ITD NEWSVolume 3, Issue 4, Summer 2007

ITD News, Summer 2007, page 1 of 4

Information Technology Directorate

Learning Commons The Dixson Library ground floor is set to be transformed into an IT learning hub

Building work is about to commence on a major project that will see the ground floor of the Dixson Library transformed into a one-stop-shop for student support services. The Learning Commons project, funded by the Commonwealth capital development pool, will allow students greater access to a range of computing services as well as academic support.

From early 2008 the ITD service desk will have a permanent presence in the Dixson library making it easy for students to access face-to-face IT support. The learning commons will also feature increased network connections and wireless coverage as well as improved printing, scanning and copying services.

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The Dixson Library to become a Learning Commons

Astounding resultsOpt in to get your results by SMS.SMS delivery of results will go ahead for all students this semester after recent successful trials of UNE’s new e-results system.

Damon Ferris who has been heading up the project said that the recent trial of SMS delivery of results was a success. “Everything worked and those students who had opted in to get results by SMS were really happy”.

From second semester 2007 all students will automatically receive an e-mail informing them of their results. Results will also be available online.

In addition students can opt-in for SMS delivery by visiting the new results portlet in MyUNE. The deadline for opting-in is the day prior to the release of results.

ITD News, Summer 2007, page 2 of 4

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u E-learning CommonsGoing hand in hand with the physical learning commons is the development of a web portal that will provide students with access to all the services of the learning commons on their desktop.

The E-learning commons will be available to students through MyUNE. It will include features such as myLibrary, which will provide direct access to renewals, e-resources, as well as myAssist which will provide access to a range of student support services, including IT support.

It is planned that students also have access to a range of Web 2.0 tools like podcasting and multimedia.

E-learning a reality at UNEWith the introduction of a new learning management system, all students will have access to online teaching, resourc-es and assessment.UNE continues its commitment to online learning with the introduction of a new e-learning management system in first semester 2008. The new system, Blackboard, offers a wide range of learning tools including unit information, communications tools, audio and video content, online resources, quizzes and more.

With all students required to have access to a computer and internet connection from first semester 2008, all UNE courses will have a presence in the new learning management system. A standardised look and feel will help students to feel at home online.

In addition, E-submission of assignments will become standard wherever appropriate and will facilitate the introduction of anti-plagiarism

All systems are go for UNE Network upgradeWith contracts signed and equip-ment arriving, the UNE network upgrade is all go – here’s how you can stay in touch.After months of detailed planning the upgrade to UNE’s data network is about to become a reality. Equipment begins to arrive

Over the next few months hundreds of switches and other devices will be replaced providing users with a very speedy 1000 Mbit/s connection to the network, increased wireless coverage, and improved security.

There will be some localised scheduled disruptions to network access while upgrade works are carried out. In order to minimise any disruption caused by the upgrade works, ITD has put in place measures to ensure that the university community is informed about upcoming outages.

The Net-Ops mailing list provides information on the status of the UNE campus network, UNE’s regional network, the network link to Sydney, the AARNet network and the internet.

Any members of the university community whose teaching or research rely on network access are urged to subscribe to this list. More information including links to subscribe can be found at: https://mail.une.edu.au/lists/cgi-bin/listinfo/net-ops

The ITD news blog covers ITD news and events including network outages relating to the network upgrade. To access the ITD news blog visit http://blog.une.edu.au/itd-news

In addition ITD is currently compiling a list of staff contacts in areas likely to be affected by outages. Staff contacts will be informed by email of upcoming outages. If you would like to be included on a contact list for your area you can email knash@une.edu.au

Inbox Zero challengeIf you never seem to get to the bottom of your email inbox - it may be time to take the Inbox Zero challenge.

Writer and broadcaster Merlin Mann argues that email overload is taking its toll on our time, productivity and above all our sanity.

His solution is brutal realism about email. The first step is accepting that reading and replying to all emails is impossible. The next step is completely emptying your inbox. To find out more http://www.43folders.com/

Multi function devicesWhen is a photocopier not a photo-copier? When it’s an MFD.When UNE’s fleet of around 152 photocopiers needed to be updated Ross Williams, purchasing and procurement officer, began looking at the latest generation photocopiers and discovered that they had become MFD’s (Multi-Function Devices)

“They used to be photocopiers but now they’re really computers – they’re networked, they have software - so I really needed to get some advice from ITD” said Mr Williams.

Enter Gordon Smith, Principal IT Officer, to provide advice on the best MFD for UNE “These new machines will be able to take advantage of the new network to make a range of tasks much more efficient.”

