Poll Update - Windows 7

We recently asked you how likely you'd be to upgrade to Windows 7 now that it's launched.  The answer? About two thirds of respondents said that they would be upgrading to Windows 7, or 68%.

For those of you that will be upgrading to Windows 7 - or already have - be sure to check out Lynda.com's Windows 7 training modules.

Look for our next poll in the OIT website sidebar.  We look forward to your feedback.

Interested in a New Mac? Stop by the Apple @ WC Kiosk!

If you are in the market for a new Mac - for yourself or your department - make sure you stop by our Apple @ WC information kiosk. As an Apple on Campus location, we have a 13" and 15" MacBook Pro (two of our recommended systems) available for you to try before you buy. The kiosk's location right next door to the HelpDesk makes it easy to ask questions about the computers, inquire about savings on Apple purchases and even get online to place an order!

Why drive all the way to an Apple Store in Annapolis or Christiana when you can get your hands on a Mac right here today?

If you have any questions about the Apple @ WC kiosk, feel free to ask Nick Smerker at 410-810-7421.

Update: Meeting Maker Repaired

All Meeting Maker services have been restored at this time.

OIT apologizes for any inconveniences this may have caused.

Meeting Maker Web Client Issues

OIT is aware that the web page for Meeting Maker is not functioning correctly. OIT is working on resolving this issue and will notify everyone when it has been repaired.

Meeting Maker's client application is working properly.

November 11: Veteran's Day US Mail Schedule

The US Post Office is closed on Wednesday, November 11 in observance of Veteran's Day. Though the post office is officially closed, they will pick up the College's outgoing mail at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Therefore Central Services will deliver incoming mail and pick up outgoing mail on Wednesday morning only. If you have mail that must go out on Wednesday, please have it ready for Central Services' staff to pick up no later than 11:00 am on Wednesday. If you miss the 11:00 am pick up, please bring your mail to Central Services. Mail received after 1:45 pm will be sent out on Thursday, November 12.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Katie Marge at extension 7112.

Mac OS X "Secrets"

Ever wanted to make Mac OS X work just the way you want it?  Were you ever certain that, given Apple's exacting standards, there had to be a way to make x do y?  Well, you were probably right.  Lots of the software settings that were deemed too specific or potentially confusing are lying dormant in your install of OS X right now - and a new Preference Pane can enable them for you.

Secrets is a free download from Blacktree that allows you to turn on numerous hidden options and settings in Mac OS X versions 10.5 and 10.6.  Once its installed, Secrets will live in your System Preferences as its own pane, and will allow you to do things like changing the appearance of the Dock, behavior of Labels and more.  Pretty handy, eh?

(Thanks, Gizmodo.)

Got a New OS? Lynda.com Has Great Training!

With the recent launch of both Mac OS X 10.6 and Windows 7, many of you might be thinking about upgrading your operating system - or already have!  If you fall into either camp, Lynda.com has video introductions that will walk you through the new features of each OS.  To view previews of these videos, visit the links below:

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard New Features
Windows 7 Essential Training

To view the full training modules, request a free Lynda.com account from the HelpDesk at 410-778-7777.

To learn more about Lynda.com, visit oit.washcoll.edu/lynda.

iTunes U Turns 300 (Pieces of Content)

With the posting of Annette Gordon-Reeds celebratory talk and Dr. Richard DeProspo's presentation to the American Corner in Baia Mare, Romania today, iTunes U has officially hit 300 pieces of audio and video content.  If you haven't visited iTunes U or haven't been in awhile, definitely make a point of checking out this unique repository of Washington College materials.

To get to iTunes U, visit itunesu.washcoll.edu or type "itunesu" into any browser on campus.  Don't forget, you can visit iTunes U from your iPhone or iPod Touch, too!

Zimbra Tip: Exchange Set Up on Wireless

Are you using an Exchange account with your mail client - like Thunderbird, Mail, Outlook, etc. - to access Zimbra email? If you are, you may have noticed that sending on the wireless network does not always work properly. To ensure that your account is configured properly for wireless sending, be sure to set the sending port to be 465, ignoring all others.

An example from Apple's Mail application follows:

In this case, note Use custom port: is selected and I've keyed in 465 in the blank.

Windows 7 Tip: Upgrade from Release Candidate

Have you been running the Windows 7 Release Candidate and want to upgrade to the full retail version?

If you've bought yourself a retail copy of Windows 7, you can avoid doing a clean install and instead upgrade your existing RC1 installation by following the steps that Maximum PC outlines in the following article:

Windows 7 Upgrade Guide for RC (Release Candidate) Users

As with any "hack," attempt this at your own risk and definitely back up your data first!