Fall 2007

Email System Changes

As you've probably noticed by now, TCNJ has migrated to a new system for our email service. This all-in-one system combines email and address book features with a calendaring system (which has replaced Meeting Maker). While we are encouraging everyone to begin using the new system, those users who are comfortable using the Thunderbird client may continue to do so: Information Technology has no plans at this time to remove or replace the Thunderbird email client. Be aware, however, that certain emails (those having to do with the calendar system) need to be read through the Zimbra client in order for certain features to work. All faculty and staff now have access to the Zimbra calendar feature, even if they did not previously have a Meeting Maker account.

Wireless at TCNJ

The expansion of TCNJ's wireless network is ongoing. Service has now been expanded to include all of the academic buildings on campus, as well as the Student Center and Eickhoff Hall. More expansion of the system is planned for the future. For more information on the wireless network, or how you can connect to it, please click on one of the following links.

TCNJ at NJEDGE

Ryan Gladysiewicz, User Support Services Manager with Information Technology, recently presented at the Fourth Annual NJEDge Technology in Education Conference in Plainsboro.  His presentation topic was “Deploying a productivity suite and operating system campus wide at The College of New Jersey”. 

Ryan presented the process from beginning to end of the campus wide software deployment project that we were all part of this summer when we moved to Windows XP and Office 2007.  His audience at the conference included CIOs, IT professional staff and faculty.  Ryan presented the challenges that we faced as well as the additional features and tools available when moving to Windows XP and Office 2007.  Through Ryan’s presentation, he brought what we as a college learned through this upgrade to others and made recommendations for those that may be undertaking a similar project in the near future.   

And Speaking of NJEDGE...

Did you know that this non-profit corporation of the New Jersey Presidents' Council is a broadband statewide network designed to enhance the teaching, research and public service missions of New Jersey's colleges and universities?  NJEDge.net offers various programs including The Faculty Colloquium Series, The Collaborative Faculty Development Initiative, The NJEDge.net P20 Initiative and The Educational Activities Task Force which holds an annual Faculty-to-Faculty Best Practices Showcase.  This year’s showcase will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at the Metropolitan campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University.   

IntroducinG the IT Suggestion Box

Got a suggestion?  Got a gripe?  Either way, we want to hear from you.  Information Technology is interested in hearing your ideas for how we can improve our services.  To contribute to our quest for excellence or to have your voice heard about IT services, go to the IT department web page, and click on the IT Feedback Form link at the bottom of the page. 

Illegal File Sharing

Illegal file sharing is downloading copyrighted materials (music, video, etc) without permission. A lot of people don't realize that these activities are illegal, so TCNJ is taking steps to increase awareness of this topic.

Not only does file sharing increase the risk of exposing your computer to viruses, spyware and malware, but it could also cause serious potential legal consequences. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) are making serious efforts to identify violations of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act and are contacting higher education institutions regarding these violations. We have received more violation notices this year than in previous years, and we want everyone to know that YES - You Can Get Caught. Violators can be subject to serious financial penalties and possible jail time depending on the particular offence. Student violators are also processed through our institutional judicial process, and face sanctions such as warnings, probation, and suspension/expulsion. Don't put yourself in this position!

Keep your Finger on the Pulse of the campus

If you have ever needed to know what the students want, The Pulse is the technology tool for you.  The Pulse is an online poll found on the TCNJ Students page run by the Student Government Association.  It is one of the main sources of student feedback SGA uses to understand student concerns and needs.  However, this great feature is not just for SGA.  
Past questions have been submitted and used by the administration for their own purposes.  Such examples include questions regarding the TCNJ Master Plan, summer courses, and Domestic Violence Awareness.  The questions are updated on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on the number of questions submitted for posting.  While its primary purpose will be to serve SGA, they strongly encourage faculty and staff to submit questions if they would like to know the students' opinion.

Benefits of the new Zimbra System

Although Zimbra is quite a change from the old email system and Meeting Maker, it does still has a lot of benefits.  Here are a few!

Email and Calendar access from everywhere – no special software is necessary for you to view your email or calendars when you are out of the road or at a conference.  Access to the Internet is all you need

Enhanced Searching – no need to search through folders of email to find that one message you’re looking for.  Use the Find feature at the top of the window. You can also save common searches for use again.

Calendar Restoration - Individual calendars can now be restored if they need to be without needing to restore the calendars of everyone on campus at the same time

Specify the time for Restoration - Need an email restore? How about a calendar one? You can request a restore of either system to the minute you specify (rather than the day or week)!

Better Spam Filtering – while it won’t catch them all, Zimbra filters out spam better than our previous system.

View Multiple Calendars or Individual Calendars – No longer does your calendar have to be jumbled with multiple appointments.  You can create separate calendars for different people or activities and view them individually, or layered with the other calendars to view all the appointments together.