OOPS!!!!
I know, right? 3 days before classes start and we've detected some disturbing news...
We rolled-out a new computer configuration as of June 2011, and only recently discovered that Java WebStart and JRE is NOT installed on the Windows 7 configuration.

The areas that this affects:

ALL Computers in Labs & Classrooms, Laptop Cart, Laptops for Checkout on WINDOWS 7 ONLY.

So... please please please be patient with our office as we work diligently to fix this.
We are working to update everything in the next couple of weeks, so if you are trying to use Java in the labs, you will have more success if you use MacOSX (java is built-in).

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Summer Computer Lab Fixes

We have had numerous reports of issues that need to be resolved in our computer labs.
Some of the known issues that we have encountered:

• Microsoft Office 2010 Activation Notifications
• Action Center Notifications
• IE9 Configuration
• Print Systems desynchronized

We are going to be doing a massive sweep of these fixes in the next couple of weeks.

• WOLF-204- 07/15/11
• WOLF-203- 07/18/11
• DOBL-309- 07/14/11
• DOBL-413+DOBL-415- 07/19/11 
• Training Room (UNIV-3-084) - 07/20/11
• Doble Information Commons - 07/21/11
• Mollye Lichter Block Computer Lab - 07/22/11
• Reading Room (UNIV-3-069) - 07/23/11

As we make these improvements, please seek alternative computing spaces.
Thanks for working with us!

SUMMER MAINTENANCE! -- Part 1

 

Well, folks... we are well underway with our 

Summer 2011 Maintenance!

In a previous post, we keyed you-in on some big changes that were happening, the biggest was catered around the pay-for-print system and its upgrades.  On 05/23, we began the server upgrade process which basically involved 10-steps from upgrading the existing server, installing a new server, then migrating all printer and user data across the different machines.... to upgrading and re-installing printers and servers to all of the schools across Lesley.  We finished Sherrill on the evening of 05/23 and AIB Library/AIB Computer Labs on 05/24--- then Kresge Media Center on 05/25.---  As of 05/26, we had begun the redeployment of all of the Cambridge Computer Labs starting with University Hall Reading Room (UNIV-3-069), Training Room (UNIV-3-084), and Doble Building Room#- 413 & 415.

As of yesterday, Tuesday, May 31, we had started another roll-out for the Mollye Lichter 24-hour Computer Lab, the Doble Information Commons, and the Doble Building Room# 309.

Later today and tomorrow (06/01 & 06/02), we will be rolling-out Wolfard 203 and Wolfard 204 which will complete the summer computer image deployment.

So what to expect?

Well, the latest computer images include a Dual-Boot OS set-up which allows users to choose between MacOSX 10.6.x and Windows 7 Professional SP1.

I know what you're thinking...

"but we are already used to having a dual-boot computer lab"

... as this is true, we were able to provide a few quality of life changes in the form of software upgrades.

Software Changes

Our basic software set includes (Mac/Win):

• Firefox 4.x
• DropBox
• Skype
• VLC Media Player
• RealPlayer
• Google Earth
• Microsoft Office 2007/2008
• Microsoft Office 2010/2011
• Adobe Creative Suite 3
• Acrobat Professional
• Bridge
• Dreamweaver
• Flash
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Photoshop
• Adobe Reader X
• OpenSource Multimedia Software
• Audacity
• Blender
• Gimp
• InkScape
• Kompozer
• Processing
• Filezilla
• Flickr Uploadr
• iLife
• GarageBand
• iWeb
• iPhoto
• Inspiration
• InspireData
• Google Sketchup
• +*We've also added a few entertainment packages for you.

That's it.... very slim and trim.

The boot-times for Windows 7 are under a minute and shut-down times are just as efficient ~15-20 seconds.  *I know, this was a MAJOR problem we had in our last image set.

Overall, everything is clean and efficient... no added weight and a genuinely clean experience.

PaperCut & Lesley Printing

Papercut (Lesley Pay-for-Print) is extremely fast and efficient now.

