Category: Software

Accounts and Passwords, Classroom and Conferencing Technologies, Mobile Devices, Software

Introducing Zoom video conferencing

Eric Behrens

Over the past few years, Media Services has seen a boom in requests for support for web-based video and audio conferencing services (such as Skype, Google Hangouts, WebEx, and GoToMeeting.) While these tools are handy, we haven’t always been satisfied with their quality or ease of use. Starting immediately, all Swarthmore faculty, staff, and students have a basic Zoom account— just go to http://swarthmore.zoom.us. Sign in with your Swarthmore College username and password. You can use Zoom to have an audio or video chat with anybody else, but you can invite up to two dozen people into a meeting. The only limit to a … Continue reading Introducing Zoom video conferencing

Banner, Help Desk, Software, Tips

Use Firefox for Banner INB

Seth

Google Chrome Version 42 was released in April 2015.  The latest release of the Chrome web browser blocks Oracle’s Java plugin by default. Swarthmore College’s Banner system requires Java.  Information Technology Services recommends using the Mozilla Firefox web browser to access Banner INB (Internet Native Banner). If you do not already have Firefox on your workstation, it can be downloaded from Mozilla’s website: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/ If you have any questions, please contact the ITS Help Desk (help@swarthmore.edu). Continue reading Use Firefox for Banner INB

Software

We now have unlimited MATLAB licenses

Andrew Ruether

Swarthmore now has access to an unlimited number of MATLAB licenses, including an unlimited number of licenses for each toolbox.  This is a major improvement to our license that eliminates issues with running out of MATLAB licenses during peak usage times and also greatly expands access to specialized toolboxes.    Any member of the college community can download and run MATLAB on a college or personally-owned computer using the instructions on the MATLAB software page  (login required).   Your computer must be on campus or connected to VPN to run MATLAB. No More VPN for Off Campus MATLAB Use Faculty, staff, and … Continue reading We now have unlimited MATLAB licenses

Email, Faculty/Staff, Software, Students, Tips

Tip: Disable Automatic Detection and Maintenance of Account Settings in Yosemite Mail

Seth

There is a problematic setting included in the latest version of the Mail application that comes bundled with OS X 10.10 Yosemite. If you use Apple’s Mail client to check your Swarthmore email, you will need to turn this setting off. The Mail application will now attempt to automatically change your email settings without warning, even when your email is working correctly. The automatic changes won’t necessarily be correct for your email account, and have caused issues with Swarthmore’s email settings. To stop this automatic configuration from occurring, make the following adjustments: 1. In the Mail Application, pull down the … Continue reading Tip: Disable Automatic Detection and Maintenance of Account Settings in Yosemite Mail

Faculty/Staff, Software, Students

Please hold off on updating to OS X 10.10 Yosemite

Seth

Apple released OS X 10.10 Yosemite as a free update on October 16th. Last week many of our students and staff experienced a rocky start with the new operating system, quite a few reporting that their Macs won’t even boot after the upgrade. At this time ITS is recommending that community members NOT update to Yosemite. As with all new software, it is advisable to wait at least a month or two before upgrading to let the initial bugs and incompatibilities to be resolved.   In addition, ITS asks that staff and faculty NEVER upgrade the operating system on College-owned computers … Continue reading Please hold off on updating to OS X 10.10 Yosemite

Academic Technology, Faculty/Staff, Software, Students

Free Autodesk software available for students and educators

Andrew Ruether

Autodesk, maker of high-end design software, has made a large set of its products available for free to students and educators.  Available products include: 3ds Max – 3D modeling software Inventor Professional – 3D CAD software AutoCAD – 2D CAD software Maya – tools for 3D modeling, animation, effects, and rendering Mudbox – 3D digital sculpting and texture painting software Motionbuilder – 3D character animation software for virtual production To learn more and download the software visit http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/all   Continue reading Free Autodesk software available for students and educators