Page 1 - News From the World of ICT http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

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!

Issue 2 April 2009

Contents:A word from the Director... ......2

Staff Focus ...............................3

Faculty Focus ...........................4

Emerging Technology ..............6

The Global Collaboratory ........8

Tips and Tricks .......................10

Additional Information ..........12

Help Info ................................13

Page 2 - A word from the Director... http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

A word from the Director...

I would like to thank the folks who provided the great feedback in response to our first newsletter. Your

comments are appreciated and will help us improve the newsletter as we move forward. Please send your comments to: ictnews@maxwell.syr.edu.

It’s been a busy few months for ICT. By the time you read this, the new Ektron Content Management System should be in its final review stage and nearly ready to “go-live”. The Dean’s office and academic units will be first, followed by the centers and institutes. The Ektron project is a collaborative effort between the Dean’s office and ICT that will give the Maxwell school a fresh new presence on the web. Matt Coulter provides more information in the Emerging Technology section of this issue.

The computing sustainability effort is also making great progress. I mentioned in the last newsletter that the computers in Maxwell not being used for remote desktop have been set up for a special setting only available in Vista called “hybrid sleep mode.” This brings the electrical draw down to approximately 2 watts after an hour of inactivity. We will soon make it possible for remote desktop computers to also go into hybrid sleep mode. The remote user will be able to go to a web page and “wake up” their computer when needed.

Additionally, this year’s computer upgrades will be “greener” than ever before. Features will include an innovative chassis design to maximize thermal effectiveness, and “Power Factor Correcting” power supplies and motherboards that use significantly less energy to maintain ideal, cooler internal operating temperatures.

On behalf of her ICT family and the Maxwell community, we would like to wish Holly the very best with her soon-to-be family addition, Delilah! We’ll miss you while you are out on leave, Holly!

Page 3 - Staff Focus http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

Brian von KnoblauchOperations Manager

Brian has been with SU for 8 years, and has been with the ICT

department for 3 years. He supervises the Operations staff, which consists of 3 techs and 4 work studies. Brian also manages the computing environment for the Maxwell School. He works with professors and departments providing support and technology for various projects and presentations, and assists with hardware/software purchases and plan upgrades.

Brian has been a computer enthusiast since he was 13, when he bought his first computer using the money he earned from a paper route. He has also been a drummer for the past 18 years, holding weekly jam sessions in his basement. He loves to read, has a “spoiled rotten” 3 year old Mini-Schnauzer, and spends all of his spare time and money working on the house he bought last year.

Staff Focus

David WickisMicro Computer Tech

David is the newest ICT employee and has been with the Maxwell

School since August, 2008. He works part time for the ICT Service department providing hardware, software, and network trouble-shooting and repair. He manages domain computers, users, shared drives and quotas. David also works with the GC to provide event web streaming, teleconferencing, and multimedia support.

When he is not working for the Maxwell School he is working as a web development consultant for the Office of Research.

In his off time David enjoys hiking, camping and cross-country skiing. He also enjoys tinkering with electronic projects and photography. Some of his photographs can be seen here: http://picasaweb.google.com/dwickis.

Page 4 - Faculty Focus http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

Faculty Focus

Tod Rutherford Professor of Geography and Department Chair

How long have you been at 1. Maxwell? Tod Rutherford has been with the Maxwell School since 2001.

How do you use technology in your research and/or teaching?2. Professor Rutherford does a lot of research on the auto industry, which involves interview-based work with companies all over the world. He says that this type of work may be on the lower tech side, but he uses Google widely when researching industrial and local labor markets. Within the classroom, Professor Rutherford has found that the students of this generation are more media sensitive. He had been using a tape recorder or boombox to play various sound clips during his lectures, but found PowerPoint to be a better way of presenting information. Recently, he prepared a PowerPoint presentation for his Geography and Pop Culture class which included sound clips, photos, and YouTube video links. Professor Rutherford found that YouTube is a really good resource for information, however, students expect content as well, so he uses it sparingly. Continued on page 5

Page 5 - Faculty Focus http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

Faculty Focus

The class compares the emergence of reggae, punk, and hip hop music during the 1970’s and ‘80’s. He uses these music genres as examples of globalization, and discusses how immigration has influenced music on a local and global level. In the presentation, Professor Rutherford used text as visual cues when summarizing his points, and inserted sound clips and video links to play as examples of the genre of music he was presenting. He wondered why he didn’t use this technology sooner and thought his students enjoyed this version of the lecture.

What new technology are you interested in using either in 3. your teaching or for your personal use? Professor Rutherford admits to being “technically phobic”, but has joined the cell phone generation and has just started texting. He has used teleconferencing in his research, but has not used video conferencing yet. Professor Rutherford also mentioned an interest in a type of software that is used for extracting key words and phrases from transcripts. Since a large portion of his research involves interviewing individuals in the auto industry, this software would be particularly useful for him to see patterns and anomalies in a large series of interviews.

**ICT extends our sincerest thanks to Professor Rutherford for his participation in our newsletter!**

Continued from page 4.

Tod Rutherford Professor of Geography and Department Chair

Page 6 - Emerging Technology http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

Emerging TechnologyThis page will introduce you to emerging technology we’ve found interesting. For more information regarding technology presented, please click a link provided.

Product name:1. Ektron CMS400.NETManufacturer:2. EktronProduct description:3. Ektron CMS400.NET is a web-based Content Management System (CMS) used to help create and manage web site information.

