Page 1 - News From the World of ICT http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/ict/ News From the World of ICT W elcome to another issue of the ICT newsletter! News From the World of ICT is our way of sharing with the Maxwell community who we are, and what we do. From events in the Global Collaboratory, to computing tips and tricks to make your day a little easier, you’ll learn something new in every issue! Issue 5 April 2010 Contents: A word from the Director ... ......2 Staff Focus ...............................3 Faculty Focus ...........................4 Emerging Technology ..............6 The Global Collaboratory ........8 Ektron Update ........................10 Tips and Tricks ....................... 11 Family Follow-up...................13 Additional Information ..........14 Help Info ................................15
Transcript
Page 1 - News From the World of ICT http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/ict/
News From the World of ICT
Welcome to another issue of the ICT newsletter!
News From the World of ICT is our way of sharing with the
Maxwell community who we are, and what we do.
From events in the Global Collaboratory, to computing tips and tricks to make your
day a little easier, you’ll learn something new in every issue!
Page 2 - A word from the Director... http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/ict/
A word from the Director...
The Windows 7 project is rolling full steam ahead! Since the last newsletter, ICT has visited each
department in Maxwell and provided a short demo of the new Windows 7 features. This was followed by several “Town Hall” presentations in the GC, which allowed faculty, staff and students a chance to see Windows 7 in action on the large screens. In early March we began the Windows 7 “hands-on” sessions in the ICT conference room so folks could
try Windows 7 first hand. In mid-March, faculty and staff beta testers were issued Windows 7 computers to use on a day-to-day basis to help ensure a smooth deployment to the Maxwell community.
In case you weren’t able to attend one of the sessions: ICT will start the deployment of Windows 7 computers to the Maxwell community after graduation in May. Like the previous XP and Vista deployments, we will have a rollout calendar so each department will be able to pick a convenient day (between June and October) to upgrade their suite. Labs and public computers should be completed by early June. Faculty will be upgraded on an individual basis between June and October.
Microsoft Office 2010 is scheduled to be released to the public in June. While we will start the training and beta testing soon after, the formal rollout will happen sometime starting in December.
If you have any questions or would like to participate in the testing of Windows 7 or Office 2010, please email [email protected].
Stan has been working in the ICT Department since 2001.
“I have the pleasure of working with one of the most talented group of technologists on campus. Together we work hard to provide quality computing, research, training and multimedia support to the Maxwell community.”
Stan and his wife adopted their daughter, Emily, from China in 2005. They will again be traveling to China this April to adopt their son, Stanley, Jr.! He is 5 years old - just 5 months younger than Emily. The ICT Department is looking forward to adding another future “techy” to our family! See cute kid pics on our Family Follow-up page.
Staff Focus
Peter PizzimentiData Systems Administrator
Pete is the newest addition to the ICT Department, starting
at Maxwell in January, 2010. He’s been with Syracuse University for two years and previously worked in the IT department at the Whitman School of Management.
As Data Systems Administrator, Pete oversees the technical infrastructure for the Maxwell School. This includes everything from management of servers to implementing security policies. He also researches new technologies that will provide a positive impact to the Maxwell community.
Side note: Even though we call him “Pete”, his real name is “Pietro” - he said that growing up “Pete” is the name that stuck.
Matt Bonham Professor of Political Science and International Relations
How long have you been at 1. Maxwell? I have been with the Maxwell School for sixteen years.
How do you use technology in your research and/or teaching? 2. I participated in the Early Adopter program in the mid-1990s. Since then I have been working to improve my technological skills and apply what I have learned in my classroom teaching. I have made use of an on-line syllabus in all of my classes - a syllabus that I constantly update during the semester. The syllabus consists not only of dates and lists of assigned readings, but it also contains hyperlinks to the readings so that students can download most of the material that they need in the course. I also make extensive use of Blackboard, which enables me to supply reading and movies to class members only. Here are links to the syllabus for Comparative Foreign Policy and Qualitative Skills in IR: http://classes.maxwell.syr.edu/PSC783/syllabus.htm http://classes.maxwell.syr.edu/irp605/syllabus.htm I also use the Web for displaying the results of classroom presentations. For example, my students in Comparative Foreign Policy did a role-playing exercise where they worked as “consultants” for various governments and international organizations. The White Papers and PowerPoint presentations my students produced in the fall 2009 semester, as well as videos of their actual presentations in the Global Collaboratory, are linked to this Web page: http://classes.maxwell.syr.edu/PSC783/Groups_Fall_2009.htm For this class I have experimented with Facebook. I created a Facebook page for the course and encouraged the students to become fans and take ownership by posting
Faculty FocusMatt Bonham, Professor of Political Science and International Relations, continued from page 4.
