byte:  a combination adjacent bit, usually eight, processed by a computer as a unit

 October 2015, Issue 1

In this Issue...  

Have You Met?
  
  
...and much more! 
 
We are 2+ months into the semester and we have gotten off to a busy start, but a great one. Information Technology Services (ITS) supports the University's strategic plan by expanding the infrastructure to enhance the student's learning experience. We continue to strive to bring innovative technology solutions to the Alabama A&M campus.  
 
The goal of our newsletter is to provide you with important and educational information such as tools, tips, project updates, and the latest technology highlights. 
 
We hope that you find "ITS Dawg Bytes" newsletter helpful as you keep up with the latest trends in technology as well as updates in your Alabama A&M ITS department.
 
ITS is currently implementing new technologies, policies and procedures, processes, and more. We are working diligently to enhance the campus experience as well as continuing to strengthen our infrastructure and keep the network secure.  
 
Chunshou (Jason) Teng, Director Enterprise Application Services 

 
Mr. Chun-Shou (Jason) Teng was born in Taiwan, and holds a B.S. degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Feng Chia University, Taiwan.   He also holds a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Chung Cheng Institute of Technology, Taiwan,  and the second Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the Alabama A&M University. 
 
Prior to joining Alabama A&M University, Mr. Teng served in the Taiwan Army for seven years with the rank of Captain as a weapons system project manager. He also represented the Taiwan Army as a liaison officer at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL for one year.
  
In 2002, Mr. Teng joined AAMU as an ITS staff member in the office of student financial aid. In order to best serve our students, he developed and designed various local and online programs to enhance and automate financial aid daily processes.
 
Mr. Teng joined the ITS Enterprise Application Services team in 2013 to better serve our faculty, staff, and students with the Banner system.
 
In his spare time, he likes to plant vegetables, play tennis, swim, listen to music, and watch movies. In addition, he likes to have outdoor activities with kids during the weekend or holidays.
  
He lives with his wife, 13-year old son, and 11-year old daughter.
  
 
Your computer is indispensable. Lose it and you've got a major problem. Your work, ideas, music and irreplaceable photos - things unique to you, are lost. Replacement of a lost or stolen computer can be expensive, maybe impossible.
  
FBI statistics state that chances of recovering a lost or stolen computer are only 3%. Increase your chances of recovery to over 97% by installing FrontDoorSoftware.
  
It only takes seconds to protect your computer. Visit the link above and you will be able to register, protect and track your computer with a 4 year free license.
  
If your laptop is lost, this program will turn your monitor into an ownership tag. By simply displaying who owns the laptop, you increase your chances of recovery by 80%. You can update and change your recovery information as you move or travel back and forth from home to school.
  
If your laptop is stolen, blast a message to the computer that states THIS COMPUTER IS REPORTED STOLEN, lock it down remotely, send a text message to the thief, have your laptop yell out for help with our standard message or your custom message, and get a Google Map showing clues as to the laptop's location.

FrontDoor is also available for mobile
devices!



  
 
  
 
  
President Obama designated the month of October as Cyber Security Awareness month.  It is designed to educate and raise awareness.
 
Please help us celebrate by raising awareness. 
  
Week 1 (October 1-2): General Cybersecurity Awareness: 5 Years of Stop.Think.Connect.™
  
Week 2 (October 5-9): Creating a Culture of Cybersecurity at Work
  
Week 3 (October 12-16): Connected Communities: Staying Protected While Always Connected
  
Week 4 (October 19-23): Your Evolving Digital Life 
  
 OR  
  
 
  
SPAM and Phishing Alerts
 
In recent months there have been several spam emails that were being sent 
with the Alabama A&M University name or other names.  These emails are 
known as Phishing.  Phishing is the practice of sending phony email messages that are disguised to look legitimate.  These emails may ask for account or credit card information.  You should never give out your account information through email or if you are unsure of the source. 
 
Remember ITS will not ask for your credentials.  Help Us, Help You by asking an ITS employee for assistance.  It is better to pick up the phone and call than to assume an email is legitimate.
   
Basic Tips:
  • Pay close attention to the From address.
  • Words are frequently misspelled or incorrect grammar.
  • If the email addresses you as Dear customer, it is probably spam.
  • Never click on links in spam  or phishing email.
  • Never open attachments in spam email.
  • You can always call the ITS helpdesk at 256-372-HELP (4357) if you are unsure.


ITS Quarantine Report 

Information Technology Services (ITS) has installed a new spam filter on the email server. Most spam mail may be blocked at the server level. However, some email messages can be blocked locally by individual users.
  
Each user will receive daily spam filter report regarding potential spam that was blocked from your email. If you do not have any messages blocked locally, you will not receive a spam quarantine report. In the report you can choose to deliver a message that is not spam to your email box and/or whitelist it so that it is not considered spam in the future.
  
In addition, you may log into your spam report at any time by visiting
  ITS SPAM FILTER or clicking "All quarantine items" at the bottom of your emailed spam quarantine report.  Your username will be your email address ([email protected] and email password. Please be reminded that the spam filter will not catch all spam. Users need to be cautious when clicking on links and typing credentials.
  
