It’s clear that there is confusion out there about the Lab's current wireless network policy. This article is intended to clarify the key points of that policy and to explain the factors leading to them. This policy maintains both security and ease of use by accomplishing two things: (1) The prevention of outside access and (2) Simple wireless host configuration.

StarOffice: An Informal Update on Lab Use of This Alternative to Microsoft’s Office Suite
Lab computer users have downloaded nearly 2,000 copies of StarOffice, an office productivity suite that runs on multiple operating systems, including Solaris Operating Environment, Microsoft Windows, and Linux. Developed by Sun Microsystems, the office suite contains full-featured applications including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, graphics and database capabilities.

Computer Support Help Request Streamlined to Help Pinpoint Problem Area
The Web-based form for requesting computer or network help has been revamped by the Desktop Support Group. The new form has a revised section in which you are asked to describe the problem. The form now has a number of broad categories, which are then subdivided into subcategories reflecting the most commonly reported problems.

More and More Web Sites Less Friendly to Netscape 4.7 Users – Go Exploring Instead
If you regularly use Netscape 4.75 as your Web browser, you’ve probably also noticed that many Web sites have a tagline reading: This site is best viewed using Netscape 6 or 7 or even Internet Explorer. Of particular interest to Lab employees is the fact that UC’s HR and Benefits Web sites will soon require Netscape 6.2 (or greater) or Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 (or greater). At issue is that the Netscape 4.75 version is the Lab standard client for email.

Telephone Service Center to Offer GSM Service
The Lab’s Telephone Service Center (TSC) is now offering GSM -- Global System for Mobile communications-based service. GSM is a wireless telecommunication standard that delivers circuit-switched 56.6 kbps data connections. Almost every nation (except Korea, Japan and Brazil) uses GSM technology.

Lab Cell Phones: Answers to the Questions Asked Most Often: Getting a Cell Phone, Selecting a Calling Plan and More.

Recommendation: Palm Devices for Best PDA-Oracle Calendar Compatibility
A Lab employee recently contacted the Computing Infrastructure Support (CIS) Department with a question about buying a personal digital assistant, or PDA. The catch was, the employee’s manager wanted a guarantee that the PDA would work with the Lab’s calendar application, Oracle Calendar. And, the manager added, if the PDA didn’t work with the calendar, they wanted to be able to return the PDA if it wasn’t compatible.