IT News Index of Article Titles by Issue

Spring 2013 Issue

Two Factor Authentication – Secure Remote Access to UW Computers
Hacked computers are constantly in the news. Hackers from around the world and their sophisticated, automated hacking programs use the Internet to constantly try to break into business, institutional and personal computers, including UW’s. IT has to provide protection from these constant attacks... read more

High Performance Computing with High Performance Help
UW’s high performance computing cluster, Mount Moran, was made available this February to a group of researchers ready to test its limits...
read more

Mathematica Now Available at UW - Free
Whether you are simulating the behavior of waves after a tsunami or mapping the structure of a newly discovered protein molecule Mathematica can help... read more

Windows Operating Systems Update
Windows XP Phase Out Continues... read more

IT Survey – Seeking to Improve Service
IT is currently requesting feedback from faculty, staff, and students through the annual IT Survey... read more

Microsoft Updates
On the third Tuesday of every month any available Microsoft Updates will be automatically distributed to computers across campus. You will know that there are updates to install on your computer when you see the icon below at the bottom left corner of your screen... read more

Winter 2013 Issue

Lync – Making Conference Calls Simple
More often than ever meetings have attendees that can’t be present and need to be calling in over the phone or via video. In the past this has typically meant navigating complex and cumbersome teleconferencing systems... read more

IT – Helping You Stretch Your Dollar
IT has several services that can help departments save money. Here are a few to keep in mind...
read more

Windows Operating Systems Update
As Windows XP has passed its 10 year old birthday, IT has been moving campus users to Windows 7. IT will end support of Windows XP...
read more

Avoiding Phishing by Recognizing the Bait
Phishing emails are on the rise and the consequences of just one phishing email can be devastating...
read more

Top 4 Reasons to Use UWyo Wireless vs. UW Guest
Anyone with a UW login can connect to and use UWyo or UWresnet wireless. There are many good reasons to connect to one of these networks instead of connecting to the UW Guest wireless network...
read more

Fall 2012 Issue

High Performance Computing Cluster to Transform Research at UW
From analyzing weather patterns to searching literature for trends, research computing has been changing the face of research across the country, and UW has been no exception... read more

Email Wrangling
Email is an excellent way to communicate with faculty, staff, and students across campus and across the globe. However, it can also be overwhelming and take time to process and organize. Here are 5 tips... read more

Connecting with Your Mobile Device
Information Technology wants to make it easy for you to stay connected to UW email and the wireless network from your mobile devices... read more

New SPSS Agreement
There have been some changes to the UW agreement for SPSS software. Previously, we had a limited number of local install SPSS licenses... read more

Microsoft Updates - Automatic Reboots
On the third Tuesday of every month any available Microsoft Updates will be automatically distributed to computers across campus. You will know that there are updates to install on your computer when you see the icon below at the bottom left corner of your screen. You can install the updates using these instructions... read more

Spring 2012 Issue

WyoLync - Video Conferencing and More from Your Computer
Information Technology is introducing a new service, WyoLync. Based on Microsoft’s Lync^TM software, WyoLync allows users to instant message, video conference, share applications or desktops from their computers... read more

IT’s Operational and Strategic Planning
Information Technology has initiated a planning process that will engage a wide variety of faculty, staff and students in the formulation of technology strategies... read more

Classroom Technology Assistance – No Numbers, No Menus, No Buttons – Just Help!
All classrooms that have open scheduling for classes and are supported by Information Technology have been equipped with telephone hotlines... read more

High Performance Computing (HPC) Update – UW Joins Top U.S. Computing Facilities
Starting this fall, the University of Wyoming research community will have access to one of the world’s biggest and fastest supercomputers... read more

Research Support - New Faces, New Hardware and New Customer Support
Information Technology is preparing to support the University’s diverse research communities computing needs... read more

Considering New Software for Departmental Applications?
There are many factors to consider in making an informed software purchasing decision... read more

End of Windows XP – Moving to Windows 7
It is hard to believe that Windows XP is already over 10 years old... read more

IT Help Desk Uses Social Media
In January of 2011 the IT Help Desk launched its Social Media Presence with sites on Facebook, Twitter and the newly created The IT Blog... read more

Best Practice Training & Certification for IT Employees
A group of IT staff members recently completed an on-site, three-day course in Foundations of IT Service Management... read more

