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Systems Support Users
Group Minutes |
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Systems Support Users
Group Minutes |
recorded by Kriss Davis
Bullet points:
135 computers will be deployed through August.
7 new "server" machines have been built and deployed.
Virus spreading has slowed, but much of this could be to the lack of students on
campus currently. There is a movement to isolate RESNET from the administrative
subnets to stem the spread of viruses from RESNET when students return. There
are some issues like faculty/student "file shares" that would have to be worked
out.
State Farm is scanning and delaying email OUTBOUND from their email clients to
the outside world. Several ISU employees have reported that their messages to
friends/colleagues at State Farm seem to go through very quickly. But responses
back can take days. System Support personnel have been in contact with State
Farm technical people on this issue. There appears to be no fix as State Farm
feels this type of email scanning and delay is important to them. Users should
just be aware that email to them from State Farm can be delayed for several work
days.
Eric reminded everyone that the return address on email is not always the person
that sent the email. It is not difficult at all to "spoof" an return address. So
if you receive an email with a virus and a friend or colleague's email address
is in the FROM field, that does not mean they or their machine is the one
sending the email or is infected. Eric also reported that the Junk Mail filter
in OUTLOOK is doing a very good job of stopping a lot of junk mail. The
attendees at the User Group agree junk email making it to their INBOX had
dropped dramatically.
Eric then demonstrated the NEW PDA (personal digital Assistants) and their very
"spy tech" fold out keyboard. These are being used currently by ISU employees
that must travel for their work constantly (recruiters, et al.). Eric also
pointed out the new features on the DELL PCs currently being deployed. The
KEYBOARDS and FLAT PANEL displays have USB ports right on them. So you do not
have to go digging around in the back of your machine or under your desk for a
USB connection. The flat panel monitor is also a big improvement. It is
rotatable so that you can view pages lengthwise without scrolling. It is also
19" making it very nice to use. The mouse is USB, so the cord does not have to
stretch all the way down to the CPU to be connected.