Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
News from the World of ICT
Welcome to another issue of the ICT newsletter!
News From the World of ICT is our way of sharing with the Maxwell community who we are, and what we do.
From events in the Global Collaboratory, to computing tips and tricks to make your day a little easier, you’ll learn something new in every issue!
Issue #23 April 2016
Page 2 - A Word from the Director... http://ict.syr.edu/ Page 3 - Maxwell School Student FocusApril 2016 ICT Newsletter
I would like to thank the Maxwell community for making the upgrade to Windows 10 and Office 2016 such a great
success! All of the computers in the Maxwell complex have Office 2016 installed, and over 80% have been upgraded to Windows 10. We will be upgrading the remaining computers in May after the semester ends, however, any faculty, staff or department interested in upgrading to Windows 10 sooner, can email [email protected]. It’s a quick and easy upgrade (as simple as a computer swap) and training will be provided.
ICT is in the process of upgrading the displays in the Global Collaboratory. The current displays are over 13 years old and are showing their age. The upgrade will begin in April with the installation of 90” flat panel displays on the left and right sides, followed by a projection display installed in the center in July.
Any Maxwell faculty or student in need of computing resources for research are encouraged to email [email protected] - one of our research specialists will meet with you to discuss your needs.
I would like to remind and encourage all faculty, staff and students to attend our accessibility training taught by our software specialist, Tammy Hnat. The course is taught in conjunction with the campus initiative Accessible SU (http://www.syr.edu/accessiblesu/). If you are interested in attending or learning more about the course, please email [email protected].
A Word from the Director...In this issue:
A Word from the Director... ............2
Maxwell School Student Focus .....3
Staff Focus ..........4
Ektron Update ....6
Emerging Technology .........8
The Global Collaboratory ....10
Tips and Tricks ..12
Additional Information ......15
Help Info ...........16
Maxwell School Student Focus
Jen Brooks1. What program are you currently enrolled in?
I am currently studying in the Sociology PhD program at Maxwell.
2. Expected gradation date? I hope to finish my dissertation in 2020.
3. What would you like to do after graduation? I would like to go into research for a disability advocacy group or a disability think tank. I am primarily interested in the intersection of disability, labor and poverty, and would like to continue doing research within that framework.
4. What department do you work for at Maxwell? I work in the sociology department as Professor Andrew London’s research assistant.
5. What are your responsibilities? My responsibilities include writing literature reviews, compiling references, data analysis, and helping Professor London with anything else he needs with his research.
6. How do you use technology in your studies? STATA has assisted me both inside and outside the classroom. For example, through my work in 513 and 714, I have become proficient in STATA and statistical techniques. My training in these classes has prepared me to better assist Professor London with his research, and further develop my capacity to independently conduct statistical analyses of large-scale survey data sets.
7. What new technologies are you interested in? Due to my disability, all of my work is done on a computer. I have a joystick that allows me to access my computer. I spend endless hours reading books, writing papers and analyzing data. Because it takes me twice as long to finish a task than my regular peers, I am interested in any type of assistive technology that might help this process go quicker.
Upcoming Windows 10 and Accessibility training sessions:
Windows 10 Review
• Tuesday, 4/5/16, 1:30 - 3:30
• Thursday, 4/14/16, 9:30 - 11:30
• Tuesday, 5/3/16, 1:30 - 3:30
• Thursday, 5/19/16, 9:30 - 11:30
Apply Accessibility to Office Documents and PDFs
• Thursday, 4/7/16, 9:30 - 11:30
• Thursday, 5/5/16, 9:30 - 11:30
• Thursday, 6/2/16, 9:30 - 11:30
Click this link to view training session details and to register.
Page 4 - Staff Focus http://ict.syr.edu/ Page 5 - Staff FocusApril 2016 ICT Newsletter
Jumps list are back. You can open directly to your recent or pinned files right from the Start menu by right clicking on any program and clicking on the file you want to open.
Tom: I usually work with multiple windows simultaneously, so screen organization is important to me. Windows 10 vastly improved the ability to snap an application or folder to one side of a screen or even one of the 4 corners. The feature that makes me happiest is the pop-up window selector when you snap one window: thumbnails of your other open windows appear and a single click opens your selection on the
other half of the screen. It is now very easy to set up a side-by-side operation.
Matt: Windows 10 Photos App - up until Windows 10, I was quick to dismiss any of the native photo tools built into Windows. Sure, I would use the Windows Photo Viewer
for preview and showing slideshows, but I would jump right into Adobe Photoshop (or Irfanview) when any editing needed to be done. Now, I have to say, the photo editing functions built into Windows 10 are very impressive!
Tammy: I really like the way snapping windows works now. In past versions of Windows, you were able to drag a window to the left or right of your screen and it would snap into place - automatically locking itself to that side of the screen. Then, you could snap another window on the other side of the first window to view two items side-by-side. Unfortunately, if you worked with dual monitors, the second
window would not automatically snap into place, but had to be manually resized to fit side-by-side with another window. In Windows 10, when you snap one window, any other opened windows display in a smaller view to the side of the first snapped item. Click the second window you want to see side-by-side with the first. The second window automatically snaps into place on the same monitor. For people using dual monitors, the bonus is being able to easily snap four windows without having to manually resize anything.
