Starting later this afternoon (12 Nov), the new iMacs will be appearing in the student lab areas. This not only is an update in hardware, but the new systems will be running the latest Apple operating (OS) system, Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6). As such, when logging onto the new machines for the first time, you will experience a longer login time as the system updates your local files for the new OS. You also may receive a popup window regarding you keychain file. You can choose to continue and should not experience any difficulties. If you do, please contact me and I will well get your problem resolved.

In addition, MS Office has been update to the Office 2008. Like the first time login, the first time opening an Office program, you will experience a delay starting the program. Have patience, once you have performed these tasks, the next time you log in or start Word, you will not experience any long delay.

Again, if there are any issues, please let me know.

mjl

As some of you may have noticed, there is a new wireless access point in the NWC: OUWIFI. The university wireless network is moving to this new access point which will require users to register their wireless devices. This includes laptops, smart phones and any other device that hass wireless capabilities. This action is to help OUIT control and manage thier resources. It is also designed to cut down on the peer-to-peer sharing of copyrighted materials. I am posting a copy of the notice for those that have not seen it.

mjl

TO: All Students, Faculty, and Staff

To curb illegal downloading that could impact your access to University of Oklahoma networks, OU's Norman campus will align with other Big 12 universities, including Oklahoma State and Kansas State, in limiting use of peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing programs beginning October 25.  

This change is part of a broader program that positions the University to:

    * Comply with federal law (The Higher Education Opportunity Act)
    * Mitigate risks of lawsuits and fines against students and/or the University
    * Improve network performance and availability for legal uses - especially for wireless users
    * Minimize escalating costs of investigating copyright charges
    * Promote safe computing (illegal files can undermine network security and put your personal computer at risk)

Copyright owners have sent OU over 1,500 copyright violation notices since January. Each of these notices could potentially result in an expensive fine for the individual identified.

The University will address copyright infringement through education, technology-based deterrents, and promotion of legal alternatives.

EDUCATION
As of October 25, individuals on the OUWiFi wireless and Housing wired networks must register and complete a copyright tutorial and quiz prior to accessing the network. Registering once on either network will enable access to both networks for the remainder of the fall semester. In the coming months, OUWiFi will replace ANY as OU's primary wireless network.

Offenses are generated based on copyright violation notices sent to the University by the copyright owner. Following a first copyright violation, offenders must re-take the online quiz to gain network access. Consequences escalate with each subsequent violation. Repeat offenders will pay a reconnection fee and could face penalties for Student Code charges. The University of Oklahoma Student Code is available at http://studentconduct.ou.edu.

View a full list of copyright infringement consequences at: http://security.ou.edu/copyright_list.html.

DETERRENTS
Beginning October 25, P2P applications such as LimeWire, KaZaA, or Gnutella cannot connect through OU's Housing wired or OUWiFi wireless networks.

Our goal is to maintain an environment of academic freedom. The intent is not to block or monitor content, but instead to limit the illegal sharing of media files. Students, faculty, and staff can request academic exceptions to this policy with an academic sponsor. Additionally, BitTorrent will remain accessible on the Housing wired network for legitimate academic uses. However, each individual is responsible for complying with applicable copyright laws.

LEGAL ALTERNATIVES
We urge you to explore legal ways to download media. Check out free and legal music sites at http://security.ou.edu/copyright_list.html or follow us at http://twitter.com/legalfreaks. We are also promoting legal downloading on campus throughout October: http://security.ou.edu/tour_poster.pdf.  

QUESTIONS?
Please e-mail your feedback or questions concerning these changes to itfeedback@ou.edu.


OU Student Conduct Office
OU Information Technology

For the next couple of days (Sep 30 - Oct 2), the Linux lab (NWC 5720) will be having new images of the OS installed on the machines. This is to update some softwares that are needed for classes. These upgrades include GEMPAK, NCL, IDV and a separate Python framework. When you enter the lab, there may be 2-4 machines that will be undergoing the updates. I will be keeping in mind the class schedule and will work on not having updates occurring while there is a need of the machine for class. I hope to have the new image pushed out to all the a machines by Friday Oct 2.

mjl

All,

Note the description of work scheduled to be done during 3rd Sunday maintenance this month. The work described below will begin at 8 am on September 20th.

Thanks,

Gary

Description:

We are performing a routine software upgrade to the Nortel VoIP firewalls. We have two cluster pairs, one active, one hot standby. The standby pair has been upgraded and passed all tests thus far except of course in passing live traffic load. Our procedure will be to switchover to the standby pair while we upgrade the primary pair. Then switch back to the primary pair. If all goes well the phone users should see no loss of service with exception of active calls going quiet during the switch (about 10 seconds). If the upgrade fails to function properly for some reason we can easily revert to the previous version. The whole operation should take no more than 30 minutes.

Today is the day that the Conficker computer trojan/worm is to come alive. OUIT has made a website regarding all aspects of how to protect or check your machine to see if it is infected. If you suspect that your machine may be affected, check out the OUIT information link.

Tomorrow morning at 5:30 am, the NOC is planning for a reboot of the NWC firewall. There should not be any problems, but if so, please contact me.

mjl

I have posted the new EduTech budget for the academic year 2008-09. This budget is how your tech fees are being spent. The budget is approved by a committee of students. SoM has three representatives which represent a cross section of the student body. There is student representation for undergrad, Master’s and PhD. Take a look. It is always best to be informed.

mjl

The NWC Network Operations Center (NOC) has been working on networking issues with the NWC’s firewall. They will be installing a network capture device to help with the diagnosis of the problem. This work will be done Monday, October 20, 2008 between the hours 5AM - 6AM. Users should expect some interruptions with the network at that time.

mjl

This is a reminder to returning students in the department, the Bastion Accounts that allow you to work from home through the firewall are set for one year and expire the end of May. So all accounts will need to be reactivated. You can do this by using the forms link to the bastion accounts and choosing the renewal subject line for the e-mail. You will need to authenticate using your SoM computing account username and password before enter the forms page.

Hope the start of the new term is going well for all.

mjl

Welcome to the new SoM Computing Corner. We hope to keep students better informed as the the computing resources available in the School of Meteorology. Please if there any suggestions as to what you would like to have available on this site, please contact us.

mjl