IT Update for February 25, 2009

IT News, February 25, 2009

1. Email transition to Gmail

We appreciate everyone who has become an "early switcher" from Groupwise to Oregon Gmail. Based on feedback from those who have already switched, we are streamlining the transition process and ironing out some glitches. (Yes, believe it or not, even Google has glitches.) We will provide more documentation and formal training sessions after spring break. Thanks for your patience as we try to make it as smooth as possible.

2. Wireless

Many have asked when wireless access will come to your school. For a complete explanation of why we temporarily stopped installing wireless access points, read the Wireless LAN Roadmap at http://osdtech.blogspot.com/2009/02/wireless-lan-roadmap.html

In short, the moratorium has been lifted, and here is our timeline for the coming months:

    * Pilot of either Cisco or Aruba 802.11n network in English area of OHS.
    * Phase 2 network infrastructure deployment spring 2009
    * 802.11g managed APs deployed to elementary schools summer 2009
    * 802.11n managed APs installed in RCI, OMS, OHS summer 2009
    * All plans are dependent upon funding, which has not yet been approved.

3. Summer courses

We are now accepting proposals for teaching summer courses. You can submit a course proposal online at http://db.oregonsd.org/district/course_proposal/ The deadline is March 14.

You will be able to register to take a summer course beginning March 21.

Notable quote:
In the absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia. -Unknown

IT News, February 4, 2009: Summer classes, Gmail, logins, and Board Policy

OSD IT News
Februrary 4, 2009

1. Summer classes- let us know what you want!

We are planning the Oregon Summer Series of classes. So, what do you want to take? Let us know by entering your request online. See your staff email for the link (I'm not posting it here because they spammers would get it and put all sorts of junk in the form.)

2. Login issues

We are still wrestling daily with the server refusing to log people in. It's a weird thing where we think we have everything fixed, and then the next day they suddenly stop working again for no apparent reason.

3. Board Policy regarding student cell phones and devices

Did you know that the Board policy no longer prohibits students from bringing their own computing and communication devices to school? This is in line with the nature of 21st Century learning, and the prevalence of devices being used by students. See the policy at http://www.oregonsd.org/site_uploads/news/newsfile1344_1.pdf. Teachers, of course, still have the right and responsibility to prohibit usage when it interferes with learning, but they also have the freedom to have students use information devices as a learning tool when appropriate.

4. Email

Many of you have already accessed your new Gmail account in Google Apps. To get started, just

1. go to http://www.OregonSD.net 
2. click on the big "OSD Start Page" header
3. enter your Novell username and password. If it's your first time logging in, you'll be asked to enter some squiggly letters and click "I Accept."
4. On your start page, click on "Email." This is your new Google Apps email account, where messages sent to xyz@oregonsd.net go.
   

If you want to use the new Google Apps Gmail to access your GroupWise mail, you'll want to read the instructions at http://sites.google.com/a/oregonsd.net/technology/support/email-migration (Note: Link has been fixed.)

Note: These instructions require you to login first, since we don't want just anybody looking at our documentation.

Notable quote: "There is never a wrong time to do the right thing." -unknown, but recently said by Mike Chapes