The Office of Information Technology (IT) regularly receives requests concerning departmental technology. Below, view the most common requests along with guidance on how to get started:
Galtney Center for Academic Computing, Weir Hall
I want to use a scantron form for a test. Where is a scantron scanner located on campus? What forms are supported?
I want to monitor and possibly charge for printing in my computer lab. Does IT offer centralized printing services?
My department chair wants a digital signage solution. What do I need?
Does IT provide a central file server where I can store my files?
I manage a computer lab, and I want to restrict access by WebID. Help!
My auxiliary unit wants to create a form to accept credit card payments online. Does the University offer a credit card payment service?
I want to purchase an SSL certificate for my web server. Where would I purchase a certificate?
I want to use a scantron form for a test. Where is a scantron scanner located on campus? What forms are supported?
The Faculty Technology Development Center (FTDC) provides assistance with grading tests using an OpScan Test Scanner. The scanner is located on the Oxford campus in the public computer lab in Weir Hall (Room 115). Instructions for use can be found online. This scanner uses NCS General Purpose Answer Sheets Form No. 16485 (the Purple form) and may be used for faculty test scoring, surveys, Myers Briggs tests, etc. The hours of operation for the scanner are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday. For assistance using the scanner, please stop by the FTDC located in Weir Hall Room 101. Prior to the end of the semester, extended lab hours will be posted and provided to faculty who need access to the scanner after the semester.
I want to monitor and possibly charge for printing in my computer lab. Does IT offer centralized printing services?
Yes. Students who visit the Weir Hall Student Lab, the Athletics Academic computer lab, as well as the computer labs on the DeSoto and Tupelo campuses, use printers which are linked to centralized IT printing services supporting WebID authentication and billing. Moreover, this means students release their print jobs using their WebID and password combination. In addition, departments that elect to charge for printer usage may use the Bursar billing option. This service is offered through IT’s Pharos license agreement. There is a Pharos license fee of $650 to add a printer, with a $200 cost for annual maintenance in year two and beyond. Contact the IT Labs for more information.
My department chair wants a digital signage solution. What do I need?
First, contact Classroom Technology for assistance, since every department has different digital signage budgets and goals. This is to ensure your solution is compatible with future emergency notification enhancements.
To give you some idea of the components of a digital signage solution, let’s assume you want one digital sign. In this case, your department needs a TV, computer, obviously power, wired network connectivity and, finally, the digital signage software. With most departments, the big expense is the TV. For a new computer that drives the display, IT recommends that you purchase a small device like the Intel NUC or a banana pi, which can be installed behind the TV.
As for the digital signage software, most departments choose RiseVision, a free, cloud-based solution. However, if your department needs commercial support, IT recommends Four Winds Interactive (FWI). Individuals who create the content in your department will find both products relatively easy to use.
Does IT provide a central file server where I can store my files?
IT promotes UM Box for file storage. FERPA and HIPAA content can be stored on UM Box, and we have the capacity to expand the file storage space beyond the default 15 GB limit. Besides the benefits to individuals, UM Box is a great solution for faculty needing a shared class repository and individuals storing shared content for a department. IT uses UM Box exclusively for its internal file sharing needs, and, as a result, has eliminated a dedicated file server. For additional storage space or assistance getting started with UM Box, contact Teresa McCarver or the IT Helpdesk.
Besides UM Box, in late 2014, Google will provide unlimited storage to Google accounts associated with our Google Apps for Education domain, go.olemiss.edu. While FERPA or HIPAA content cannot be stored on Google Drive, it is a good choice for storing personal files that do not contain sensitive information, video screencasts, and other large documents associated with a course. If you need a UM Gmail account, please sign up.
Finally, for files that contain sensitive data, such as social security numbers, additional precautions must be taken to avoid unapproved cloud services. When sensitive files need to be shared within a department, departments need to purchase and independently maintain a file server. IT can assist the department with sizing a new file server, but the department will need to assign an individual to own the server security, maintenance, and backup responsibilities. For more information on storing sensitive data, refer to the Information Confidentiality/Security policy.
I manage a computer lab, and I want to restrict access by WebID. Help!
You got it. In 2013, Nathan Robbins deployed a software solution from Comtarsia, which supports WebID authentication on the lab PCs in Weir Hall. IT is working on a comparable solution for Macs. It gives the best of both worlds for maintaining local domain controllers to manage the lab computers while leveraging the WebID authentication services of LDAP. For more information, contact Nathan Robbins or IT Labs.
My auxiliary unit wants to create a form to accept credit card payments online. Does the University offer a credit card payment service?
Yes, the TouchNet Payment Gateway has been the engine for all e-commerce transactions at the University for several years. This service was relocated to TouchNet’s PCI certified data center, and TouchNet’s Marketplace software is being implemented to allow departments to offer a full, online e-commerce storefront or integrate their current storefront with a PCI certified payment form. To get started with credit card payments, contact Cavett Ratliff in the UM Bursar’s office or Al Ling in IT.
I want to purchase an SSL certificate for my web server. Where would I purchase a certificate?
IT subscribed to the InCommon Certificate Service to purchase low-cost SSL certificates for IT servers. We have been pleased with the certificate service. Before purchasing a new SSL certificate, contact Jimmy Ball for the latest on this offering.
Final Comments
If you want to get started with any of these departmental services or if you have additional questions, please contact us at it@olemiss.edu. Thanks!
Tags: IT Assistance, Printing, Scanner, Storing Files, Technology Tips