RU Home
DoIT Web Site
Technology Support
IT Policies & Procedures
DoIT News
DoIT News Archives

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

Division of Information Technology (DoIT)
Radford University

Summer Means Upgrades for RU Classrooms

This summer the Electronic Engineering Services (EES) group will be working on 21 classroom updates during the summer’s 17-week window. The EES group has been working with classroom scheduling to plan the classroom upgrades in Powell, Whitt, Cook, Waldron, McGuffey, and Reed Halls. A classroom can generally be completed in 3-5 days.

Some of these classrooms will be upgraded to full “state-of-the-art” HDCP-compatible classrooms similar to Young Hall. A multitude of digital input devices, all in high definition, will be offered. Methods for connecting iPad’s into the new classrooms is also being reviewed. In addition, 40 Smart Tech Sympodium displays, 100 projectors, 71 VCR/DVD/Blue-Ray players and 12-15 LCD panels will be installed in classrooms as time permits. This upgrade process will be on-going through spring 2011.

Windows 7 Rolls Out at Radford University

The Division of Information Technology (DoIT) began rollout of Windows 7 on Thursday, June 3. DoIT technicians have been utilizing and testing the new Windows 7 operating system, known for its enhanced performance, reliability, and functionality, since its official release in 2009. Windows 7 will be installed in all multimedia classrooms in August and on computers in most of the campus computer labs over the summer. Users who receive a new computer over the summer will be introduced to the new operating systems as Windows 7 will be installed on the new machines.

Here are answers to frequently-asked questions about Windows 7 at Radford University.

Where will Windows 7, 64-bit be installed?

• On new machines: users that are slated to receive new machines or computer upgrades will receive Windows 7.
• In multimedia classrooms
• In computer labs, excluding the science labs in Curie 147, Curie 33, Cook 124/125 and the foreign language lab Cook 222.

When will Windows 7 be installed?

• On new machines: between June 11 and August 20.
  • All users slated to receive a new desktop or mobile PC will be required to attend a one-hour Windows 7 overview class to familiarize themselves with Windows 7.
  • All users slated to receive a mobile computer will be required to attend an additional three-hour deployment class in addition to the Windows 7 Overview class to familiarize themselves with laptop features.
  • For class information and to sign up for both the Windows 7 Overview and the Mobile Deployment classes, visit the CITL registration page.
• Multimedia classrooms: between August 2 and August 20.

Is all of my software compatible with Windows 7?

• Microsoft has developed this extensive web page that outlines what software has been certified to work with Windows , 64-bit.
• DoIT has tested and found compliant RU’s most common software packages.
• For course-specific required software, DoIT encourages individuals and department representatives to start testing immediately to ensure legacy software compatibility.
• Please contact the Technology Assistance Center at x7500 with any compatibility issues so there is time to research a resolution before the start of fall classes.

Are there hardware compatibility issues?

• The following models of existing RU computers DO NOT support Windows 7, 64-bit and Windows XP operating system will still be supported:
  • Dell 150, 240, 260, 280
  • Gateway M275, M280 and M285
• The following models DO support the Windows 7 operating system:
  • Dell 620, 745
  • All Lenovo models, however, Lenovo Idea Pads only support Windows 7, 32-bit at this time.

What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit?

• 32-bit vs. 64-bit is a term used to describe how your CPU handles information. One of the greatest advantages of the 64-bit version is that it handles a larger amount of memory, or RAM, more effectively.
• Other benefits to the 64-bit system are that it can increase program performance for programs that are written to take advantage of a 64-bit system and it has enhanced security features.

Can I purchase Windows 7 for home use?

• Yes. Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 are currently available at the RU bookstore for $12.99. Please verify computer system requirements/compatibility prior to purchasing Windows 7.

Office 2010 Also Comes To RU

DoIT will be rolling out Office 2010 to campus this summer as well. Office 2010 will be installed on all the Windows 7 images by default, including machines issued to users set to receive new machines and the machines in the majority of the labs. Users who like to utilize “Microsoft’s latest and greatest,” can contact the Technology Assistance Center at helpdesk@radford.edu or x7500 to make arrangements to have Office 2010 installed on their existing machine.

Academic Technologies will be offering a variety of classes to ease transition to using the new software and give an overview of the changes from Office 2007 to 2010. These classes will focus on the most frequently-used applications: Outlook, Word and Excel. For more information and to sign up for classes, visit the CITL registration page.

Banner Teams Make May A Productive Month

The Banner project teams continued work during May towards accomplishing several critical tasks. Banner-related accomplishments for May included:

• Implementation of fsaAtlas for international student reporting
• Creation and testing of workflows that automate business processes
• Installation and testing of new e-billing features with Nelnet;
• Writing and testing of new Cognos reports
• Installing and implementation of an interface to PeopleAdmin to import new hire information directly into Banner.

Planning is underway for a scheduled November implementation of the Banner 8 upgrade. The upgrade to Banner 8, recently released by SunGard Higher Education, includes new software that allows RU to remain current and implement new functionalities into the system. Banner 8 is scheduled for testing this summer and to be moved into production during the holiday break in November, 2010.

The Banner implementation is part of Project RUDI (Radford University's Database Initiative), a major multi-year project designed to review, replace and enhance the university's administrative information systems. These core systems include undergraduate and graduate admissions, financial aid, registration and records, student housing, advancement and fundraising, financials, budget and human resources. Together, these systems provide the business processing, data retrieval, reporting and self-service functions critical to providing essential services to faculty, staff, students, prospective students, alumni and the entire university community. The project was launched in January 2007.

Benefit From these Helpful Banner Tips

Tip #1:
To customize the “My Banner” Menu in Banner INB and display a list of frequently-used forms on the main menu, users can right click on any form (on a blank area of the form) and from the list of available options, left-click on “Add to Personal Menu.” Logging off and then logging back on may be required to see selected forms that were successfully added.

Tip #2:
While using the “Banner INB Query Mode,” in Banner INB, users can use < or > for numbers or dates, such as “> 01-APR-2010” to query for records with dates greater than 01-APR-2010.

Meet the DoIT Staff

Ed Smith
Help Desk Technician

How long have you been employed in the Division of Information Technology at Radford University?
1 year and 6 months.

Family:
Wife Sonja and son Konstantin. I also have a daughter by another marriage, Aliya and a granddaughter, Sienna.

Hometown:
Born in Greensboro, Alabama and raised in Chicago which I still call home.

Education:
B.S., Southern Illinois University
M.S., Cornell University

Interests/Hobbies:
Playing hand-held percussion and hand drums, especially congas, bongos and djembe . . . writing, especially poetry and singing old swing tunes in the “vocalese” style.

Favorite Vacation Destination:
Vienna, Austria.

Favorite part of your job:
Fixing computer problems that flummox others.