The step show was very interesting in its design because it didn't have the normal set up everyone would think, which would probably be the high school students going first and then the fraternities and sororities. Instead of doing that they mixed it up all together which I think was a pretty interesting idea. You were able to see the upcoming talent and then see some that have been in perfection for years. Some of the high schools actually were surprising, with their themes, talent, and precision.

When it was it all was said and done, the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta from Fayetteville State University and the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma from our very own Johnson C. Smith University won first prize. Winning the CIAA step show correlates months of practice, sweat and tears, and a lot of hard work, but in the end to hear your name being said when it is all done is a priceless feeling.

Posted By: Andrew Milden, Junior

First, Emanuel had to shut-down her pc in order to reboot, so the pc would reset. Next, he had her log-on. She then had to click on the icon that she was experiencing the issue with in order to find out the source of the problem. Emanuel then used a method that is referred to as "trouble shooting", which is a systematic search for the source of a problem so the issue can be made operational again. Finally, Dr. Butler tried using the second link of the moodle site, which was successful and fully functional.

Being that I'm a Web STA, I usually only complete web related jobs.  If, you did not know...let me inform you that STA's play a major role here at the university. STA's help assist professor, students, and faculty members with pc or laptop related issues. They take and place work-orders, which are uploaded to a site called track-it that allows STA's to view work-orders that have been completed or are still in the work process.  Emanuel has taught me the process and procedure that is taken while working in the field as an STA.

Posted By: Chelsie Revis, Senior

Please make sure your computer is updated with the latest anti-virus protection and is set to update itself on a regular schedule.

If you have any questions please contact the JCSU Help Desk at helpdesk@jcsu.edu or call ext. 4357.

Need more?

This week's Learn "It" Over Lunch session "Getting the most out of the JCSU helpdesk." Thursday March 4, 2010 Perry Science Hall 12:30 p.m.

Posted By: John Norris, Director of Information Technology

As most of you know, our proud Golden Bull boys and girls owned the CIAA last year. Both our boys and girls won championships, so my question is who will win this year? If you plan on attending any events, I hope you have reserved your ticket, because it is going to get a little chaotic and for those who have never attended CIAA week, like you freshman, I hope you enjoy!

The 2010 CIAA basketball tournament kicks off this week today, February 24-28, and for the fourth consecutive year it will take over Uptown Charlotte. I moved here about four years ago, so for the past few years I have witnessed the tournament and CIAA grow. The number of people visiting and amount of money being pumped into the local economy has set records each of the last three years. The recession is sure to have an effect this year, but I don't think it's going to slow down the partying.

The thing about CIAA week is that for five or six consecutive days Charlotte is a non-stop party scene: day parties, after parties, concerts, fashion shows, live broadcasts from radio shows, and celebrity appearances galore. The CIAA puts on its own official events including a step show, concert, health forum, career expo, and fan experience in addition to the men's and women's basketball teams from 10 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), including yours truly Johnson C. Smith University, competing for the conference championships.

Oh Oh Oh...C-I-C-I...AA!!!

Posted By: Chelsie Revis, Senior

What if you could do your research from a phone, see if something is in the library, or just find out the library hours?

Now all of these things are available - and we are interested in your feedback as we add more!

One really cool feature is the ability to search many of our databases from a web site designed to work with your phone. You can see the pdf's, email them to yourself or save the information for later. You can check our catalog and see if the book you need is in the library.

We have also found some interesting tools that are useful from your phone - such as the journal Nature - that puts your research literally in the palm of your hand. Access everything, anytime, anywhere! Come and explore the JCSU Mobile Library (and make sure you use your mobile phone...)!

Editor's note: Want to learn more about using mobile applications? Beth will be hosting this week's "Learn 'iT' Over Lunch" all about mobile applications, Thursday at 12:30 p.m. in Perry Science Hall (SHA) 215.