Remote Computer Support Unit
Last November, IT’s Client Support Services created a new unit with the specific purpose of providing remote computer support to UW’s faculty and staff... read more

What Do You Need from IT?
In Spring 2011, the Division of Information Technology asked students, faculty and staff to respond to an annual on-line survey to help improve IT service offerings and support... read more

IT Consolidation Update
IT Consolidation reviews have been completed for non-academic units and certain primary academic areas of the university... read more

Is It Time to Replace Your Printer?
To ensure quality performance of printers and the centralized management of networked workgroup printers IT needs to limit support for printers... read more

Director of Research Support – Tim Kuhfuss
Tim Kuhfuss has taken on a new position in IT, Director of Research Support... read more

Interim Director of Information Services – Jennifer Chavez
Jennifer Chavez is now bringing her years of experience with Information Technology to the role of Interim Director of Information Services... read more

Fall 2007 Issue

Information Technology Center Groundbreaking
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Information Technology Center was held on September 6, 2007. President, Dr. Tom Buchanan discussed the growing importance of the role of technology in the university’s mission... more

Campus Wi-Fi Wireless Changes - Please Read!
Information Technology has been working on gradually upgrading and expanding the campus wireless data network. Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.11b/g, wireless connections will soon be available in most campus locations... more

2007 Technology Survey
The Division of Information Technology recently asked students, faculty and staff to respond to an on-line survey to help us improve our offerings and services. There were 1,293 responses from students and 1,143 responses from faculty and staff... more

A New Windows Operating System Takes Flight – Vista’s Controlled Release at UW
The new Windows Vista operating system will soon be fully supported by Information Technology for university owned computers... more

HELP is just a phone call or email away!
UW IT Client Support Services Help Desk
Information Technology’s Help Desk hours are 7:30 am to 7:30 pm Monday – Thursday; 7:30 am – 5 pm on Friday; Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm (extended hours on Saturday are offered during the first month of each semester). Help Desk hours are listed on the WyoWeb login page... more

Help in the Classroom –
Instructional Technology Manager, Gary Boulware, Joins IT
UW recently hired Gary Boulware as an instructional technology manager. Gary’s role is to support UW’s growing classroom technology needs. Gary brings 30 years of experience in media services... more

IT Training Program Under New Leadership
Information Technology’s new IT Trainer and Program Manager is Doug Roehrkasse. Doug’s background includes Microsoft Certified Training in Excel and Access and teaching at the Laramie High School and LCCC... more

IT Sales and Maintenance
In an effort to improve our efficiency and response times, IT Sales and Maintenance has a new email address... more

PeopleSoft Upgrades
The PeopleSoft Human Resources system, HRMS, was upgraded from version 8.3 to version 8.9 from October 5th to October 8th, 2007. Software upgrades are a necessary part of running large administrative software systems... more

Gigabit Ethernet – Does it make a difference?
Information Technology often receives questions from departments asking if they should upgrade building wiring and install computers that operate at Gigabit Ethernet networking speeds. Gigabit Ethernet is in theory 10 times faster than a more typical 100 Mbps Ethernet connection... more

What’s New in the UWStudent Lab System?
Microsoft Expression Web, the replacement for FrontPage, was installed in the student lab system and ready for use for the fall 2007 semester. Expression Web is the new Microsoft choice for the professional Web designer, used to create standards-based Web sites... more

Remote Access to UW Network Using VPN – Download
There are basically two types of computer servers on the UW network: public servers and private servers. Public servers are accessible by the general public from either the Internet or the UW network... more

Spring 2007 Issue

New IT Building and Data Center Update
In March 2006, the Wyoming Legislature approved funding for the construction of a new building to house UW’s central computing operations... more

Sunsetting of Certain Software Applications Effective May 15
Information Technology customers can download and install various software applications directly from the UW network, such as Microsoft Office. The specific versions of some of these applications have differing lifecycles... more

IT Offers Free Online Learning for Microsoft Applications
Do you need to brush up on Microsoft Access to get a project started and can't wait for an IT Training workshop? Are you located at an Outreach office and can't get to Laramie for hands-on instructor led IT workshops? Perhaps you are using an application for which IT doesn't provide training... more

SAS for Linux is Now Available from IT
In a continuing effort to expand software services, IT is pleased to announce the release of SAS 9.1.3 for the Linux operating system... more

