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September 29, 2009
Issue No. 81

Table of Contents

• Computing News
  • More Web Tools for Stanford
    
  • Tech Training Fall 2009
    
  • Online Tech Books-Expansion
    
  • Software Licensing Changes
    
  • Desktop Backup Service Update
    
  • Essential Stanford Software News
    
  • Virtual Server Offered at SU
    
  • SU Bookstore Computer News
    

Over the past few months, IT Services has added to its portfolio of Web tools available to the Stanford community: WebAFS, Collaboration Tools Installer, and the Stanford Web Forms Service.

WebAFS

WebAFS allows anyone using AFS to access directories and files using a Web browser. Using the tool, you are connected directly to your AFS home directory, but can navigate to other directories for which you have permissions, create directories, upload and download files, set permissions...almost all of the most common AFS tasks. For many clients, WebAFS provides a more convenient method for accessing AFS and does not require an application (e.g., SecureFX, OpenAFS) other than a browser to be installed on your desktop computer.

Collaboration Tools Installer

The Collaboration Tools Installer allows Stanford departments and groups with AFS space and a cgi-bin directory to use a central, do-it-yourself Web form to more easily install a few supported applications.

The main advantage of the installer is that it's quicker and easier than a self-install of any of these applications. For example, initializing one of the applications with the installer takes only a couple of minutes of filling out a Web-based form. Contrast this with a self-install that, when configured properly for the Stanford environment, could otherwise require as many as 50 steps, command-line expertise, and more than 30 minutes of your time. Additionally, the installer ensures that the application is properly configured for the Stanford environment, provides "skins" that match Stanford's web theme, and provides you with support from IT Services for future application upgrades. There is no charge for the service.

The tool includes installers and upgraders for a few popular tools already used by many campus departments:

• MediaWiki:a free software wiki package for collaborative document creation and information sharing.
• WordPress: a free open source blog tool and publishing platform.
• Drupal: an open source content management system for web publishing and collaboration.

Stanford Web Forms Service

This service is available to anyone at Stanford with a full-service SUNet ID for making contact forms, short surveys and polls, instructor evaluations, and other forms free of charge. No knowledge of HTML, JavaScript, or SQL is required, and the resulting forms are fully integrated with Stanford's web infrastructure. The form-building application provides a selection of pre-formatted fields and elements (both general-purpose and Stanford-specific), as well as pre-defined actions, which make it quick and easy to construct Web forms. Data collected through the forms can then be emailed to the form owner and/or stored in a MySQL database, where it can be viewed through a secure Web interface. For more information, visit webforms.stanford.edu.

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For fall 2009, IT Services Technology Training is offering a variety of classes on topics ranging from software applications, to operating systems, to the Web, and Internet subjects. This article highlights Technology Training's classes on drupal, a content management system, IT professional development classes, and a new partnership with lynda.com to provide online training to Stanford.

You can find more information about all Technology Training classes on the Web at:

http://techtraining.stanford.edu/

Drupal Training

In the past few months, IT Services Technology Training held several training sections of Drupal: Introductory Workshop (ITS-3020) on site. This fall, in addition to the Introductory Workshop, Technology Training is offering Drupal: Intermediate Workshop (ITS-3021) in November. This one-day workshop is for those who attended the Introductory Workshop and want to continue learning about Drupal modules with a focus on site building. It will include Stanford-specific considerations, (e.g., OpenAFS, WebAFS, WebAuth) when designing and implementing a Drupal Web site.

IT Professional Development

Did you know that Tech Training offers more than basic Excel training? The continually increasing program includes hands-on classes in Unix/Linux, XML Technologies, PHP, SQL, Flash, Ajax, Perl Scripting, and more. See the complete listing of Current Courses at http://itsupcoming.stanford.edu or on the Tech Training Web site. Sign up at http://axess.stanford.edu using the STARS (Training) tab. If you have any questions, please call 723-4391.

Lynda.com

lynda.com, a new online training resource, is available to Stanford faculty, staff, and students

IT Services Technology Training and lynda.com are partnering to provide online training to Stanford. The campus community can purchase directly from lynda.com a Premium Membership for a yearly subscription rate of $300 -- 20% discount from the regular $375 price -- simply because you're part of the Stanford community. Lynda.com provides high-quality training tutorials presented in an easy-to-use, self-paced video format. Play, stop, skip ahead, or rewind the modular videos to learn the specifics you need.

The Lynda.com Online Training Library(r) Subscription Benefits include:

• Unlimited access to over 640 software and design topics, with a library of over 40,000 video tutorials.
• A way to keep your skills sharp, current, and in high demand.
• Online learning convenience, so you can learn at your own pace, at work or home, 24/7.

The Online Training Library includes video training on the most up-to-date as well as earlier versions on a wide variety of software and design topics, (e.g., CS4, Acrobat 9, Office 2007, Drupal, Ruby on Rails, PHP, and much more). Sign-up at http://lynda.stanford.edu to start receiving the best online training available. (Staff can be reimbursed through STAP funds.)

Please note that TechPort is no longer available through Technology Training as of September 1, 2009. IT Services does not support lynda.com.

