What’s happening in IT, Jan 2012

Security and your login

The IT Department is fully aware that logging yourself and your students into the system can be a challenge; however, this will benefit all parties in the long run. We are moving toward a “single sign on” system allowing access to multiple, related but independent software packages. That means for many different software packages you will only have to remember one username and one password. With one username and password that operates like a “master key” you can easily gain access to different software packages.

IT is in the process of testing the new and improved email system for teachers and administrative staff. When this is implemented everyone will log into their email account with the same credentials (username and password) that they use to log into their machines (provided they are at a Microsoft school — more about this later).

A single sign on is easier for all users but you must be aware when you use a single sign on for multiple machines (i.e. a teacher signs on all the machines in the classroom instead of making the students use their own account) that anybody on that machine can gain access to the teacher’s email and any other applications connected to that teacher’s account.

Password Requirements

Eight characters minimum; 16 characters maximum
One digit, i.e. 0-9
One special character, i.e. uppercase characters, #, $, %, etc
No part of the user’s name can be used in the password.

Is your school Microsoft or Novell?

School Name	Softwae
Adkins Pre-K School
Arnold Drive Elementary
Baker Elementary
Bates Elementary
Bayou Meto Elementary
Cato Elementary
Chenal Elementary
Clinton Elementary
College Station Elementary
Crystal Hill Elementary
Dupree Elementary
Fuller Middle
Harris Elementary
Jacksonville High
Jacksonville Middle
Landmark Elementary
Lawson Elementary
Learning Academy
Maumelle High
Maumelle Middle
Mills High
North Pulaski High
Northwood Middle
Oakbrooke Elementary
Oak Grove Elementary
Pine Forest Elementary
Pinewood Elementary
Robinson Elementary
Robinson High
Robinson Middle
Scott Elementary
Sherwood Elementary
Sylvan Hills Elementary
Sylvan Hills High
Sylvan Hills Middle
Taylor Elementary
Tolleson Elementary

Dukane Document Cameras

Do you have a Dukane Document Camera installed in your classroom? If so, should you unplug the camera from the USB port it’s currently using and plug it into another USB port, the camera will have to be re-installed. Re-installing will require a work order and a visit from a tech. We are not suggesting you do not move the camera, we just want you to be aware of the consequences. Unfortunately, this is a unique issue associated with the Dukane Document Cameras.

Who pays?

Understanding technology purchases

There is a Technology Product Pricing List on the district electronic forms page here. The list will be updated every 3-4 months as products and/or prices change. Any product changes that take place, must be approved by Learning Services, Instructional Technology and Information Technology departments.

What if you buy a printer off the list and later need toner, repair, ink, etc? The entity buying the equipment is responsible for the upkeep and supplies. This does not mean IT will not work on it. It does mean however, that the person owning the funds is responsible for paying the upkeep. If parts are needed to repair the equipment the cost of the parts must come from the budget of that person. Maintenance and upkeep does not come out of ITs budget.

Technology Pricing List

IT Helpdesk

Report an issue

We really appreciate your patronage of the IT Helpdesk. However there are a few things you could do to make the experience a little better for both yourself and IT.

When you send in a work order VIA email please include:

Your name
The location of the problem (school, room, etc).
A detailed description of the problem. “My computer isn’t working” isn’t enough details. Tell us what you have tried, any error messages you receive, etc. These details help the tech be better prepared before their arrival.
Which machine if you have multiple machines in your area

When we receive an email without the proper information, it takes a while to email the requestor to ask the questions, wait for the requestor’s reply and assign the work order to the appropriate technician. Having all the pertinent information up front will expedite the process.

One more thing…

Logging off the machine is very important and it’s even more important if you are at a Microsoft school. If the previous user (student or teacher) has left the area an administrator (IT personnel) or the person logged into the machine must enter their password to gain access to the machine after 15 minutes of inactivity. If you do not know the password to unlock the machine your only option is to hold in the power button on the machine for 10 seconds. This reboots the computer and allows a new log in. Rebooting the machine in this manner isn’t the recommended method so do what you have to and remind your students to log off the machine before exiting your classroom. It is best practice to log off because should someone else sit down at the machine in the 15 minutes before the machine locks, that person will gain access to all files, email (in the future) and settings for the student that is logged in.