Office Enterprise 2007 Released to UW Students & Employees
Information Technology released Office Enterprise 2007 to all UW students and employees in March... more

Message From: UWSPAM QUARANTINE
In response to the UW community’s desire for better spam management, the Division of Information Technology began spam quarantining March 8, 2007 on the central UW email gateways. Email users now receive a single daily email summary that lists all detected spam messages... more

UW's Data Backup System – Better Protection for UW's Data
Information Technology recently upgraded its central data backup capability. The new system, based on IBM Total Storage products, utilizes new tape libraries and new tape drives and is approximately five times faster than the system it replaced... more

Tips for Using Wyo Web
WyoWeb has a number of useful features with many more additions planned. Check out a few of these tips... more

eNews Extra:
IT Computing Survey – Enter to Win!
IT is conducting surveys to help us improve our offerings and services. Faculty and staff, please take a few minutes to fill out our web-based questionnaire to be eligible to win great prizes... more

eNews Extra:
Wireless Network Upgrade – Update
The Wyoming Legislature provided funding for IT to upgrade the University of Wyoming’s wireless data network. The planned upgrade will begin late this summer... more

eNews Extra:
Long-Time IT Employees Larry Sims and Jim Kirkpatrick Retire
Two or our long-time employees recently retired after 72 combined years service in Information Technology... more

Fall 2006 Issue

Protecting Social Security Numbers
The University of Wyoming is very serious about the protection of personal data for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other members of the university community... more

UWStudent Remote Lab Pilot Project
Access from Anywhere
Students can now access a UW computer lab node from any remote location that has an Internet connection – anywhere in Wyoming or anywhere in the world... more

IT bids a fond farewell to Alice Freeman
Alice Freeman, Information Technology’s Training Program manager, is retiring after more than 25 years of service to the University of Wyoming... more

WyoWeb – Five Common Questions
What is a W Number and where can I find mine?... more

Active Directory Organizational Unit Domain Services
In the past, many UW departments have implemented their own Microsoft domain servers in order to self-manage departmental computers, accounts, and software... more

Spam – Reducing the Flood
Spam email has become a growing nuisance for all email users. The amount of spam grows each month. The University of Wyoming has taken steps to identify and tag spam email... more

Spring 2006 Tech Survey – Laptops Top the List
Information Technology recently conducted its annual technology survey of students, faculty, and staff... more

Protecting UW Data
Information Technology is committed to maintaining high standards of security for data that the university treats as confidential. In today’s environment of increasing risks to private data, a priority for IT is protecting privacy... more

Data Encryption – Protect Your Data
In recent years, the maturation of computer networks, increased use of email, and the portability of electronic data has heightened the importance of data encryption... more

Podcasting at UW
A number of UW faculty members have expressed an interest in supplementing course materials or providing customers with information via podcasts... more

IT Explores the Use of Apple’s iTunes U
Plugged in and tuned out? Maybe not. The familiar white ear buds of Apple iPods may no longer be the tell-tale sign of students listening to music; rather it may be the new sign of students reviewing past lectures and preparing for exams... more

"Help Yourself," a Guide to Helpful IT Information
In the Winter 2005 issue of IT News, we listed our Top Five Recommended Help Sites. Our number one recommendation then and now is Ask IT... more

New Version of PC-cillin Antivirus Available for Home Computers
Information Technology provides free antivirus software for home computers. The vendor, Trend Micro, recently released its latest version of the antivirus, anti-spam, anti-spyware software licensed by the University of Wyoming... more

WyoWare – Microsoft Software for UW Students
The Wyoming Legislature provided funding to the University of Wyoming to purchase the Microsoft Campus Agreement for students. The purchase allows enrolled UW students to install Microsoft Office, Office Mac suites, and Windows operating system upgrades on their personal computers... more

Planned Network Upgrades
In the last session, the Wyoming State Legislature provided ongoing funding of approximately $1 million per biennium to help maintain the University of Wyoming’s data network... more

National Lambda Rail – Higher Education Research Network
The University of Wyoming recently connected to the National Lambda Rail (www.nlr.net). National Lambda Rail, or NLR, is a high speed optical research data network that connects leading research universities and private sector technology companies in the USA... more

Campus-Wide Wireless Network Planned
In the last session of the Wyoming State Legislature, funding was provided to upgrade the University of Wyoming’s wireless data network... more

