Inside:

•	Copyright: find out what is illegal and how the University reacts to complaints. See page 3.
•	Protect your computer with free anti-virus software. See page 2.
•	Peer Training offers inexpen-sive computer classes. See page 2.
•	Connect to the Internet through the air waves with Mobile at Maryland. See page 3.
•	Check your academic progress online. See page 4.
•	Wonder who won the Dell Latitude Notebook? See page 4.

Your Mail@umd
New Web-Based E-Mail System
Offers Higher Security

by Bistra Papazova

Would you like to access your University of Maryland e-mail from any Web browser in the world? Wouldn’t it be easier to have a single e-mail account with a simple-to-remember name, so you wouldn’t have to tell your friends if you use your WAM or Glue account? And wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to worry about getting all those e-mail viruses?

The new single enterprise e-mail system, Mail@umd, that will be implemented by the Office of Information Technology (OIT), will address all of these issues. It will merge WAM, Glue, DEANS, umail, and ACCMAIL e-mail services into one system beginning next spring.

The new e-mail system is Web-based, i.e. you will be able to use it from any computer that has a browser like Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. It will also provide higher security and scan e-mails for viruses before they actually reach you.
Details about how and when you will migrate to the new system will be covered in the Spring issue of TechKnow. For more information visit www.oit.umd.edu/email.

WAM Labs: Faster Computers and New Furniture

OIT upgraded 89 PCs in the eight WAM labs and installed new HP printers this summer. The new Dell computers have Pentium IV processors, CD burners/DVD players, and 19-inch monitors.
The renovation of the heavily used Regents Drive Parking Garage (PG2) lab includes new furniture, group work areas, and wireless access. “It’s a drastic improvement,” said Roey Katz, a Computer Engineering senior. “PG2 doesn’t look like a basement anymore. And the study area is really important because students come here both to use computers and do other work.”

A new computer lab opened on the first floor of McKeldin Library to replace the one in Hornbake Library, which is closed and will be remodeled for Nonprint Media Services. The McKeldin lab has wireless access.

In total, the computer labs at the University, including WAM labs, offer access to more than 800 computers and more than 30 printers for students. For more information on location, hours, and available software and hardware, visit www.oit.umd.edu/wheretogo. Send your comments and suggestions about WAM labs to www.oit.umd.edu/labs.

TechKnow: Why The Internet Connection Is So Slow

Dear Students,
This is the first edition of TechKnow – the Information Technology Newsletter for University of Maryland Students published by the Office of Information Technology (OIT). Many of you have asked us about the services we offer – WAM computer labs, printing, virus protection, computer training, etc. With this newsletter we hope to give you up-to-date information about OIT student services and to provide a forum for discussions of technology-related issues.

One of these issues is that many residence hall students have been experiencing slow Internet access this semester. We believe the root of the problem lies in the new generation of peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing software programs such as KaZaa, Morpheus, Bearshare, and Gnutella. Most P2P users are:

OIT is investigating various methods of improving the performance of your data connections and ensuring fair and equitable bandwidth use. Please help us by being a good “Netizen.”

Thanks!

Mark Henderson
Assistant Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer of OIT

PG2 is one of the most used non-stop labs on campus. In addition to the 30 new PCs, it features 30 Macs, 16 Suns, two HP 8150 laser printers, and wireless access.