16-Nov-2020

macOS Big Sur: Wait To Upgrade

Last week, Apple released a new major version of macOS (version 11), known as Big Sur. CLASSE-IT and CIT are both recommending that Mac users should wait to upgrade their personal computers to macOS Big Sur. CLASSE-managed Macs will be upgraded only after we have thoroughly tested Big Sur and resolved any compatibility issues. In particular, Big Sur includes new security and privacy features that prevent Tunnelblick from connecting to the CLASSE VPN. We are currently testing a new VPN solution and hope to make it available to users in a few weeks. For more details about this VPN issue, please see https://tunnelblick.net/cTunTapConnections.html.

AppsAnywhere Update: Tuesday, 01-Dec-2020 @ 10:00 AM

On Tuesday, 01-Dec-2020, beginning at 10:00 AM, the AppsAnywhere CloudPaging Player will be updated on CLASSE-managed Windows computers. For this update, any open AppsAnywhere applications will be closed, and you will be prompted to reboot. Please submit a ServiceRequest with any questions or concerns.

Adobe Flash Uninstallation: Tuesday, 08-Dec-2020 (Test Your Websites)

On Tuesday, 08-Dec-2020, during our normal maintenance window, we will begin uninstalling Adobe Flash from CLASSE-managed computers because of Adobe's hard deadline for the end of Flash support on 31-Dec-2020. After Flash is uninstalled, Firefox will no longer run Flash content. To test whether a particular website or browser-based tool will work without Flash, simply launch it in Vivaldi (which has never come with Flash support at CLASSE). If you have no problems, then no action is required. If your site or tool does not work with Vivaldi, then please submit a ServiceRequest for assistance.

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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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