DoIT Alerts

As of today, the DoIT News will be published through the DoIT Group on myUMBC, which in turn feeds the new DoIT site at doit.umbc.edu. As such, we will no longer be maintaining this Movable Type blog. However, it will remain for archive purposes. FYI to DoIT Group members: How do I post a new blog in myUMBC groups? If you have questions, please contact the Technology Support Center (TSC) located on the first floor of the library next to the RLC or call 410.455.3838.

• More Information about DoIT News Moving to myUMBC Groups

The Dell Virtual Desktop Environment (VDE) pilot program has been launched by DoIT. Two videos have been created showing how to connect to the environment for the first time. Please keep in mind that this is still a pilot so there will be some hiccups but that is where we need your help. It seems to work best using Safari (Mac) and IE or Firefox (PC) although recently Chrome has been working, too. To access the system you simply visit virtual.umbc.edu using one of the recommended web browsers. Need Help? During the pilot phase of this solution you can send an email to vde@umbc.edu This will create a ticket and assign it directly to our internal VDE queue in RT. "How To" Videos: PC - http://youtu.be/1j7-CFyW3cY?hd=1 Mac - http://youtu.be/EKWpDUj7rb8?hd=1 iPad - Requirements: iPad: Needs to be running IOS version 5.1 or later Citrix Receiver: Need to be using 5.5.3 or later You can download the Citrix receiver from the App Store. Use the keyword search "Citrix Receiver" to make finding it easier. Once the Citrix receiver app is installed you login to the VDE environment just like you normally would using the Safari browser. When you connect to your machine it will ask if you want to connect using the "Citrix Receiver". Choose Citrix and it should work from there.

• More Information about Dell Virtual Desktop Environment (VDE) Pilot Program Launched

UMBC Blackboard update is provided by the Division of Information Technology for students, faculty and staff using Blackboard at UMBC. If you have questions or need help, please consult the Blackboard Help tab inside Blackboard or directly at www.umbc.edu/blackboard/help. You can also contact the Technology Support Center (formerly the Help Desk) at 410.455.3838 or submit an RT (Request Tracker) ticket via the myUMBC Help menu or directly at http://rt.umbc.edu. HEADLINES 1. SU2012 Bb Course Shells Created on April 16 2. SU2012 Blackboard Drop-in Schedule 3. Hybrid Teaching and Learning Resources Lunch & Learn on May 7 4. Hybrid Course Redesign Workshop on June 8 5. Bb Collaborate Training Webinar Links Now Available 6. FA2012 Lab & Lecture Hall Software Request Deadline is May 1 7. FYI: Turning Technologies Overview of Product Enhancements - Lunch & Learn May 9 8. All Students Required to Create Account Security Questions by May 22

• More Information about UMBC Blackboard Update: SU2012

To facilitate self service, all students will be required to create security questions only they can answer by Tuesday, May 22, so they can access their account and reset their own password. A notice will appear to all students without security questions starting on April 19. Typically, more than half of DoIT’s weekly Request Tracker (RT) tickets involve a manual password reset by three full time staff members at the Technology Support Center (TSC). Most of these tickets are from students without security questions. As a result, TSC staff can ONLY reset someone’s password with verbal confirmation of secure data in real time, which is often preceded by several “phone tag” voice mail messages to schedule an appointment to do so. Since DoIT resolved more than 23,000 tickets last year (37 percent within a day or less), improving user self-service should increase our capacity to help resolve more complex issues. To create your own security questions, visit the following Frequently Asked Question (FAQ): How do I create my security questions to reset a forgotten password? https://wiki.umbc.edu/x/hIAc If you have any questions or need help, please submit an RT Ticket or contact the Technology Support Center (TSC) at 410.455.3838.

• More Information about All Students Required to Create Account Security Questions by May 22

The UMBC Blackboard server will be down for three hours of scheduled maintenance from 10 pm Friday, April 13 to 1 am Saturday, April 14. DoIT staff will be applying security updates required by Blackboard during this time. We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconveniences that this down time may cause.

• More Information about Blackboard Down for Maintenance from 10 pm Fri. 4/13 to 1 am Sat. 4/14