Posted By: Beth Martin, Instructional Technology Librarian

1. 123456
2. 12345
3. 123456789
4. password
5. iloveyou
6. princess
7. rockyou
8. 1234567
9. yankees2009
10. Abc123

Avoid using any of these passwords and make sure you have a different password for work, school and personal accounts. Experts say the best way to guess someone's password is to start with names of people close to the user (wife, son, pet). Other favorite passwords tend to relate to slang words or sports mascots.

JCSU recommends changing your password at least once per semester. Think your password may have been compromised? E-mail helpdesk@jcsu.edu immediately

Posted By: John Norris, Director of Information Technology

CIAA brings the city of Charlotte into the mix of the HBCU phenomena with events happening all around uptown with free concerts, career fairs , and even step shows that happen all the city. One thing that the CIAA brings is a lot of chances for groups to throw parties because of the overflow of people traveling to Charlotte. Something else that is fascinating is that the games are played at the new Time Warner Cable Arena downtown, where the Bobcats play, so you get to experience the game in a gigantic arena with the essence of basketball surrounding it. A lot of people come out to se our very Golden Bulls play.

I recommend to anyone who has not experienced a CIAA game or event to try to get to one this year because from my three year of interaction, I have never been disappointed. There is something for everyone, you just have to pick what you want to do and experience. CIAA is almost here; what are you going to do when it hits?

Posted By: Andrew Milden, Junior

Since 2008, 21 classrooms have been updated, using a design that emphasizes flexible technology and reconfigurable furniture arrangements. All of this is meant to better accommodate the variety of teaching styles favored by JCSU faculty and students. Audio visual technology at JCSU is now the norm rather than the exception.

Each of the multimedia smart classrooms have been equipped with a new projector mounted in the ceiling (or wall mounted LCD), a retractable screen and stereo audio playback system via speakers in the ceiling.

At the front of the room is a new custom designed lectern which houses all the audio visual equipment. This equipment may include a desktop computer, laptop video and audio connection, document camera, S-VHS VCR, DVD player.

The heart of the smart classrooms is the integrated control panel. This control panel provides a clean user-friendly way to control the projector, DVD player, VCR, desktop computer, laptop computer, and sound system. In providing this control panel we have removed the technology barriers that are present in many setups.

JCSU understands that today's tech-savy students simply respond more positively and are more engaged when technology is infused into the classroom. JCSU seeks to provide a more participatory, interactive educational experience via the use of technologies that make up the "smart classrooms."

Faculty members interested in smart classroom training should call the helpdesk X4357.

Join us for training over lunch:

Posted By: John Norris, Director of Information Technology

Instead of talking about the same people for Black History Month, such as MLK, Rosa Parks, Madame C.J. Walker, and Jesse Jackson I would like to see more of a spotlight on our living legends, people who are making history that are still living. We always seem to focus on the past, but there are so many people such as Sean Combs, Bob Johnson, and Michael Jordan who are still living and should be honored. The truth is, if we didn't do black history month in February, we wouldn't have the kind of emphasis we do on our accomplishments.

It is not that Black History Month is wrong; I feel that it is being misused. Having a special time to celebrate the contributions of African-Americans to American history is wonderful, but when it is used as a substitute for teaching black history to all students all year round, we are stunting the educational growth of students of all colors and backgrounds.

Our ultimate goal should be to have students discussing Harriett Tubman or Frederick Douglass in October and April, not just in February. However, trying to integrate Black History Month all year long will raise lots of red flags, because so many people will have an opinion, which will eventually result in controversy. So, I ask you, what does Black History Month mean to you?

Posted By: Chelsie Revis, Senior

During midterms I see a lot of people passing them off as another test or just a normal project. You may hear a lot "I will just pick it up at the next half of the semester." Well, to those people, how about if that doesn't happen?

There are a lot of breaks after the midterm and people tend to get sluggish as school is winding down. So right now is the time to make the grade, so that you are not playing catch up when you come back. Something that is very important before midterms is to study, study, and study. Studying with people who are not studying and doing nothing but having conversations while they are on their laptop may be detrimental to your success.

