May 24th, 2012

Today's topics:

Windows third party software updates

Traditionally LEPP has pushed updates for third party software such as Firefox, Flash, Java etc as needed during the week, usually starting at 4PM on a scheduled day. Due to the deployment of new management software (Fusion Inventory) we are now able to push software updates at night as needed. All such updates will now occur starting at 10PM. We will make every effort to have these fall on Monday nights to coincide with the Tuesday Morning (3AM) Windows Updates and reboots to minimize disruption. Sadly many security updates cannot wait for a scheduled push day due to their widespread exploitation by malware on out of date computers. In those cases we will push the security update on its release day starting at 10PM.

Note: Please make sure laptops are connected to the network and powered on before you go home on Monday. Laptops and desktops that are not connected to the LEPP network and not powered on at 10PM for a scheduled update will start the update as soon after that time as they are reconnected to the network. This can be extremely inconvenient if you need to use the computer immediately.

Wilson Color Printer

Just a reminder that the old IBM color printers will be retired in a few weeks. Now is the time to familiarize yourself with Wilson Lab's new Xerox color printer -- w229_xrx_7800. Please start using the new color printer now.

Windows PDF Viewing

Unfortunately, the free Adobe Reader continues to have serious security problems, despite being frequently updated by Adobe.

As mentioned in previous Newsletters, we have now pushed out PDF-X-Change viewer for viewing PDFs on LEPP managed Windows computers. You will notice a new icon on your desktop and in your start menu. You can now start using this to view PDFs. Please use this opportunity to get used to the new program and let us know of any issues you have using it. A future newsletter will schedule the removal of Adobe Reader from LEPP managed Windows computers.

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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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