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Information Technology
Swedenborg Memorial Library
937-484-1332 or 800-7 URBANA ext. 1332
help@urbana.edu
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 am- 4:30 pm
 Information Technology is defined as the hardware, software and other electronic elements of University infrastructure that serve to support the University’s mission, and those tasked with providing service and support to those components. At Urbana University there are three primary components to Information Technology: Computer & Network Services (CNS), the Merlin Project, and Instructional Technology and Web Services. These components work together to fulfill the I.T.-related needs of the University.
Computer & Network Services
The mission of CNS at Urbana University is to provide the infrastructure that fuels the University community's computing, networking, telecommunications systems.
CNS facilities are located all over campus. Some, such as the computer labs, are open for use by students, while others are only accessible to members of CNS and other IT-related departments.
The Merlin Project
 Currently Urbana University is implementing a collection of administrative software systems known as the Merlin Project. When completed, the Merlin Project will allow students, administrators and faculty alike to have better, more reliable access to information regarding all aspects of university operations from registering for classes to student billing to faculty advising and a host of other services.
Questions regarding the Merlin Project should be directed to Stephen Hill, the project manager.
Instructional Technology and Web Services
The Association for Educational Communications and Technology defines Instructional Technology as: “the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management and evaluation of processes and resources for learning.”
At Urbana University, Instructional Technology includes a range of functions: online learning tools such as Blackboard, Distance Learning projects, faculty learning community facilitation, coordination of faculty and staff training, as well as the hardware and software for use in the classroom, computer labs, and other learning environments.
Web Services incorporates the management of a broad range of Internet and Intranet related web pages. Aspects of the Web Services mission overlap with those of the Merlin Project, as well as CNS.
Accessing Urbana University's Network
CNS Work Order Form
A work order system designed to assist those providing I.T. support was implemented during the 2006-2007 academic year. While completion of a work order form is currently not required to receive services from CNS or other I.T. organizations on campus, students are encouraged to fill out a form prior to bringing their computer in for service. The information requested on the form will assist in providing you better service.
Tech Tips
 Flash Drives
Flash drives, JumpDrives™, Pocket drives™, Pen drives™, and Thumb drives™ are all names for the same thing. They are a solid-state medium for storing data, music, photos, and/or applications.
A flash drive has many advantages over other removable media such as floppy disks, CD-ROMs, ZIP disks and others. Unlike Zip disks, floppies and CDs, flash memory lacks moving parts, making it ideal as a simple solution, requiring only a port to interact with a system. It doesn't require any special hardware, it is smaller, more portable and it is not as likely to develop storage errors. Flash storage devices, compared to other storage media, are fast, high capacity, durable, and compact.
- If It Sounds Too Good to Be True...
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) recently published "IC3 2004 Internet Fraud - Crime Report" a document that details the types and frequency of Internet fraud scams worldwide. The Internet Fraud Complaint Center, a partnership between the FBI and the NW3C, gives you an easy, fast way to report Internet fraud, and also issues press releases regarding the latest threats.
- Protecting Your PC
Helpful hints that will improve your PCs performance.
- Toolbars
Toolbars are a basic part of a graphical user interface, but many search engine providers such as Yahoo and others have begun offering additional toolbar add-ons. Most all of them are free to download and install. They become embedded in the browser or the Windows taskbar and tout quick access to the search box, along with other "helpful" features such as highlighting search terms and blocking pop-up ads.
While the primary toolbar offerings, such as Google toolbar and MSN toolbar, are for the most part benign, overall the negatives (less browser window space, eschewed search results, etc.) out weigh the positives when it comes to their use. Indeed, there are some toolbar add-ons designed by marketers and hackers that masquerade as providing goods and services (search engine, free electronics, even cash) and in reality serve as nothing more than spyware or Trojan virus platforms.
We strongly recommend that rather than downloading and using toolbar add-ons to your browser, simply bookmark your favorite search engines or add them to your Favorites, and seek pop-up blocking software that does not include an additional toolbar in your browser window (i.e. No-Ads). In fact, the latest versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows XP include a pop-up blocker as an integral feature and make additional software unnecessary altogether.
If you live/work on campus and need help removing toolbar add-on software, or have additional questions, please contact us.
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