links, pictures, movies, and engaging in discussions. It appears, however, that students are not yet ready for this, since very few took me up on the offer. http://www.facebook.com/pages/PSC-783-Comparative-Foreign-Policy-Bonham/125923777216 I also use my course Web sites to make assignments and provide students with original material to help them complete these assignments. The results of some of the assignments, such as role-playing that they do in class, are posted on the site. For example, the students in Qualitative Skills ran focus groups, which I recorded in HD video and posted on the site: http://classes.maxwell.syr.edu/irp605/assignments.htm The introduction of Flip video cameras, which are the size of a mobile phone and produce great HD video, has made it possible for anyone to create and upload high quality video to YouTube, Vimeo, and other easily accessible hosts. I have also used technology to provide a source of information about the annual IR Capstone experience. The course site contains a record of the capstone, including pictures and a full-length streamed video of each simulation exercise: http://classes.maxwell.syr.edu/IRCapstone/
What new technology are you interested in using either in your teaching or for 3. your personal use? I am now experimenting with Macs and IPhones. I have noticed that almost one-third of our students have Mac computers, and many students have IPhones. I am interested in developing content for IPhones and IPads that can be used in on-line learning and distance education. I have made a big effort to use technology in my teaching because we are training our students for a future that is increasingly technological. If students know how to use technology effectively, they will have a big advantage in the development of their careers. When someone asks, can anyone do this, I want our former students to reply, “Yes, I learned this at the Maxwell School.”
**The ICT Department extends a big “thank you!” to Professor Bonham for his contribution to our newsletter!”**
Product name:1. Apple iPadManufacturer:2. Apple computersProduct description:3. The iPad is Apple’s new multi-function device that could be described as an eBook reader on steroids. While not powerful enough to be used as a laptop, and too big to be considered a PDA, the iPad is Apple’s new Tablet device designed to compete with Amazon’s Kindle device. While Kindle is lighter in weight and has better battery life, it’s limited in its functionality and has a monochrome display. With applications such as “Notes” and “Maps”, the iPad has the ability to be more than just a glorified eBook reader. The iPad runs on the iPhone operating system and ships with a 1GHz Apple A4 processor. With two different models available (one with Wi-Fi connectivity the other with Wireless 3G via AT&T), the iPad can also be used for browsing the web and watching video content via a YouTube application. Unfortunately, other web-based video streaming outlets, such as Hulu, will not work on this device as it does not run Flash.
This page will introduce you to emerging technology we’ve found interesting. For more information regarding technology presented, please click a link provided.
4. Cool features: At first glance, the iPad seems to be a very promising device, but it does leave a lot to be desired. It has many cool applications available for it (such as iTunes and Safari), but it only has the processing power to execute one application at a time. One feature that the iPad doesn’t have that could make it a must-have device is a built in webcam and microphone. On its own, it makes a great eBook reader (especially for online magazines and photo books), but Apple could bring this product to the next level if it came with a camera and could do Skype video conferencing. By adding a webcam, improving on its “Notes” software (adding PDF editing functionality), adding a PowerPoint presentation player, and adding an external display port (HDMI would be terrific for this), this device could be successfully marketed as an all-in-one portable office system for people “on the go”.
Links for more information: 5. For more information on the iPad, visit http://www.apple.com/ipad
Page 8 - The Global Collaboratory http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/ict/
The Global Collaboratory
Let’s take a look at some of the video conferencing capabilities and
limitations in the Global Collaboratory.
The room was redesigned in 2003, using plans made in 2002. We all know that technology has evolved since then. At that time, the public was still buying “tube” CRT televisions, dial-up modems were used by 80% of Americans accessing the Internet at home, and distance video conferencing was largely based on specialized equipment from a few major manufacturers.
There were (and still are) widely-accepted standards in place that govern the specifications necessary to share video and audio with other sites. The Global Collaboratory is compliant with these standards and uses special equipment for what we traditionally called a “video conference”. ICT is well-practiced with this method of dedicated video conferencing, and the GC is still fully capable of, and tailored toward, handling such conferencing needs.
