Information Technology

October 2012

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Division of Information Technology
P.O. Box 6888
Radford, VA 24142
Phone: (540) 831-5173
Fax: (540) 831-6217
Email: cio@radford.edu


IT Security Tip
Public Wi-Fi hot spots are convenient, but they're also vulnerable to security breaches. Learn what you can do to work more securely in public hot spots and keep your information safe by reading this article. View article…



IT Tip
There's more to typing than just tapping the keys, so taking even just a little time to familiarize yourself with your keyboard can go a long way towards improving ease of use, comfort, and efficiency. Our article can help get you started. View article…



Accessibility Tip
Having trouble seeing things that are close up? Magnifier, one of the accessibility utilities in Microsoft Windows, opens a window that enlarges all or parts of the screen you choose—just like a magnifying glass. Find out more about Magnifier and other Tips for the Awkward Age of Computing. View article…


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Division of Information Technology
Radford University

DoIT Expands Lecture Capture Capability for Faculty

The Radford University Division of Information Technology (RU DoIT,) is pleased to announce that lecture capture capabilities have been added to several campus classrooms. In these rooms, a "record" button has been added on the AV control panel allowing faculty to start and stop a classroom recording. This recording captures classroom audio, computer output and a video camera feed of the instructor. Once the recording is stopped the video is processed and automatically uploaded to a media server. The faculty then determines who to share this video with.

Lecture capture can enhance student learning in the following ways.

  • Lectures can be archived for future review.
  • Demonstrations of difficult concepts and complex procedures can be consulted any time.
  • Presentations by guest speakers can be saved for historical reference.

RU has 11 classrooms with lecture capture systems:

  • Young 313, 302
  • Waldron 200
  • McGuffey 203
  • Peters 143
  • COBE 137, 165, 204, 275, 320
  • Walker 279

To explore the potential use and value of this exciting technology, DoIT recommends the white paper "101 Academic Perspectives on What Works in Lecture Capture." To learn more about lecture capture or schedule lecture capture training in a specific room, contact John Albano at jmalbano@radford.edu or (540) 831-7205.


New Storage Array Boosts H:Drive Capacity

In response to a growing need for additional storage space on university H:drives, DoIT announces the availability of a new storage array that will dramatically increase H:drive capacities.

The H:drives upgrades will be implemented in phases over the next year. Phase I of this project will provide an opt in option for users who do not currently use their H:drive to host web pages and result in an increase of the default quota from of 750 MB (megabytes) to 20 GB (gigabytes). Phase 2 of the project (Spring 2013) will provide enhanced storage for those users who still need to maintain hosted web pages.

To decide if a user should consider migrating to the new H:drive during Phase I of this project, DoIT offers the following guidance:

  • Hosting of websites via the public_html (www.radford.edu/username) or dynamic_php (php.radford.edu/~username) is not available during Phase 1.
  • Access from the MyFiles tab on the MyRU portal and from ruacad (Unix /Linux) will be unavailable if a user selects to migrate during Phase 1.

Users who wish to migrate to the enhanced H: drive during Phase I need to complete the online request available at http://tac.asp.radford.edu/newHdrive.aspx. On completion of the application form, users will be contacted by email by a member of the DoIT staff to schedule the migration.


Enhanced WiFi Security Requirements Take Effect November 6

To enhance wireless security, unencrypted wireless "ruwireless" has been removed from all residence halls requiring the use of encrypted wireless "rusecure". On Tues., Nov. 6 at 5 a.m., "ruwireless" will be removed from all remaining areas of campus.

Encrypted wireless is available today for all on campus users through "rusecure" and DoIT is asking the remaining users on "ruwireless" to convert to the encrypted wireless network to avoid any interruption in service.

Instructions for connecting to "rusecure" can be found at https://php.radford.edu/~knowledge/lore/category.php?id=4

As Nov. 6 approaches, DoIT will be contacting users still using "ruwireless" via email to assist with making the transition. For immediate assistance, contact the Technology Assistance Center at 831-7500.


October is IT Security Awareness Month

October is nationally recognized as IT Security Awareness month, a time to increase awareness of online safety and security issues, and to help educate users about the best ways to protect their computers and other electronic devices. This month, table tents featuring IT security tips will be placed in the RU dining facilities, security tips will be posted to RU's Facebook page and Twitter feed, and security videos will be made available.

Visit www.radford.edu/it-security for more on information security, including several video clips about protecting electronic devices, online credentials and online identity.


Meet the DoIT Staff

Paul LuskPaul Lusk
Senior Applications Developer


How long have you been employed in the Division of Information Technology at Radford University?
23 years

Family:
I am not married and have no children. I have three younger brothers, all Virginia Tech graduates. Richard is an electrical engineer and lives near Colorado Springs, Colo. Howard is an environmental engineer with two sons and a daughter, and lives near Winchester. Craig is a professor of mechanical engineering at University of South Florida in Tampa and has three sons.

Hometown:
Radford

Education:
B.S. in mathematics, Virginia Tech '86

Interests and hobbies: computers and reading fantasy, science fiction and mysteries

Favorite vacation destination:
Central Florida, as my youngest brother and his family live near Tampa. We have visited Sea World, Disney, Cape Canaveral, the aquarium and the zoo in Tampa, and science museums in Orlando and Tampa.

Favorite part of your job:
Learning new things.