New Remote Solution Arrives!

The Citrix WinFrame solution allows for better reliability and easy access to your network files and GroupWise e-mail and calendars.

Joe Stenger, Network Manager

   The new Citrix WinFrame remote solution is now in place.  This allows for up to eight concurrent connections to the LAN (Local Area Network) from a remote location.  The WinFrame server allows all the functionality of being at your desk’s workstation.  Delivered through the WinFrame are the following applications: Microsoft Office 4.3, Microsoft Office 97, GroupWise, File Manager, and Paradox (for SIS access).

   With the Microsoft Office applications you are able to create and edit existing or new documents.  With File Manager, you are able to copy or move your documents.  Also within the File Manager, you will notice the drive mappings match the drive mappings at your desk. S:\= shared drive, U:\= user directory, C:\= the local hard drive of the machine you are using.
 
   With GroupWise, you have all the functions of using GroupWise at the office, including scheduling capabilities and e-mail capabilities.

   Paradox allows access to the SIS (Student Information Systems) database for those who have rights to this information.  In other words, if you are able to view SIS from your desktop, you will be able to view it in a remote setting as well.

   This remote solution is a major upgrade to the old Reachout solution.  There have been a number of test runs on the WinFrame server from the IS team and LAN users. As with any remote solutions, the needed connection steps must be followed in order to assure a stable connection.
 
   An educational session was held for those requesting use of this remote application. Also, individual sessions are available by calling the IS Office at 8-5635.
 
   A special thanks to the IS team, and all the people who provided test for the remote WinFrame solution.
 
   If you are interested in more information, please contact the IS Office at 8-5635.

Robert R. McKenney, FAAMA, Director

   The College of Medicine and Public Health Information Systems (IS) Office recognizes the need to provide guidance in the area of computer hardware and software.  Given that this office has a responsibility to both the medical complex and Campus, we strive to achieve a balance between the needs of both groups.

   It is the desire of the IS Office of the College of Medicine and Public Health to strike this balance by means of providing compatible software and hardware so that the constraints of incompatible equipment can be minimized or avoided altogether.

   In working with such areas as the Hospitals' Information Systems, ARMS, and UTS, a clear need to provide compatibility with multiple computing platforms emerged.
 
   Therefore, the College's IS Office is pleased to recommend the following platform for computing in our environment.

  Windows based PC’s will have a recommended base of a Pentium II processor, running at 233MHz.  Systems should have at least 32 MB of RAM, a 3.2 GB hard drive, and a 17” monitor.  Software on the systems should consist of the Windows 95 operating system, Microsoft Office 97, a Novell 32-bit client for networking, and the WinFrame client for remote access, if necessary.

   If you have any questions about computer recommendations, we would be happy to answer them.  Give us a call at 8-5635.

Britta K. Dahl, Systems Specialist

   Now that you have gotten into the habit of running the scandisk and defragmentation programs while you go to lunch and deleting those pesky temp files, dig into the closet for some cleaning solutions.  I suggest using the following supplies: rubbing alcohol, Windex, compressed air, lint-free cloths, cotton balls, and Formula 409.
 
   Let’s start with the keyboard.  First you want to get out the dust and crumbs that have accumulated inside the keypads.  (As a side note: You should avoid eating over your keyboard at all costs.) To get out dust only, use a can of compressed air to shoot high-pressure gusts under the keys.  If you have a prodigious amount of crumbs, turn the keyboard upside down over a trash can and very gently shake it.  Watch out for the fallout!  To clean the tops of the keys, put a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball, and carefully rub the tops of the keys. You may need to clean the sides of the keys also. Let the alcohol stay on the keys for a minute or so, then wipe it off. All that grunge that has accumulated should rub right away.  If any remains, repeat this process as necessary.
 
   Next, we’ll clean the inside and outside of your mouse.  The outside can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball also.  This can be done while the computer is on, but when you clean the inside of the mouse, make sure the computer is off.   Turn the mouse over.  To open the case and clean inside, twist the plate that covers the ball towards the direction that the arrows point.  The plate will click and will not twist any further.  Over your palm, flip the mouse right side up.  The plate and mouse ball will fall into your hand.  Use compressed air to blow any dust out.  The rollers, which come in contact with the mouse ball, may have become gunked-up.  These can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol also, but you probably want to use a cotton swab instead of cotton ball.

   Your computer’s case may become dusty.  You can use Formula 409 or another all-purpose cleaner to clean this, but avoid drips from making their way inside the case.  You don’t want to short out any circuits.

   Lastly, we occasionally point to a place on our monitors, leaving unsightly fingerprints on the screen.  While the monitor is turned off, use any glass cleaner with a lint-free cloth to keep the viewing area clear.
 
   Now, that wasn’t so bad, was it?

Peter Wenk, SIS Manager

   For those of you unfamiliar with the term, ‘SIS’ stands for Student Information Systems.  SIS runs off of the College of Medicine and Public Health’s LAN, which is managed by the Information Systems Office.  SIS is the database system that houses not only student information, but also testing, grades, course scheduling, and preceptor information.  SIS is just the beginning of a “Data Warehouse” for the College.  As the data in SIS grows, it will be called upon more frequently to track, measure, and report on the effectiveness of College of Medicine and Public Health programs.

   SIS is currently undergoing a complete re-assessment relative to the future information requirements of the College, SIS users, students, and the growing need for remote access.  The best system designers are its users, and input from SIS users during this re-assessment is critical to the ongoing success of the system.  In the coming weeks, we will be surveying users, so start making your wish lists now.  And keep those cards and letters coming to wenk.3@osu.edu.