UNE is preparing to install more than 100 new generation MFD’s. They’re not only a photocopier, printer, scanner and fax machine but also have a range of ‘smart’ functions such as automatically ordering toner when it gets low.

The new MFD’s also offer a range of security features like ‘follow me print’. Ross Williams explains, “With these devices there’s no more printed material left waiting for someone to collect. It also allows you to do things like run big jobs overnight.”

The MFD’s will significantly reduce the cost of copying and printing with costs of 0.8c a page for black and white and 9c a page for colour. And flexible charging means you only pay for what you use.

As the new MFD’s are rolled out all old photocopiers, faxes, printers and scanners can be gradually replaced. As UNE no longer has a contract with Konica, interim servicing of old equipment can be arranged by contacting Ross Williams in Finance.

ITD News, Summer 2007, page 3 of 4

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Blog ArtGordon Smith’s acclaimed online photo-blog of life in the New England was also a valuable exploration of the possibilities for blogs and podcasting at UNE.Gordon Smith, UNE’s Principal IT Officer, began his photoblog lookANDsee in 2004. At that time blogs were an emerging online form and blogging software was still in development. “I’d been playing around with blog software for some time but I really needed some content to see how it might work in a university context, so I decided to use it to publish my photographs.”

A fly at rest from lookANDsee

lookANDsee is a diverse collection of images of life in rural Australia. “It’s a place to record what I see around me and to give a different perspective. My long term goal is to have a repository of 15 or so years of life in rural Australia.” The blog receives more than 700 hits a day from all around the world and is archived each year by the National Library of Australia.

lookANDsee has always been highly experimental. It carried Australia’s first podcast and was amongst the world’s first podcasters, posting more than 100 podcasts.

lookANDsee is created using Wordpress blogging software which is the software currently used to maintain UNE’s blog service. UNE now has a community of more than 40 bloggers who are writing about everything from scuba diving to musicology. You can view Gordon’s photoblog at http://las.new-england.net.au/. If you are interested in exploring UNE’s growing list of blogs check out http://blog.une.edu.au/

ITD News, Summer 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: knash@une.edu.au

News in BriefPower - on!Recent power outages put UNE’s new emergency power system to the test. Despite two prolonged cuts to the university’s power supply, there were no disruptions to IT services.

Ensuring an uninterrupted power supply is a central part of ITD’s emergency planning. The recent purchase of a Genset diesel generator and UPS ‘smart’ battery pack provided uninterrupted power during two recent power outages.

UNE triple bypass a successIt was no ordinary upgrade - more like a triple bypass- but the upgrade to the Callista student administration system was a success.

The upgrade took four months and was co-ordinated by Kylie Day (Student Centre) with help from Bruce

Gower Daniel Watkins and John Baker, ITD.

Pay OnlineUNEweb will soon offer a credit card payment facility to make paying for everything from ID cards to lab coats simple and secure.

From first semester 2008 it will be possible to pay for a range of products. Once the online payment gateway is up and running it will be possible to increase online payment options.

Keeping TrimA recent upgrade to the TRIM record management system makes it easier than ever to manage university records. The TRIM upgrade provides a range of new functions that ensure compliance with record management legislation.

For schools interested in using TRIM school based training and advice is available by contacting Caroline Elder or Collette Gooch in the Records Management office.

From the Service DeskTurnItIn for UNEFrom semester 1 2008 all assignments submitted at UNE will be screened using TurnItIn plagiarism detection software.

Students will be required to have access to an internet connected computer and e-submission of assignments will be used wherever possible.

Cheap mobiles at the ServicedeskTake advantage of mobile phone savings and support by purchasing mobiles through the IT Servicedesk.

UNE has negotiated a contract with Telstra for the provision of mobile phones to the university. This means that mobiles purchased through the Servicedesk are often considerably cheaper than phones purchased elsewhere.

The Servicedesk is able to organise phone purchasing, account administration and international roaming.

The Servicedesk can only provide support for mobiles that are covered by UNE’s contract with Telstra. It cannot provide support for privately owned mobiles or work mobiles not covered by the contract. For more information see http://www.une.edu.au/it-services/staff/phone/mobilephone.php

Don’t dump it - donate itUNE has signed up to a mobile phone recycling program that will ensure that no waste or toxic chemicals from old mobiles end up in landfil. Even better your old mobile can help to raise money for the spastic centre, helping to provide services for children and adults with cerebral palsy. If you want to recycle your old mobile just visit the IT service desk.