Using the Rules feature correctly can help automate many tasks in GroupWise.

Brian Wilson, Systems Manager

   The rules feature in GroupWise is a powerful tool that allows you to handle different item types in a number of ways.  For example, you can place the mail from a specific sender into a designated folder automatically.
 
   The steps to create a rule are simple.  From the menubar, choose Tools and then Rules.  The rules dialog box appears.  Choose Create from the dialog box menu.  You now must set the conditions that make up the rule.
 
   First, we are asked for a rule name, which should be descriptive enough for you to distinguish what is occurring.  The example we will use is to set a rule where any incoming mail messages from Britta Dahl will be routed to a folder called “Support Items”.  Therefore, the rule name will be “Move Mail From Britta to Folder”.
 
   Next, we are asked to choose when the event occurs (“When Event Is”).  Since we are dealing with new incoming items, we can leave the defaults.
 
   The next area asks for the type of item we are dealing with.  This can be mail, appointments, tasks, notes, phone messages, or any combination of the above.  We will choose only Mail.  Also, since we only want to move mail that has been read, we will click on the Misc Values button and choose Opened under Item Status.
 
  The “If Item Contents Are” box allows for filtering of items by sender, recipient, subject and date/time.  In our example, the concern is the sender.  Here I will enter Britta Dahl, in the From box.  You must use the full name of the sender. You can click the Users button to bring up the GroupWise address book.
 
   Finally, we need to determine the actions to occur when an item meets the above criteria.  This is done with the “Then Actions Are” box.   Click the Add button to create an action.  Your choices include: Send Mail, Forward, Delegate, Reply, Move to Folder, and Delete.  We will choose Move to Folder.  A box with all of your folders appears.  Choose the appropriate folder.  We will use “Support Items”, a folder that was previously created.
 
   When all of the settings are correct, we click the Save button, which brings up the Rules box, and lists the name of the rule along with a checkbox where the rule can easily be turned on and off.  Now any incoming mail from Britta will be placed in the Support Items folder.  The folder will have a small  mail icon sticking out of it to inform you new mail is there.
 
   Another use of the rule feature has been to setup an auto-response message to incoming e-mail when a user is on vacation.  We will address this in a future issue of the Word IS.

 Joe Stenger, Network Manager

   As many of you already know, Microsoft Office 4.3 has been removed from the WinFrame server as Office 97 has become our supported platform.  As technology moves forward, we also have to move forward and deal with change.  The WinFrame is one of the many upgrades in store for the COM & PH.  The IS team will take a lead position in assuring a smooth and easy transition to new technologies as they are presented.
 
   Please remember, user feedback is very important to us in the IS Office.  It is how we evaluate the best way to help you.  Also, the IS Office should be your first contact for any and all computer related issues for COM & PH LAN users.

Wilson Burrows, Webmaster

   If you have visited the College of Medicine and Public Health’s External Website lately (http://www.med.ohio-state.edu), you may have noticed a behind-the-scenes change noted on the front page.  The site is now powered by a Silicon Graphics Origin 200 Web Server, which was named “Product of the Year” by Info World magazine.  This new server has drastically improved the power and speed of the website, and will allow for many new projects to be undertaken.

  The page is receiving an average of 1,800 visits each week.  These visits produce an average of 25,000 hits (page views) per week.  Numerous users from around the globe have visited the site.  For the week of April 4, 1998, there were 621 page views from Europe, 288 from Australia, and 282 from Asia. It truly is the World Wide Web!

  Another recent project was the publishing of match information for our students. This site was very popular, as it allowed students to easily see the match information for their entire class.

  If you have any questions about the website, or would like to discuss information you would like to place on-line, please call the IS Office at 8-5635, or myself directly at 2-0938.

Brian Wilson, Systems Manager

  Based on a survey by Olsten Staffing Service, Microsoft is expanding its dominance among users:

   Windows 98 is due to be released June 25, 1998, but questions remain as to whether Microsoft can meet this target date.  The ongoing Department of Justice investigations as well as efforts from the states threaten to delay the release date.  Technical problems also threaten to delay the launch.   The IS Office will work to keep you up to date on the latest developments.  It should be noted however, that the IS Office is NOT considering an upgrade to Windows 98 at this time.

   Do you have trouble remembering your ATM PIN number?  It could soon be a thing of the past.  A bank in England is using an ATM machine that uses a scan of the iris, the colored part of the eye.  The technology works by taking an initial scan of the eye when a user opens an account, and then compares it when the user attempts to use the card.
 
   The iris scan is used because no two people, even identical twins, have the same signature.  When a baby opens its eyes for the first time, the membranes covering them tear, causing a lifelong imprint on the iris.  The scanning performed by the ATM is painless, non-intrusive, and does not shine any light into customers’ eyes.