We have upgraded to the latest client (11.2) which comes with improvements for page-counts, a cleaner interface, and faster printing.  Faster printing can also be attributed to our enhanced servers which are located in various locations (Doble Campus, Sherrill Campus, and AIB-Library)---

As far as the WebUI, we have kept it as close to stock as possible, but added some features like relevant links to help articles, LesleyCard, and secure password change.  We fixed cross-browser compatibility issues *which i know that must have been bothering a LOT of you.

...and???

Overall, it is our most sincere wish that everyone have a digital classroom/public computer terminal that is fast, friendly, and efficient.  Please know that we in the Labs & Classrooms Division of University Technology work hard to make things work well for you... with Students and Teachers in mind.  

Please feel free to let us know what you think!  And if there are ANY improvements, modifications, or suggestions otherwise you would like to offer, please feel free to contact us via facebook.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Summer Maintenance continues!

OMG...

if you EVER see anything like this... PLEASE report it IMMEDIATELY!

 

UPDATES TO 24-HOUR LAB

Howdy, everyone---
I am currently updating the Mollye Lichter 24-Hour Computer Lab.
It's not a brand-new image, rather, we are just updating the software and virus definitions.
Be sure to stop by to say hello!

Date:  Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Time:   9:00am-2:00pm

WINTER MAINTENANCE BEGINS!

First Quarter Maintenance has begun!

So, while the majority of folks are away during the winter interim, we at the Labs & Classrooms office have been diligently working on getting the labs updated for the Spring 2011 semester.
This is a major overhaul of all systems… basically, pressing the "reset" button on everything.
This includes:

1. Re-Imaging the computer labs --- this involves fresh, installed-from-scratch computer configurations for ALL of the computer labs, kiosks, and computer classrooms.  You can see our maintenance schedule for these areas here:
   http://lesleylabs.blogspot.com/p/maintenance-schedule.html
   
   BEWARE.. while we are flipping these computers, they will be unusable (OFF LIMITS).  Please refer to the signs *posted outside the doors to the computer labs* and the schedule.
   
   The configuration of these machines will be posted in a later note.
   To get up-to-date notices on the actual maintenance procedure(s), please checkout our twitter feed:
   http://www.twitter.com/lesleylabs
   
   
2. Cleaning and repairing keyboards & peripherals. --- we will be scrubbing-down and replacing keyboards and mice.  Also, we're adding brand-new mouse-pads and security hardware.
   
   
3. To put to bed malfunctioning A/V concerns, we are going through all of the digital labs and classrooms and are manually testing all peripheral components in these spaces.  This involves rigorously using the DVD/VHS combination players, Auxillary Audio Inputs, Demo Stations (where available), and computer inputs in ALL areas.  We are also replacing cables, restocking cables, and repairing connections (the little connector pieces).  In addition, we are balancing the audio amplifiers, color-correcting + focusing the projectors… *for brightness and image sharpness.

Overall, this maintenance will take the better portion of the next 3 weeks (Starting January 3 until January 21)… We appreciate your patience during these times.

Winter Maintenance - 2010-2011

We have just posted our Winter Maintenance in the maintenance calendar (see here).
It will basically involve re-imaging every computer that is overseen by the Labs & Classrooms group.

Please stay tuned to the Twitter feed or our blog-roll for photos, commentary, and notes on the updates.
Software Lists will be provided soon.

JUST SO YA KNOW!

Mid-Terms...

Howdy, folks..
I didn't want you to think that I never update this blog.
I do, it's just very interesting when things get busy.

To let you know what's been going on:

1. There have been lots of outages lately.  I don't know if you have noticed.  The Science Lab (UNIV-2-142) is burning a hole in my resources.  The UPX-2 (Crestron A/V controller), an essential component to the operation of that space, has gone out...  The UPX-2 is essentially a computer capable of switching and mediating the signal to and from the various components such as the DVD/VHS player, the Document Camera, and the Laptop inputs all over the room.  Well, obvi, with it not working, those components don't function properly.  To make matters worse, Crestron doesn't make a comparable product anymore, so we're going to try and find another solution to replicate the same functionality.  Talk about time and money!
2. Other areas have been soaking up our limited resources... A/V support and setup tickets have flooded our inbox.  Teachers requiring assistance setting up their classroom technology, etc.  I have been offering trainings, but no one has showed up... :(  it's unfortunate, but it would help to have some peoples at least be mindful of how to operate the equipment.  It's just a matter of increasing peoples' confidence when using those kinds of tools, and a side effect of all of it would be less reports of "broken" things when 90% of the time it's just unplugged or turned off.