Staff Focus
Brian: Aside from bringing back the Start button, one of the things I really like about Windows 10 is the improvements made to window snapping- especially the ability to easily snap windows in a dual desktop environment. I like this feature because it is very helpful for managing multiple windows, especially when I need to do comparisons between two spreadsheets. The ability to do this with multiple monitors
is very handy as well and great for organization, especially when combined with the new virtual desktop feature.
Stan: One my favorite Windows 10 features is multiple desktops (also referred to as “virtual desktops”). You can use Alt-Tab to move between apps, as usual, and, then, Windows-Ctrl with the left and right arrow keys to move between desktops. This is handy if you’re working on two projects and you want to group things together so you don’t get them mixed up; or, if you’re on a conference call and need to share
your screen, but do not want to close the apps you don’t want people to see.
Side note: you can also move between desktops by clicking the Task View button found next to the Search field, and then selecting the desktop you’d like to view.
Eddie: What I like about all of this is the fact that Windows 7 “8” 9 to give us 10. You have to really be a geek to understand the decision of Microsoft to break the successive-naming nomenclature of their operating systems and enjoy the humor with that.
And now that it’s here, I like that it finds and installs the driver (small piece of software between OS and hardware-device) automatically. Windows started this with 7, slightly improved it with (H)8(T) and made leaps with it on 10.
That makes our jobs upgrading/deploying PC’s that much easier. And who doesn’t like easy.
Learn how to use the features discussed - go to SUshare and download a copy of the Windows 10 handout located in the ICT Training Handouts section, under Windows. Log in with your NetID and password from a campus computer, or remote in, to access the site.
What does the ICT Staff like most about Windows 10?
Page 6 - Ektron Update http://ict.syr.edu/ Page 7 - Ektron UpdateApril 2016 ICT Newsletter
Ektron UpdateThe Ektron Dashboard
A different way to find your content
We have been using Ektron to power www.maxwell.syr.edu since 2008. And, as you can imagine, the site has grown quite a bit throughout these past eight-years! However, no
matter how well you know your corner of the site, sometimes it can be challenging to find an Ektron page you need to update. What you will see below are views of the Ektron Dashboard. This dashboard view gives you a new way to see your site content that bypasses the traditional folder views we see from the Ektron WorkArea.
Finding It
Not surprisingly, you need to be logged into Ektron to view the Dashboard. Once logged into Ektron, visit nearly any page on our site (our homepage works) and look for the “Ektron” text on the very top-left of the page:
Next, click the “dashboard” on the right:
The initial view displays ONLY content you’ve worked on, sorted with the most recently modified files on top. You can, of course, remove the “My Content” filter by clicking on the “X” within the button.
This will, then, display other user’s content in the right-frame.
Now, the real power of this Dashboard view comes into play when you can further filter the items being displayed by both Content Type and Folder Path:
Matt Coulter
Page 8 - Emerging Technology http://ict.syr.edu/ Page 9 - Emerging TechnologyApril 2016 ICT Newsletter
Emerging TechnologyThis page will introduce you to emerging technology we’ve found
interesting. For more information regarding technology presented, please click a link provided.
The Internet of Things (Why does my blender have an internet connection?)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical objects—devices, vehicles, buildings and other items—embedded with network
connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data.
What this means is that everything from cellphones, coffee makers and washing machines are getting smarter and learning to talk to each other.
With all of these new devices connecting to the internet (Gartner has predicted there will be 26 billion units by 2020), security is a real concern. The best advice is to stick to well-known brands that you trust.
Here are just a few of the new Internet of Things appliances and devices that are now available:
Photo source: Flicker/Wilgengebroed
Nest Nest is one of the first IoT companies with a learning thermostat, smoke and CO2 alarm, and connected security camera.
Amazon Echo A wireless speaker and voice command virtual assistant.
Philips Hue LED light bulbs that allow you to control mood lighting with a tablet or smartphone. Users can program the bulbs to dim at night, or blink if they detect an intruder.
Read more about the ‘Internet of Things’:
• Internet of Things - Wikipedia
• The Internet of things - a game changer in product development, Ian Glover
• The Internet of Things: Making Cities - And The Way They Use Technology - Smarter, Wendy W. Fok
• The Internet of Things: 10 Useful Products You Must Try in 2016, makeuseof.com
• How the “Internet of Things” Will Affect the World, Nate Aswege
GE WIFI Connect appliances A full suite of WiFi-enabled smart appliances (ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, laundry) to help you stay connected to your home, no matter where you are.
David Wickis
Page 10 - The Global Collaboratory http://ict.syr.edu/ Page 11 - The Global CollaboratoryApril 2016 ICT Newsletter
The Global CollaboratoryYou may have noticed the new larger screens in the Strasser Commons which greatly eases
the readability of the Maxwell digital signage. But, that isn’t the only display upgrade happening. There is a noticeable change forthcoming in the Global Collaboratory itself. We will soon have big, bright, new HD flat panel monitors installed to replace two of the aged projection screens. Then, later this summer, the large center screen will be upgraded with a much brighter and higher-resolution HD projector.
