ITD NEWSVolume 4, Issue 1, Summer 2008

ITD News, Summer 2008, page 1 of 4

Information Technology Directorate

Improved student supportWith the Dixson Library’s new Learning Commons nearing completion IT support for students will be easier than ever.

The ground floor of the Dixson library is well on the way to becoming the UNE Learning Commons, a one-stop-shop for student support services. The project, funded by the Commonwealth capital development pool, commenced late last year and is due to be completed in March 2008.

Students will be able to access a range of support services at the Learning Commons including IT support. The IT Service Desk will have a permanent presence in the learning commons providing a range of services from email access and network connections to help accessing online teaching.

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The Dixson Library Learning Commons under construction

Thousands of viruses target UNE - every dayUNE’s new anti-virus system has been a great success identifying and blocking more than two thou-sand viruses in one day.An audit of UNE’s new anti-virus system has found that it is successfully protecting UNE’s network from thousands of viruses every day.

On December 10th 2007, 2500 infected email attachments were sent to UNE email addresses. The most fre�uently blocked virusThe most fre�uently blocked virus was a Trojan downloader virus. These small viruses secretly download and run other viruses and files. Also identified was the worm Bagz.E which spreads by accessing the hosts email contacts.

ITD News, Summer 2008, page 2 of 4

ITD NEWS ITD NEWS

u An exciting yearA number of changes come into effect in first semester 2008. All students are now re�uired to have access to a computer and the internet. Assignments will be submitted electronically wherever possible and screened using TurnItIn originality report software.

MyAssist: Your virtual learning commons MyAssist, incorporated into the MyUNE portal will provide students with virtual access to the new learning commons.

Students don’t have to be located in Armidale to take advantage of the new services available at the Learning Commons. A virtual learning commons, called MyAssist will be available to all students as a tab in their MyUNE portal.

Martina Linnemann, Client Services Manager, explains “Students will be able to do all the same things using MyAssist as they can by visiting the actual learning commons. They will be able to get IT support, or academic support or book a session with a careers advisor, it’s all there online.”

Computer talk forumA new way to ask questions, raise issues or share tips, the computer talk forum is now up and running.Computer talk was launched by the Servicedesk to provide an additional way for UNE staff and students to ask �uestions and get advice on computing issues.

Service Desk staff will actively participate in the forum. To access the forum go to https://forum.une.edu.au You will need your UNE username and password to log in.

Staff helpline moves to ITDThis year will see the intro-duction of a new learning management system and an online presence for all courses. For staff, sup-port is only a phone call or email away. From semester one 2008 ITD will take over responsibility for providing support for staff using UNE’s online teaching system (UNEOnline). ITD will continue to provide support to students using UNEOnline.

Staff support for UNEOnline will now be available from the Service Desk. The UNEOnline helpline has been transferred to ITD with Cate Mitchell (pictured) and Ros James sharing the support role.

Cate and Ros will be available from 9:30-4:30 daily and staff can access support by phone on ext 5000 or by email servicedesk@une.edu.au

This semester will see the introduction of a new learning management system (Blackboard CE6) going live to staff and students as well as an online presence for all units. In addition most assignments will now be submitted electronically.

MFD roll-out updateUNE now has a new fleet of Multi-func-tion devicesLast year a decision was made to replace UNE’s aging fleet of photocopiers, fax machines and scanners with 100 state-of-the-art multi function devices (MFD’s). These devices provide printing, photocopying, scannng and faxing at significantly reduced cost plus a range of new security features.

The initial roll out of the new MFD’s is nearing completion. The next phase in the project will see the new devices connected to the UNE network. This will allow for improved account and �uota management. A centralised fax server will be added in the course of first semester.

Social networks a targetInstant messaging and social networking sites are being targetted by cyber crooks wanting to spread viruses, malware and spyware.

The increased popularity of instant messaging sites has seen attacks double between 2003 and 2006. There are now an estimated five attacks a day.

For more information visit http://www.itnews.com.au/News/68106,cybercrooks-target-chat-platforms.aspx

Re-visioning ITDaniel Gooch will oversee a major re-think of IT at UNE which aims to streamline the provision of IT services and promote innovation.2007 was a year for reflecting on ICT at UNE with an external review and the preparation of an IT sub- plan. Daniel Gooch, ITD project manager will now look at the organisation of IT services throughout UNE and how to turn recommendations into reality.

Daniel sees one of his first goals as changing the way in which the UNE community engages with IT “We should really be focusing on how to get more out of IT - it’s really something that should be enabling us to work more efficiently and be more creative.”

