In this issue…

we will cover:  backups, tips/tricks, what you need to know about the time change and last but not least coming attractions.

Quote of the Month:

"The danger from computers is not that they will eventually get as smart as men, but we will meanwhile agree to meet them halfway."

                            Bernard Avishai

This quote is from www.quoteland.com.

What is a back-up?

There are different types of back-ups so I’ll tell you a little about a couple of them.

First let’s talk about data backup, which is the type that most end-users need to take care of themselves.  This back-up is done by simply copying your files to a portable media that can be stored in a secure location away from your normal work space in case you cannot gain access to your computer, your workspace, or if your computer “dies”.

Second is a system back-up, which is a much more complex task.  System back-ups can include operating system files, application software files, configuration settings, registry information and numerous other files.  This type of back-up is performed by system administrators after a machine is set up and then subsequently backed-up after any major configuration and/or software changes.

Third is to create an “image” of the entire system so that it may be deployed on multiple computers that are similar.  This method is also called “ghosting”.  At UVa-Wise we use this method to image new machines or re-image machines which have problems that a single specific method cannot correct such as when a computer becomes infected with malware (viruses, worms, trojans, etc).

Do I need to back-up…? 

Performing back-ups on your personal files (any files residing on your hard drive) i.e. Excel spreadsheets, letters, Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, etc. should be done frequently.  The hard drive(s) on your desktops and/or laptops are not backed up for you, this is your responsibility.

In order to determine what files you need to back-up I will offer a few guidelines:

• If you lost your computer, due to fire, theft, water damage, what files would you “be in a pickle” without?
• If your computer was inaccessible for several days what information would you need from your computer to allow you to continue working?
• You have contracted the flu and your grades are due.  Do you have a need to access any information on your computer to complete your grades?
• Your computer has become infected with malware what files would be impossible or extraordinarily hard to recreate?

Congratulations, you have just identified the files that you need to back-up.  Chances are you may forget a few if you do not use due diligence to manage your files.  Using due diligence, in this case, means arranging your computer files as you might if they were printed out and placed in file cabinet drawers.  By putting like documents together you will be able to more quickly access what you are looking for and also complete the back-up process in a fraction of the time that it would take if the files were not organized.

Did you know...

that you can back-up to several different types of media?  Some of the types include server storage space (domain share space), CD’s (compact disks), DVD’s (digital video disks), thumb drives (USB), zip disks, and even floppy disks (not recommended).  Some of our server implementations use tape drives for backups.  The media is not the issue, but that the back-up has been done and secured. 

That having been said…

For more helpful tips please visit: www.uvawise.edu/oit/policies_security/securing_your_computer.html

Danger!!!

If you do not perform regular back-ups of your critical data and your computer crashes you will have lost most, if not all of this data (files, folders, spreadsheets, documents, etc.)  Do you really want to risk it?

put additional fiber optic cabling in place between Henson Hall, Darden Hall, the Science Hall, Zehmer Hall, John Cook Wyllie Library, Slemp Student Center, Smiddy Hall and Cantrell Hall.  Network outages related to this construction will be minimal and efforts to notify will be made to lessen the impact.

Two o’clock a…three o’cloc…darn time change!!

Don’t forget to “spring forward” this Sunday, March 11th for Daylight Saving Time.  A 2005 federal law dictates that DST will begin 3 weeks earlier and last a week longer than in previous years.  The computer issue is that most of our computers that are running operating systems other than Microsoft Vista and MAC OS X 10.4.5 and must update their OS patches.  Most operating systems are set to adjust automatically to Daylight Savings Time and Standard time however, those are based on the old laws.  The college’s computers have been updated, but you will want to make sure that your home and personal computers are updated.  Blackberry devices and cell phones should automatically receive time and date information/changes via your cellular provider.

NAC – Network Access Control

The Office of Information Technology is currently evaluating a NAC appliance.  In a nutshell the device scans for network infractions based on rule sets.  It will help to identify potential network bottlenecks and resource needs across campus.  Currently we are testing the device in a very limited area but hope to try it out on the Residence Hall subnets very soon.  We do not expect there to be any network slow downs or other problems upon implementation.

Tips and/or Tricks…

• When you have multiple windows open (i.e. a Word document(s) Excel, Eudora and maybe MeetingMaker) if you hold down the Alt key and press the Tab key you can scroll through the all the programs/windows that you have open.
• When using the scroll bar at the right of your screen if you place your mouse pointer under the bar but above the ∨ you can scroll down a page at a time by clicking your left mouse button.  Same thing for scrolling up just place the mouse above the bar and under the ∧.  (The ∧ and ∨ scroll a line at a time.)
• When editing a document you can highlight a section and the place the mouse pointer over the highlighted section and right click to bring up a shortcut menu. (Such as cut, copy, paste, indent, etc.)
• When you are in an Office application (Word, Excel, etc.) and you click on a menu i.e. File, Edit etc. did you know that the key combination to the right side of the command is the shortcut to do that process.  For example, if you want to copy a section:  highlight the section and instead of going to Edit and then copy you simply hold down Ctrl and press c (Ctrl+C) now you have placed that section of text on the clipboard.  To paste it you go to the point where you want the section pasted and hold down Ctrl and press v (Ctrl+V).  Cut is Ctrl+X, etc.

Please send suggestions for topics you would like to see covered and/or comments to sherron@uvawise.edu.