Faculty & Staff Survey Results
Top FACULTY & STAFF Technology Issues – ACTION PLAN
Office 2007
The switch to Office 2007 has been challenging but there are number of tools to help you:
- Quick Overview of the major screen changes is now available.
- Office 2007 Interactive Guides - these guides will show you where you will find a command on the new ribbon in 2007 by clicking on the old tool bar in 2003. These guides can be found in a folder on the desktop of all campus lab PCs (Office2007InteractiveGuides folder).
- Workshops on Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint are scheduled for spring semester, including a number of sessions at 5:00 pm. They fill fast so please register ahead. If you would like to request other topics, times, etc, please contact Pat Theyerl.
- Online and On-demand training for Word 2007, Excel 2007, and Expression Web is now available so you can learn at your own pace.
- Further help is available on the eHelp section of the CIT site.
Exchanging files between Office 2007 and Office 2003 - To ensure that others can access your Office 2007 files please follow the steps in the new document "Compatibility - Office 2007, Office 2003".
Office Computers
- PC / Window Machines:
- No Vista Upgrade in 2009 - The Technology Council concurred with the recommendation of the CIO to postpone indefinitely the Vista upgrade that was planned for summer 2009. The Council will consider an upgrade to Windows 7 in summer 2011 as part of the planning process for Tech Plan 2015.
- Windows Search - A new and improved Windows Search 4 has been installed and seems to have solved many of the problems people were experiencing. To access Windows Search from the Start menu, click Start, and then point to Search. Note: Searching of email is disabled in the Desktop interface since the extensive indexing of email servers adversely affects performance.
- Firefox - For those who prefer the Firefox browser you may install the portable version so that you can run Firefox in your office, in a tech classroom, in a lab, at home, or anywhere else. The instructions are available at install the portable version of Firefox on a flash drive
- Macs:
- Entourage: We are working with Microsoft on future releases of this product in hopes that the next update will restore some missing features. In the meantime, the most important thing you can do to ensure Entourage’s stability is to make sure Microsoft Office 2008 remains up-to-date. If you are prompted by Office to install an update, you should always accept. If you have turned this feature off, you can access it by going to Help -> Check for Updates in Entourage or any other Office program.
- Office 2007: It is clear that all the bugs were not yet worked out of this product, but again we continue to work with Microsoft. In the meantime, the most important thing you can do is keep Office current by installing all updates as they are released (see above.)
- System Updates: Apple updates are vital to ensuring your Mac runs as smoothly as possible. You should be installing these updates whenever prompted. If you disabled this feature, go to Apple -> Software Update to manually initiate the update process.
- Safari: We have experienced an increase in problems with Safari since the upgrade to Leopard. We recommend that you switch to Firefox as your primary web browser.
- Remote Connectivity Services: The Apple implementation of the WebDav protocol has been problematic. We recommend that you try the product Transmit. http://www.panic.com/transmit/index.html. The Remote Desktop Service is not available for connecting to your campus Mac at this time, but the company whose product we are using is looking into it.
- Expanded Support and Tech Classrooms: Over the last year we have expanded the availability of Macs across campus by creating a Macintosh multimedia lab in IS 1150 and adding another Media Services mobile Mac cart that can be checked out for classroom use. At the request of students, we have recently expanded the number of Macs in the Library, so there are now three on the 3rd floor and one in a Library project room. The CIT Help Desk should be your primary contact for any Mac related issues.
Remote Access & Document Sharing
D2L - Workshops are offered prior to the start of each semester. Individual consultation is available throughout the year upon request. Please contact the Learning Technology Center (LTC) at x2286. We typically experience some problems when the software is upgraded or sometimes during periods of very heavy use. It is a high priority to maintain the reliability of the D2L learning management system.
Technology Classrooms - We continue to evaluate the need for more technology classrooms and submit proposals for Lab Modernization funds each year. At the request of our Macintosh faculty, we now provide two dual-boot iMacs on portable carts through Media Services. We hope to replace the document cameras and video switches in seven classrooms in Mary Ann Cofrin Hall in the 2009/2010 school year if funds are available.
Wireless
Many survey respondents expressed an interest in having wireless access expanded to classrooms, labs, and faculty/staff offices. The current campus wireless network is funded through student technology fees and reflects the priorities of the students: the Library, Student Union, and common gathering areas in classroom buildings. As part of the planning process for Tech Plan 2015 the Technology Council will review expansion of wireless access in classrooms, labs, and faculty offices. Additional base funding would be needed to accomplish this. Several survey respondents wondered if instructors could have the ability to “turn off” wireless in a classroom. This is not possible. However, instructors have the right to ban the use of electronic devices during classes.