When you hear the words “cloud,” “sync,” and “local” all in one sentence do your eyes glaze over? You are not alone. Please take a look at our new handout (easily revisited using http://go.middlebury.edu/cloudpic) to help you understand Middlebury’s cloud storage and some key points about its use.
Pssst… If you find our handout helpful, please don’t tell your friends about it — let them learn the hard way, eh?
Microsoft’s OneDrive file storage system has just been turned on for all staff, faculty, and students on the Middlebury campus and at MIIS. Now that our e-mail has successfully moved to the cloud, we turn next to Middfiles “home” folders. Don’t panic! You’re not in this alone — we’re here to help. To take advantage of the many benefits of cloud storage, you’ll want to begin by moving the contents of your “home” folder from Middfiles to OneDrive. (“Orgs” and “Classes” folders on Middfiles are staying put for now.) If you are already using cloud storage through Google, you may certainly use this service instead. Our goal is for all of you to complete the move of your Middfiles “home” folders to the cloud by the end of this year.
In the upcoming weeks ITS will be scheduling training for partners across the Midd community so we can work together to assist anyone who needs a hand with this exciting, new service. We will also provide documentation, online tutorials, and workshops designed to get you moving your files quickly and easily, using methods that work best for you. Watch your email for upcoming details.
Can’t wait to learn more – and perhaps give things a try? Take a look at http://go.middlebury.edu/onedrivehelp.
We advise our community to use Middfiles for all file storage needs. In fact, sensitive information should always be stored on Middfiles.
Dropbox, one of the most popular cloud storage providers, has had several security flaws and breaches over the past year:
– In June, for four hours, anyone could access anyone else’s Dropbox files.
– Three other separate security flaws (or holes) were found this summer.
– Furthermore, FTC found that Dropbox was misrepresenting their security measures and protocols.
– In addition, Dropbox had changed then clarified its Terms of Service within a matter of days.
That’s why we promote Middfiles for “cloud” storage needs. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions around Dropbox, cloud storage or security. If you have questions specific to Middfiles, please visit our documentation page.
The Technology Support Helpdesk would like to take this opportunity to again remind the campus user community to please save all personal and work related files to their MIDDFILES personal space (on a Windows computer this would be your U drive in File Explorer). We have had a rush of computers recently come into the Helpdesk with failed hard drives. In some cases we were unable to retrieve any information from those failed drives, leaving the user with no means of data recovery. The risks you assume by not using MIDDFILES are significant when a hardware failure occurs on your computer.
To protect yourself and your data it is highly recommend you immediately start relocating your data to your MIDDFILES personal account. You may visit the Technology Help and Support website (shortcut: go.middlebury.edu/helpdesk) for more information on how to use MIDDFILES. You may also want to visit our Wiki resource link for proper MIDDFILES and DFS usage: Backing Up My Files.
If you have any questions please call the Technology Help and Support Desk at x2200.
James Beauchemin
Technology Support Helpdesk