IBM Mainframe to Be Retired
For the last several months, the University of Wyoming has been busy replacing its old Student Information System (SIS) with newer systems from SunGard Higher Education... more

Easily Locate a Person in Outlook
How do you easily find a name and email address using Outlook and the UW Global Address Book (GAL)?... more

eNews Extra:
IT Rental Equipment Program Discontinued
Information Technology has recently discontinued our computer equipment rental program... more

eNews Extra:
Wireless Access Points
Because of security and management issues, all wireless access points installed on the UW data network are required to be registered and approved for use by Information Technology. Numerous problems arise when unplanned and/or improperly configured wireless access points are connected to the university network... more

Winter 2006 Issue

A Simpler Way – Using Outlook from Off-Campus
For several years, users have been able to access Microsoft Outlook for their email from off-campus, but the process has required a VPN session since the installation of the UW network firewall. There is now a much simpler, easier way to get your email... more

Emails from Information Technology to Contain Digital Signature
From time to time, informational and notification emails are sent from Information Technology (itech@uwyo.edu) to students, faculty and staff at the University of Wyoming. With all of the spam, phishing, and other illegitimate emails common in recent months, IT has received questions regarding how recipients can know that email from UW IT is valid... more

CSI: UW Episode 2 "Lock & Key"
What kind of damage could someone do if they had your password? Well, your password is like a key to a lock: With it, others have access to everything you own... more

Adobe Acquires Macromedia – Flash, Dreamweaver at Discounted Prices
This past December, Adobe Systems, Inc. announced the completion of its acquisition of Macromedia, Inc. As a result... more

TV Over Ethernet Coming to UW
The University of Wyoming recently acquired new hardware and software that will allow users to view live television broadcasts on desktop computers connected to the campus data network... more

"Not the Hiring Paper Work Again" – Melding HR and IT Goals through Banner
Information Technology and Human Resources are teaming up to inform all departments about the benefits of getting hiring paperwork completed early. There is much more at stake than ensuring a checkmark is placed next to the "I-9"section of the hiring forms... more

SPAM and Emails with Viruses – Emails with Viruses to Be Quarantined and Deleted
IT is frequently asked, "Why don’t you just delete all messages identified with [SPAM]?" ... more

Software Assurance Renewal Approaching – Microsoft Select and Campus Agreements
Software Assurance for Microsoft Select 6.0 products will expire July 31, 2006... more

Student Information System and WyoWeb Portal Update
On March 6th, 2006, the WyoWeb portal will be made available to all current students, faculty and staff... more

eNews Extra:
New Look for Outlook Web Access
The appearance of Outlook Web Access (OWA) will change Feb. 25th... more

eNews Extra:
Be Careful When Scheduling Meetings with Room Reservations in Outlook
The meeting scheduling capability in the Outlook/Exchange calendar system is a very powerful tool. In addition to inviting people to a meeting, it is also possible to reserve rooms and other resources... more

Fall 2005 Issue

CSI: UW Computer Security Initiative
Pilot Episode
Undoubtedly, many of our readers have seen the frequent reports of identity theft from universities and organizations across the nation due to breaches of central, departmental, or individual data stored on computers... more

First Phase of the SIS Replacement Project Completed
In early August of 2005, the project to replace UW’s older Student Information System (SIS) with Banner, a new enhanced SIS system from SunGard SCT, successfully reached its first major milestone... more

IT Sets Goals for Windows XP Service Pack 2 on UWYO Domain
Information Technology encourages all Windows XP users to upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 2 before the end of the year. Why should users upgrade to Service Pack 2? Ten reasons... more

Wireless Computer Access at UW
Wireless network access is available at the University of Wyoming in many campus locations. For current locations of buildings with wireless access points, see the campus Wireless Location Map or the List of Wireless Locations... more

UW Technology Services Review
In late 2004, the consulting firm of RSM McGladrey undertook a campus-wide review of information technology services with an eye toward identifying key technology issues and vulnerabilities that affect the University community. As part of the review, RSM McGladrey developed subsequent recommendations... more

SAS Upgrade Available
SAS 9.1.3 for Windows is now available free of charge to UW departments. All currently licensed SAS users should upgrade to version 9.1.3 at their earliest convenience... more

