status, the Plains application that provided class and section enrollment information, will be replaced with a World Wide Web application...

Modem Pool Changes
In order to solve problems users have been experiencing with the old modem pool and to provide faster modem service, Information Technology will be upgrading dial-in modems this fall...

New features of the UW mail system Exchange 5.5
By September 1, Information Technology will release three new methods of accessing electronic mail and calendars on the faculty and staff Exchange mail servers: World Wide Web
(WWW), POP3, and IMAP4...