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November 2001, Volume 1, Number 9

 WHAT'S NEW
* Showcase demonstrates desktop videoconferencing
* Microsoft campus agreement CDs distributed
* NetReg system being implemented at ISU
* Lifelearner ad campaign features graduate courses

UPDATES
* Transmittal dates set

QUICK TIPS
* Check these resources on ergonomics
* Save money – protect your computer from viruses

What's old ... but still useful? Check the archive and index. lt red dotted line

WHAT'S NEW

Showcase demonstrates desktop videoconferencing
On Nov. 20, CECS held a Desktop Videoconferencing Showcase to demonstrate different uses of videoconferencing including one-on-one interactions, multi-point (many locations) capability, desktop and stand-alone systems, and presentations by videoconferencing experts from Kansas City, The Ohio State University, the USS Intrepid, Indiana University and Iowa State University. While desktop video is not currently feasible across the Extension Information Network, it is one of the applications that is being considered as we plan for the future and for upgrading network capabilities.

 

Microsoft campus agreement CDs distributed
In the Nov. 16 transmittal packet, county offices received a set of four CDs that are part of the new Microsoft campus agreement for ISU and an updated Scout CD.

It is not necessary to use any of the MCA CDs. If your machine is working well, you can continue to run it in its current configuration. In addition, if you're considering a Windows system upgrade, be sure your computer is completely virus-free and that you can meet the hardware, memory and storage requirements. We recommend that you discuss system upgrades with the Extension IT hotline, (515) 294-1725, before proceeding so that we can help you decide what might work best for your machine.

An upgrade from Windows 95 to Windows 98 generally is not recommended because it can be difficult and time-consuming and provides limited performance gains.

Each time the MCA CDs are used to install programs, Extension IT will need information about the computer that the program is installed on. Details are available at https://wwws.extension.iastate.edu/mca/.

 

NetReg system being implemented at ISU
ISU is implementing a system called NetReg along with its DHCP service. DHCP is the service that allows a client computer to receive its IP address information from a server. If your machine is connected on campus and tries to get an IP number through DHCP it must have NetReg information available. Field staff are likely to encounter this if they bring their machines on campus and connect to the network. NetReg is invoked the first time a client computer attempts to access a Web site, and asks you to register the computer. This is necessary on campus to ensure that the computer is associated with a faculty or staff member or student. It also can be helpful to know who is responsible for a computer if the university ever has to track down a networking problem. It only takes a couple of minutes to go through the registration process and you'll only need to do it once (per year). Get more information on NetReg, including what buildings it is available in (http://www.public.iastate.edu/~dns/netreg.html).

 

Lifelearner ad campaign features graduate courses
CECS began a newspaper and television advertising campaign Monday, Nov. 19. The campaign theme is “You don't have to go far to go a very long way.” It encourages people to take ISU graduate courses via distance education. The TV spot lists our Web site, www.lifelearner.iastate.edu. The print ad lists the Web site plus our toll-free number, (800) 262-0015. CECS worked with ZLR Marketing Communications and Carole Custer, ISU marketing director, to create this campaign. Print ads are running in three markets -- Des Moines, Sioux City and Council Bluffs - between Nov. 21 and Dec. 2. TV 10-second spots are on the air between Nov. 19 and Dec. 2 in the Des Moines and Sioux City markets.

 

UPDATES

Transmittal dates set
Material for transmittal mailings must be at Extension Distribution Center by 11:30 a.m. Wednesday to be included in that week's transmittal. The transmittal then will be mailed on the Thursday of the designated week. It will be dated the Friday of the designated week. The transmittal is mailed only twice per month.
November 2001: week of 26th
December 2001: week of 10th, week of 24th
January 2002: week of 7th, week of 21st
February: week of 4th, week of 18th
March: week of 4th, week of 18th
April: week of 8th, week of 22nd
May: week of 6th, week of 20th
June: week of 10th, week of 24th

 

QUICK TIPS

Check these resources on ergonomics
If working on the computer causes you stress, fatigue and tension, you may want to take advantage of the following resources.

The following two items are available through Extension IT's Lending Library for a two-week checkout period at no cost. For information please contact EIT at (515) 294-8658.

  • CD ROM: "Clues For Healthy Computer Use" includes ergonomic information about carpal tunnel syndrome, chairs, stretching, keyboards, keyboard trays, mice, posture, laptops and more. (System requirements: at least 800x600 monitor display, Pentium processor, Quicktime Player - free download.)
  • "Zap!: How your computer can hurt you - and what you can do about it," book by Don Sellers. Twenty-five easy to read chapters contain information on glasses and contact lenses, lighting, monitors, headaches, the perfect workstation, back and neck pain, exercises, stress, schedules and more.

Free, short, well-written online lessons are available through ISU's Department of Environmental Health and Safety (http://www.ehs.iastate.edu/ebooks.htm). Nine lessons include information on computer workstation ergonomics, low back pain, manual materials handling, sitting, stretching and more.

 

Save money -- protect your computer from viruses
Protecting your computer from viruses saves you time and money! Viruses can destroy valuable data files and programs. Virus infections can render your computer inoperative, necessitating a trip in for service (at a cost of $100.00 per machine in addition to your lost productivity and travel time).

Check the Continuing Education and Communication Services Web site. Also visit the ISU Extension Web site. Send your comments or questions about this newsletter to Laura Sternweis (lsternwe@iastate.edu).


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