CaTS Blog

Below are some of the upcoming projects CaTS is working on for the fall and winter quarters. If you have questions about any of these projects, feel free to contact the Help Desk at (937) 775-4827 or 1-888-775-4827.

1) Office 2010 and Adobe CS5 Upgrades for CaTS Labs/Classrooms

By the beginning of winter quarter, all CaTS-managed electronic classrooms and computer labs will receive two major software upgrades: Office 2010 (Windows-only) and Adobe CS5. Microsoft Office 2010 features Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher and OneNote and replaces the older Office 2007. File formats have not changed, so documents can easily be shared between the two versions. Faculty and staff that wish to upgrade their departmental PC to Office 2010 can request a free upgrade through the Help Desk.

The Adobe Creative Suite used in CaTS-managed facilities will also be upgraded in time for winter quarter. Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium CS5 includes Photoshop Extended, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Pro, Flash Professional and Dreamweaver. Design Premium CS5 replaces the older CS3 suite. The 058 Library Macintosh classroom formerly ran the Master Suite CS3 and will also move to the Design Premium Suite CS5.

2) Windows 7 Testing for CaTS Labs/Classrooms

Currently, CaTS is evaluating Windows 7 for future use in our computer classrooms, open labs and electronic classrooms. At this time, two labs (016 and 026 Library Annex) have Windows 7 installed and are available if you want to test software for compatibility. We ask that instructors test their applications in either of these labs and let the Help Desk know of any problems or software compatibility issues.

3) Active Directory Transition

In the summer of 2010, CaTS began transitioning our file storage and printing network infrastructure from Novell Directory Services to Microsoft Active Directory. Novell is the system on campus that is used to facilitate access to network drives such as your H:\ and K:\ (also called users and shared on a Mac), as well as access to network printers.

This new infrastructure will give CaTS the ability to meet future needs and expectations of our users by providing them with better system functionality and tools to conduct their daily operations.

If you would like to learn more about this transition, please visit our Active Directory Transition website, located at https://www.wright.edu/cats/ad/ . You’ll find answers to frequently asked questions concerning this change.

4) Atomic Learning for Wright State University

Recently, CaTS acquired a license for a product called Atomic Learning. Atomic Learning offers video tutorials on current and popular software titles, including Microsoft Office and products from Adobe. All university faculty, staff, and students now have access to the full library of videos included in Atomic Learning. If you'd like to get started using this resource, follow these steps:

1) Log in to WINGS (http://wings.wright.edu)
2) Click on the “Resources” tab.
3) Under the “Training & Workshops” channel, look for the “Computing and Telecommunications Services (CaTS)” area.
4) Click the “Atomic Learning for Wright State University” link.
5) Login with your campus username and password.

If you have questions concerning Atomic Learning, feel free to contact the CaTS Help Desk at (937) 775-4827, or toll free at 1-888-775-4827.

5) New Email Service for Students

This winter, Wright State University is launching RaiderMail, a brand new student e-mail system with lots of features that students have been asking for. RaiderMail uses the Microsoft Live@edu service, and it provides incredible amounts of inbox storage (10 GB), the ability to collaborate on class and club projects, remote access to documents, and a wright.edu email address. More details about RaiderMail, its benefits and features, and the procedures for signing up will be discussed further in an upcoming email. Faculty and staff should note that RaiderMail is only for students; it will not affect your email inbox or change how you communicate via email with your students.

Questions or Comments?
If you have questions or concerns about any of the topics presented here, please contact the CaTS Help Desk through email at helpdesk@wright.edu or by phone at (937) 775.4827.

The Wright State University wireless network was established to give WSU students, faculty, and staff convenient access to the internet and WSU computer systems. Currently, the wireless network allows free and open access to everyone, including those who have no affiliation with WSU.

On August 23, 2010, CaTS will establish authentication requirements on all campus wireless networks and the wired networks in the residence halls. This is being done to ensure WSU’s network is not being used by non-affiliated individuals.

CaTS would also like to make you aware that beginning on August 23 when this change takes effect, you will need to install a small software program that allows wireless authentication to work. You will only need to install this software once. To see more information about this process, including authentication directions and how to install the above-mentioned software, see the following website: https://www.wright.edu/cats/wireless/authentication.html.

If you have any questions or concerns about wireless network authentication, please contact the CaTS Help Desk at 775-4827.

Please note: If you have requested Virtual Private Network (VPN) access from CaTS within the last 4 months (through The VPN Website) you can disregard this message.

As someone who has previously used the Wright State University Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection, CaTS would like to make you aware of the following information regarding VPN.

Earlier this year, CaTS implemented a new VPN software client, and along with that a new process for requesting and using the software. If you have not requested access to VPN within the last 4 months, please be aware that the VPN software you currently use will no longer work after June 30, 2010, due to discontinued support from the software manufacturer.

If you are using the old software client and would still like to use the VPN connection, you will need to request this access through the following website: The VPN Website. You will be guided through each step of the process, from download to installation.

If you have any questions about this change, please contact the Help Desk at 775-4827, 1-888-775-4827, or send an email to helpdesk@wright.edu.

CaTS would like to inform the university about two important security changes regarding the WINGS Express system. Beginning May 27, 2010, all users logging in to WINGS Express will be required to do the following:

1) Enter a new, 8-14 character PIN for your account.

2) Select two security questions and provide an answer to those questions.

CaTS has made this change to increase the security of your account. We recommend that you login to WINGS Express, change your PIN, and pick your security questions as soon as possible after the May 27 transition. By doing so, you will ensure that your account is ready to use before you need to complete time sensitive tasks such as entering grades, registering for classes, or entering time sheets.

For detailed information and answers to common questions concerning this new policy, please see the following website: https://www.wright.edu/cats/general/pin_faq.html.