OCCS is excited to make new technology services and programs available to faculty and students. The following information provides details on using iTunes to host podcasts for course lectures, a Red Hat Linux campus license, new contracts for PC and Macintosh purchases, and a new student notebook program.
iTunes U
OCCS has developed Blackboard integration with iTunes U at ODU. Instructors can post audio and video files for student access using the popular iTunes media player. Content placed on iTunes U at ODU using the Blackboard integration is restricted to students in the Blackboard course. For more information on setting up an iTunes U at ODU class site, please view the documentation available on Blackboard under Faculty Information or contact the Center for Learning Technologies (CLT). CLT offers faculty and their teaching assistants hands-on experience creating and deploying audio and video podcasts for use in Blackboard courses using iTunes U at ODU. Workshops are offered in February and April. Registration is required at http://clt.odu.edu/facdev. Faculty are welcome to contact CLT at clt@odu.edu to request special sessions if needed. You can also visit the iTunes U at ODU public site at http://itunes.odu.edu/.
Red Hat Linux
OCCS has signed a new campus license agreement for Red Hat Linux. The campus license provides access to all current and past versions of Red Hat Linux with patches and updates. Along with the license, OCCS has access to Red Hat’s 24 hour phone/web support. For more information, please contact your TSP or dhamel@odu.edu.
Lenovo and Apple Partnerships
OCCS is pleased to announce new partnerships with Lenovo and Apple for institutional computer purchases and for the new student notebook program.
Institutional Purchases
The University has partnered with Lenovo as the primary vendor for institutional purchases for desktop and notebook computers. Lenovo replaces Gateway as the University standard hardware vendor. The configuration portal for standard Lenovo desktop and notebook computers is located at http://occs.odu.edu/hardwaresoftware/purchase/index.shtml. Lenovo offers the base University configuration bundled with 5-year warranty for less than $1,000.
For the first time, the University has entered into an agreement with Apple for institutional purchases of Macintosh computers. Apple is offering aggressive pricing and special options, such as a 5-year warranty, in the agreement. The standard configurations and web site are still under development. OCCS is also working with Apple to develop enterprise-level support services for Macintosh computers.
Mobile Monarch Student Notebook Program
Starting in Fall 2008, OCCS will support a student notebook program. The University strongly recommends that all students own a computer. We’ve worked with Lenovo, maker of award-winning ThinkPad notebooks, and Apple Inc to create the MOBILE MONARCH program to make computer buying as painless as possible.
MOBILE MONARCH notebooks come equipped to work on ODU’s wireless network and with the software needed for most programs at ODU. Other benefits include:
- Special Pricing for ODU Students.
- 4-year Warranty. Standard warranties for computers are 1-3 years. This warranty is valid even if you are no longer at ODU.
- Protection. This program provides complete protection for any accidental damage to your computer for 4 years, even if you are no longer at ODU.
- ODU Loaner Computers. If your computer requires service while you are a student at ODU, you will be able to obtain a loaner computer while yours is being serviced.
- On-campus Warranty Service. Most service on your computer can be done on-campus, so you don’t have to wait for a service technician to come to you or for your computer to travel to some out-of-state service center.
Ann Tatman is leading a project team to implement the program and develop the computer specifications that will meet requirements from each academic department and college.
Because computer specifications are now being developed for the Fall 2008 semester, we recommend that students wait until computer specifications for the 2008-2009 school year are posted at occs.odu.edu before purchasing a computer. The site will be available for student orders in May. If you have questions, please contact Ann Tatman at atatman@odu.edu or (757) 683-4750.
Thanks,
Rusty Waterfield
