Wednesday, August 27, 2014

YouTube HD Verified

Manhattan College has received the "HD Verified" designation from YouTube.  As a result, JasperNet users at Manhattan College can consistently expect smooth playback of HD YouTube videos from anywhere on campus, including JasperNet WIFI. With this designation, Manhattan College joins the ranks of a small number of elite NYC networks.

YouTube rates services providers and campus networks by the video quality delivered to users on that network.  To verify your connection, visit the Google Video Quality Report homepage here:
https://www.google.com/get/videoqualityreport/



Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Gmail Issue Resolved

The Gmail issue has been resolved.  You can see the report from Google here:
http://www.google.com/appsstatus#hl=en&v=issue&sid=1&iid=25cba5fe86d252c95bb996f8eacb7de7

Digital Signage Service Upgrade

This summer, ITS has been working to ready an upgraded Digital Signage service for the Manhattan College Campus. This service will provide content to the Digital Signage units in the new Student Commons, as well as to the existing units on campus. A major feature of this system will be the use of live media RSS feeds to provide fresh content for the numerous units, including event feeds from the college's calendaring system. This will reduce - or eliminate the need - for users on campus to create and upload graphic posters.

Gmail outage affecting many users

#gmaildown. Google has reported a widespread issue affecting gmail services.  At the moment, the gmail web interface is not available to many users, however the mobile gmail apps seem to be unaffected.

For more information, see the google apps status dashboard:


Monday, August 25, 2014

Apple MacBook Wifi Issues

Apple Macbook users are urged to update to the latest Mavericks v10.9.4 update which addresses issues connecting to known WIFI networks.  Apple released an update in late June that fixed a number of issues with their 10.9 Mavericks operating system as follows:  (from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6281)
  • Fixes an issue that prevented some Macs from automatically connecting to known Wi-Fi networks
  • Fixes issue causing the background or Apple logo to appear incorrectly on startup
  • Improves the reliability of waking from sleep
  • Includes Safari 7.0.5
For detailed information about the security content of this update, see Apple security updates.


Welcome Back



New Updates:
New desktops have been installed in the library, RLC 105, and MGL 110 computer labs
MGL 305 has undergone renovations

Reminders:

The best way to get in touch with a Client Services representative is an email to its@manhattan.edu or a phone call to x7973 (718-862-7973). Note that email and voicemail for this line go to our ticketing system so we encourage you to leave a message.

Remember that we will never ask you for your password. We encourage you all to please reset your computer password to jasper prior to dropping it off at Client Services. If you do not do this prior, please allocate an extra 5 minutes to work with a Client Services representative so that they can assist you in changing your password when working with us. Upon completion of work on your computer, please allocate another 5 minutes so that a Client Services representative can assist you in changing your password back to its original state. This is necessary in order to safeguard your password. Remember that you should never give your password out to anyone under any circumstances. Note that the same procedure holds true when you are requesting assistance with one of your Manhattan College accounts.

Client Services can NOT lend out equipment to students. If a student needs equipment for a project, they must have a Manhattan College employee sign out equipment on their behalf. Note that the Manhattan College employee is responsible for that equipment.

Client Services can provide short-term loaner equipment such as laptops and projectors by reservation. Note that if equipment is needed long term, it should be purchased via your department.

In lieu of loaning certain cables and remotes, Client Services has installed commonly used VGA and Audio cables as well as projector remotes in all yet-to-be-renovated classrooms. Network cables will be provided to faculty upon request. Faculty requiring other specialty cables or adapters (such as Apple VGA adapters) should contact Client Services for assistance purchasing this equipment as they are not stocked or provided by Client Services.

The Client Services office does not work on personal computers. We will train employees and students and instruct them on how to fix their computers, but personal computers can not be dropped off for service. No personal items should ever be left in any of the Client Services offices.

Please remember to plan event setups in advance. We work with limited resources so we can not always complete last minute requests.

Client Services currently has 3 convenient locations: Jasper Basement, LIB 502, & RLC 103. Please stop by the location closest to you. We encourage you to call first to be sure that someone is available as we are constantly assisting the Manhattan College community.

Client Services Hours of Operations can be found here.

Computer Lab Hours can be found here.

Campus-owned computers are purchased with premium hardware support provided by the manufacturer. ITS will diagnose and determine whether manufacturer hardware support is needed. For the fastest service, users are also able to contact the manufacturer directly to access hardware support and replacement.

Your feedback helps us improve our service and should be sent to http://manhattan.edu/tellits


Don't forget to add us to your Google+ circles +ITS and follow us on Twitter @MC_ITS

Check out our Blog: http://itsblog.manhattan.edu/

Check out our known issues page: http://itsblog.manhattan.edu/p/known-issues.html

Thank you for your attention.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

JasperNet Login Page Enhancements

A number of improvements have been made to the login page for JasperNet services to make accessing campus systems easier and more secure.  Based on feedback received from the campus community, there is now more information and help resources available on the JasperNet login page including information about the service, where to go for help, and how to retrieve a lost username/password.

In the main login box, there are now links to:

  1. Retrieve a lost or forgotten password.
  2. Activate your your account.
  3. Get additional help.

Each service will have a "Site Specific Message" box with more information about the service and "public" links that can be accessed without authenticating that may have general information about the service.

The "Service Status" box now lets users know if there is a problem with JasperNet services.

The new "System Alerts/Notices" box lists important notifications to the community such as planned maintenance or upgrades.


ITS Student Move-In Support

ITS will be providing technology support to new and returning student students during the designated move-in days as follows:

Thursday 8/21:  8:00AM - 6:00PM
Saturday 8/23:  8:00AM - Noon
Sunday 8/24:  8:00AM - 6:00PM

During these times, ITS will have dedicated resources for technology questions during move-in.  For assistance, please contact the Client Services office at 718-862-7973 or emailing its@manhattan.edu


Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Moodle Upgrade

#moodle27 - The Manhattan College Moodle system has been upgraded to the latest 2.7 version.  A number of enhancements, bug fixes, and new features have been added in this release.  For a full list of new features and enhancements, see the Moodle 2.7 "New Features" page:  https://docs.moodle.org/27/en/New_features

Here are some highlights of this release, and you can view screencasts of some of these highlights on the official MoodleHQ YouTube page: Moodle 2.7 Release Highlights Playlist

Monday, August 18, 2014

Moodle Maintenance


The Manhattan College Moodle system will be UNAVAILABLE this evening (Monday August 18th) from approximately 9:00PM - Midnight for system maintenance.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Information Technology Services - Vision Statement

With today's publishing of the first-ever vision statement for ITS, we look forward to starting the fall semester energized and ready to support the needs of our returning faculty and students.

"Information Technology Services will be recognized as a valued strategic partner by providing exceptional technology services in alignment with the mission and goals of Manhattan College."

For more information about the Information Technology Services departments and campus technology resources, please visit the ITS homepage:

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Network Maintenance Friday 8/15 2:00PM

Parts of DLS and Memorial Hall may experience interruptions in network service on Friday 8/15 between 2:00PM and 9:00PM for scheduled network maintenance.

Starting at 2:00PM, ITS technicians will be updating network equipment and configurations in DeLaSalle and Memorial Halls.  As a result, users in these 2 buildings may experience network interruptions between 2:00PM and 9:00PM.

For more information, please contact ITS at x7973 or its@manhattan.edu


Monday, August 11, 2014

Phishing Scams increasing in number and complexity

Phishing scams are on the rise.  While our email service will intercept and "send to SPAM" the majority of them (just check your SPAM folder....), some of these messages are so carefully crafted that they will get through SPAM filters and show up in your Inbox from time to time.

Here is a recent example of a carefully crafted message designed to impersonate legitimate message from the Manhattan College ITS department that has bypassed some SPAM filters:

If you are unsure of the origin or authenticity of the message, please report it to ITS by calling x7973 or emailing its@manhattan.edu (feel free to forward the message in question.