Make sure that you are comfortable with the information that is going to be on the test. You should find out from your teacher if his or her tests are on all information that you have learned thus far, or the current section that you are learning now. That could make the difference in the amount of information you have to retain.

Midterms give students get a taste of the full college experience. They see the cramming, the all-night study sessions, the crashing, and the look of worry on student's faces. If you do what you are supposed to be doing, then you will not have to worry and you will be able to make the grade and coast to a successful academic semester.

Posted By: Andrew Milden, Junior

Key points should go in the subject line (be specific, add action step)

• People are more likely to open an e-mail if they know there is something they need to do
• Even if they do not open it, they'll still see the most important point
• For example; (Subject: Sign paperwork today in HR Office)

Use lists

• It might be easier for the reader if thoughts are broken down into bullet points
• Simple bullet points are best, as not all displays or phones will show fancy graphics

Example:

• Complete form A Section 1
• Distribute form A to employee
• File form A with HR

Use urgent flag sparingly

• If the label is used too often it quickly loses effect

Proofread

• Don't fill in the "To:" field until after your complete and have checked for errors; that way you won't accidently click send until you've finished and read over the message

Posted By: John Norris, Director of Information Technology

People take these learning tools for granted and at times do not take care for them to the best of their ability. A laptop should not be treated like a little utensil, like a pencil or pen; it should be treated with care at all times.

Some "No No's" in computer care:

• Eating and typing is never a good idea
• Your screen is a output tool; not a handle
• Slam a laptop closed and it will hurt your ears, and your screen
• You should never put a lot of weight on your laptop
• The higher your laptop is, the further it has fall from

Some thing you can do to preserve your laptop:

• Try to keep your laptop as clean as possible so nothing can get into the small bits of the laptop
• Try logging off before you closing your laptop
• Keep your laptop separate from your other school utensils (i.e., books, pencils, pens, etc.)
• Don't unscrew or take out anything, if there is a issue call or go to the MLLC
• Keep your laptop in the laptop bag, sometimes it is the safest place

Posted By: Andrew Milden, Junior

I work alongside a professional tech named Josh, who is the web designer for the university's web site and another Web STA, Andrew, who works with me. I love my job for different reasons.

First, being that this is a real job instead of a work-study job, I get paid every two weeks, so you know I'm happy about that. It is hard enough being a full-time college student, but being a broke full-time college student would be extreme...lol!

Second, when I'm at work it's like I have my own voice. I choose what to write about in my blogs and my opinion is well respected.

Third, is the experience I have gained while working as a Web STA. My customer service skills have been enhanced, along with my computer knowledge, and writing skills.

While at work I create, design, and build websites using HTML and CSS. Also, I write blogs for the school's web site and get hands-on experience from other professional techs who work at the university, such as Mr. Griffin who works in the Lighthouse and Mr. Wilson who works in the Mobile Life and Learning Center (MLLC).

Being that I'm a business management major I do not have all the computer skills that my colleague Andrew, who is a computer engineering major, has. However, I have another set of particular skills that allow me to excel in this management position, which are my writing skills and customer service skills. I would recommend this position to anyone who wants to learn about computers and those who are looking to increase their writing and customer service skills.

Posted By: Chelsie Revis, Senior

Warnings

For much more information about phishing and tips on how to protect your personal information, please refer to the following:

• Phishing - Wikipedia
• Anti-Phishing Working Group
• Help prevent identity theft from phishing scams
• Protect Against Identity Theft and Other Scams

Posted By: John Norris, Director of Information Technology

To check the size of your mailbox:

• Open Microsoft Outlook
• Click on Tools
• Click on Mailbox Cleanup
• Click on View Mailbox Size
• Your mailbox size is indicated in the window like the highlighted text below

(Please note, currently mailbox size is limited to 512,000 KB.)

Posted By: John Norris, Director of Information Technology