The Libraries recently completed a planning process to ensure that resources are aligned to meet the changing needs of its users. The evolution of digital content, new forms of information access, and tools for communication and exchange are changing rapidly. As this digital context changes how faculty and students discover and manage their research resources, create new knowledge, and share their work, the Libraries are challenged to support them. For more information see University Libraries Vision, Mission, and Goals or download the full report (pdf).

Posted 6:19 PM | Permalink

A list of University publications that might be helpful in gathering what's going on around the U is being created as part of the work of the University's Internal Communications group. Currently, the collection is meant to showcase primarily either flagship publications or those intended primarily for faculty and staff.

This is a developing resource of publications ranging from administrative, to college, institutes, and others. To view the current list, visit U of M Publications. Please provide feedback and submit any omissions, as well as any corrections and additions, to overland@umn.edu.

Posted 6:11 PM | Permalink

The Office of Information Technology offers a number of technology training courses Please visit Technology Training for a complete listing of training courses.

Geographic Information Systems: Analyzing Data and Creating Maps
Jan 7, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Blegen 90
Windows

Moodle 1.9: Creating Basic Course Web Sites
Jan 12, 1:00 PM-4:30 PM
Walter 210
Macintosh/Windows

SAS Programming I - Essentials
Jan 25, 27 and Feb 1, 2, 1:00 PM-4:30 PM
Blegen 90
Windows

Excel 2007: Managing and Analyzing Data
Jan 26, 28, 1:00 PM-4:30 PM
Walter 210
Windows

Gmail and Google Calendar Overview
Jan 27, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Walter 210
Seminar

Posted 6:05 PM | Permalink

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) spring training schedule is now available on OIT's technology training web site (uttc.umn.edu).

To view all available offerings click on "List of Courses" in the left navigation bar.

Posted 3:23 PM | Permalink

Issue

At 12:20 p.m. today, December 10, 2010, power was interrupted and then quickly restored in the Bio Ag Engineering Building equipment room. This affected all systems and services supported in that facility. Systems included the following: three email servers, UMCal, the U of M homepage, telephone service for the Saint Paul and printing services area, the Data Network, Storage systems, X.500 servers, authentication, and other backup systems. Some services were not affected, as redundancy capabilities were being utilized.

Cause

A semi annual testing of the fire control system in the OIT Equipment room in the Bio Ag Eng building resulted in a failure of the system that caused a six-minute loss of power, as the emergency power off circuit was inadvertently energized as part of the test. The root cause at this point is human factors.

Time Line of Events

• 12:20 p.m. Power was lost
• 12:26 p.m. Power was restored
• 12:35 p.m. PBX and Data Network services restored
• 12:45 p.m. Remaining services and applications were being recovered by systems administrators

After power was restored, impacted systems and services returned to normal functioning one at a time, as their system administrators brought them back online.

Follow Up Actions

• Review procedures for the testing of the system
• Review change control process
• Evaluate the fire control system for failures
• Review efficiency of service restoration
• Review outage communication issues

Posted 4:03 PM | Permalink

Members of the University have been receiving fake emails directing them to download updated software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader and Skype. Do not be deceived! These are not legitimate.

Check your software vendor's web pages directly for updates. Also, you can go to the Safe Computing site for information on current patches and updates, as well as information on how to check whether your system is current.

Posted 12:14 PM | Permalink