This morning (Wednesday, July 25th) as most of you probably know there was a problem connecting to the network (S:) drives. That problem has been resolved and everyone should be able to connect to their S: drives once again. If you're still having problems, make sure you've rebooted your machine and, if that doesn't work, contact the Extension Support Hotline at 515-294-1725.

We've been relatively lucky that mass outages have been rare on the Extension network. When you have network problems in your office, you can always call the hotline to find out if the problem is local (just your office) or if it is more widespread. If it's a widespread outage, the hotline may be busy fielding calls and so we will also be posting updated information in three locations:

• On the hotline (515-294-1725) voice mail (when you call the hotline and get voice mail, you can press 2 to hear a current network status message)
• Under Updates and Highlights on our main IT webpage (http://www.extension.iastate.edu/it)
• Here on TechNews (http://www.extension.iastate.edu/technews)

Once the system is back up, we'll update the information in the places listed above indicating that the issue has been resolved.

Before a county has wireless networking installed, NetReg (network registration) will be turned on for that county. Documentation on Wireless Networking, NetReg, and wireless on laptop computers will be sent to each county a few days before the schedule install.

As an alternative, the documentation can be downloaded by clicking on the links above.

The purpose of this message is to provide information regarding desktop videoconferencing equipment which you can use on the new ISU Extension network for person-to-person communications and for on-line learning.

The following links provide recommendations on low-cost video cameras for your laptop and desktop computers. While it isn’t required to purchase both a video camera and a headset, we highly recommend you purchase both for effective communications. For about $130 to $150, you can connect to the new statewide network and communicate using the audio, video, presentation and application sharing capabilities of your desktop computer.

Two primary network applications have been selected for on-line communications, Windows Messenger for person-to-person communications and Macromedia Breeze Live for on-line conferencing and presentations. Below, you will find some initial information on installing and setting up Windows Messenger. We will be providing more information on Macromedia Breeze in the coming weeks.

We are also still evaluating higher-end conferencing equipment and applications which are better suited for a conference room environment.

You should consider this investment for specialists, CEEDs and any staff who are consistently communicating with their peers and colleagues across the state and across the country. In addition, staff interested in developing educational programs for on-line delivery, should consider this investment.

Videoconferencing Equipment

Windows Messenger

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Floyd Davenport
floyd@iastate.edu
515-294-8658

As most of you know by now, ISU Extension has signed a contract with ICN to install broadband capabilities in field offices. Specifics will be coming, but here is a general outline of what will be happening in the next five to six months:

The schedule for installing offices will be finalized and distributed before December 25th

• All county offices were contacted in the last 45 days to find out the location for installing the new broadband equipment
  
• The installation schedule is based on a number of factors including: area priorities, geographical distribution, and planned office moves, as well as coordinating schedules with ICN.

• There will be up to three sets of installers visiting your office (your local telecom, ICN, and ISU Extension IT)
  
• The actual changeover to the new network will happen when the ISU Extension IT staff visit your office (the other visits are to perform initial setup)
  
• No changes to the setup of your current machine will be necessary to operate on the new network

If you have questions, contact Floyd Davenport at floyd@iastate.edu or via phone at 515-294-8658

If you've just gotten a new computer, you may find that your default web browser is not the browser you want to use regularly (for example, it is currently Internet Explorer and you want Netscape). Or, maybe you'd like to change from Netscape 4.7 to Internet Explorer 6. To change, you can do the following:

--If you have an HTML file on your computer, right-click on it (click with the right mouse button) and choose "Open With"

--Select "Choose Program" and select Netscape (or Internet Explorer if you want to switch the default from Netscape to Internet Explorer). If you don't see "Netscape" (or Internet Explorer) in the list then select "Other" or "Browse" and find it under "Program Files", "Netscape", "Communicator", "Program". It will be "Netscape.exe". (you can find Internet Explorer under "Program Files", "Internet Explorer". It will be "IEXPLORE.EXE".

--When you select Netscape (or Internet Explorer), be sure the option "Always Use Selected Program..." is checked.

Additional information on changing default browsers can be found at: http://www.zdnet.com/products/stories/reviews/0,4161,915013,00.html

If your only reason for using Netscape instead of Internet Explorer is because you have lots and lots of bookmarks, check out yesterday's weblog entry: Oh Bookmarks, Where Art Thou?