TERPConnect: More Storage Space in Summer 2009

by Chris Higgins and Megan Speakes

Did you know that you can create your own Web site on campus? Or that you can save files where they will be backed up and accessible from your computer and from any computer in an OIT Computer Lab? These student resources are now much easier to access than they used to be. TerpConnect is a new service OIT is offering that aims to centralize the technology resources available to students and to provide additional useful features.

The fall 2008 semester brought you the first improvement available through TerpConnect — more storage space. You now have access to 200MB of storage space that you can use to house your personal files. You can also use your TerpConnect storage space to set up your own Web page. Your individual TerpConnect Web site will be identified by your Directory ID. For example, Testudo Terrapin (whose Directory ID is testudo) would access his space at “http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~testudo.” In summer 2009, you’ll have even more storage space — 1GB! The Campus Student Technology Fee Advisory Committee recently approved funding for a joint Center for Teaching Excellence/OIT initiative to boost the student TerpConnect storage space.

To save files to your TerpConnect space, you’ll need to use Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). For information on SFTP set-up, visit www.helpdesk.umd.edu/documents/4/4801/
index.shtml.

TerpConnect was born out of the merger of the former WAM and Glue spaces. Glue still provides the behind-the-scenes infrastructure and UNIX/Linux users will continue to benefit from established Glue services, including access to software such as Matlab and Mathematica.

This is just an early phase in the process to bring more services to students and to make currently available services easier to access. Planned future features include the ability to create individual blogs, compatibility with Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) for saving files to your storage space, and access from your computer to other software that is available in the OIT Computer Labs. If you have other suggestions for features, please give us your ideas at http://blog.umd.edu/TerpConnect. To get started, visit www.terpconnect.umd.edu.

My Laptop Resolutions

by Sarah Silvaroli Daul

As a nearly expired warranty has made me aware, next month will be my three year anniversary… with my laptop. Many might perceive this as a sad occasion, a time of death and costly upgrades. But instead I see a time of renewal, a time to appreciate the great commitment my laptop has demonstrated in spite of my years of abuse.

To both commemorate the anniversary and demonstrate my own commitment to this faithful (if inanimate) friend, I have developed a number of laptop resolutions. They are as follows:

1. I will stop drinking and eating over its keys. When I realize the implausibility of this request, I will purchase a plastic keyboard cover to protect my laptop from the great coffee spill of ‘09.

2. I will stop carelessly toting it around campus. I will not bump, drop, or place heavy objects on my laptop. I will also purchase a carrying case to protect my laptop when this inevitably happens.

3. I will not abandon it in the back seat of my car to freeze in the cold or bake in the sun. I will respect my laptop’s needs for a room temperature environment.

4. I will not leave it behind. I will not let it sit by itself at coffee shops or grow lonesome in my unlocked room. As my laptop is a little too portable and I value my identity, I will not store personal information on my laptop unless it is protected by encryption software. In addition, I will adhere a delightful STOP Tag security plate to my laptop to prevent others from taking it and to help rescue it if it gets lost (http://universityofmarylandpolice.com/
PREVENTION/TheftPreventionProducts.cfm).

5. I will not use it on soft surfaces, such as my bed, couch, or lap. Doing so will block the air vents and force my laptop to overheat. In time, I will invest in a laptop desk so I may continue to work comfortably, but without the fire hazard.

6. I will turn it off or put it into hibernation before moving. I will not damage my laptop by carelessly transporting it while the hard drive is rotating.

7. I will shut it down when not in use. This includes during class, sleep, or trips home for the weekend.

8. I will perform regular maintenance. I will clean the screen and keyboard and will keep my antivirus and firewall protection updated. I will discard unused files and applications on my hard drive and back up the information most valuable to me.

But most importantly, I will foster a better relationship with my laptop, ensuring many happy years ahead. I encourage you to do the same.