IT Staff Conference Workshops

IT Support Staff Conference
St Catherine's College
26 June 1997

Workshops and Seminars

Topic Working description Leader
Webservers

The general theory about web servers.
The central server(s) (based at OUCS) and current set-up. What it can do for you and your unit. Forthcoming features.
Installing, correct configuration, managing, and using your own server (using Apache under Linux). Pros and cons of your own DIY server.
Malcolm Beattie
Server Operating Systems
some features and experiences
An opportunity to compare, contrast and discuss the features of three server based operating systems. This is aimed at anyone planning to install a new server or change to a different operating system.
This workshop will occupy two sessions.
NT 4 Neil Ferguson
Netware 4 Tony Brett
Linux Tim Shaw
Java Introduction to Java Jeremy Martin
Information databases -- Bibliographic Databases in Oxford The University subscribes to a wide range of quality bibliographic and full-text databases, now including electronic journals. There will be a general discussion about these and also the means by which they can be accessed. In particular, attention will be given to how those mounted locally on the Bodleian Database Network may be accessed and the configuration of workstations to do so. Dave Price, Nigel Walker
New ventures in libraries: Mobile computing There is a demand for users to be able to connect their portable computers to the network wherever they happen to be. We can expect this demand to increase markedly in the near future. Over the last year, the Bodleian Library and the School of Management Studies have been closely involved in pioneering this facility in Oxford. The general issues will be discussed in relation to what is possible currently and the new centralized DHCP service provided by the OUCS which enables dynamic allocation of addresses across campus. Anne Rawlings, Yvonne Nobis, Andrew Woods, and Jeremy Martin
Help Desk Systems An opportunity to hear about two help-desk systems currently in use in the University, and also for those with systems or who are looking for systems to share ideas and discuss common interests.
There will be 3 short presentations:
Malcolm Harper and Craig Tranfield, Computing Laboratory, on `req'.
David Thorpe, Wolfson: `Managing IT support using the World Wide Web'.
Dave Miles, OUCS: `Where we are at' on OUCS help-desk proposals.
Dave Miles, David Thorpe, Malcolm Harper and Craig Tranfield
Professional development for IT Support Staff

What are your training needs?
What is a training needs analysis?
What are Professional Development Schemes?
Carol Bateman
Electronic Publishing -- Authoring Web Documents The World Wide Web is one of our newest and most extensive information resources. Fresh sites spring up daily and the race to make information available on the Internet is uppermost in many people's minds. However, most of our existing material has been written with the printed page and not the screen in mind. Is this material suitable as electronic documentation? If so, how do we make it available? If not, can we adapt it?
This workshop will explore the major differences between printed and electronic documentation. In particular, we will consider problems which arise when authors want to make their information available on the World Wide Web. Chris Stephens, and Seonaid Woodburn
ACCESS (DB) and Student Data This overview of Microsoft Access will give practical examples of how to make the best use of your databases. Using student data, the workshop will look at the following questions:

Where do we store the information? TABLES
What questions do we want to ask? QUERIES
How can we make it easy to view? FORMS
How can we get the information on paper? REPORTS
Beth Crutch and Stuart Sharpe
Using Educational Technologies to enhance Teaching and Learning
A local and national perspective This is a panel presentation that aims to:

raise awareness of IT educational resources available for most disciplines
provide information on locating materials and sources of help
encourage IT Staff to acquire appropriate materials for Colleges and Departments
demonstrate examples of what is being done at Oxford within the Arts and the Sciences
Tonia Cope Bowley, Stuart Lee and Karl Harrison
Libraries -- Olwen Oxford Libraries Workstation for Electronic Networks, developed by the Libraries Automation Service. Principles behind OLWEN. General information about the installation procedure. OLWEN's network requirements and problems and solutions to integrating with internal departmental/college networks. Matthew Dovey and Brian Dansey
Computers in Teaching Initiative -- Support Service An outline of the work of the CTI:

nationally through its subject-based centres of excellence, including their publications, web sites and browsable courseware databases
show how the CTI contributes to understanding and debate about teaching and learning technologies through workshops, forums, and conferences
explain the work of the CTI Support Service, based in Oxford and describe the role of the CTI in networking with other related projects, including the TLTP/TLTSN, and providing a resource gateway to the academic community;
provide staff with points of contact relevant to their subject area.
Joyce Martin
Virus Handling This seminar will cover sources of information about viruses, anti-virus software and their use. The OUCS recommended anti-virus packages will be described briefly and some mention will be made of other commercial packages. The Microsoft Word and Excel macro viruses and mechanisms to protect systems from them will also be covered. The seminar will be biased towards IBM PC compatible systems. Lynne Munro
OUCS Registration Interfaces The registration system at the Computing Services

Recording people automatically and manually
Services which involve validation of individuals
Audience-led discussion on future interfaces
John Thomason
Development of the University Data Network

Extending the Reach

Cooperation with ComTel on installing more ducting and optical fibre cable.
Use of ISDN
Wireless LAN technology

Deployment of new technology within the network

Ethernet switching
100 Mbit/sec Ethernet
ATM
Gigabit Ethernet

Potential MAN development
Gavin Litchfield
Linux, an introduction Linux is the free implementation of Unix used by many Colleges and departments right across the University. The purpose of this seminar will be to introduce the audience to Linux, highlighting its features and capabilities through the use of case studies. In particular the use of Linux on information servers, file servers, scientific workstations and home systems will be discussed. Reference will be made throughout to facilities within the University of Oxford and its Colleges and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Gerald McLarnon

