Campus Computing News: What's in an Idea?
By Philip Baczewski, senior director, University IT
Introducing the UNT IT Idea Center
We live in an age of information technology. Over the last 30 years, there has been a continuing explosion of new technologies and services that has changed the world around us. Our home, commercial and university activities have all been affected and the pace of change seems to just get faster. The array of IT goods and services keeps expanding, providing plenty of potential applications to enhance, improve or even revolutionize how we pursue our business or instructional activities. Such a wealth of possibilities yields an abundance of ideas for use of IT applications and services within all aspects of a university environment. But good ideas alone don't drive change and innovation within an organization. Read more.
Campus Computing News: Lynda.com Opens With a Strong Start
LyndaCampus opened Sept. 1 and, in its first week, was off to a strong start as hundreds of UNT students and employees explored online courses in software, creative and business skills to achieve personal and professional goals. As of Sept. 16, more than 1,200 Lynda.com visitors from UNT viewed 368 hours of 5,563 videos and 2,954 page views were counted on the UIT Lynda.com information page, according to Google Analytics. Read more.
Network Connection: The Internet as We Know IT
By Philip Baczewski, senior director, University IT
Recent news reports indicate that the United States may have just given away the internet. Before you become too alarmed, be aware that the U.S. has never actually "owned" the internet so there's nothing to be given away. The internet is an interconnection of networks and individual devices that exists without central control, with one exception. Someone's got to keep track of all of those addresses used to connect to various internet sites. Read more.
Camera System Enhances Security in Sage Hall Computer-Based Testing Center
By Elizabeth Hinkle-Turner, director, Instructional IT Services, University IT
Since its opening in Fall 2012, the Sage Hall Computer-Based Testing Center has hosted over 67,000 visits by students taking online exams and participating in online workshops and other online services. This support of computerized testing for distance, blended and face-to-face classes includes providing as secure an environment as possible to promote academic integrity and student success. Read more.
People in the Zone
Our focus this month is on three more stellar nominees who come from the College of Engineering, and the departments of university and administrative information technology. Click on each nominee's name to read more. Also, be sure to read this month's article about Ram Dantu, professor of computer science, who was named by D Magazine for a regional award, and Mary Jones, department chair and professor of information systems, recognized at the Women in Technology Awards program by Dallas Business Journal.
Jim Byford, IT manager, College of Engineering, Discovery Park
Jacob Flores, manager for host computing and software license management, UIT
Christopher Johnson, IT manager, AITS
High-Performance Computing Adds 3-D Printing Service for Researchers
By Garrett Crowe, student assistant, High-Performance Computing Services, UIT
The new Flashforge Finder 3-D Printer has found a place in the office of High-Performance Computing Services in the General Academic Building. It is able to take a 3-D rendered object from a computer design, and reproduce the design into a three-dimensional object. Read more.
Learn to Code, Print a 3-D File, Make a Movie and More in The Factory at Willis Library or Discovery Park
Everyone knows about Willis Library; it's one of the first UNT landmarks newcomers can identify at the university. But do you know about The Factory, its lineup of not-for-credit classes, maker-technicians to help you and that it is open to UNT employees and students?
The UNT Libraries' makerspace, The Factory, located in Room 137 of Willis Park and its remote site in the Discovery Park Library, Room 135, promotes the cooperative and creative use of technology. The space provides the UNT community with access to equipment, software and training that promotes innovative, cross-disciplinary learning. Learn more about The Factory here; for upcoming workshops and its open house, click here.
Editor's Note: Please note that information in each edition of Benchmarks Online is likely to change or degrade over time, especially the links to various websites. For current information on a specific topic, search the UNT website, UNT's UIT Help Desk or the World Wide Web. Email your questions and comments to the UNT University Information Technology Department or call 940-565-4068.