CaTS Blog

CaTS would like to remind the university that on August 31, 2010, we will be removing all dial-up modem banks on campus. These modems are currently being used by faculty, staff, and students to obtain free dial-up internet access on their home computer. After August 31, those who currently use this service will need to seek other means of internet access such as an ISP (Internet Service Provider) or cable provider. If you have questions concerning removal of the modem banks or how this will affect your at-home internet access, please contact the CaTS Help Desk at 775-4827.

Below are examples of companies that provide comparable dial-up services.

AOL Basic Dial-up:
http://free.aol.com/tryaolfree/index3.adp?promo=804300&service=aol&sem=1...

NetZero: http://www.netzero.net

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.

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.

1) Removal of Modem Banks

Due to decreased usage, the campus dial-in modem pool will be shut down on August 31, 2010. Use has fallen substantially in the last several years and the equipment has exceeded its expected life.

2) WINGS Redesign Coming April 17

The new and improved WINGS is on its way! Along with a fresh look and streamlined content, the redesigned WINGS will offer many exciting new features including:

- Single sign-on to WINGS Express
- Streamlined campus communications
- New tab for First Year Students
- Better organized content
- and much more!

Watch the University Message Board channel on the Home tab for more information in the coming weeks on the new and improved WINGS.

3) Office 2010 Coming Soon for Windows

Microsoft will be releasing a new version of Office later this summer, featuring updated versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and other popular applications. A beta version of Office 2010 has been available for several months and has been in testing by CaTS, the Libraries and several other departments on campus.

Office 2010 features a somewhat redesigned interface, but should be very familiar to current Office 2007 users. File formats are the same, so there should be no difficulty exchanging documents between Office 2010 and 2007. Training will be offered starting fall quarter.

CaTS is working with the Faculty Senate IT Sub-Committee on the implementation of Office 2010. We anticipate it being available on campus this fall and will be installed across all CaTS managed labs, computer teaching classrooms and electronic classrooms for winter quarter. If the release is delayed beyond mid-summer, campus availability may be pushed back.

Faculty using Office for instructional purposes should prepare to use the new version at that time.

4) Windows 7 Support Plan

CaTS will be supporting Windows 7 on new PCs starting this summer. On or around July 1st, recommended HP PCs will ship with Windows 7 as the default, though Windows XP can be requested at the time of installation. The university will be standardizing Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit edition in order to maximize system performance and support memory configurations of 4 GB and greater.

CaTS and campus technology coordinators have been evaluating Windows 7 since late last year. Current versions of the most popular campus applications are now compatible with Windows 7; however some applications still require Windows XP. A list of tested applications and compatibility issues is available at https://www.wright.edu/cats/docs/win7_application_test_list.pdf.

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.