Spring 2005 Technology Survey
In April, 2005, the Division of Information Technology asked students, faculty and staff to respond to an on-line survey to help us improve our services. There were 1,188 responses from students and 952 responses from faculty and staff... more

New VPN Server
The University uses a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to allow users full access to the University data network when working remotely or from the UW campus wireless network... more

Unified Messaging – Voicemails in Your Email
Unified Messaging is an extremely powerful messaging system that integrates voicemail and email... more

Changes for UW Email and the Global Email Address List
Over the summer, Information Technology upgraded the faculty and staff Exchange servers and implemented new student Exchange servers. As a result, all faculty, staff, and students now enjoy the same email services... more

UW BlackBerry® Wireless Handheld is Now Available
A BlackBerry® isn’t a fruit. It is a cellular wireless handheld device that integrates your UW email, address book, calendar, notes and tasks... more

heck your UW email from a Web browser...
Your UW Exchange email account is available from any computer connected to the Internet, worldwide. This is particularly useful when traveling or using someone else’s computer. UW’s email system, Exchange, is accessible from any computer with a Web browser at https://uwmail.uwyo.edu... more

eNews Extra:
Passwords Shouldn't Be Passed On
Your username and password are like your signature: When they are used to log onto a computer system, you are ultimately responsible for any document or transaction generated with your account... more

Winter 2005 Issue

IT Help Desk’s Top Five Recommended Help Sites
IT's user consultants were asked to list the most useful IT help Web pages, based on the questions users most frequently ask of them. Here are the top five pages/sites according to the IT Help Desk... more

Important Windows XP Update Recommended
Information Technology has tested and recommends the installation of Windows XP Service Pack 2. This major update to the Windows XP operating system provides multiple security enhancements, including the new Windows Firewall... more

Special Pricing Now Available on Adobe Software
The University of Wyoming is now a member of Adobe’s Open Options Contractual Licensing Program (CLP). Membership allows UW to secure volume pricing on various Adobe products, thus significantly reducing the costs... more

PC-cillin Internet Security Software – Free for UW Faculty, Staff and Students
Faculty and staff who have installed Trend Micro’s OfficeScan antivirus software at home should remove it from their personal computers. OfficeScan installed on personal/home computers will not be supported after March 31, 2005... more

SIS Replacement Project Update
The Banner system is moving closer to replacing the existing Student Information System (SIS) and Hole-in-the-Wall, thanks to the 25 specialized “iTeams” formed to manage the Banner SIS Implementation Project... more

Campus-Wide Review of Information Technology
The consulting firm of RSM McGladrey will soon release the results of their review of UW Technology Services. The results will initially be presented to the UW Technology Services Review Planning Team and then given to the UW community for review and comment... more

Video Conferencing Reaches the World
The University of Wyoming recently installed a new video conferencing system. The primary component of the video conferencing system is a multipoint conferencing unit (MCU) that supports interactive video conferences between two or more video endpoints that are connected to the Internet... more

Dark Fiber Lights the Way to UW High Speed Internet
In November 2004, Information Technology activated a new high-speed data circuit that increased by 40 times the speed of UW’s connection to the Internet and other research networks... more

Hummingbird Exceed Upgrade Available
Exceed 10 for Windows is now available on UWApps... more

SPSS Versions Discontinued
Information Technology will discontinue access to some versions of SPSS at the end of the spring 2005 semester... more

Purchasing Departmental Software? Items to Consider
Is your department considering the purchase of a new software application? The more complex the software application and your plans for it are, the more carefully the purchase should be considered... more

Tips for Making UW Exchange Email Better, Faster
IT will upgrade the Exchange email servers in the coming months. In the meantime, here are some steps users can take to improve the performance of their UW Exchange email account... more

Protect your PC from spyware, adware, and other malicious programs
Spyware is, “Any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge.”... more

Practicing Safe Computing
Today’s networked world provides endless resources for academic, administrative, research, teaching, remote support, and technology purposes. It also poses a threat to anyone connected to the Internet. Here are a few suggestions for practicing safe, secure Internet computing... more

Home Users: PC-cillin 2004 Expires Soon – Upgrade to 2005
Faculty, staff and students who still have the 2004 version of UW-licensed PC-cillin Internet Security software installed on their personally owned computers should upgrade to the 2005 version before June to ensure that security updates continue... more