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The Stanford University Libraries have access to thousands of books on computing and information technology online. Recently there have been changes to our subscriptions to two of our collections for the next academic year.

Books 24x7

We continue to have no simultaneous user limits for the Books24x7 ITPro collection. This collection provides online access to over 8,235 computer and information technology books from Apress, Artech House, IGI, No Starch Press, Syngress, and other publishers. These books can be found by searching Socrates or Searchworks.

As a bonus, we will also have access to the Books24x7 FinancePro collection. This collection provides online access to over 950 finance-related books from AMACOM, Bloomberg, FERF, Wiley, and other publishers. These books cannot be located using Socrates or Searchworks at this time.

Safari Books Online

The Libraries continue to subscribe to the entire Safari Books Online collection, so you're not limited to only viewing selected O'Reilly titles, including the Head First series. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, we have reduced the maximum number of simultaneous users from seven to 6. The collection of over 7,600 titles also includes books from Addison-Wesley, Charles River Media, Peachpit Press, Prentice Hall, Sams, and other publishers. These books will be linked from Socrates and Searchworks later this year.

Access

All of these collections are linked from the Stanford Libraries' E-books and E-texts page.

More Information

If you have any questions or comments about these services, please contact Linda Yamamoto at the Mathematical and Computer Sciences Library, 650-723-0864, linday@stanford.edu.

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Software Licensing announces two major changes in service: an improved Web site and the transfer of the Microsoft and Adobe Student Software Sales programs to the Stanford Bookstore.

Enhanced Web Site

You may have noticed some changes to our Web site. In an effort to provide better service to our software clients, we have engaged e-academy to host our online order forms. They provide simple but robust one-stop shopping, using the popular Amazon.com-style shopping carts. Our most popular products are currently available at the same low prices, and the majority of these products are available for download directly from the e-academy site. When you access our Software Licensing software list, you will automatically be re-directed to the e-academy site for selected software orders.

Microsoft and Adobe Student Software Sales Program Moves

Our second major change is that we have transferred the Microsoft and Adobe Student Software Sales programs to the Stanford Bookstore. We worked hand-in-hand to assure a smooth transition of this service. The Bookstore offers comparable low prices, not only to students, but to faculty and staff as well. They are open evenings and weekends for purchasing convenience. See also Stanford Bookstore Computer Department: What's New for Fall and Frequently Asked Questions in this issue.

For More Information

As always, the Software Licensing team is here to help individuals and departments with their software needs. See our Web site for individual info pages on products licensed and for ordering instructions. See also our search site to find out where on campus to acquire the software you need.

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The IT Services Desktop and Laptop Backup Service has been updated. Changes to the service include:

Iron Mountain/Connected

• Now supports both Windows and Macintosh computers.
• Is currently priced at $12/computer/month for up to 30 GB.

Mozy

• Stanford now has a Master Agreement with Mozy.
• Mozy supports both Windows and Macintosh computers.
• Current business pricing is $3.95/computer/month + 50 cents per GB.

BaRS

• Stanford's BaRS service for desktops and laptops will be retired as of January 2010.
• The BaRS service for servers will continue.

For More Information

For more details about these services, please visit:

http://backup.stanford.edu

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For readers new to Stanford, Essential Stanford Software (ESS) is a collection of applications -- some free, others licensed by the University -- that help faculty, staff and students accomplish day-to-day tasks and keep their computers secure.

http://ess.stanford.edu/

Recent changes to the collection are described below.

Sophos Antivirus 7 for OS X: This is a significant upgrade of Sophos Antivirus, featuring a completely new user interface and a fix for an incompatibility with FileVault.

Stanford Desktop Tools 2.5: Available for both Windows and OS X, the latest version of Stanford Desktop Tools, which is used to keep other ESS software up to date, offers a number of bug fixes.

Bigfix for OS X: The patch-management service, which has been widely used on campus for years, is now available for OS X. Bigfix helps ensure your Macintosh computer has the latest operating system security updates. The patching is automated, unlike manual patching, and supplements Apple's Software Updates.

OpenAFS for Windows 1.5.60: The latest release of the Windows OpenAFS client packages custom hotfixes from Microsoft that were produced as a result of work done by the OpenAFS developers that uncovered a bug in Windows that could lead to timeouts with OpenAFS. The combination of these hotfixes and this latest client promises a significant improvement to the reliability of the Windows OpenAFS client. Note: This software is available via http://www.stanford.edu/services/openafs or through Stanford Desktop Tools.

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IT Services now offers a basic model for server virtualization, a server farm that allows for public data as defined by Stanford's data classification guidelines. This environment already contains over 50 virtual servers - that's 50 servers that take up only half a rack's worth of space instead of a rack and a half.

If your department would like to avoid the headache of buying and managing your own servers, this may be a great option for you! More information on this service is available online at:

http://www.stanford.edu/services/virtualservers/

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How can I find out about your latest prices and inventory?

Check out our Web site at http://bookstorecomputers.stanford.edu/. The Computer Department is located on the second floor of the Stanford Bookstore. The price lists on our Web site are updated daily and reflect current inventory. Also, we now have a shopping cart on our Web site that accepts online orders.