I know, right?

At any rate...
what else?
That's about it for maintenance stuff.. 

Working on Sherrill Library Macs for checkout.

Updating the sherrill library MacBookPros.
It's kind of a secret that they have a small laptop cart, because it's only used for training purposes.

So far, we have run these updates:

Office 2007/2008 Updates
Flash Player 10
Adobe Reader Update
WinXPSP3 Security Updates
Norton AntiVirus Definitions


OH, and yes, we added a spiffy new Fall 2010 wall paper to match the rest of campus :)

More info to come!

mmmmm...

I love the smell of fresh deploy images in the morning.
Today, I started the DOBLE-INFO commons with its 2nd Image set since the Fall 2009.
This new deployment and space re-arrangement (which should take all day)... will be to address key issues with the Scanning under Windows XP.

All-in-all, it's a good time.

The disk image that I'm using here will be the same image found in the Mollye Lichter Block 24-hour lab, and will contain the basic Adobe Creative Suite 3 Packages... *sorry, it's not the latest and greatest, folks...

ATTENTION!!! OUTTAGE

The service technician with Ad-Tech has determined that the Extron MLS406 switcher is non-functioning and will need to be replaced/repaired.
The tech is taking the unit with him, which renders the room slightly hindered in terms of A/V Support.

1)  DVD/VHS playback is non-functioning.
2)  Computer projection is ONLY possible through the Wall-plate Video connector which is currently occupied by the Teaching Workstation (DEMO)...  Users that wish to project via laptop must plug directly into the Wall Plate behind the Teacher Desk.
3)  This room has no sound support for the time of the repair.
4)  The switch panel (that allows users to switch from laptop, DEMO, DVD, etc) does not work.

I am awaiting a quote for parts & services from Giselda.

I am also leaving a sign in the room.
My recommendation is to inform and redirect users where needed.

Thank you.


--Richard Phung
Classrooms & Labs Coordinator
University Technology - Lesley University
617.349.8819 | x8770
rphung@lesley.edu

DOBLE + WOLFARD - SUMMER 2010 Maintenance Schedule

DOBL 0415, 0413, + WOLF 0203
Wed Jun 9, 2010

DOBL 0415 + Molly Lichter Block 24-hour Lab + WOLF 0203
Thu Jun 10, 2010;    9:00AM - 5PM

DOBL 0415 + 0309
Mon Jun 14, 2010;    9:00AM - 5PM

DOBL 0309, 0413, 0415 + WOLF 0204, 0203
Tue Jun 15, 2010 9:00AM 4:59PM 9:00AM 4:59PM

DOBL 0413, 0415 + WOLF 0204, 0203
Wed Jun 16, 2010;  9:00AM - 5PM

DOBL 0309 + WOLF 0204, 0203
Thu Jun 17, 2010;    9:00AM - 5PM


If you are trying to use a computer lab during those times, please refer to our Locations Listing (via lesley.edu/ut)

Maintenance Halted!

Wow..
So it looks like the Maintenance for the Mollye Lichter Block 24-hour lab and the Doble Information commons has come to a screeching halt as the "higher-ups" have determined that labs should not be taken offline even in the summer time!
In fact, there's a policy in place that all of Lesley's Facilities should be ready to be utilized year-round, with zero-time allocated for maintenance.

But no sweat!

In order to get the software and features added to these spaces, the group responsible for maintenance and repair of those areas must go through the same booking procedures as any other department would if they are looking to hold a special event.
It's a little frustrating for me and my staff, but we make due.

I will post a maintenance schedule soon!
And THEN, I mean business!

Mollye Lichter Block 24-hour Lab Closed for Maintenance (Jun 3-4)

Sorry, boys and girls.
The Mollye Lichter Block 24-hour Computer Lab is closed for maintenance today (June 3, 2010) and tomorrow (June 4, 2010) for re-imaging.... this will include software updates, enhanced everything... and more reliable configurations.

Will post updates as they come.