ARTICLES

ATDnet-V2
The future in advanced networking is here and being escorted in by the University of Maryland. Mid-Atlantic Crossroads (MAX), a consortium composed of Maryland, Georgetown University, George Washington University, and Virginia Tech, is partnering with federal research organizations to bring forth the next generation of the Advanced Technology Demonstration Network (ATDnet). The network will enable investigations into very high-speed optical transport, ultra dense wavelength division multiplexing, non-homogeneous fiber performance, optical burst switching, and interactive high-resolution visualization. Full article

Digital Imaging/Electronic Storage
While we may never actually reach the nirvana of a paperless office, a new group at the University has plans to get us close. The Digital Imaging Group (DIG), which was established in January in the OIT Office of Data Administration, is a unique consortium of University units working together to reach common objectives. One of these objectives includes the increased use of an electronic document management system that will simultaneously reduce the mountain of paper currently being collected and the time required to process it. This consortium will continue the efforts of many who have championed paper reduction initiatives at the University. Full article

e-Learning and WebCT
WebCT, an instructional tool that provides faculty with a spectrum of possibilities from basic course administration to complete online learning, was adopted at the University in the summer of 1998. Since that time its use has grown exponentially. Full article

Enterprise E-mail System
Imagine an e-mail system that is easy to use and accessible anywhere, anytime. The Office of Information Technology’s new Enterprise E-mail System will merge all OIT-administered e-mail services into a single system. OIT currently manages five major systems (WAM, Glue, DEANS, umail, and ACCMAIL) and a few smaller systems that provide e-mail services to the University of Maryland community. Full article

MITH
Started in July 1999 with a $410,000 Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and cited as a “model for integrating cutting-edge technology into the liberal arts” in the University’s then recently-adopted strategic plan, Building on Excellence, the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities (MITH) has grown from a fledgling technology concept to become a leader in the field of humanities computing. An interdisciplinary institute and collaborative community of scholars, MITH fosters the development of research projects (www.mith.umd.edu/research/projectlist.html) by UM faculty and networked scholars around the world, as well as serves as a training ground for graduate and undergraduate students from diverse fields in the humanities and the sciences. Full article

Research Advisory Committee Created
The OIT Research Advisory Committee (RAC) held its inaugural meeting this past May, with representatives spanning the University’s research and IT communities. RAC is co-chaired by John Townshend (College of Behavioral and Social Sciences) and Chip Denman (OIT). The RAC’s mission is to ensure that the University has the information technology support and infrastructure necessary for research at a world-class institution. Full article

Software Licensing Notification Program
You could be working on an important project with the deadline racing toward you. As your fingers pound away on the keys, a sudden and disastrous event occurs. The vital program that you’re using to complete the project quits. The software licensing expiration date has finally arrived and you forgot about it. Disastrous indeed. Full article

Speaker Series
The 2002-2003 Teaching and Learning Speaker Series, “Teaching, Learning, Technology?” will begin this fall. The series will bring international experts to the University to speak about the usefulness of integrating technology with the learning process. Full article

Summer Contracts
This past spring, OIT implemented an on-line summer faculty contract system for the Summer Sessions Office. The new system eliminates the need for departments to manually type of approximately 1,500 faculty contracts. In the past, departmental contract processors typed instructor information, salary, and course information on pre-printed, multi-part forms. The new system has not only saved contract preparation time but has also increased the accuracy of the information. This is because the data is now retrieved directly from the approved on-line course proposal system where the Academic Resources System (ARS) and Scheduling Office have verified instructor salaries and course information. Full article

Training
OIT’s Academic Support unit has many training programs available for faculty: Institute for Instructional Technology, Peer Training, Staff Short Courses, and the Web Designer and Developer program. Full article

User Advisor and Degree Navigator
To help students progress toward graduation, the University of Maryland has recently launched the Degree Navigator program. Degree Navigator is an online system designed to help undergraduates explore curricular requirements and monitor academic progress toward completing their degrees. Full article

VPN
During the last five years, corporations reported financial losses of more than $1 billion due to information security breaches, according to an FBI computer security survey. With such disturbing statistics and predictions of increased computer hacking, network security has become important to an organization’s stability. Full article

WAM Lab Upgrades
The Workstations at Maryland (WAM) Lab in the Regents Drive Parking Garage (PG2) is getting a face-lift. Water damage will be fixed, the old furniture will be replaced, and new Windows-based machines will be added to the space. Students will also notice something else new - more dataports for laptops and space that supports group work. Semi-circlular tabletops will allow small groups of students to work together. Full article

COLUMNS

Message from Vice President and CIO Don Riley...
A message from the University's Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Full article.

FEATURES

askIT
Answers to your questions about technology use. Full article.

Help Desk Tips
Answers to frequently asked questions and tips on more effective use of IT. Full article.

Survey Results: What's on your desk?
The University of Maryland prides itself on its diversity. Maybe that’s why everyone seems to have a different computer on his or her desk. Full article.

Survey: How are we doing?
Please take a few minutes to complete our brief survey and let us know how we can improve ITforUM. Go to Survey.