Over the last several days we have been receiving numerous email messages that contain a malicious exploit.

I know how it is. You download a file from the Internet, and it's simplest just to drop it on the desktop. That file you're always working on, well -- easiest just to put it on the desktop where you can find it, right? Text clippings, URLs, video files you need to watch. Anything and everything tends to accumulate on your desktop. (I've see this happen to the point where the desktop simply fills up and icons begin stacking on top of one another at the top right!)

Most new gadgets, including laptops and cellphones, use lithium ion (LiON) batteries. While these batteries are far lighter and far more powerful that the previous generation of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, they do suffer their own unique set of problems. Iron Cook at Spicy Gadget Roll recently published a quick list of tips for overcoming or avoiding these problems. I've condensed the list below; follow the link for full details.

The Banner Database will be upgraded on Saturday, July 21st. As a result, Banner INB, Banner Web (aka Shirley), and Focus will be offline from 7pm on Saturday, July 21st to 7pm on Sunday, July 22nd. A notification will be sent informing users when the system is back online and available for use.

Along with the release of Office 2007, Microsoft introduced a new file format for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. In order for earlier versions of those applications to open Office 2007 files, a converter must be installed.

In preparation for the widespread use of Microsoft Office 2007 on and off campus, ITS will install the converter on standard Windows computers running Office 2003 on campus. The installation will take place on Monday, July 23. No action is required on the part of the computer user, as this “silent” install will take place via the campus network.

Information about the new XML format is available on the Microsoft web site.

Note: This information does NOT apply to computers running the Macintosh operating system or non-standard Windows computers.

On Tuesday, July 24 we will be upgrading the Clean Access hardware and software beginning at 6:00 a.m. Major work should be completed by 8:00 a.m., with testing continuing throughout the day.

Between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. service interruptions are possible for the following access types:

• Residence halls
• Wireless networking
• Open (unassigned) network ports in buildings and labs

Off campus access to the network via VPN will not be interrupted; however, active users that logon during the maintenance period may have to re-logon after 8:00 a.m.

Students who are returning to campus early can get help connecting their computers to the campus network. ResNet student staff members are available and are ready to help. Here are the details:

August 1-August 22, 10:00AM-6:30PM

(weekdays only)

Student Computing Center, Belk Residence Hall

(across from the Laundry)

No appointments are required, but students do need to remain with their computers and assist with the setup process.

We will be upgrading the Ingeniux Web Content Management software on August 7, 2007.
Webcontent/buildsite will be unavailable during the normal maintenance window that ends at 7:30 AM.

Please remember to ALWAYS log out of the CMS at the end of the night or when not working in the system.

After the upgrade, the next time that you log-in to webcontent/buildsite, you will be prompted to download the software. Go through the prompts, making special note of the screen that asks about installation. There are two options: Install for Me or Install for Everyone. You must select the For Everyone option.

You will probably not notice any changes from this upgrade. We are upgrading to stay at the current release level.