Category Archives: TechNews

Using Google Sites for ePortolios

TechNews, , , ,

google-sites-logoThere’s a lot that you can do with Google Apps for Education. We all use it for email and our calendars, and many people use it for writing papers, creating spreadsheets and presentations, and making websites for projects and student organizations.

A less obvious feature that might be very helpful is using Google Sites to create an ePortfolio. Whether you’re a business major or a fine artist, creating a portfolio that reflects your skills and achievements is important for grad school applications and job hunting. Not only do ePortfolios showcase all that you’ve done during your time at Simmons, but they also encourage you to improve your writing and web design skills.

Google Sites makes it easy to collect and present your personal, professional, and academic experiences with customizable templates and an easy-to-use interface. You can upload images, embed documents, presentations, and YouTube videos, and link to other sites.

To get started, visit Google Sites at Simmons and click createto begin building your ePortfolio. There are many online guides to using Google Sites, but this PDF and this presentationprovide great introductions to the elements you’ll use to create an ePortfolio.

Of course, you’ll also need to collect everything you want to include in your portfolio. For more information about constructing a portfolio that reflects your goals, contact theCareer Education Center.

Colleges of the Fenway Network Improvements

TechNews, , , ,

In addition to the recent Colleges of the Fenway network upgrade, the consortium has also become a member of theBoston Internet Exchange. By joining the Boston Internet Exchange, Simmons is able to increase bandwidth, improve performance and connectivity, and reduce costs.

Joining the Boston Internet Exchange also aligns with overall College strategy and goals. As President Drinan commented, “Our focus continues to be cost containment, improving efficiencies, and most important, enhancing student opportunities.”

Simmons Technology is working hard to prioritize network improvements, which are integral to meeting our current needs and preparing for the future.

Net Neutrality: A Brief Explanation

TechNews, ,

net-neutrality-imageWhat is Net Neutrality?
The idea behind net neutrality is that Internet service providers (ISPs) should treat all Internet traffic equally and not create disadvantages for specific websites and web services, or “fast lanes” for others. In theory, this should stop companies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T from charging companies like Netflix or Google for better speed and service on the infrastructure they’ve built. In practice, things are currently a bit more complicated.

A Brief History
The short version is that various rulings by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has broad oversight of the communications industry, have long dictated that ISPs needed to provide a level playing field for their customers. In 1996, Congress overhauled telecommunications law, breaking down communications services into two categories: telecommunications services (think traditional landline phone service), and information services (think Facebook), creating significant debate over how to classify ISPs. In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could classify ISPs as information services, which industry lobbyists, among others, strongly encouraged them to do. So they did.

Earlier this year, an appeals court ruled that if in fact ISPs are information services rather than telecommunications services, then the FCC can’t impose net neutrality rules on them. This caused the FCC go back to the drawing board to generate a new set ofproposed rules, which were then opened for public comment. The public responded with more than 3.7 million comments.

What’s at Stake?
Without overstating things, the very idea of an Open Internet that provides equal access to all websites and services could be at stake.

Advocates of net neutrality point to recent deals like the one between Netflix and two ISPs (Comcast and Verizon) that provides improved speeds on their networks in exchange for payments from Netflix. Without net neutrality rules in effect, these so called paid prioritization deals could proliferate. Critics argue that paid prioritization will be a severe detriment to startups and innovators that don’t have the money to pay ISPs for preferred service in order to reach potential customers.

Additionally, without rules for net neutrality, it is conceivable that ISPs could deliberately reduce speeds for services that represent a competitive threat. For example, a telephone company (like Verizon) could diminish speeds of an Internet calling service (like Skype) because it competes with their own telephone service offerings.

Those in favor of net neutrality rules seem to represent a strong majority, comprised of both web content producers and the general public. Of those 3.7 million comments submitted to the FCC, almost all were in favor of net neutrality. In addition to overwhelming public support, most higher education consortia are firmly behind net neutrality.

On the flipside, critics of net neutrality argue that new rules would discourage ISPs from innovating and building costly new infrastructure, and that the simple act of crafting effective, long-term rules for a rapidly changing online landscape would be all but impossible.

What’s next?
The FCC is continuing to discuss the proposed rules and a decision is expected sometime next year. In addition, rules for wireless access have come to the forefront of the debate and the FCC looks to be on the cusp of removing classic distinctions between wired and wireless access to the Internet. Regardless of the new rules that eventually take effect, there surely will be ongoing debate, lawsuits, and uncertainty over how we view and regulate the Internet moving forward. While much of the discussion revolves around dense technical and legal issues, the underlying ideas and potential outcomes should be of interest to everyone who uses the Internet, which is just about everyone.

Additional Resources
Everything you need to know about network neutrality (Vox)
New York Times net neutrality coverage

Telephone System Replacement Is Underway

TechNews, ,

In response to the aging infrastructure of the campus telephone system, Simmons Technology has initiated a project to fully replace the system and all telephones at the College. After reviewing several viable options during a competitive bidding process, we have chosen a solution provided by Avaya, a worldwide leader in business communications.

The new system will provide a cost effective solution that integrates well with our current infrastructure. Additional features of the new system include enhanced emergency notifications, improved disaster recovery, mobile twinning (which connects cell phones to office phones), and a voice activated campus directory.

