Tech News – Page 9

Chrome Ends Support for Java and Silverlight

This month, certain plug-ins will cease functioning in the Google Chrome web browser. This is a decision Google made in its development roadmap over a year ago. As Google phased out the plug-ins, there has been some workarounds, but even those workarounds will cease to function. We are aware Google Chrome is a popular browser on campus and SMU has been in conversations with the vendors of the university’s affected web applications. The suggestions based on those conversations are below.

AdminImages.SMU (Java) – The software vendor is working on replacement; use Internet Explorer (for linking) or Firefox for now.
Inside.SMU – Microsoft has offered no correction plans. Internet Explorer is the best method to work with Inside.SMU.
TeamDynamix (Silverlight) – Working with vendor. Use Firefox for now.

While plugins like Java and Silverlight are two of the more popular plug-ins losing support, the change is not limited to them. Below is a sample list of some of the plugins that are affected by this change to Google Chrome:

Java
Silverlight
Acrobat Reader (prior to Adobe Reader X)
Quicktime
Shockwave
Windows Media Player

All web pages that use plug-ins like these will cease functioning in Chrome in September of 2015. Chrome users will see the following messages when viewing web pages using these plugins:

Chrome-Unsupported-Plug-in

For those wanting more information on Google’s decision, below are links to extended discussions on the matter.

SMU Mobile App: It’s SMU in the palm of your hand

Update: OIT is winding down its SMU Mobile app for iPhone and Android. On February 12, 2018, SMU Mobile will no longer appear in app stores and will stop working after February 28, 2018.

SMU Mobile App

SMU is releasing its first official mobile application, SMU Mobile. This new app puts SMU in the palm of your hand. As a student, you can easily access variety of information about the university, including maps, news, grades, and even the course catalog.

Find what is available for lunch in Dining. In Events, find what is currently going on near you, as all of the events from the SMU Calendar are in the app (and we’re bringing in more SMU Calendar users!). Find an event you are excited about, you can bookmark it for later or even share it to your social media account. With Social, the latest updates from SMU’s Facebook feed are available without leaving the app.

For your academic needs, not only do you have the ability to view the course catalog, but you can even view classes and grades within the app. Once you have logged into the My Courses section with your SMU ID and password, you will have access to your course listing and grades. Look for more features to be added to My Courses in the future.

The SMU Mobile application was developed as a collaboration between the Office of Public Affairs and the Office of Information Technology with assistance from the SMU Student Senate. The team will continue to refine and add new features to SMU Mobile. In the coming months, features such as YouTube and Instagram integration will be added. If you have suggestions or feature requests for the SMU Mobile App, please contact the Student Senate Committee or email mobile@smu.edu.

SMU Mobile App is available as a free download on iOS and Android. For all other devices, visit mobile.smu.edu.

Requirements:

The iOS version requires iOS 6.0 or later.
The Android version requires Android 2.3.3 and up.

SMU Employees: Free access to Lynda.com online training.

Did you know that you have free access to over 267,000 online video tutorials with Lynda.com?

Lynda.com is a leading online learning company that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills at any level of expertise so they can achieve personal and professional goals. Members have access to the Lynda.com video library of engaging, top-quality courses taught by recognized industry experts.

Features of Lynda.com include:

Assessments

Take related assessments before and after completing a course to evaluate what instruction the user has already mastered and how much they have learned.

Enhanced Playlists

Share playlists with colleagues to recommend courses. You can even share your playlist on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to show associates what courses you have personally completed.

Access Webinars:

In addition to online training you can enroll in an upcoming webinar or view previously recorded sessions.

To learn more about Lynda.com and to request a Lynda.com license, click here: http://www.smu.edu/BusinessFinance/OIT/Services/Lynda

Faculty Media Lab to close during renovations

OIT’s Faculty Media Lab will close on July 23 for the duration of the CUL renovations. The Faculty Media Lab has provided dozens of faculty with a space for multimedia projects, digitizing, and multimedia training.

While the space will be closed, the assistance provided will continue through other areas on campus. General multimedia question and assistance can be obtained by contacting the OIT Help Desk at 214-768-HELP or help@smu.edu. The SMU STAR Program will still continue to work on faculty and department digital media projects; Please continue to make requests though the help ticket system. For digitizing needs, please contact the CUL’s Norwick Center for Digital Services for availability and assistance.

SPSS License Renewal

Every summer, SPSS goes through a license renewal process. During this time, some customers will be given a countdown for when their license will expire. While this message is distressing, there is a 90-day grace period during which there will be NO disruption of service.

Once SMU has received the renewed licenses, all machines running SPSS versions 21 or 22 and have LANDesk installed will update automatically. Those who have software older than versions 21 and 22 will need to update to one of the two most recent iterations via LANDesk. Those who do not have LANDesk or would like assistance with updating to the two most recent versions should contact the SMU Help Desk for assistance. Version 23 will be made available at this time as well for those who would like to update. And of course, SPSS is available at all times via apps.smu.edu.