Author Archives: Lisa Terrier

QuickTime for Windows Removal

ITS is relaying to our campus customers an Alert from the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team about Quicktime on Windows.

Apple has “deprecated” the Quicktime program and is calling for computer users to uninstall the program.  Since this is a security risk, ITS has removed Quicktime on campus computers and replaced it with the VLC program which has been identified as a proper replacement.  Many computers on campus already have VLC installed.  Adobe is working on some patching of their products which may still depend on Quicktime.  Please let us know if you run into any troubles with programs you use here on campus, by contacting the helpdesk (helpdesk@middlebury.edu) or creating a helpdesk ticket.

Thank you for your part in keeping our campus safe and secure.

Banner Outage

We are currently experiencing a unplanned outage affecting both BannerWeb and Banner INB.

We are in contact with the Ellucian Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and they have mobilized their response staff to address this issue.

We regret any inconvenience this service interruption is having on your day, and will have this issue resolved as soon as possible.

Please check the System status page for updates.

Welcome to “Self-Service” Software Installation

ITS has been working on options for our customers to install licensed software on their college-owned computers using convenient, “self-service” methods that provide control over when the installations take place. (We are not licensed to provide software on personally owned computers, only college owned.)  To learn how this works on college Windows computers, please visit  KACE Self-Service information.  If you have a college Mac, visit Mac Self Service information for details.

Initially, we have made a few of our most commonly-requested Adobe products available through self-service for both Mac and Windows platforms, as well as the new Microsoft Office 2016.   We will be working to add software titles in the next few months.  Please note that not all software is purchased with licensing to be available for every computer on campus.

Self-service installations work best when you are here on campus using a wired (Ethernet) connection to our network.  Use of VPN or wireless connections may work but they will be much slower and are more likely to experience issues.

We are excited to offer this new service and want to hear about how it worked for you.  Feel free to share your feedback, questions, or concerns with our Technology Helpdesk.

KeyServer update – This Friday

This Friday November 6, 2015 from 6:30-8:30am – ITS will be updating a software license server (KeyServer).  The only software that will be offline during this time is the Final Draft software.  We hope this will not cause any inconvenience and that those using the software can build this downtime into their plans.  Please feel free to contact me directly if you have concerns.

Promotions

I am so pleased to announce that Zach Schuetz and Brett Wells have been promoted from Computing Specialist 2 to Senior Technology Specialist.  Both Zach and Brett have earned their promotions by demonstrating leadership and initiative, each taking on projects and challenges and finding solutions to ongoing issues that have resulted in improved processes for ITS.  Brett and Zach are outstanding examples of one of ITS’ organizational values:

“3.Teamwork – no room for I don’t need to worry about that, that’s not my job.  Trust and value the team to be accountable for team’s results, not just your own.  Help find solutions to known issues, take the initiative, collaborate with colleagues, reach out to managers if need be but not by throwing colleagues under the bus.  Offer and take advantage of peer review, be open to other’s ideas, share your knowledge – teach.  Value different skills sets. Don’t be afraid to commit to a goal that makes you dependent on your colleagues.”

http://www.middlebury.edu/offices/technology/its

Please join me in congratulating Zach and Brett on their well-deserved promotions.
Lisa Terrier

Heartbleed and the changing of the passwords

As noted in messages from LIS, we are requiring all individuals to change their Middlebury password as a precaution in response to “heartbleed” security threat.  If you have not yet changed your password since these email messages were sent, that is since Thursday, April 10th after 4 pm EDT, you were required to do so before this Thursday, April 24th at 4 pm EDT.

If you haven’t yet changed your password go to http://go.middlebury.edu/activate/ . (Please note that if you use a smart phone or tablet, you should turn off the device while you change your password.) If you need help changing your password, you can contact the Help Desk at 802 443 2200 or via the Help Desk ticketing system at http://go.middlebury.edu/whd.

Stay Safe.

Lead Senior Technology Specialist

I am very pleased to announce the promotions of Nate Burt and Jamie Carroll to the position of Lead Senior Technology Specialist in Service Requests.  Nate will be the Lead for the Software and Imaging work group, and Jamie for the Hardware and Distribution work group.

The Leads will help our work-groups by providing support to the community, resolving technology issues within agreed upon time frames, and keeping customers updated on the status of their issues.  They will be charged with mentoring the members of their respective teams, as well as student workers, to become skilled technical troubleshooters, good communicators, and building prioritization skills.  The Leads will also be tasked with managing and/or tracking large projects within Service Requests.

Please join me in congratulating Nate and Jamie on their well-deserved promotions.