Berkeley Lab Computing News


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Computing News Back Issues Computing Infrastructure Support (CIS) CIS Services Computing Standards Software Info Y2K Info CIS Computer Help Desk Computer Security Unix Services ISS Mercury Project

New Web Site Makes Lab Software Downloads a Snap

The Computer Infrastructure Support (CIS) web team has set up a download site that features a growing list of software utilities and applications - most available without charge to Lab employees thanks to Lab-wide site licenses. The first of its kind at the Lab, the site offers a centralized, standardized software resource for all platforms used at the Lab. Among the utilities offered are anti-virus programs, Y2K compatibility tools, and Netscape communication applications.
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Lab Bolsters On-Site Printer Repair Services

Do you have a broken printer and need it repaired on-site? Noor Khan may be able to help you. Khan, a printer technician contracted by the Mac/PC Support Group in the Computing Infrastructure Support Department, has been making a name for himself around the Lab with his knack for fixing printers gone awry. As a trained and certified technician, he has been authorized by several major printer manufacturers to provide on-site service for printer problems. Khan specializes in repairs on HP LaserJet and DeskJet printers, Apple LaserWriters, and Okidata laser printers.
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Get Those End-of-Fiscal-Year Equipment Orders In Now

If you’re planning to use FY99 funds to buy new computer equipment, the sooner you can get your orders in, the sooner you’ll have the new machine up and running. Because many organizations purchase new computers just as the fiscal year winds down (closing date is Sept. 30, 1999), the demand for new system setup and support cranks up. So, act now and avoid the last-minute logjam.
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Lab's Help Desk Handling Almost Twice as Many Calls as a Year Ago

The Lab's Computer Support Help Desk, part of the Computing Infrastructure Support Department, now handles well over 2,000 calls a month. In July, the total number of inquiries was 2,444, compared to just 1,336 contacts recorded by the help desk last September.

"The word seems to be getting around that the Help Desk is here, has a lot of expertise and can often solve problems over the phone for free," said Josie Galvan, supervisor of the Help Desk.
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Web-Based Trouble Reporting Form Being Revised

Although the web-based form for reporting computer problems only accounts for 10 percent (or fewer) of the contact with the Lab's Help Desk, it is usually the most effective way as it can help troubleshoot problems faster. To make it even more useful, the site is being revamped, and the news form should be on line within a month.
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Now's the Time to Make Sure Your Unix System Is Y2K Compliant

Is your Unix operating system Y2K compliant? All major Unix operating system vendors have published patches, which are needed to make OS's fully Y2K-compliant. If your Unix workstation is under a Service Level Agreement from the Unix Support Group of the Computing Infrastructure Support Department, the group will ensure that the Y2K patches are loaded on your system, and updated continually as the OS vendors release additional and revised patches. If your system is not under a support contract, visit the CIS Help Desk web page to open a Time and Materials trouble ticket for the Unix Group to apply the patches for you.
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Computing News Subscription Information

Berkeley Lab Computing News is produced by the Lab's Information and Computing Sciences Division, which is responsible for computer infrastructure support, computer protection and Lab-wide information systems and support.
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