Skip to the content of the web site.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
IST Collage

Minutes for Admin Computer Support Meeting - December 19, 2001


Location and Time:

NH 3001: 2pm

Attendees:

Mike Byerley (Office of Dev and Alumni Affairs), Peter Carette (UW Theatre Centre), Sandie Hurburt (HR), Sheila Hurley (Safety Office), Mike Jack (Graphic Services), Cathy Jardine (GSO), Donna McCracken (Plant Ops), Wendy Mertz (VP Academic & Provost), Pat Moore (Faculty Assoc), Lorraine Nesbitt (Counselling Services), Mike Patterson (Office of Development and Alumni Affairs), Alice Pelkman (HR), Angus Rogerson (Retail Services), Darlene Ryan (International Students), Donna Schell (Assoc Prov & Bus), Sam Schmidt (IAP), Michele Sguigna (Food Services), Chris Strome (Health Services), Brigit Wells (Secretariat), Luba Werchola (Retail Services), Monica Wielonda (Plant Operations).

IST Attendees:

Peggy Day, Paul Henderson, Bob Hicks (Presenter), Marj Kohli (Presenter), Pat Lafranier (Chair), Sandy Laughlin, Chris Rutter, Paul Snyder (Presenter), Martin Timmerman (Presenter), Lisa Tomalty

Agenda:

  • Welcome (Pat Lafranier)
  • Bits and Bytes of Info (Pat Lafranier)
  • Web page for computer support (Pat Lafranier)
  • Astra Schedule deployment update (Pat Lafranier)
  • PC Support Issues (Martin Timmerman)
  • Web-based computer training (Bob Hicks)
  • Windows 2000 update (Bob Hicks)
  • Virus-protection (Marj Kohli)
  • Disarming Email Viruses (Paul Snyder)
  • Wrap-up (Pat)

Minutes:

  • Pat welcomed everyone and introduced IST staff in attendance, presenters, and the following new faces: Monica Wielonda (Plant Operations), Brigid Wells (Secretariat), Luba Werchola (Retail Services). Pat discussed the full agenda and mentioned that there have been a lot of changes since the last meeting in April. She encouraged questions.
  • Pat discussed the importance of keeping dvo plates (work area outlets in the walls) accessible if getting new furniture or reorganizing. Paul Henderson also pointed out that it is important to be able to see the number on the dvo plate as well.
  • Email checking in Eudora (and other email programs) should be set to a minimum of 15 minutes to reduce network slowness.
  • Pat would like to be contacted if the computer support person in your area changes so that the email list can be updated.
  • Pat asked the group if anyone is finding email slow. Only one person said ‘yes’.
  • Pat discussed the new IST web page, http://ist.uwaterloo.ca , which will be updated in January and the computer support web page,   http://ist.uwaterloo.ca/istweb/adminstaffinfo.html , which has useful information related to computer support. She suggested this page be bookmarked .
  • Astra Schedule deployment will be delayed until the latter part of the winter term. The email sent on Dec. 14th has more detail. Nancy Costa will continue to handle academic related room bookings, Donna Schell will handle non-academic related room bookings and Pat Lafranier will look into who will handle bookings in the Grad Office. Any questions can be directed to Charlene Schumm, X2711.
  • Martin Timmerman introduced himself, Paul Henderson and Chris Rutter and discussed their role in maintaining servers such as adm1nt1, etc.
  • Martin explained why the ‘Statement on Security of UW Computing and Network Resources’ email was sent out from Roger Watt on November 21st. He explained the importance of keeping our DNS (Domain Name System) records up to date regarding equipment, software, operating systems and the contact people for such equipment. Updates can be sent to hostmaster@cnoc.uwaterloo.ca. The following web page lists equipment that may no longer be in use: http://noc.uwaterloo.ca/cn/Stats/netsize/byunit/ADMIN . Please check this page and send updates to the above email address.
  • Martin reminded everyone that security is the responsibility of all of us. Software should be kept up to date and in particular, Linux systems may have security holes that need to be addressed. More information can be found at the web pages listed in the email sent by Roger Watt on November 21st.
  • Martin also discussed the importance of removing data files, software, and Power On/BIOS passwords from machines and to update the campus network database before surplusing equipment. Peggy pointed out that if they send an email to request@ist.uwaterloo.ca, IST will help them with this process. More information about this can be found at Chris Rutter's web page - http://blackbird.uwaterloo.ca/pctech (check under the General Maintenace heading for "Decommissioning old Equipment").
  • Due to support costs and the rapidly changing marketplace, IST is recommending specific components to look for when buying new equipment. Details can be found at: http://ist.uwaterloo.ca/ps/hdwr/pcrecom.htm, and Kim Spenceley, Chris Rutter, and Manfred Grisebach are good contacts regarding this. If these suggestions are used, IST will be better able to support new equipment in a timely fashion. Paul Henderson asked if IST will support equipment purchased without following these guidelines. Martin explained the importance of quality components and that those who purchase recommended components will receive higher priority.
  • New PCs should be purchased with Windows XP Pro as this is the operating system we will eventually move to. Our Windows licences are only upgrades so all PCs need to be purchased with an Operating System (such as Windows XP Pro). Note that after purchasing new machines, they will be re-built with Windows 98 or 2000 until the campus is ready to move to Windows XP. The move from Windows 2000 to Windows XP will be much simpler than moving from Windows 95/98 to Windows 2000.
  • Martin asked for patience as IST/Windows support staff recovers from the loss of a leader and friend, Bob Cressman. Thank you for your patience.
  •  Bob Hicks started off by explaining that he has been organizing computer training programs since he had a full head of hair. He then went on to mention the SEW (Skills for the Electronic Workplace) courses, and the change in the on-line courses. On-line courses will be provided through McGraw Hill and will include MS Office (97, 2000, 2002 ) products, HTML, and Macromedia products (in the near future). You do not need to have the software on your PC to take the course. Sound on your PC is also not required. The accounts can be used from home, but without a high speed connection it is extremely slow (100 bottles of beer on the wall). Six accounts are available from HR, X2078 for the duration of one week. More information can be found at: http://ist.uwaterloo.ca/cs/mcgraw-hill.pdf . In the new year , soft skills (e.g. stress management) courses will also be provided.
  • Bob also provided a Windows 2000 update explaining the huge amount of time required to get Active Directory up and running. The IST pilot project is half-way finished and should be complete sometime in late January or February. It is the hope that the IST pilot project will get most of the bugs out, so that we will be in good shape when it is rolled out to the rest of the campus. IST is now working on mapping the corporate applications which is a huge task as well. Some areas already have Windows 2000 as it was required for their specific hardware and/or software. With Windows 2000, the task of managing computers will better. More information can be found at: http://ist.uwaterloo.ca/cs/istw2kpilot/support.html .
  • The SEW course notes will also be updated from Office 97 to Office 2002. Office 2002 will be the version of office installed on Windows 2000 machines unless otherwise requested.
  • Marj Kohli provided a virus handout and reminded people of her web page, http://ist.uwaterloo.ca/admin/virus.html. Please let Marj know if the support person in your area changes so that she can update her email list for virus news. Internet Explorer 5.5 and 6 and Outlook require security patches. If you use these programs, please apply the patches available from Microsoft.
  • Marj discussed the Managed Norton Anti-Virus which does live updates and scans for you overnight. She is grateful for those areas who have upgraded to this on their own. It will not work with Windows 95a and sometimes there are problems with Windows 95b and 95c. It works well with Windows 98/2000. Chris Rutter will look into whether it scans your C: drive or only your network drive for you.
  • It was asked: ‘… if you receive a virus, is there a way to find out who sent it to you ? ’. Marj suggested to just delete it because often it is impossible to respond to the person without your mail bouncing. If you know who sent it to you, it would be best just to call them about it.
  • Paul Snyder discussed the upcoming process of disarming email viruses. There will be email security enhancements on the admmail server in the new year which will trap dangerous attachments such as .exe, .bat, .com, .vbs, etc. files. You may be required to save the file first (so that it can be scanned by Norton Anti-Virus) before you can use it. The file name may be changed to something like ‘byebye.1690DEFANGED-vbs’ (if original name was byebye.vbs). Marj pointed out that even though it is renamed, Norton may recognize it as containing a virus and notify you. If you know that you need the file, you can save it, rename it and then use it. In some situations, you may not be able to open or save certain attachments that are especially dangerous. IST has been testing this for a few months. Standard office files such as .doc, .xls, and .ppt files are not affected. More details will be provided in January. Pat Lafranier will be contacting you regarding this.
  • Wrap-Up - Pat thanked participants and attendees for coming, and asked if there were any questions. She reminded people to pick up Marj’s handout and wished everyone a great holiday and Happy New Year!

PowerPoint Slide Presentation

Minutes by Lisa Tomalty
Last updated by Pat Lafranier, December 20, 2001

Keywords: (none)