IT News for UTSA Faculty & Staff
Issue 4 Vol. 1 June 2008

CIO Accepts Position at University of Alabama

John McGowan, Ph.D.
Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice Provost for Information Technology at UTSA will be the CIO & Vice Provost at the Univ. of Alabama

Mr. Julius Gribou to Serve as Interim Leader

The Office of Information Technology has announced that Dr. John McGowan has accepted the CIO & Vice Provost position at the University of Alabama.

After Dr. McGowan departs UTSA at the end of June, Mr. Julius Gribou, UTSA Executive Vice Provost, will become the department’s interim leader.

We wish Dr. McGowan luck and we thank him for his service to UTSA and to our department.

OIT Showcase: Software Licensing Office

Need Software? Software Licensing Office Is Here to Help

Shop smart when buying software for office use

If you are in the market to purchase software for work use, your first step should be to contact the OIT Software Licensing Office. Matthew Marr, OIT Software Coordinator, can assist you in finding the most economical way to purchase the software.

“In some cases, we already have existing site licenses that you can take advantage of – that’s an easy way to save money. As a general rule, though, you shouldn’t purchase software at full retail price without contacting us first,” said Matthew.

Matthew maintains a list of most of the software titles that are being used at UTSA. “If a group or college is interested in purchasing multiple copies of a software package, I can look into the possibility of buying in bulk or even purchasing a site license. Our aim is to create a more efficient software purchase program,” said Matthew.

Contact the Software Licensing Office via e-mail (software@utsa.edu ) or visit the Web site for more information, http://www.utsa.edu/infotech/Software/.

Working from Home? Do it Securely

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

new software
explanation of benefits

If you work from home on a regular basis, you might want to take advantage of Virtual Private Network (VPN) software. Using a VPN allows you to connect to the UTSA computer network in a more secure fashion.

According to Neal Pelsor, Senior Network Analyst, “When you use VPN software to log on to the UTSA network, a secure connection is created. While you are logged on, the software encrypts the information you send to and receive from the UTSA network.”

In the past, OIT has offered software that users had to download and install on their home PCs. We have recently added a Web-based VPN application that does not require users to install any software.

“We only have a limited number of licenses for the Web-based VPN, so we will continue to support the software-based version for the foreseeable future,” said Neal.

Get VPN 2 WAYS...

Internet based VPN:

Off-Campus VPN: https://vpnoffcampus.utsa.edu
On-Campus VPN: https://vpnoncampus.utsa.edu

VPN client:

https://www.utsa.edu/infotech/VPN

(Faculty / Staff login required with network ID credentials)

Virtual Private Networks

Advantages of using VPN

You can access your I: drive from your PC
You can access your e-mail inbox through VPN instead of via Webmail

Remember…

VPN is not an ISP – you still need to connect using your cable modem or DSL service
VPN software is available for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms

New Rules, Process for Changing Network Password in Effect

Avoid confusion, change your password via the Web

In the past year, all UTSA network accounts (faculty, staff and students) were changed. Your myUTSA ID is now in “abc123” format.

This has allowed us to move toward a more efficient Identity Management system, one that will lessen the amount of time that is spent on account maintenance.

Part of the Identity Management system is the institution of an enhanced password creation process. Different applications have varying password restrictions, especially in the acceptance of special characters.

If you receive a message that your network ID is expiring, we suggest that you change your password by choosing the Network Account Reset link at http://email.utsa.edu/.

This will ensure that your password meets the criteria set by our computer applications.

For assistance with password changes, contact the OIT Help Desk, 458-5538.

In addition, this new network ID will be used to log in to the UTSA portal, which will allow us to institute a “reduced sign-on” program.

“Because we have so many computer applications that have separate and unique log-in procedures, we will never be able to have a single login ID and password to access them all. But the good news is that we can reduce the number of IDs and passwords that we are required to remember,” said John Grafton, network technician.

When the portal – which will be tested by students this summer – is active, users will use their myUTSA ID to log in. Once logged in, users will be able to click on computer applications to access them, without having to re-enter an ID and password.

