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Information and Learning Technology Newsletter

Past ILT Newsletters

November 2003
ILT Help Line - (612) 624-6700

In this issue of the ILT Update:

1. Microsoft Outlook Transition Details
2. Regional Center Backup and Re-imaging
3. Initial Regional Center Training Plans Announced
4. Regional Office Technology Progress Report
5. New Procedures for County Purchasing of Software
6. Support Responsibilities
7. Local/County Office Hardware, Software, and Networking Support
8. Items Posted on CommunityZero Phase 2 Site

As we told you in the last two issues of the ILT Update, Extension will be moving all of its employees to the Microsoft Outlook software for email (and eventually for scheduling).

At this point, we have some good news for educators with *regional center appointments*. You will *not* need to do the conversion of your existing Pegasus email to the MS Outlook format yourself. While you should still *back-up your existing email box* (messages, folders, address books, distribution lists, etc.), the Extension ILT team will use the Pegasus Mail email box found on your laptop to do the actual conversion to the Extension Outlook email system as part of the re-imaged laptop you will receive.

You have already received instructions on how to back-up your email box and other laptop files. Details on the actual laptop exchange procedure including how to send in your email files will be distributed shortly.

-- Bob Rubinyi

Regional Center laptop Backup and Re-imaging

-- Bob Rubinyi

Initial Regional Center Training Plans Announced

In addition to the support staff and RD training, all Extension Educators will receive a special computer hardware, software and network orientation from the ILT Unit during late January/early February.

-- Bob Rubinyi

Regional Office Technology Progress Report

We thought you might be interested in a quick progress report on technology for the regional offices. With the help of a multi-unit team, orders have now been placed for: all regional center Internet connections; phone service and equipment; additional laptops and port replicators; and major equipment such as computer printers, copiers (bid in progress), faxes, audio conferencing and projectors.

All of the workstations for support staff have now been received. The regional center computer network servers have also been received and will be imaged shortly. Members of the Extension ILT Unit, the University of Minnesota Network and Telecommunications Services group, and the State of Minnesota InterTech unit are doing everything they can to have the centers ready for occupancy on Monday, January 5.

-- Bob Rubinyi

New Procedures for County Purchasing of Software

1. U of MN paid Extension employees who will continue using a U of MN supplied computer. ***Most Microsoft software is free to these employees. Software licenses and discs and can be obtained through the the ILT Helpline.
   
2. U of MN paid Extension employees who will continue using a county supplied computer. ***Microsoft software is available at a substantial discount to these employees. Licenses and software discs can be obtained through the U of MN Tech Mart site by ordering educational versions from Unique software. The Extension ILT Helpline will assist you in locating the appropriate order codes.
   
3. County-paid support staff. ***Software must be obtained through the county IT unit and the state/local government contract program.

Please see the ILT Website for a full description of procedures for ordering software for county offices.

-- Bob Rubinyi

Support Responsibilities

-- Bob Rubinyi

Local/County Office Hardware, Software and Networking Support

We have received a couple questions concerning what type of support will be received by Extension contracted professionals located at county offices. As a refresher, here is the information that was distributed earlier this year:

Counties are expected to provide:

1. A current generation networked, desktop workstation or laptop computer (within last 3-4 years) with port replicator for Extension professionals and county-paid support staff. Computer will be set-up according to the standards and specifications of the county/local partner IT department. (Note: some former Extension REEs and CEDs may use their existing U of MN Extension funded laptop in place of a county supplied computer).
   
2. Partial T1 "always on" Internet connection to the workstation,
   
3. MS Windows, MS Office Suite, email client, web browser, and other workstation software. (NOTE: MeetingMaker, and 4-H administrative software will be provided by Extension).
   
4. Access to copy machine, fax, computer printer, and VCR/monitor,
   
5. Telephone, voice mail, tape recorder or support staff for messages,
   
6. Audio conference unit
   
7. Technical support and file back-up. (Extension's ILT unit will continue to provide Helpline services for Extension specific applications and training on Extension- written applications)
   
8. Desired: Access to H.323 video conferencing system on county/local partner network; ability for Extension positions to access professional development/educational streaming video presentations from the Internet.

-- Bob Rubinyi

Items Posted on CommunityZero Phase 2 Site

http://umn.communityzero.com/phase2

Current files include:

• Laptop Re-imaging Description
• Technology Package for Regional Centers
• Instructions for Backing-up Laptops...
• Technology Tools for Regional Centers - Overview

  -- Bob Rubinyi

  

  If you have further questions on email or any of the supported Extension applications, please contact the IT Helpline at 612-624-6700. The Helpline is staffed from 8 AM - 4 PM daily.

  If you would like to contribute articles or tips to this newsletter, please send them to Karen Matthes. Thanks!

  

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