Desktop conferencing software has changed the way computer users think of video conferencing. Adobe Connect Pro and Skype are good examples. There are no standards, so each application is proprietary. These are designed specifically for a single person sitting at each computer with a webcam and headset microphone. Any deviation from that design will create a usability or technical hurdle.
If you want to sit at your desk and have a video phone call with another person, Skype is a good idea. It is limited to one-on-one video calls and you must have a connected USB webcam. The application does not support video capture cards, which are required when you use an external camera (such as those in the Global Collaboratory), therefore, this application does not scale well into a group or classroom environment.
Page 9 - The Global Collaboratory http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/ict/
The Global Collaboratory
Adobe Connect Pro is a great web application for collaboration with multiple people. You can connect with a large number of people via audio-only and audio+video; you can allow someone at another site to edit a document on your computer (known as document sharing); and there are also chat room and group poll question features available. In addition, the software supports video capture cards, so we can use it in the Global Collaboratory. Adobe Connect Pro is as easy as Skype once you spend a few minutes to learn its extra features.
The biggest point to remember with desktop conferencing software is that the individual user is in control of the connection. ICT does not administer the call or who sees what - we would only adjust the cameras and microphones.
In summary, it’s important to understand that expectations for video conferencing should be adjusted based on how many people are participating, if anyone is grouped together (such as a class), what you want to accomplish during the conference, and how much support or control you will have. It cannot be assumed that what works at your desk will also work in a classroom or seminar room.
ICT continues to explore methods to expand the use of desktop conferencing software beyond the office desktop environment. If you have questions regarding video conferencing, please send an email to: [email protected].
The Global Collaboratory and Video Conferencing, continued from page 8.
Nearly all of the Maxwell School web site content is now in the “new” Ektron Content Management System (CMS). This is an important milestone because it has allowed ICT to point the school’s original web site address of www.maxwell.syr.edu to the Ektron server.
If you remember, the Ektron site launched with the address of www1.maxwell.syr.edu.
For the foreseeable future, both addresses will continue to work, but, where possible, you should be using the original (and more traditional) www.maxwell.syr.edu web address to access and interact with the Maxwell School web site.
If you have any questions regarding this web site address, please email [email protected].
You can customize what appears on your Start Menu, as well as how items display. Just right-click your Start button and choose “Properties”. Under the Start Menu tab, click the “Customize...” button. Make your changes, and click OK twice!
For more tips on how to customize your Start Menu, see our Tips and Tricks page.
Page 11 - Tips and Tricks http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/ict/
Tips and TricksPin frequently used programs to your Start Menu - it’s easy!
In the Start Menu, navigate to the program you’d like to add.1.
Right-click the name of the program.2.
Select “Pin to Start Menu”.3.
The program you’ve selected will now be displayed in the left • side of your Start Menu.
Programs above the shaded line will always be displayed in your • Start Menu, and programs beneath the line will scroll depending on what other programs you’ve used recently.
Page 13 - Family Follow-up http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/ict/
Family Follow-up
This is Emily and her brother, Stanley, Jr., who will join the Ziemba family in April, 2010. Congratulations to Stan, Jean and Emily - and, welcome Stanley, Jr.!
Believe it or not, it’s been a whole year since we welcomed Delilah Astrid Johnson to our family! We thought you’d like to
Page 14 - Additional Information http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/ict/
Additional Information
►Reserving the GCEvents hosted by groups with a Maxwell School affiliation may request use of the room up to 12 months ahead; others may make requests 2 months ahead. Room availability may be checked by calling 315-443-9003, or by emailing [email protected] – an online request form must be submitted before confirmation is made. The reservation process will involve a discussion of technology and staffing needs during the event.
►Interactive Media Lab (IML) - Access Student access: • See Holly Johnson in 034E for form. Please bring your SUID!
Faculty & Staff access:• IML access for faculty and staff should be requested by the individuals’ department. Please have your department send an email to Holly Johnson at: [email protected]. No form is necessary!
►IML Coverage for this semesterMonday: send an email to • [email protected]: send an email to • [email protected]: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm• Thursday: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm• Friday: send an email to • [email protected]
The IML is closed during ICT training sessions. Please check the ICT website for details on upcoming training sessions.