A phased deployment of this project will occur during the Spring 2015 semester. When complete, the replacement of the telephone system at Simmons will represent a major technology upgrade and will provide the College with a stable, long-term solution.

Coming Soon: Unlimited Storage in Google Drive

TechNews, , ,

google_drive_logoIn the near future, Google will be rolling out Drive for Education, which will include unlimited storage and support for individual files up to 5 terabytes in size. If you work with large video or audio files or massive data sets, this will be a significant change. The switch to unlimited storage will roll out automatically across campus and you won’t need to make any changes to Google Drive or your account.

In addition, there’s a new Google Drive interface available. The new version will eventually become standard, but you can opt to switch to it now if you’d like to try out the new features. To switch, click the gear icon in the upper right corner of your Google Drive screen, then click Experience the New Drive.

After switching, you’ll immediately notice some changes: improved speed and performance, the option to use a grid or list view, one-click file previews, and drag-and-drop capability.

The toolbar at the top of the screen has also undergone an upgrade. Once you’ve single-clicked on a file, the toolbar allows you to preview, share, delete, or copy a direct link to the file without opening it.

Along with upgrades to the desktop version, there are new Drive apps for both Android and iPhone/iPad.

New Year, New Web Site!

TechNews,

After conferring with key stakeholders and considering important campus-wide dates, the Digital Ecosystem team has moved the launch of the new web site to January 7th, with promotion and communication continuing in the following week as Simmons gears up for the start of the semester. This date ensures that external delays won’t reduce the amount of testing and training time available to the community and that we do not risk impacting key admissions deadlines. We will launch with a polished, attractive site that features Simmons news and stories and makes them more visible online.

We have been working closely with Area Editors from each functional group to make sure that all content is up-to-date and will be granting them access to their content within the site on a rolling basis to review and make changes. Training for “Simmons Internal,” an online repository for many of our existing resources for students, staff and faculty who are already a member of the Simmons community, began last week.

A Digital Ecosystem newsletter with more details about the new site will be sent out soon. Please visit our project web site  for additional information.

Online Information Security Training Now Available

TechNews, , ,

securing-the-human-newsInformation security is a complex and constantly evolving topic. Threats to the security of the Simmons network and our data, as well as your personal data, change every day. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to stay secure and to prevent most common causes of unauthorized access to your information.

To help you better understand current threats to information security and the resources available to you, Simmons Technology is providing access to a short, video-based security awareness course called Securing the Human. Topics covered include: an overview of how criminals gain unauthorized access to data, staying safe when browsing and using email, securing your mobile device, tips for using social media safely, and keeping personal information secure on our network and in the cloud.

The course consists of 2-5 minute video sessions and takes about an hour to complete. It is available online at any time to faculty and staff.Completion of the training is necessary for compliance with Massachusetts Standards for the Protection of Personal Information, and we encourage you to do so at your earliest convenience.

You should have received an email recently notifying you that your account has been created and containing a link to the training. If you do not have this email, you can also access the training directly by visitingsso.securingthehuman.org/simmons and signing in with your Simmons username and password. If you have any problems accessing or completing the training, please contact the Service Desk at 617-521-2222.

Getting In-Person Technology Support

TechNews, ,

Simmons Technology has centralized all in-person support in the Technology Support Center, located in L331 on the third floor of Lefavour Hall. Our technicians are available Monday-Friday from 8am-6pm to answer your questions and check out equipment.

If you need technology assistance while in the library, please come upstairs to the Technology Support Center, or contact the Service Desk at 617-521-2222.

Improved Conference Calling for Faculty and Staff

TechNews,

Simmons Technology is expanding the availability of conferencing services for faculty and staff by enabling OpenVoice, an improved conference calling service. OpenVoice will provide continuously available toll-free audio conferencing numbers that you can use to host meetings of up to 125 participants. Meetings can be scheduled in advance or as needed, and sessions can be recorded for later use. The service is available 24/7 via your office phone, personal phone, and through the mobile app.

Please note that this is an additional service, and you can still use GoToMeeting when you want to incorporate technology (such as screen sharing and webcam use) into your meetings. OpenVoice provides a separate, on-the-go conferencing service that’s available just by picking up your phone.

In the next week, you will receive details via email, including your personal conference room number and PIN, as well as call-in numbers and links to download the app. There is no need to set up an account or password, and you can begin using the service as soon as you receive the email notification.

 

Streamlining the Technology Procurement Process

TechNews, , , , ,

Within Technology, we’re always looking for ways to improve workflows so we can reduce the time it takes to resolve support requests. In an effort to streamline the purchasing of hardware, software, and related technology, we have implemented an online request form for all technology procurements.

The online form is to be used for all requests, regardless of dollar amount or type of procurement (product, service, contract, etc.). Completing the form will initiate the request in our system and allow us to track and complete the purchase in an organized and timely manner.

When submitting your request, please include as much information about the purchase as possible in order to avoid delays. Please note that all requests for a contracted service or subscription will require approval from the Office of General Counsel during the purchasing process.

To submit a technology purchase request, please visitservicedesk.simmons.edu/getsupport/techpurchase. For more information about the technology procurement process, click here. If you have additional questions, please contact the Service Desk at 617-521-2222.