One-click access to computer applications will be dependent on whether individual applications can be integrated. In some cases, you will always need to provide your ID and password to log in to some computer applications.

UTSA Has New E-mail Continuity Computer Application

Don’t Miss Important E-mail: Set up Your MessageOne Account

It’s a scenario that we all dread – the e-mail system goes down, and you are forced to find an alternate method to communicate.

Good news has arrived for UTSA staff and faculty members with the purchase and installation of MessageOne software.

“If our email system fails, MessageOne would be used to redirect all e-mail destined to the UTSA users who are encountering the problem,” said Juan Noval, OIT Systems Analyst. “Assuming that you already set up your MessageOne account, then you will have access to your e-mail via your (work) Outlook account, the MessageOne Web site or even your BlackBerry.”

The key to the process is that you must set up your account in order to use MessageOne. To log on, you will use your e-mail address (john.doe@utsa.edu) as your username and your network password as your MessageOne password.

More information is available at: https://www.utsa.edu/infotech/
MSC/message_one.html

Set up your MessageOne account at: https://ems.messageone.com

Technology - Should I Turn Off My Work PC Every Night?

Debate rages on; OIT recommends shutdown

Here's what one Web site says:

Turning off your computer every night can save up to $10-15 a month on an energy bill.
Rebooting is good for your operating system; an operating system like Windows XP is not made to run 24/7.
Turning off your computer protects your drives.
Rebooting helps with updating your system thus keeps it more secure against attacks.
Screen savers do not necessarily save energy. Your best bet is to turn off your machine.

Read the full article at:

http://www.computingunplugged.com/issues/issue200703/00001948001.html


This Issue CIO Accepts Positon at Univ. of Alabama Software Licensing Office Connect with VPN Password Rules Update New E-mail Continuity Application The Verdict is In - Turn Off Your Computer - - Technology Tip UTSA OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Office: PP 2.01.16 Tel: 210.458.4555 Email: OIT@utsa.edu Emergency Contact IT HELP DESK Office: PP 2nd Floor Tel: 210.458.5538 Email: HelpDesk@utsa.edu	IT News for UTSA Faculty & Staff Issue 4 Vol. 1 June 2008 CIO Accepts Position at University of Alabama John McGowan, Ph.D. Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice Provost for Information Technology at UTSA will be the CIO & Vice Provost at the Univ. of Alabama Mr. Julius Gribou to Serve as Interim Leader The Office of Information Technology has announced that Dr. John McGowan has accepted the CIO & Vice Provost position at the University of Alabama. After Dr. McGowan departs UTSA at the end of June, Mr. Julius Gribou, UTSA Executive Vice Provost, will become the department’s interim leader. We wish Dr. McGowan luck and we thank him for his service to UTSA and to our department. OIT Showcase: Software Licensing Office Need Software? Software Licensing Office Is Here to Help Shop smart when buying software for office use If you are in the market to purchase software for work use, your first step should be to contact the OIT Software Licensing Office. Matthew Marr, OIT Software Coordinator, can assist you in finding the most economical way to purchase the software. “In some cases, we already have existing site licenses that you can take advantage of – that’s an easy way to save money. As a general rule, though, you shouldn’t purchase software at full retail price without contacting us first,” said Matthew. Matthew maintains a list of most of the software titles that are being used at UTSA. “If a group or college is interested in purchasing multiple copies of a software package, I can look into the possibility of buying in bulk or even purchasing a site license. Our aim is to create a more efficient software purchase program,” said Matthew. Contact the Software Licensing Office via e-mail (software@utsa.edu ) or visit the Web site for more information, http://www.utsa.edu/infotech/Software/. Working from Home? Do it Securely Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) new software explanation of benefits If you work from home on a regular basis, you might want to take advantage of Virtual Private Network (VPN) software. Using a VPN allows you to connect to the UTSA computer network in a more secure fashion. According to Neal Pelsor, Senior Network Analyst, “When you use VPN software to log on to the UTSA network, a secure connection is created. While you are logged on, the software encrypts the information you send to and receive from the UTSA network.” In the past, OIT has offered software that users had to download and install on their home PCs. We have recently added a Web-based VPN application that does not require users to install any software. “We only have a limited number of licenses for the Web-based VPN, so we will continue to support the software-based version for the foreseeable future,” said Neal. Get VPN 2 WAYS... *Internet based VPN:* Off-Campus VPN: https://vpnoffcampus.utsa.edu On-Campus VPN: https://vpnoncampus.utsa.edu *VPN client:* https://www.utsa.edu/infotech/VPN (Faculty / Staff login required with network ID credentials) Virtual Private Networks *Advantages of using VPN* You can access your I: drive from your PC You can access your e-mail inbox through VPN instead of via Webmail *Remember…* VPN is not an ISP – you still need to connect using your cable modem or DSL service VPN software is available for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms New Rules, Process for Changing Network Password in Effect Avoid confusion, change your password via the Web In the past year, all UTSA network accounts (faculty, staff and students) were changed. Your myUTSA ID is now in “abc123” format. This has allowed us to move toward a more efficient Identity Management system, one that will lessen the amount of time that is spent on account maintenance. Part of the Identity Management system is the institution of an enhanced password creation process. Different applications have varying password restrictions, especially in the acceptance of special characters. If you receive a message that your network ID is expiring, we suggest that you change your password by choosing the Network Account Reset link at http://email.utsa.edu/. This will ensure that your password meets the criteria set by our computer applications. For assistance with password changes, contact the OIT Help Desk, 458-5538. In addition, this new network ID will be used to log in to the UTSA portal, which will allow us to institute a “reduced sign-on” program. “Because we have so many computer applications that have separate and unique log-in procedures, we will never be able to have a single login ID and password to access them all. But the good news is that we can reduce the number of IDs and passwords that we are required to remember,” said John Grafton, network technician. When the portal – which will be tested by students this summer – is active, users will use their myUTSA ID to log in. Once logged in, users will be able to click on computer applications to access them, without having to re-enter an ID and password. One-click access to computer applications will be dependent on whether individual applications can be integrated. In some cases, you will always need to provide your ID and password to log in to some computer applications. UTSA Has New E-mail Continuity Computer Application Don’t Miss Important E-mail: Set up Your MessageOne Account It’s a scenario that we all dread – the e-mail system goes down, and you are forced to find an alternate method to communicate. Good news has arrived for UTSA staff and faculty members with the purchase and installation of MessageOne software. “If our email system fails, MessageOne would be used to redirect all e-mail destined to the UTSA users who are encountering the problem,” said Juan Noval, OIT Systems Analyst. “Assuming that you already set up your MessageOne account, then you will have access to your e-mail via your (work) Outlook account, the MessageOne Web site or even your BlackBerry.” The key to the process is that you must set up your account in order to use MessageOne. To log on, you will use your e-mail address (john.doe@utsa.edu) as your username and your network password as your MessageOne password. More information is available at: https://www.utsa.edu/infotech/ MSC/message_one.html Set up your MessageOne account at: https://ems.messageone.com Technology - Should I Turn Off My Work PC Every Night? Debate rages on; OIT recommends shutdown Here's what one Web site says: Turning off your computer every night can save up to $10-15 a month on an energy bill. Rebooting is good for your operating system; an operating system like Windows XP is not made to run 24/7. Turning off your computer protects your drives. Rebooting helps with updating your system thus keeps it more secure against attacks. Screen savers do not necessarily save energy. Your best bet is to turn off your machine. Read the full article at: http://www.computingunplugged.com/issues/issue200703/00001948001.html	OIT About Archives Something not covered in this e-newsletter? Email us at oit@utsa.edu, we'll get it out there next issue. Don't forget to visit our website for the latest in IT news & technology - www.utsa.edu/infotech The Internet is the most important single development in the history of human communication since the invention of call waiting. ~Dave Barry
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IT News for UTSA Faculty & Staff Issue 4 Vol. 1 June 2008