Recent events of interest:Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner & Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney met in January on the Campbell Conversations for their first joint appearance following a conflict over the Inner Harbor tax abatements.
Tom Fazzio
Bill Banks, interim Dean of the College of Law, coauthored a book, Soldiers on the Home Front, and joined Dean Steinberg to discuss the topic.
William C. Banks Discusses “Soldiers on the Home Front”
PAIA Chair David Van Slyke and PhD student Zachary Huitink appeared together on the Business of Government Hour on Federal News Radio in the Washington, DC, area. They participated in the program from the comfort of the studio in the basement of Eggers Hall. Conversations with Authors
Beyond Business as Usual: Improving Defense Acquisition through Better Buying Power Summary
The Syrian Accountability Project hosted United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative to the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Hawa Bangura during a
Spotlight on Syria event and white paper release. The session included an expert panel and multimedia displays with a special 3D virtual reality feature. (Videos will be released publicly very shortly!)
Stephanie Miner and Joanie Mahoney on the Campbell Conversations
Page 12 - Tips and Tricks http://ict.syr.edu/ Page 13 - Tips and TricksApril 2016 ICT Newsletter
1. At the bottom of the Navigation Pane, click the Navigation Options button (the three dots) at the end of the icon list / choose Navigation Options... to display the Navigation Options dialog box.
2. Uncheck Compact Navigation.
In addition to removing Compact Navigation, you can also change the number of visible folder items you’d like to see, as well as rearrange the order of the buttons. (To rearrange, select a folder, and then use the Move Up and Move Down buttons to re-order.)
3. Click OK.
Change the Normal Style in Word and OutlookBy default, when you create a new blank Word document, formatting has already been applied- Calibri typeface, 11 point font, left alignment, line spacing that includes 8 extra points after you hit Enter (not true “single” spacing).
In Outlook, the same formatting is applied to a new message - except spacing, which is single with no extra points.
To avoid changing these default settings every time you create a new Word document, or a new email message in Outlook, all you have to do is change the Normal Style in each application.
1. In Word, under the Home tab, in the Styles group, right-click on the Normal button / choose Modify...
Tips and TricksChange the display of the Outlook Navigation Pane folder buttons
By default, the buttons at the bottom of the Outlook Navigation Pane display as folder icons. If you’d rather see the names of folders, instead of icons, change your Navigation Pane options.
2. In the Modify Style dialog box, change the Formatting settings to whatever you’d like and, then, select “New documents based on this template” (above the OK button) / click OK.
FYI - Click the Format button in the lower left corner to change other types of options, such as Paragraph formatting.
(Hint: use the Paragraph... option to set line spacing to single, without any additional font size points).
As usual, keep in mind settings that are acceptable to the campus accessibility initiative. Download the guide on SUshare (login required).
Continued on page 14.
Page 14 - Tips and Tricks http://ict.syr.edu/ Page 15 - Additional InformationApril 2016 ICT Newsletter
Additional Information
Reserving the GC• Events hosted by groups with a Maxwell School affiliation may request use of the room up
to 12 months ahead; others may make requests 2 months ahead. Room availability may be checked by calling 315-443-9003, or by emailing [email protected] – an online request form must be submitted before confirmation is made. The reservation process will involve a discussion of technology and staffing needs during the event.
Interactive Media Lab (IML) - Access • Student access:
See Brian von Knoblauch in Eggers 034E for the form. Please bring your SUID!
• Faculty & Staff access: Faculty and staff can request IML access by seeing Brian von Knoblauch in Eggers 034E, or by emailing him: [email protected]. No form is necessary!
IML Coverage for this semester
• Please contact [email protected].• The IML is closed during ICT training sessions. Please check the ICT Training site for details
on upcoming training sessions.
Continued from page 13 - Tips and Tricks - Change the Normal Style.
1. In Outlook, click File on the Ribbon / Options / Mail.
2. In the Mail options, under the Compose messages section, click the Stationery and Fonts... button.
3. Make whatever font changes you’d like / click OK out of all dialog boxes.
(Keep in mind font settings acceptable to the campus accessibility initiative.)
Per the Accessibility Fundamentals guide:
Although Microsoft Office applications provide a mechanism for magnifying text on the screen, it’s still important to choose a font size that is reasonably accessible. Documents are frequently printed as part of a workflow. The best practice is to create the document using a body font size of at least 12 points. This ensures that document properties such as pagination and table layout will be consistent when the document is printed. Choose a sans serif font with clear, non-compressed character spacing such as Franklin Gothic, Calibri, Arial or Verdana.
Tammy Hnat
Page 16 - Help Info April 2016 ICT Newsletter
Help Info
Service [email protected]
(315) 443-3847
Global Collaboratory [email protected]
(315) 443-4742
Training [email protected]
ict.syr.edu/training
ICT Training Sessions: ict.syr.edu/events/
ICT Newsletter [email protected]
ict.syr.edu/category/newsletter/
Help Desk Hours (Room 034A)
Mon-Fri. 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
