Cloud-based Phone Service Comes to Tulane

Tulane is leading a new initiative among Internet2 universities to replace our traditional telephone system with a cloud-based SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) system referred to as Internet2 Net+ SIP Service. When complete, users will have much greater control over how they use telephone service. SIP will eventually integrate voice technology with our other systems, allowing procedures like one-click dialing from your computer, integration with Microsoft Lync, and voicemail online. SIP is now in the pilot phase, but once the service goes live, Tulane affiliates will be able to make and receive phone calls using their Tulane phone number from any device – tablet, laptop, desktop or smartphone. Users will have much more flexibility in managing phone calls and voicemail, for example, using a “do not disturb” feature that directs all incoming calls to voicemail for a specified time period. Additional features include making video phone calls, recording phone calls, responding to voice messages via email and managing voicemail from any device.

As CTO Charlie McMahon said in a recent interview with Information Week “With network upgrades complete, we are rolling out a cloud-based SIP service for our telephony. So we will be able to retire our traditional PBXs. That will allow us to converge our mobile and landline infrastructure, achieving the holy grail of fixed-mobile convergence in the telephony world.“ Learn more about Internet2 Net+ SIP Service service at http://riptide.me/SIP

New Technology Classrooms

Instructional Technologist Don Elbers, as he finishes programming one of the new technology classrooms completed during the fall 2012 semester.

President Cowen’s office has allocated $500,000 towards technology classrooms scheduled by the Registrar’s Office. This half-million dollar commitment to technology in the classroom is unprecedented. Typically, Technology Services is able to install or upgrade 3 to 5 classrooms annually, but this allotment will fund 15 new technology equipped rooms as well as significant upgrades to 20 existing technology classrooms. Fourteen of the 15 new rooms have been completed already. All work on these new and upgraded classrooms will be completed in June 2013. This allocation of funds aligns with Tulane’s strategic goals, and includes the creation of a new classroom technology support position.

Improvements and new additions include:

• Integrated AV presentation equipment in classrooms that previously had minimal or no technology
• Larger classrooms have been equipped with a built-in widescreen data projectors
• Large flat panel displays installed In the smaller, seminar style classrooms
• Introduction of HDMI digital connectivity to accommodate newer laptops
• Auxiliary input cables for connecting non-standard devices to classroom systems
• Classroom control units for coordinating AV equipment functions, simplifying user interface, and providing remote support
• Help line telephones in each room for rapid faculty support

iPhones at Primate Center

The Tulane National Primate Research Center has recently provided Veterinary Medicine employees with iPhone 4s units from AT&T. Installed on these units is the ActSoft Comet Tracker program, which is used to locate users as well as assist in the management of personnel and animal safety. Using GPS and a barcode scanning mechanism, this system enables Veterinary Medicine to locate an individual, and allows them to know which employees have entered/exited animal areas, as well as when the areas were secured, thus ensuring the nonhuman primates are safely within their respective observation fields.

Time to Retire Windows XP

Windows XP has simply reached a point where it has become increasingly difficult to integrate with new systems and to maintain securely. We encourage all campus departments to move to Windows 7 soon, either by upgrading to Windows 7, or purchasing new equipment. Technology Services can assist in this process, which includes checking to see if each machine has a single core or dual/quad core processor. Machines with single-core processors cannot be upgraded and need to be replaced. Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis for lab equipment and computers that do not access Tulane’s network or the Internet. To learn more see http://tulane.edu/tsweb/software/xp/. Please note Windows 7 is available as a free download for Tulane owned Faculty and Staff computers. Visit http://tulane.e-academy.com for your free software download.

Faculty Technology Lab Seeking Collaborators

The Faculty Technology Lab (FTL) is seeking collaborators for the Spring 2013 semester. The FTL is dedicated to faculty working on any facet of technologically driven pedagogy that need access to space, equipment or support from our instructional technology team. This space was created to help faculty take their technological pedagogy to the next level. From document scanning to 3D printing and all services in between, the FTL offers support and room for those projects that might exceed your normal office space, plus you get to work alongside colleagues investigating similar themes in technology and learning. Lockers are provided for those faculty with projects that require extended support. Drop by for a cup of coffee and a rainstorming session to begin taking advantage of the FTL to enhance your teaching today!

For more information contact Mike Griffith at FTL@tulane.edu.

Blackboard Mobile Learn App

The Blackboard Moblie Learn app is now available free for Tulane students and faculty.

Use Blackboard Mobile Learn to check grades, handouts, assignments, and more. Students and faculty can view documents, create threaded discussion posts, comment on blogs and journals, upload content and view documents, view course rosters and more. Faculty can also post announcements.

Blackboard Mobile Learn is available on the following:

• Android devices
• BlackBerry smartphone devices
• HP web OS devices
• iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad
  
  

GET THE APP:

Note - Tulane has licensed this app, so it’s free for Tulane affiliates

1. Search for “Blackboard Mobile Learn” in your App Store.
2. Once Blackboard Mobile Learn is installed, search for “Tulane” using the search bar that automatically appears when you open the app.
3. Login with your Tulane username and password.

