This Week in LIS - 5 June 2009

Headline of the Week: Luther Network Expansion

1747920810_f556bddd42_m.jpgIt is hard to think that twenty years ago access to network-based resources was not part of our daily work routine. Given the number of hours we spend accessing email, the web, chat, etc. today, it truly is a challenge to remember a time when these tools were not deeply embedded in our work. All of these tools rely on a robust, reliable, and extensive network to function. Over the years, Luther has steadily worked to expand the reach of our central network services, as well as improve the reliability and functionality of voice and data service. This summer, LIS is beginning a number of significant projects to expand our network resources in many areas across campus. We hope to complete work on these initiatives by late fall 2009. Here is a run-down of projects being undertaken (or that have been recently completed):

  • Campus Wireless Service for Baker Village – This is a significant expansion of wireless service to a major student residential facility. Wireless service will be available throughout the apartments as well as Baker Village Commons.
  • Campus Wireless Service for Brunsdale Lounge – This new service was introduced this past semester, and we know was very heavily used by students. Addition of campus wireless service in Miller and Dieseth halls is planned as part of the campus renovation of those residences once funding is available.
  • Campus Wireless Service for Jenson Hall of Music – This is the last major academic building to receive wireless coverage. Coverage is now available for most faculty offices and several classrooms. Coverage is some of the larger ensemble and performance halls is not available due to architectural challenges. LIS will continue to work to expand coverage in those areas as solutions are identified.
  • Expanded Campus Wireless Service for Ylvisaker Hall – While Ylvi has had campus wireless service for a number of years, service has been spotty and incomplete. This summer, LIS is redesigning service in this residence hall to significantly improve quality and coverage.
  • Upgraded Network and New Wireless Service for Korsrud Heating Plant – This upgrade facilitated expansion of our key-tracking Watchdog system and also brings new wireless service in this facility as well as to the art studios located above.
  • Upgraded Network and New Wireless Service for Norby House – As part of the transition to make Norby a residential facility for Fall 2009, LIS will wire the renovated building for data and voice connections, attach Norby to our residential network and install campus wireless service service.
  • Expand Network Service to Sperati Guest House, Gjerset House, and Jefferson Prairie House – We will run new network fiber connections from the Center for the Arts east along High Street to bring campus network services to the facilities for the first time. This will significantly improve connectivity in these facilities and will include installation of campus wireless services for the first time.
  • Installation of a New Network Fiber Connection between Preus Library and Brandt Hall – This new connection will improve redundancy of our network by creating a ring around the campus. With this in place, any cut in our fiber will allow data to still flow around both sides of the ring.

LIS Blog Highlights from the Week

The following articles are sampled from those available on the LIS Blog:

Notes from LIS Council

Topics discussed by the LIS Council last week included:

  • Collaboration with MIS Faculty for 2009-10
  • Budget Review
  • IBM Grant Funds
  • Annual Reports
  • Commencement Support
  • Track-It! Upgrade
  • KCRG Webcam
  • CFA Computer Lab
  • Service Points Update
  • Desktop Messaging

NITLE Opportunities

As a member of NITLE (National Institute for Technology and Liberal Education), Luther has the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of developmental and training programs intended for faculty, librarians, and information technologists. Events listed at the link below are currently open for registration by Luther participants. LIS Staff who are interested in participating in an event should speak with Christopher Barth. Faculty who are interested in participating should speak with Lori Stanley. Participation is contingent upon available funding and program acceptance.

A full list of events (sortable by registration deadline) is available at http://www.nitle.org/www/events.

Next Week in LIS and Faculty Development Opportunities

Notable Internet Resource of the Week: UpDown

Described on CNBC as “fantasy football meets the trading floor” UpDown is a virtual stock trading site offering players $1,000,000 in virtual funds to invest and hopefully to turn into a virtual fortune. (One player has made almost $60,000,000). The site is free to play, and weekly prizes are awarded to the best traders. The site integrates heavily with social networking services and encourages collaboration.

On the web at http://www.updown.com/

Around the Web

Here are a few links to interesting developments over the past week:

Want to follow these updates during the week? or via RSS? Point your browser to Infoneer.net.

This Week in LIS is published most Fridays by Christopher Barth, Executive Director of Library and Information Services at Luther College for the Luther College community as well as those interested in information services and higher education.

Content is made available under Creative Commons license. Creative Commons License

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