- Microsoft is retiring support for Windows XP in April 2014. After that date, XP systems will be increasingly vulnerable to malware. Users of XP systems should consult with their local support regarding replacement, upgrade, or strategic management in the absence of security patches.
- EEE is offering a new workshop, Working Safe and Smart in the Wild Web, in which you’ll learn strategies to protect your information while leveraging the power of the internet. The workshop will be held at 2pm November 25. Interested people can register at https://eee.uci.edu/workshop/cf .
- Sponsored and Group UCInetIDs are now eligible for UCI Google accounts. Instructions for setting up a UCI Google account can be found on the UCI Google setup page.
Conferencing with ReadyTalk
OIT offers a versatile teleconferencing solution, ReadyTalk, to faculty and staff. ReadyTalk is much more than a telephone conference service. Some of the ways you can use ReadyTalk are described below.
Quick Launcher – Enables conference leaders to initiate an audio conference or a web conference with just 2 mouse clicks. More information and a link to the download are located here http://www.readytalk.com/products-services/integrations/productivity/quick-launcher.
Outlook Scheduler – Meeting organizers can add their ReadyTalk conference login to an Outlook meeting request with a single mouse click. This is convenient for organizers and the invitation makes it convenient for participants to join a meeting. Participants can choose to dial into the conference or they can click on a ‘Call Me’ link and have ReadyTalk call and connect them to their meeting. Check out more information and a link to the download here http://www.readytalk.com/products-services/integrations/productivity/outlook-scheduler.
ReadyTalk for Google – Meeting organizers can add their ReadyTalk conference login to Google Calendar meeting request with a single mouse click. You can download the Google Scheduler here http://www.readytalk.com/products-services/integrations/productivity/google-calendar.
ReadyTalk for Lync – ReadyTalk’s integration with Lync makes it easy to connect with individuals directly from your active directory of contacts. Right click on any contact to send them a link to join an instant meeting. For more information: http://www.readytalk.com/products-services/integrations/productivity/microsoft-lync.
Other features of ReadyTalk include:
- Chairperson dial me: Conference leaders can choose to dial their conference phone number, access code and passcode in order to access their conference call OR they can choose to have the bridge call out to their phone and connect them to their meeting. Chairperson dial me is available through the Quick Launcher and within the web conference interface so that you can choose the entry point that is most convenient for you when you host your meetings.
- Video Conferencing: Build stronger connections with the individuals you meet with by using ReadyTalk’s video conferencing service for your meetings. The video conferencing service is offered as a complement to web conferences where attendees need the ability to see each other. Up to 25 people can attend and see the video streams of up to 4 attendees at any one time. The video streams can be swapped out so that you can share the video of different individuals throughout your meeting. The service is designed to help IT organizations manage bandwidth utilization across their organization where our service is concerned and to provide adequate real estate for the individuals to review a slide desk, document and other visual content during a meeting.
- VoIP: In addition to accessing a conference call via telephone, ReadyTalk now offers the option for hosts and attendees to join a conference call via VoIP (using their computer). Meetings may have a blend of access methods across the spectrum of attendees. Some individuals may call in by phone and others may use VoIP for the same call. The chairperson opens a web conference in order to make VoIP available and then individuals can select the access method that is appropriate for themselves. A headset is recommended for our service to ensure the best audio quality experience.
Questions about ReadyTalk can be directed to ReadyTalk Customer Care.
In Brief September 2013
- OIT has a new mobile tool for finding available computers in drop-in labs, “PC Availability”. This service can be found at http://www.oit.uci.edu/m/labs/
- The Student Electronic Broadcast System (SEBS), which allows campus authorities to send bulk email to UCI students fitting diverse criteria, has been upgraded to use the Sympa mailing list software. Among the improvements now available are an improved interface to Registrar data (resulting in more accurate lists of students) and a more stable platform from which to send out the SEBS emails to students. More information on SEBS is available at http://www.oit.uci.edu/computing/sebs/
- Windows XP is nearing end of life (Microsoft support for Windows XP ends on April 8, 2014). Users should plan to upgrade to newer versions of Windows as soon as possible. (Desktop Support clients are being upgraded, or are scheduled for upgrade before this date.)
UCCSC 2013 – A Collaborative Success
On August 4-6, more than 300 IT professionals from throughout the University of California gathered at UCI’s Student Center to learn about one another’s challenges, projects, plans, and achievements.
Opening with a greeting from EVC and Provost Howard Gillman and a stimulating keynote speech by Google scientist and Distinguished UCI Alumnus Dan Russell, UCCSC featured over forty hours of technical presentations and panels, spanning the breadth of information technology that helps keep UC running.
Highlights from among the many presentations include:
- Accessibility at UC: Panel Discussion
- How to De-Personalize an iPad
- Let the Right Ones In: Supporting High Interactivity for Remote Participants in Hybrid Classrooms
- MyTravel Mobile: You Can Take It With You!
- You’re Holding It Wrong: Re-Thinking Security Awareness Programs
UCCSC closed with the presentation of the Larry L. Sautter awards. From a pool of 27 nominees, interim UC CIO Mark Cianca congratulated the 2013 winners.
Most of the presentations were recorded with UCI Replay and may be viewed on the UCCSC web site (use the link “Session Recordings”).
In Brief May 2013
- UCI is participating in the InCommon Certificate program, which allows delegated administrators in campus departments to issue and renew digital certificates used for such purposes as securing web servers run on behalf of their department. Details can be found at http://security.uci.edu/sslcerts.php
- ReadyTalk, UCI’s conference calling service, has been enhanced to include videoconferencing. Up to four participants (selected by the conference host) can provide video feeds, and up to 25 conference participants can watch. More information is at http://www.readytalk.com/products-services/video
- On May 22, EEE will be offering a workshop, “Working Safe and Smart in the Wild Web” to help faculty and staff learn strategies to protect your personal information while leveraging the power of the internet for academic communication. Register at https://eee.uci.edu/workshop/cf