Technology Connection

We ar Tulane's source for technology, carrying the most popular products from Apple, Dell, Microsoft, Adobe, and Much more! ...AND if you can't find it in our store, we can order it for you.

Visit our on-campus store for all of your computing needs.

Tulane Technology Connection

Lavin-Bernick Center, Suite 104

New Orleans, La 70118

Phone: 504-862-8059

toll free: 1-277-623-0023

email: techconnect@tulane.edu

http://techconnect.tulane.edu

Tulane Piloting Internet Television

IPTV, or Internet Protocol Television, is the delivery of television over the Internet instead of via traditional over-the-air broadcasts, satellite signals, or cable TV formats. This semester marks the beginning of a pilot IPTV service by Tulane Technology Services.

Why IPTV?

IPTV lets users view a typical cable television lineup on their desktop computers and even some mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones. Derek Toten, director of campus technologies, states “If the pilot is successful, IPTV service will be offered throughout the Tulane residence halls, maybe as soon as this fall. Once we work out the licensing we hope to eventually roll out the service to all Tulane users on all campuses.”

Tulane is partnering with Cox Communications to develop and operate the IPTV service. Working with a provider like Cox also allows for the possibility of additional features down the road, such as premium channels and other specialty content and services. This will be the first campus IPTV system deployed by Cox and will serve as a model for future systems.

Switching to an IPTV service will allow Technology Services to retire the aging RF cable TV system that currently serves the residence halls and other campus buildings. An overhaul of this system is estimated to cost at least $1,000,000. Instead, the IPTV service will utilize the existing network infrastructure, and will take advantage of the recent network upgrades. The IPTV service will be available only on the Tulane network. It won’t be available if, for example, users try to access with devices from an off-campus location.

For updates about IPTV at Tulane see http://riptide.me/IPTV

Seven Simple Steps to Securing Your Computer

Your home and work computers are primary targets for cyber criminals. By following these seven simple steps, you can help secure your computer and protect against many known attacks.

1. STARTING SECURE

The first step to a secure computer is starting with a computer you can trust. If you purchased a new computer from a trusted vendor, the operating system and software should be safe. Never trust a used computer – format it.

2. UPDATING

Even new computers are likely to need software updates, and hackers exploit out of date systems quickly. Update immediately! Run Internet based updates from behind a firewall or home Wi-Fi and enable auto updates.

3. SECURITY SOFTWARE

Use and maintain security software such as anti-virus and firewall applications. Use security software suites that include firewall and anti-virus to give you central management. Check http://tulane.e-academy.com for home-use copies of professional software.

4. ACCOUNTS

Each account on your computer should have its own unique, strong password. Sharing accounts makes you liable for other people’s actions.

5. SECURITY ON THE GO

If your computer is portable, you may want to consider full disk encryption (FDE). Encryption ensures the data on your computer is protected even if the computer is lost.

6. USING THE COMPUTER

Be aware of your technology; the first line of cyber security defense is you! Social engineering is the oldest trick in the book. If you receive a message that seems suspicious, don’t click on links or attachments.

7. BACKUPS

In the even of loss, theft, compromise or physical failure, always maintain a backup. Maintaining a regular backup of important information to either an external hard drive or cloud service will save the day and be worth any supposed hassle.

To keep current with information security issues follow @TulaneInfoSec on Twitter and check out http://security.tulane.edu

Goodbye, Greenspace, Here Comes Box!

At the end of January, 2013, Technology Services will discontinue the Greenspace online file storage service. Box is replacing Greenspace as the file storage and sharing solution for Tulane faculty and staff.

Over 1,100 Tulane faculty and staff have established their Box cloud storage accounts. If you haven’t done so yet, go to https://tulane.box.com to activate your account. Use Box for file sharing and collaboration. Store documents and files in Box and then access them anywhere, anytime, from any device. Box also can sync files from your local hard disk automatically, providing a backup that will always be available from other computers and devices. All Tulane faculty and staff have access to 25GB of storage in Box and can view and access their content anytime they have access to an internet connection.

HIPAA Protected Data

Please note that HIPAA protected data cannot be stored or shared using Box at this time. A cloud storage solution for HIPAA protected data will follow.

Updates will be posted to http://riptide.me/box2

Tulane Mobile App

Technology Services is working hard to bring you the next version of the Tulane Mobile iPhone app.

We’ve re-designed and re-architected the app from the ground up to improve performance and put more information at your fingertips! The latest version of the iPhone app should be in the App Store in February 2013, and we plan to release a new version of the Android app sometime this spring. Moving forward, we plan to expand on the Gibson Mobile section of the app, offering more services to students as well as faculty and staff. Tell us what you would like to see in future versions of the app! Email us at mobiledev@tulane.edu!

Adobe Acrobat Pro XI is available free to Tulane Faculty & Staff

Acrobat X Pro allows users to

• create PDF documents including content such as web pages, spreadsheets, and video
• edit, merge and extract pages from PDF documents

Visit tulane.e-academy.com to download your free copy of Acrobat XI Pro