AV Video Shorts

I've been experimenting with making YouTube videos

Here's one on using the Turning Point software in G101:




And another on the new lectern in A004:



Let me know what you think. I know the quality isn't great, but I'm using my mobile phone to film these. If you want more, let me know and I might even invest in a proper camera!

Trash Talk

We've had a few calls in the last couple of days from people who are suddenly and rather strangely unable to delete items from their GroupWise trash. This is all part of a new backup feature we are implementing which will allow you to recover deleted items. We'll be posting more information on this feature in due course.

In order to allow recovery of deleted items, the backup system has to have a chance to actually back up the deleted items. GroupWise will not allow you to remove any items that haven't yet been backed up. All that you need to do is wait until at least 24 hours after the time you received the email; you will then be able to empty them from your trash.

Videoconferencing - Shaky Start, but Eventual WIN

Today we had what I think is the first occasion that we've had multiple simultaneous outbound videoconferencing calls on the bridge; with a total of five parties connecting. Although we got off to a shaky start with conflicting IP addresses (a valuable lesson learned), all seems to have gone well. More, please!

USB Flash Drives - Write Protected!

ISD have applied an update to lectern PCs which will prevent the PC from writing to any USB flash drives ("USB pens" or "USB sticks") which are connected to them. This should help to reduce the prevalence of computer viruses transmitted through USB drives.

It will no longer be possible to write to USB drives from lectern PCs. While this will prevent the transference of viruses onto USB drives, it will also prevent content generated on the lectern PC from being copied back onto a USB drive.

There are numerous ways to copy this data off

• All PCs have a DVD writer installed, so files can be copied onto a DVD or CD.
• Files can also be uploaded to BREO...
• ...or emailed using Groupwise Webmail (http://webmail.beds.ac.uk).
  
• You can also log onto the Novell servers (U: drive) using the red N icon on the system tray and save work directly onto your U: drive.
  

If you are having difficulty with any of these methods, please contact the ISD helpdesk on 3366 or (01582) 743366 from a mobile.

Further advice on virus prevention can be found on the ISD blog at http://bedsisd.blogspot.com/2011/03/virus-prevention.html

Virus Prevention

There have been a number of viruses doing the rounds lately across the university.

The main symptoms are:

• USB sticks changing from a "drive" icon to a "folder" and therefore becoming inaccessible.
• File or folders that appear to exist, but are "empty" when opened.
  
• Extra shortcut links appearing on your USB stick ("Pictures", "Passwords", etc.)
• "Application error" dialog boxes on start-up.
• Pop-ups telling you that you are infected and asking for credit card details. (F-Secure popups are OK!)
  

To keep yourself safe:

• Upgrade your PC to the latest version of F-Secure - please ask the ISD helpdesk for details.
  
• Don't use USB sticks in 'public' machines and lecterns unless you have to - use BREO where possible for presentations.
• Scan your computer and USB sticks regularly, especially if you have used them in public machines.
• If you must use a USB stick for public/lectern PCs, use a dedicated one
• Keep a backup of essential data
  

To scan USB sticks with F-Secure:

• Go to the blue triangular "F" icon in the system tray (near the clock).
• Right-click and select "Virus and Spyware Protection" from the menu.
• Choose to scan either the USB (or other) drive, or a full computer scan, as required.
• When the scan is completed, select "decide by item" and then delete or quarantine items as required.
• Contact the ISD helpdesk if you need further assistance.

We are continually working to eliminate viruses; you can help us by following these guidelines

Please don't let this happen to you. This is the front panel from the lectern PC in G001 at Park Square. The USB port on the left has been loved and cared for. The USB port on the right has been brutally mashed into pieces. Sometimes, this sort of damage doesn't just mean the port is unusable but damages the controller on the motherboard too which means we have to replace the whole thing.


Result: increased frustration for lecturing staff, increased costs for ISD (this stuff ain't free!) damage to Mother Nature and lots of annoyed students.


Please be careful. Remember, we're all in this together!

Did You See...?

Ever seen a listing in the Radio Times and thought "that would be great to show my students, but I don't have a spare DVD to record it?"

Well, you don't have to scratch around for blank media...ISD can record the show for you. Even better, we can put the programme on a Video On Demand (VOD) server so that you can stick a link into BREO and tell the students to watch it in their own time!

To request a recording, simply log on to the ISD helpdesk (from the front page of in beds) and select "Off-Air recording" from the list underneath "Raise Service Request". Just tell us the time, date, channel, etc. and we'll record the programme for you and email you back with a link that you can drop into BREO. If you want to see all the programmes we've already recorded, simply go to the VOD server and have a browse.

It can't get any better than that, can it? Well, yes...you can copy content off by simply going to \\vod.beds.ac.uk\content from Windows Explorer and copying it to your PC (or USB, CD, etc.) You'll need a username and password to access this, the username and password are available from the information page.

For more information, including the legal stuff, please go to http://in.beds.ac.uk/isd/off-air