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Help Desk at 256-372-HELP (4357) or email [email protected] 
 
 
Protect Your Smartphone Data
  • Lock your phone (PIN/keylock, fingerprint, etc.)
  • Protect sensitive data (software that can encrypt files or folders)
  • Download and install updates
  • Be mindful of Wireless, GPS and Bluetooth connectivity
  • Download trustworthy/secure apps
  • Be cautious about "rooting" your phone
  • Back up your data (software programs)
  • Use anti-virus/security software
 
Office 365 for Students!

Microsoft Office 365 software is available to AAMU students, free of charge. To obtain the free download of the Microsoft Office 365 software, students must activate their account using the following link:  
https://portal.office.com/start?sku=e82ae690-a2d5-4d76-8d30-7c6e01e6022e .

Students should enter their Bulldogs email address and click signup. After signing up, students should access their Bulldogs email account and complete the Office 365 Education signup. Activation of the software takes approximately one hour.

 
Moved Paper-Based Forms to Electronic Forms
In an on-going eff0rt to becoming more efficient and u sing less paper, we have implemented a secure on-line form so lution to paper forms, with electronic signature capabilities. All paper-forms will soon be converted into an interactive electronic form that will require electronic s ignature s . We have sta rted with a few forms and will as more at he year progresses.

To see active forms, an all-inclusive Uni ve r si ty Forms web page can b e accessed by visiting http://www.aamu.edu/forms.

The electronic form(s) will also
remain on the d epartment's web page.
To complete a form, click on the form and you will be prompt to s ign-in u sing your AAMU crede ntial s, shown below.
                                    facstaff\firstname.lastname or
                                                email password
If you need more information, please contact the ITS  Help Desk.
 

 
Apps Spotlight!

AAMU Mobile App
 
Download the AAMU Mobile App for access to the directory, sporting events, email, calendars including Banner Access.
 
Available on:
iOS
Android
Mobile Web                          

  
Chegg
Allows you to rent textbooks right from your mobile device.  You can scan barcodes and compare prices of various stores and websites.  Specialize in online textbook rentals, homework help, online tutoring, scholarships and internship matching.

 
Google Drive 
Upload photos, videos, documents and other files to be available online fromany device.  You can also create and edit documents and spreadsheets with Google Docs and Sheets.  
  
 
BenchPrep
 
Over 300,000 students and professionals have used BenchPrep to prepare for standardized tests, get extra help in their classes, and advance their careers. BenchPrep offers test prep courses for GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, ACT, SAT and 50+ more tests.

Easy Bib
Bibliographies Are Frustrating. They Don't Have to Be .
EasyBib is the world's best and most accurate citation generator. EasyBib allows you to automatically create citations for your bibliography in seconds: MLA, APA, Chicago, and over 7000 other citation styles.You can also create the perfect citation for 56 different source types (databases, newspapers, etc.).
 
Instructional Technology Highlight!  
 
Information Technology Services has a wealth of tools available for integrating technology into instruction and services for students. Did you know that we can provide personalized training and consultations to help get you oriented with technology equipment or applications that can help you create an interactive and entertaining learning experience? The Center for Instructional Technology has many resources that you may or may not be aware of.   We want to highlight and list some of the capabilities and technology available to faculty and students. 

Smart Technology
Epson document camera ELPDC11: This document camera can record video/audio and can serve as a webcam which can capture the entire classroom. If you are interested in extending your class time to students in remote locations, this is the web conferencing tool for you. Lecture capture can be facilitated using this equipment as well as recording of tutorials or demonstrations with split screen ability.

Webcam/Audio Equipment: Available to faculty and students who need a quiet location to record audio or produce video
 

Training
 
Hands on training with Blackboard Learn: Face to face and group sessions available. Integrate audio and video into your Blackboard course with tools that engage the student. Create a discussion board with audio and video! Use open source tools that are freely available to use with your own laptop or workstation.

Let us work with you to help make the transition to adopting technology easier.   Schedule an appointment with us today! (256-372-4357.)
  
 
AAMU Blackboard Gets a New Look!  
 
The Alabama A&M University Blackboard login page has received a face-lift.
 
While users will notice a new look, other Blackboard features will remain unchanged.  The new login screen is part of an effort to enhance the university's faculty, staff and students Blackboard user experience.  
  
Users can preview the new Blackboard login page at https://aamu.blackboard.com/
    
 

  
 
Alabama A&M University has partnered with DELL to offer special deals to students, faculty and staff.

 
S hop AAMU's  personalized
store today at:
  

Dell.com/dellu/aamu or
1-800-695-8133

Member ID: US126412516 
 
Helpful Links
 
 
Submit Help Ticket - Submit a Ticket Now! 
 
Alert Notifications - Bulldog Alerts 

Banner Assistance - Banner Information Center 
  

 
Campus Computer Labs 
 
STUDENT COMPUTER LABS

 Locations
 No. of Computers 
 Hours of Operation 
 Library (LRC) 
47
Mon-Thurs 8am-11pm,  
Fri 8am-5pm,  
Sun 1pm-11pm  
 Foster Complex 
 25
Mon-Thurs 8am-10pm, Fri 8am-5pm, Sun 6pm-10pm 
 Knight Center Complex
35
 Mon-Thurs 8am-10pm,  
Fri 8am-5pm,  
Sun 6pm-10pm 
School of Business 
35 
Mon-Fri 8am- 5pm
Carver Complex North
35 
Mon-Fri 8am- 5pm