Other documents: Registration, Timetable

v4.6 970514

Topic	Working description	Leader
Webservers	The general theory about web servers. The central server(s) (based at OUCS) and current set-up. What it can do for you and your unit. Forthcoming features. Installing, correct configuration, managing, and using your own server (using Apache under Linux). Pros and cons of your own DIY server.	Malcolm Beattie
Server Operating Systems some features and experiences	An opportunity to compare, contrast and discuss the features of three server based operating systems. This is aimed at anyone planning to install a new server or change to a different operating system. This workshop will occupy two sessions.
	NT 4	Neil Ferguson
	Netware 4	Tony Brett
	Linux	Tim Shaw
Java	Introduction to Java	Jeremy Martin
Information databases -- Bibliographic Databases in Oxford	The University subscribes to a wide range of quality bibliographic and full-text databases, now including electronic journals. There will be a general discussion about these and also the means by which they can be accessed. In particular, attention will be given to how those mounted locally on the Bodleian Database Network may be accessed and the configuration of workstations to do so.	Dave Price, Nigel Walker
New ventures in libraries: Mobile computing	There is a demand for users to be able to connect their portable computers to the network wherever they happen to be. We can expect this demand to increase markedly in the near future. Over the last year, the Bodleian Library and the School of Management Studies have been closely involved in pioneering this facility in Oxford. The general issues will be discussed in relation to what is possible currently and the new centralized DHCP service provided by the OUCS which enables dynamic allocation of addresses across campus.	Anne Rawlings, Yvonne Nobis, Andrew Woods, and Jeremy Martin
Help Desk Systems	An opportunity to hear about two help-desk systems currently in use in the University, and also for those with systems or who are looking for systems to share ideas and discuss common interests. There will be 3 short presentations: Malcolm Harper and Craig Tranfield, Computing Laboratory, on `req'. David Thorpe, Wolfson: `Managing IT support using the World Wide Web'. Dave Miles, OUCS: `Where we are at' on OUCS help-desk proposals.	Dave Miles, David Thorpe, Malcolm Harper and Craig Tranfield
Professional development for IT Support Staff	What are your training needs? What is a training needs analysis? What are Professional Development Schemes?	Carol Bateman
Electronic Publishing -- Authoring Web Documents	The World Wide Web is one of our newest and most extensive information resources. Fresh sites spring up daily and the race to make information available on the Internet is uppermost in many people's minds. However, most of our existing material has been written with the printed page and not the screen in mind. Is this material suitable as electronic documentation? If so, how do we make it available? If not, can we adapt it? This workshop will explore the major differences between printed and electronic documentation. In particular, we will consider problems which arise when authors want to make their information available on the World Wide Web.	Chris Stephens, and Seonaid Woodburn
ACCESS (DB) and Student Data	This overview of Microsoft Access will give practical examples of how to make the best use of your databases. Using student data, the workshop will look at the following questions: Where do we store the information? TABLES What questions do we want to ask? QUERIES How can we make it easy to view? FORMS How can we get the information on paper? REPORTS	Beth Crutch and Stuart Sharpe
Using Educational Technologies to enhance Teaching and Learning A local and national perspective	This is a panel presentation that aims to: raise awareness of IT educational resources available for most disciplines provide information on locating materials and sources of help encourage IT Staff to acquire appropriate materials for Colleges and Departments demonstrate examples of what is being done at Oxford within the Arts and the Sciences	Tonia Cope Bowley, Stuart Lee and Karl Harrison
Libraries -- Olwen	Oxford Libraries Workstation for Electronic Networks, developed by the Libraries Automation Service. Principles behind OLWEN. General information about the installation procedure. OLWEN's network requirements and problems and solutions to integrating with internal departmental/college networks.	Matthew Dovey and Brian Dansey
Computers in Teaching Initiative -- Support Service	An outline of the work of the CTI: nationally through its subject-based centres of excellence, including their publications, web sites and browsable courseware databases show how the CTI contributes to understanding and debate about teaching and learning technologies through workshops, forums, and conferences explain the work of the CTI Support Service, based in Oxford and describe the role of the CTI in networking with other related projects, including the TLTP/TLTSN, and providing a resource gateway to the academic community; provide staff with points of contact relevant to their subject area.	Joyce Martin
Virus Handling	This seminar will cover sources of information about viruses, anti-virus software and their use. The OUCS recommended anti-virus packages will be described briefly and some mention will be made of other commercial packages. The Microsoft Word and Excel macro viruses and mechanisms to protect systems from them will also be covered. The seminar will be biased towards IBM PC compatible systems.	Lynne Munro
OUCS Registration Interfaces	The registration system at the Computing Services Recording people automatically and manually Services which involve validation of individuals Audience-led discussion on future interfaces	John Thomason
Development of the University Data Network	Extending the Reach Cooperation with ComTel on installing more ducting and optical fibre cable. Use of ISDN Wireless LAN technology Deployment of new technology within the network Ethernet switching 100 Mbit/sec Ethernet ATM Gigabit Ethernet Potential MAN development	Gavin Litchfield
Linux, an introduction	Linux is the free implementation of Unix used by many Colleges and departments right across the University. The purpose of this seminar will be to introduce the audience to Linux, highlighting its features and capabilities through the use of case studies. In particular the use of Linux on information servers, file servers, scientific workstations and home systems will be discussed. Reference will be made throughout to facilities within the University of Oxford and its Colleges and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.	Gerald McLarnon