The Stanford Bookstore's Computer Department is located on the second floor.

Who is eligible to buy computers at the Stanford Bookstore?

We sell computers to the Stanford community. Stanford students, faculty, and staff are all eligible to take advantage of our education discounts. Visiting scholars, Continuing Studies students, and Stanford conference and camp attendees are also eligible. Of course, Medical Center staff and SLAC employees are also always welcome to buy hardware.

Who is eligible to buy software at the Stanford Bookstore?

Our software is available for purchase to people who have a current academic ID. Software licenses for certain Microsoft and Adobe products are now available at a discounted price.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Most credit cards, debit cards, AMEX, Discover, cash, or checks are accepted.

How about payment for departmental purchases?

Campus departments must use an online Standard Purchase Requisition form, which should be forwarded to Procurement. Departmental orders totaling less than $2500 (including tax) can be purchased with a Stanford Purchasing Card (VISA/MasterCard) or Rapid Purchase Order (RPO), which can be faxed (650-325-3476), or brought into the store and used like cash.

Do I get a faculty, staff, or student discount?

As a member of the Stanford community, you are welcome to buy our merchandise at our academic prices, as marked.

What brands of computers do you sell?

Apple, Lenovo, Sony, and Dell.

What are the benefits of buying computer hardware and software at the Stanford Bookstore?

Our prices are often academic or less; we usually have the lowest price available for Apple, Lenovo, Sony, and Dell computers. We are conveniently located, we carry a large inventory of products, we are often able to replace new units that are defective, we have in-house repair for Apple computers, and we offer frequent deals on recently discontinued merchandise. Also, we have seasonal promotional offers, especially during the back to school time frame and the winter holiday period.

What kinds of accessories, peripherals, and other items do you sell?

We have an assortment of items including computer sleeves, carrying cases, iPod accessories, computer mice, keyboards, mousepads, hard drives, surge protectors, routers, hubs, ethernet cables, video adaptors, monitors, power supplies, batteries, media, flash drives, web cams, microphones, headsets, speakers, ink, toner cartridges, printing paper, PDAs, digital cameras, cell phones, video games, cleaning supplies, and gift cards. And we usually get shipments of new items twice a day.

The Stanford Bookstore is conveniently located near White Plaza and the Old Union.

Can I order a computer with different specifications than those listed on your price list?

Yes, please talk with any computer sales associate for a quote and delivery time estimate on your "built-to-order" computer.

If you don't have an item in your store, can you still get it for me?

We can often accommodate special orders. Please let a sales associate know what you are interested in and they will check on availability, price, and arrival time.

Do I have to purchase AppleCare at the same time that I purchase the computer?

No, you have one year from the purchase date to purchase AppleCare.

What is the advantage of purchasing AppleCare with my computer?

With AppleCare, you will be eligible for 3 years of telephone support. If one of your computer parts fails, AppleCare will cover the parts and labor costs of the repair. If you have a desktop computer (iMac, Mac Pro), Apple will visit your home or office for the repair, if necessary. AppleCare provides international coverage.

Where can I go to have my computer insured against theft and accidental damage?

This company offers computer insurance to Stanford students: http://www.safeware.com/stanford/

Do you ship computers?

Yes, we can ship merchandise to locations in the US. For the protection of the merchandise, all shipments are insured and usually shipped via FedEx 2nd day air with signature required. Sales tax will be based on the shipping location. Please talk with a sales associate if you need a quote for shipping costs.

Can I get my iPod engraved?

Yes, we are happy to provide this service at no extra charge. The engraving process usually takes about one week.

Can I return my computer?

Once you've opened it, we'd like you to keep it. If it is defective during the first 7 days of your ownership and the manufacturer confirms the defect, you can exchange your computer for a new one. We require your original receipt and box and packing materials to facilitate the exchange. See http://bookstorecomputers.stanford.edu/ for our full return policy.

Can I return my software?

Once you've opened it, we'd like you to keep it. If it is defective within the first 30 days after your purchase, you may exchange it for the same title and platform. See http://bookstorecomputers.stanford.edu/ for our full return policy.

Do you offer computer repairs?

Our computer service department is an Apple authorized service center. We perform warranty and non-warranty repairs on all Apple products. We facilitate PC repairs through Computer Care (www.computercare.net). We can perform backups and data transfers and we sell memory and internal hard drives for most computers. We are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. We can be contacted by calling 650-329-1217, x338.

Can I buy my computer on an installment plan?

We do not offer financing. Many customers take out a computer loan from the Stanford Credit Union to finance their purchase.

How can I find out about your latest prices and inventory?

Check our Web site at http://bookstorecomputers.stanford.edu/

When are you open?

Normal store hours are:

Monday through Thursday, 8am - 8pm
Friday, 8am - 7pm
Saturday, 9am - 6pm_Sunday, 11am - 6pm

Service center hours are:

Monday through Friday, 8am - 5:30pm

Where are you located?

You can find us on campus on the second floor of the Stanford Bookstore, next to the Post Office at:

519 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA 94305

What are Your Phone and Fax Numbers?

Phone: 650-329-1217, x456

Fax: 650-325-3476

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