Sessions about Technical Support

NC Cooperative Extension is in the business of generating and sharing knowledge and information for both internal and public consumption. Our previous computing infrastructure, a Linux terminal-server based solution, limited our county extension offices’ ability to “do the business” of the organization. It was time for a change. This session explores the methods and processes that were implemented to drive the transition of the county computing infrastructure from a Linux platform to a Macintosh platform. Changing computer platforms is always a challenge, even more so when budget constraints require a drastic deviation from the primary working model. This session also explores a shift in focus from a technology-driven solution to a problem-driven solution. We discuss how addressing the problem, as opposed to the technology, helps to clarify the real purpose of a project. By answering the question, “What problem are we trying to solve?” we were able to rethink the situation and provide our users with a computing solution that fit. In addition, we were able to overcome obstacles created from the budget constraints, overcome our tradition model mindsets, and eliminate some of our traditional tedious tasks.

For anyone that has digital photos, we'll review Apple's iPhoto and other photo album tools. You'll learn how to organize your photos with keywords and albums, how to archive photos you are ready to "put away", and learn tips and tricks on printing and making special projects.

Having the ability to quickly image or clone hard drives (or even a specific partition of a given disk) is invaluable to IT field technicians. Combined with the ability to store and manage several partitions, scale partition sizes, and perform hard drive diagnostics – the ramifications of having all these capabilities on one small portable device are much more far reaching than one might first imagine. This session will begin with a “real-life” demonstration. A computer will be shown running Windows and Office 2000. By the end of the 15 minute demonstration, the same computer will boot to the same 40GB hard drive running completely updated versions of Windows XP, Office 2003, Adobe Reader, Adobe Shockwave Player, Java, etc... The remainder of the session will be dedicated to discussing front-end image preparation, post imaging considerations, and questions will be addressed.

Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) staff support nearly 100 servers in 73 locations for a variety of tasks. The 66 that are physically remote from our operations center add extra complexity to our "care and feeding" processes. We'll share the tools we use from Microsoft & Dell and processes we've developed to manage these resources.

Review the development of a new training session for county educators. Also, share some assessment results from the initial classes. HELP. Our Internet is down and ICT Support asked me to go to our "network closet". What do all those different pieces of equipment and wires do? We don't have a "network closet," do we? What's a router? This workshop will help you understand your network and what to do when you lose network connectivity (no Internet or email). We will discuss the various network equipment and how each piece fits together to provide Internet connectivity to your office. We'll present general information applicable to all offices, then review participant network pictures.

Have we reached the point of un-cleanable malware on Windows XP? In some cases the unfortunate answer is yes. So if your state has the ability to quickly wipe and re-load Windows XP machine, this session is not for you. This session will look at several of the freeware tools from Sysinternals (now owned by Microsoft). These include: Process Explorer, AutoRuns, Sigcheck, MoveFile and Regdelnull. These utilities allow you to go beyond the basic built-in Microsoft tools of Regedit and MSCONFIG in tracking down potential malware and rootkits.

This session is the continuation of an annual NETC gathering, the Video Conference Roundtable. New developments and experiences with methodology, hardware, video and audio protocols, and accessories are discussed. The panel will share their experiences with IP based video conferencing, showcase new gadets and methods and provide an open "roundtable" for others to ask questions, share experiences and ideas.. The session is designed to have something of interest for new comers to the videoconference world as well as the experienced old timers.

Vista is Microsoft's new operating system. It has been hyped to no end. Why should I upgrade? That is the question that I will try to answer. Unless you have a new computer, you will probably need to upgrade either your memory, video card or both. Is it worth it? Vista has a number of new technologies that could benefit you. Security is one area that Vista has concentrated a good deal of effort. Is it really more secure? I will explore the new technnologies from both the user point of view and an administrator point of view.

See the potential of web conferencing technology to extend the reach of Iowa State University Extension through rich media presentations and interactive sessions. Examples using this technology will include: Master Gardener Bioeconomy Education Open Forums Special Events (Special Olympics) Lunch and Learn Programs Human Resources Presentations Technology Training Series

Participate in this interactive session where we present, troubleshoot and solve five frequently occurring web conferencing problems. This session will focus on common client problems using web conferencing technology and strategies to help remote clients identify and resolve these problems. Sample problems are taken from Iowa State University Extension’s experience of hosting web conferences for the Land Grant System over the last two years.