::: Message from the Director

Bauer Faculty and Staff,

Happy Spring Semester! My, how time flies. It seems like we just rang in 2008 days ago… but it sure doesn’t feel like it!  Most of us are anxiously awaiting Spring Break just so we can try to catch our breath.  Bauer has been busy!

Since spring break is still weeks away, we recommend relaxing with our Spring '08 Bits and Bytes newsletter over a nice cup of tea or coffee. I hear there is a nice little spot on the second floor that serves up a great cup of brew.

As you will see in this edition, Bauer continues to be one of the technology  innovation leaders on campus. Our faculty spotlight highlights Dr. Scott’s Second Life presentation at this year’s Faculty Showcase. He represented us very well!  I even jumped on the adventurous band wagon and introduced an interactive technology into my DISC course this semester. What a blast! I am not sure who enjoys this learning method more, me or the students. And speaking of students, Danina and her staff have introduced some very exciting computing services for Bauer students. As I said, things have been busy!

So sit back, relax and enjoy Bits & Bytes and feel free to drop us a line if there is something you would like to see featured in future editions.

Elaine M. Brewer

Director, Research and Instructional Computing Services (RICS)

::: In this Issue

In the News: Bauer IT Show (BITS) 2008

In the Spotlight: New Student Services

Faculty Showcase: Whats the Buzz; Second Life: Early Experiences

Focus on RICS: Meet the Student Technology Services team

Test your Tech IQ: An Interactive Crossword

Check it Out: Bauer Data Security Tutorial

Tell Us: RICS Blog

::: In the News

Bauer IT Show (BITS) 2008 Theme:  “PC or MAC?”

Mark your calendar!!!!

 

March 5th 10:00AM to 3:00PM

Main Lobby - Melcher Hall

 

Apple Mac vs. PC Spoof Ads on YouTube:

Part 1, Part 2, & Part 3

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::: In the Spotlight

New Student Services

RICS is pleased to announce three new and exciting student services. The services include:

(1) Computer Availability Maps,

(2) Wireless Printing; and

(3) Virtual Interactive Bauer Exchange (VIBE).

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::: Faculty Showcase

What's the "Buzz"?

Tell us the truth. What are the kinds of things you resort to wake up your students in class? Chalk missiles? Walking up and down the aisle hoping your footsteps will be loud enough? Announcing that a spot quiz in coming up in the next 5 minutes, every 5 minutes? Outline penalties in the syllabus for those caught napping?..

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Second Life: Early experiences

The room is packed with faculty and staff.  The event is the Faculty Showcase 2008.  For a Friday, the showing is impressive.  Everyone is here to see what Dr. Carl Scott is doing with his classroom in Second Life.

The facilitator starts the session by playing a couple of introductory videos on Second Life and its potential for education.  Then logs into Second Life, teleporting to IT World, an island owned by the Information System Research Center at Bauer.  We enter the conference room.  Here, we are greeted by Plato Atlantis and Blake Stringfellow. 

Plato Atlantis begins to share his experiences on getting started with SL, his current teaching activities in ITWorld, etc...

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::: Focus on RICS

Meet the Student Technology Services Team

As the Lab Manager, DaNina Tate directs, manages and assists in the maintenance of the student IT infrastructure. She oversees the daily operations of the Bauer computer labs and services. DaNina ensures that support problems and repairs are resolved in a timely manner while superior customer service skills are being demonstrated.

The group’s ultimate goal is to provide a computing environment that will facilitate student’s access to instructional tools and academic resources. Utilizing well-managed resources, they deliver appropriate, technically viable solutions by providing a customer service oriented atmosphere for students...

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::: Test your Tech I.Q.

Evolution 1990-2008

Feeling tech savvy? Do you know Web 2.0?

Try out this interactive crossword.

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::: Check it out

Bauer Data Security Tutorial

The explosion of the Internet has provided tremendous opportunities for enriching communication and collaboration. However, this pervasive technology has also opened up our world to unwanted and unauthorized access to confidential data.

It is our goal to provide you with a secure and reliable network environment to protect not only your information but the information of our students, donors, alumni and business partners stored on our network and personal computers.

To help convey the importance of data security in the college and solicit your help in securing our data, we have come up with a tutorial highlighting important security topics, and providing an insight to some of the issues faced in Bauer and around the world in the campaign against cyber attacks.

This 5 minute tutorial will also provide easy steps to secure your computer, and recommend healthy practices when browsing and/or communicating over the internet.  We hope you find this tutorial both informative and enjoyable.

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::: Tell Us

Have you been bitten by the technology bug?  Email us at RICS_support@uh.edu and let us know how intertwined your day is with technology and we will select the winning story for our next newsletter. Or post a comment on our blog.

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The mission of the Research and Instructional Computing Services Department is to provide superior computing services for faculty and staff within the Bauer College of Business. Our staff works as a team to provide reliable network connectivity, hardware, and software support, procurement of technology, web design and application development.Open from 8:00am to 5:30pm, Monday through Friday, RICS will attempt to resolve your logged service request within 24 hours.

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