LTS will be changing the settings of workstations so that they no longer sleep. This change is necessary as sleeping machines are inaccessible from the network, preventing the remote installation of updates and other software. It is possible that you may not immediately notice the change as computer screens will continue to turn off automatically after a period of inactivity. 

LTS remains committed to operating our computing equipment in as environmentally responsible manner as possible. Over time the power utilized per workstation in the library has decreased substantially. Our power management policies will continue to be adjusted as necessary to ensure that we strike the best balance between energy savings and labor cost.

Sincerely,
Ernest

For those of you that use Gmail for your personal mail, please read this article and pay close attention when you are clicking on links!

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/theres-a-new-gmail-phishing-attack-going-around-and-its-fooling-everyone/?utm_content=buffer6d37c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

If you will be using room 114A for an event that will need projection and/or sound, please let LTS know at least a day before your event. We will be able to coordinate the needed technology with you so that there are no last minute problems. You may email us at asklts@missouri.edu, call us at 884-6404, or just drop by!

LTS would like to ask you to restart your computers when you are prompted to do so.

Updates for your computer are delivered remotely, but the computer needs to be restarted in order to install them. If the updates don’t happen, you may see degraded performance. You certainly put your computer at risk for possible malfeasance as it won’t have the latest security patches.

The prompt screen will show up in the bottom right corner of your computer when it’s time to restart. You have the option to postpone the updates for up to 4 hours. If it’s more convenient for you to restart at the end of the day, please wait to do so. However, we really want you to reboot on the day you receive the prompt. Many of the trouble reports we receive in LTS are easily solved after a restart.

Ideally, you would restart your computer every night before you leave, but please, restart at least once a week on Wednesday. The updates are pushed on early Wednesday morning. This will insure that you are staying secure and keeping your computer healthy.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact LTS at 884-6404 or asklts@missouri.edu.

Are you using macros as part of your Microsoft Access, Excel or Word processes? LTS would like to know!

It was recently discovered that Microsoft macros could be exploited; your computer could be taken over for malicious means if you are using macros in Microsoft products. The way to be protected is to either not use macros at all, or to have macros ‘signed’. A signed macro simply means that the macro has been certified to be safe to use. Once the certification process is complete, the macro may be used.

LTS would like to be able to provide signed certificates to all needed macros so that they may be used safely.

Please contact us at asklts@missouri.edu or 884-6404 so we may start the process of securing your work.

LTS has a document “Computing at MU Libraries – New Employee Orientation” that is given to all new employees. A request was made to have it available to all staff, so it is now posted on the LTS wiki site, https://trac.lib.missouri.edu/lts/wiki/WikiStart.  It is in Microsoft Word format, so will need to be downloaded.

LTS will begin replacing staff computers before the end of the month. Those with a Dell Optiplex 755 tower model will receive a Dell Optiplex 9010 with a 23" screen. They are an all-in one machine similar to the iMacs we’ve had in the past.

The Dell Optiplex 755 is the last series of staff computers running Windows XP; upon completion, all staff will be on Windows 7. The newest version of Microsoft Office, 2013, will be included on the new computers.

LTS will contact those being upgraded individually as new machines become available to work out a replacement plan.

 

 

• Following the Ellis Library Fire, the area formally known as CPRR was made home to 47 DoIT computers.They have now moved back to Pershing Hall. We are adding 20 workstations to 114 Ellis and the remainder of the space will be quiet study space with soft seating for individual study and areas with plugins for laptops and other devices.

• Renovation is under way in the expansion of the Information Commons, IC2. Yesterday Telecom pulled in network cabling. Furniture is on its way. FYI, the renovation is being paid for entirely by the student technology fee.

• Ernest is keeping a wiki page about the changes that are being made. You can keep up-to-date at https://trac.lib.missouri.edu/lts/wiki/UpcomingPubilcComputerChanges.