09-Dec-2019

X2Go Desktop Sharing and Software Update: Tuesday, 10-Dec-2019

On Tuesday, 10-Dec-2019, a major update to the X2Go server will be pushed to all CLASSE Linux boxes. Existing X2Go sessions will not be interrupted, but new sessions should see improved performance and stability.

X2Go uses an open source (and updated) version of the proprietary NoMachine NX protocol to serve remote desktops from Linux computers to Linux, MacOS, and Windows clients.

With this new update, we are also pushing a new module to let you share your local desktop with remote users. For instructions on accessing your own desktop remotely or sharing your desktop with others, please see X2Go.

Firefox Deprecated on CLASSE Managed Windows

We have noticed that the recent updates to Firefox ESR68 have caused problems due to changes that Mozilla has made with the latest version. We have also identified an issue with the Firefox software update process that can break HTML links from Outlook. Because of these ongoing challenges, CLASSE-IT is considering stoppping support of Firefox at the end of the ESR68 build (mid-2020). At that time we will evaulate the supported browsers for future updates. We will also be pushing out a fix for the broken HTML links in Outlook this Tuesday (12/10/2019)

In the meantime, we have rolled out a new browser called Vivaldi, to be used as an alternative if Firefox is broken. We intend to support both browsers (if possible) throughout the Firefox ESR68 lifecycle. Please test Vivaldi for your web browsing, and see VivaldiBrowser for more details.

If you don't use Firefox, you need do nothing. If you have Firefox issues now or after the general update next Tuesday, 10-Dec-2019, please try Vivaldi (you can import your bookmarks easily on first launch).

Conference Room A/V Equipment

The CLASSE conference rooms are a shared resource with complicated A/V setups for videoconferencing. Please be extremely careful when moving A/V equipment, especially in PSB-470 and PSB-301. Carelessness in doing so has led to equipment damage and costly repairs. If you need to make major adjustments to A/V equipment, please submit a ServiceRequest.

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General network and server maintenance will occur every Tuesday from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM. The CLASSE-IT group will always announce any expected disruptions in our NewsLetter and via CLASSE-IT-NEWS-L, but with the size and complexity of our network there is always the potential for something to go wrong. We will do our best to contain all network maintenance and planned outages to Tuesdays from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM.

Unless other arrangements have been made, CLASSE-managed Windows systems may be updated and rebooted on Tuesday morning at 2:00 AM, so please avoid critical or lengthy operations at that time. For more details, please see SystemExpectations.

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Questions or problems? Submit a service request.

Other resources:

• CLASSE-IT Home Page
• Previous newsletters

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