One idea that will be explored is a process driven approach to IT provision. This would see a focus on core processes. Daniel explains, “At the moment we really organise IT around the different business units which doesn’t allow for information sharing or smooth management of the various processes that are our core business. A focus driven approach

would turn that around.”

Daniel is also keen to identify areas in which UNE can excel by supporting innovation in IT. Through the provision of increased support for innovation UNE will seek to enhance its reputation for smart use of IT technology in teaching and learning.

Daniel will spend the next few months considering the various recommendations and translating them into concrete outcomes for UNE.

Daniel is keen to involve the UNE community in this project. You can view the progress of the project and get involved by visiting www.une.edu.au/it-services/strategy

ITD News, Summer 2008, page 3 of 4

ITD NEWS ITD NEWS

New role for a familiar faceBrian Cameron is no stranger to UNE but in his new role as Director ITD he will be drawing on his very broad experience in the Information Technology sector.From aviation to insurance, software development to education, Brian Cameron has seen a lot of change in his 30 year career in the Information Technology sector. This diverse experience, not to mention a keen interest in beef cattle breeding, will help him tackle his new role as Director ITD.

Brian Cameron - Director ITD

What is the role of a university IT directorate? How can ICT projects & investments be better managed? And how best to encourage ICT innovation? These are all �uestions that have been very much in Brian Cameron’s mind since he officially took up the role of Director of ITD in November last year.

2007 was a busy year for ITD with the preparation of a strategic IT sub-plan and an external review. Brian describes 2008 as a year for moving forward.

“Last year we addressed a number of major risk and infrastructure issues as well as several significant system upgrades. This year I will be focusing on the implementation of the review recommendations and making sure ITD is much more visible and active in helping organisational units achieve their objectives.”

Brian is also keen to encourage innovation in ICT at UNE and will be exploring a number of exciting new projects in this area. Brian explains “I really believe that a key objective is to demonstrate the benefits of investing in ICT and encouraging innovatative thinking”.

ITD News, Summer 2008, page 4 of 4

ITD NEWS Service Desk

ITD NewsProduced by the Information Technology Directorate at the University of New England.

Editor: Kate Nash

ITD News welcomes your comments and suggestions. For further information about any of the stories in this issue, or if you have an idea for a story, please feel free to contact us:

Phone: 6773 4521 Fax: 6773 3390 Email: knash@une.edu.au

News in BriefE-results makes the gradeMore than 3,000 students successfully received their second semester unit results by SMS. In addition all students received an email advising them of their second semester results.

Students can opt-in to receive their UNE results by SMS using their MyUNE student portal. Students can also view their results online through MyUNE.

UNE now storm proofWith Armidale subject to a fre�uent storms and power interruptions UNE needed a way of protecting its computing and business systems.

The server room emergency supply project has seen the installation of uninterruptable power supply units to both the ITD and Lamble server rooms. Each power supply has a generator which can run the e�uipment and air conditioning for an indefinite period.

This summer has seen significant storm activity in Armidale but thanks to the project there has been no loss of power to either server room.

UNE on youTubeA promotional video produced by MPA in conjunction with a Sydney based production company has become one of the most viewed education videos on youTube with more than 400 hits in January.

You can find the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztnVVRfVvzg. It’s also screening on regional TV and in cinemas.

ITD News blogThe ITD news blog continues in 2008. You can access all the latest news and information from ITD at http://blog.une.edu.au/itd-news. Why not set up an RSS feed and keep in touch?

From the Service DeskKeep up to date with new blogUNE Service announcements is now a blog making it easier to access HR, FMS and ITD announcements.

You can find the blog at http://blog.une.edu.au/serviceannounce/

ITD outage updates will be posted on the blog.

CDMA Telstra’s CDMA network is now scheduled to be shut down as of the 29th April. If you still have a CDMA phone and would like to change to the Telstra Next G network, please contact the Service Desk.

PhonebookFrom 2008, UNE will not produce a printed phonebook. The online staff directory is available at http://www.une.edu.au/directory. PDF versions of the white pages (staff listing) and the pink pages (department listing) can be downloaded from http://www.une.edu.au/it-services/staff/phone/phonebook.php

Extended Service Desk hours 2008Hours of operation for the IT Service Desk for 2008 are: Staff: 8:30-5:00 Monday-Friday

Students: 8:30-5:00 Monday-Friday (outside term) 8:30-7:00 Monday-Thursday (during term) 8:30-5:00 Friday (during term) 1-5pm Saturday and Sunday (during term and residential schools)

Once renovations to the Dixson Library are complete a Service Desk for students will be part of the Learning Commons on the library ground floor. Students can also visit us on the ground floor of the ITD building.