Phase one of its rollout is the replacement of Microsoft • SharePoint Designer (FrontPage) as a means of editing information on Maxwell’s main web server www.maxwell.syr.edu.

Cool features: 4. The Ektron CMS fundamentally changes how web site maintainers interact with their sites, and adds new functionality never possible within the old system.

Keep site information fresh:• Set automatic reminders to check and update page information. Pages can also be set to automatically expire and disappear from the site at dates you specify.

Edit anywhere:• No longer will you be limited to editing page content from a PC running SharePoint Designer. Web page information can now be edited from any PC (or Mac) with an internet connection and current web browser.

Continued on page 7

Page 7 - Emerging Technology http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

Emerging Technology

Helpusersfindinformation:• Integrated search and new methods for organizing site information (taxonomies) will assist users in finding the content that matters to them.Create and engage dynamic online communities:• The second phase of this project will be a roll-out of new “Social Networking” (a.k.a. Web 2.0) tools including blogs, community groups, forums, wikis and more.

Links to more information:5. The web team working on this project includes the Dean’s Office Web Specialist Kevin Kawa and ICT’s Internet Technologist Matt Coulter.

For questions regarding content, graphical design, or the project • timeline, please email Kevin Kawa.Questions regarding Ektron’s technical capabilities should be • directed to Matt Coulter.For more information on the CMS please visit Ektron’s site • here: http://www.ektron.com/cms.

Continued from page 6

Page 8 - The Global Collaboratory http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

The Global Collaboratory

Maxwell ICT provides event support in areas of the school

beyond the Global Collaboratory. Many technical features found in the Global Collaboratory are also available in other rooms to varying degrees. Often, a lecture or conference is planned for the Maxwell Auditorium or Public Events Room and the event

organizer needs assistance from ICT. There are many ways we can help!

Plus, in the near future, we are completing a number of projects relevant to the delivery of event recordings. This will greatly expand the online presence of events at the Maxwell School, as well as, increase the importance of contacting ICT early in your planning process.

The planning process is as simple as requesting the Global Collaboratory. We will have a conversation about the goal of your event and the role technology can play to enhance the experience. After considering our staffing availability and any equipment hurdles, you can confidently continue finalizing other arrangements.

Continued on page 9

Page 9 - The Global Collaboratory http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

The Global Collaboratory

Take a look at the different uses of technology and the assorted events that were held in recent months:

Provided • audio PA for Holiday basket drawing in the Strasser Commons.Audio recorded• candidate job talks in the Public Events Room.Video recorded• a guest lecturer in the PA conference room.Video recorded• an informational session for students in Maxwell 204.Videoconferenced• a professor from a conference room at Maxwell to a class at Greenberg.Provided • live webcast of the State of Democracy lecture in the Maxwell Auditorium.

To begin discussing options for your event, you should call 315-443-9003, or email gc@maxwell.syr.edu. The best time to call or email is when you begin thinking about the event. We have to consider time for room setup and placement of equipment, so that it does not hinder your other plans.

For more information on reserving the Global Collaboratory, please see our Additional Information page.

Continued from page 8.

Page 10 - Tips and Tricks http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

Tips and Tricks

Syracuse University Directory System (SUDS) http://suds.syr.edu

The Syracuse University Directory System (SUDS) is a search engine that allows you to search for faculty and student contact information. You can access SUDS through the website above, but it also can be accessed through the main SU website - just use the people search field in the top right corner.Types of student information available:

full name, class standing, college enrollment, email address, campus address, and campus phone number (if applicable).

Types of faculty and staff information available: full name, job title, email address, campus department address and phone number.

Continued on page 11

Page 11 - Tips and Tricks http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

Tips and Tricks

Search methods:Name: first, last or both: the field • must contain at least 2 characters in order to conduct a search.

Phone: t• his field requires the last 4 digits of the phone number (beginning with (315) 443).

Email address: the field • must contain at least 2 characters in order to conduct a search.

If there are multiple matches to the search criteria, the directory system will display all matches. From this list you can click on the

“Detail” or “Mail to” icon to the right of the contact name, depending on your need.

Syracuse University Directory System (SUDS) Search - continued from page 10

Just because you turn a device off, doesn’t mean it’s not drawing power. Cell phone chargers, computers & other electronic devices continue to draw electricity as long as they’re plugged in- even when they’re not in use. This process is known as “phantom load.” The solution is simple! Unplug cell phone & laptop chargers, computers & other electronic devices when not in use. Learn more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standby_power

Did you know?

Page 12 - Additional Information http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

Additional Information

►ReservingtheGCEvents 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 gc@maxwell.syr.edu – 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.

►InteractiveMediaLab(IML)-AccessStudent 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: hjohns02@maxwell.syr.edu. No form is necessary!

►IMLCoverageMonday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm• Tuesday: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm• Wednesday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm• Thursday: send an email to • webmaster@maxwell.syr.eduFriday: send an email to • webmaster@maxwell.syr.edu

The IML is closed during ICT training sessions. Please check the ICT website for details on upcoming training sessions.

Page 13 - Help Info http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

Help Info

Service service@maxwell.syr.edu

(315) 443-3847

Global Collaboratory gc@maxwell.syr.edu

(315) 443-4742

Web webmaster@maxwell.syr.edu

Training icttraining@maxwell.syr.edu

Upcoming Training Sessions http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/inside/

ICT Website http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/

ICT Newsletter suggestions ictnews@maxwell.syr.edu

Help Desk Hours (Room 034A)

Mon-Fri. 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm