Squirrel Mail becomes Nuts Mail

During December 2009, IDT is having the ROHAN server run Nuts Mail along side Squirrel Mail. This option is to give users a chance to test out the new version. IDT is switching ROHAN to Nuts Mail for the Spring 2010 semester and will turn off Squirrel Mail at the same time.

The switch will provide IDT with an easier way to manage the mail service updates, as well as give users some updated features and a modern interface. New features include the following options: To Do List, Notes, Bookmarks, and Calendar, as well as Help, Search, and Logout as small icons in the upper right corner of the screen.

Nuts Mail will use the same preferences users had saved in Squirrel Mail. However some stylesheets have changed colors, so be sure to go into Options > Display Preferences > and test out new Themes and Custom Stylesheets.

Problem with SSH Sessions on ROHAN

ROHAN is seeing TCP packet losses that are sometimes affecting SSH sessions causing the "keepalive" packets to be lost. This causes ROHAN to think the SSH client has gone away and ROHAN then closes the session.

TNS is able to duplicate the problem (ping packet losses and SSH sessions closing) and is investigating. Please let others know we are trying to solve this aggravating problem and thank you for your patience.

Browser Caching Tip on ROHAN

When changes are made to websites on ROHAN, it can take an hour for the modifications to show up on a refresh of the browser page. The reason is caching.

ROHAN sets expiration flags so HTML pages are cached 1 hour, and images for 1 week by the browser viewing the page. ROHAN's web server also keeps an internal memory cache of frequently served static objects. The server cache is refreshed every hour.

You can force the cache (both browser and web server) to update immediately by clicking reload in Firefox. Some browsers don't update cached items unless the SHIFT key is held down while clicking reload. NOTE: IE version 8 only refreshes it's cache if you hold down the CTRL key and click reload. SHIFT reload does not refresh in IE version 8.

ROHAN Streaming Media Server News

The planned move of Streaming Media services from the ROHAN server to the EOMER server for Spring 2010 semester use was announced at the September MWSSLS meeting. This change will happen one week prior to the Spring 2010 semester. The move solves the QuickTime streaming issues for off-campus users. The upload of files remains with ROHAN, as EOMER will just handle the serving of files.

Major change on www-rohan.sdsu.edu

After two months of working on the fine-tuning, Ron Nash switched the ROHAN web services over to a modified proxy server option for static content on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. Using Apache 2.13, www-rohan.sdsu.edu now has a lightweight and a heavyweight side to its web serving. The heavyweight side handles the more complicated php requests, while the lightweight side serves up the shorter text-based requests. This division of labor allows the text-based requests to be served approximately 10 times faster. The default refresh on content is set at one hour, while images are set at one week for their refresh. Kudos to Ron for the service improvement.

Netstorage is Unavailable

Please be aware that server access to ARWEN via Netstorage is unavailable right now. The problem symptom appears as a looping of the request for Authentication. The Server Administrator is aware of the problem and will be addressing it soon. This affects remote access to the User directory, as well as Share/IST_Binder directory for IDT Customer Resources and any forms that are stored on ARWEN. As soon as access can be restored, IDT will update customers. Thank you for your patience.

IDT Backlog of Requests

Please be aware that IDT’s SANS workgroup is experiencing a backlog of work. Between office moves, vacations, paternity leaves, and furloughs, IDT has not had a full crew in several months. SANS has had 2 technicians some of the time, but mostly only 1 technician the majority of the time. The technicians are nearing the completion of the public image refresh and are beginning to address the backlog of requests. Their first priority will be broken equipment (workstations that don’t bootup, printers that don’t print, etc.). Once that is taken care of, they will address requests for changes to hardware and software. Getting there will take some time, so please bear with us. We appreciate and thank you for your patience.

Library ATI/Websites Report

As of 8/26/09, ROHAN's 10,538 web pages have 8,532 (81%) pages now receiving a passing grade on their ATI requirements. While Infodome 6,502 web pages have reached the 72% mark with 4,695 pages passing, SCUA web pages are just .2% (4 pages) away from the coveted 100% complete and Infoguides are at the finish line. Well done, Sandy Neer. Timeline for completion of the remaining pages is the end of Fall semester 2009 barring unforeseen issues.

Library Paid Printing now using GoPrint

The new GoPrint Paid Printing system installation in the Library offers a new look and feel at the release station for patrons and a completely distinct server administration back-end that promises to be more stable and manageable with additional flexibility for future growth and enhancement.

Kyle Murley, Brian Lenz, and Michael Dimaio are completing the deployment of the new GoPrint Paid Printing system in 24/7, Reference, CPMC, Media Center, and SCUA the week of August 17th. Four of the GoPrint release stations (Reference, and CPMC) are using Touch Screen monitor interface, while the printers in 24/7, SCUA and Media Center are using a mouse interface. Signage is up already explaining the Touch method with thanks to Copy Services. All GoPrint release stations are using the image that Steve Voelker built. Brian Lenz and Michael Dimaio imaged the CPUs, while Kyle Murley and Brian Lenz handled the installation setup. GOPRINT server administrators are Mark Figueroa, Brian Lenz and Dennis Shannon.

During Fall ’09 semester, the GoPrint project team will be working on adding Wireless printing to the GoPrint options with possible deployment by December.

Please note: SCC will continue to use the ITC Paid Printing system due to their current Novell setup, but will probably make the switch to GoPrint by Winter Break. Other campus departments will be changing to GoPrint by June 30, 2010, as the ITC contract for the previous system will end.

IDT's Active Directory plans

IDT has been laying the groundwork for our switch to Active Directory servers from our present Novell servers for sometime. The benefits of doing this are no longer being dependent on the campus Novell Tree and the increased ability to push software to workstations remotely. We currently are using three servers for production Active Directory services. IDT plans are to migrate to an additional Active Directory Server to meet the needs of the Library’s needs.

SCC (Brian Lenz and Michael Dimaio) and Kyle Murley will be working on this for SCC’s needs during Fall ’09 and hopefully completing the switch for public workstations by January 2010. The timeline for the rest of the Library and its outside customers is between January and September 2010. This will affect Library Faculty/Staff, but the switch should be transparent. Kyle Murley and Mark Figueroa, as well as the SANS and Information Support workgroups will be involved.

SCC and 24/7 now using PCReservation

As announced, on the Infodome site, beginning August 2009, the Library will implement a sign on system which will require a user ID and password in order to use computers.

The new PCReservation system offers the Library a solution for software license compliance. Many software licenses are academic and for student use only. The software will allow us to maintain compliances by granting access to all software for authenticated SDSU affiliated patrons and limited software access for non-SDSU affiliated patrons.

The deployment of the PCReservation system in the 24/7 area and SCC is now complete. Brian Lenz and Michael Dimaio handled the configuration and workstation installation, while Kyle Murley setup the virtual server.

During Fall ’09, the SANS workgroup will be working on adding PCReservation to Library public workstations. This may involve just Reference or may be all public workstations; still in discussions. Also, there may be new replacement machines coming to Reference that will affect the timing of the addition. Other stakeholders of this increased use of the PCReservation system are being consulted and the details will be finalized soon.

We're on Twitter now: @sdsulibtech

We're on Twitter now: @sdsulibtech

T3: Tech Tools 4 Teaching : leveraging 2.0 technologies to create a modular framework of dynamic tools for instruction- SDSU Library - 06/28/2009

On Thursday, May 28th Kyle Murley gave a Prezi to the faculty and staff of SDSU Library.

The Prezi is viewable online: http://prezi.com/52862/

Sites shown or referred to:

1. Prezi - The zooming presentation editor
   - http://prezi.com/
   


2. TwitterVision
   - http://beta.twittervision.com/
   


3. We Feel Fine / by Jonathan Harris and Sep Kamvar
   - http://wefeelfine.org/
   


4. twistori
   - http://twistori.com/
   


5. Kesmit-ing: The Twitter Experiment - Bringing Twitter to the Classroom at UT Dallas
   - http://kesmit3.blogspot.com/2009/04/twitter-experiment-bringing-twitter-to.html
   


6. monitter : real time, live twitter monitor free live twitter embed widget
   - http://monitter.com
   


7. FoxyTunes Planet -A web of music right at your fingertips
   - http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/daft_punk
   


8. Diigo - Web Highlighter and Sticky Notes, Social Bookmarking and Annotation, Social Information Network!
   - http://www.diigo.com/

Videos shown or referred to:

1. Daft Punk - Technologic
   - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtdWHFwmd2o
   


2. Why use Prezi.com?
   - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_NOowgToDI
   


3. Twitter in Plain English
   - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o
   


4. The Twitter Experiment - UT Dallas (kesmit3)
   - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WPVWDkF7U8
   


5. Diigo V3: Highlight & Share the Web! Social Bookmarking 2.0
   - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RvAkTuL02A
   

Additional References:

1. Technology-mediated learning environments for young English learners : connections in and out of school / edited by L. Leann Parker. New York : Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, c2008


2. Horns of the Dilemma for Faculty: Legacy Demands and Technology Expectation


3. Always Learning blog on Teaching Technology Abroad - Kim Cofino


4. Yahoo Pipes - a powerful composition tool
   


5. RSSinclude - publish news feeds on your website quickly and easily
   


6. Flickr - the WD-40 that makes it easy to get photos or video from one person to another in whatever way they want
   


7. Yahoo Media Player - A revolutionary and easy to use music player that plays audio on your website

Kyle Murley will be repackaging this prezi for a session at the LARC - Social Media Summer Institute Monday August 10th @1:30pm-2:30 at SDSU & Online [ http://larc.sdsu.edu/socialmedia/?page_id=65 ]