If any of these Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions are on your list this year, Information Technology Services (ITS) encourages you to add a technology spin to how you keep them:
- Fit in Fitness
Get your computer in shape with anti-virus and system security software from BevoWare. BevoWare is available at no cost to UT Austin students, faculty and staff. Don’t forget to set up a schedule to update your virus definitions, anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
If your computer is REALLY out of shape, take advantage of our computer repair services. ITS experts can update your computer with the latest operating system and patches, configure it for the university’s wired and wireless networks, and protect it with the latest security software. - Tame the Bulge
It’s time to take action if you gained hundreds of e-mail messages over the holidays. You need to manage your inbox: clean, organize and filter your e-mail. Make the commitment to keep your inbox in great shape throughout 2008.
Your computer’s hard drive may be full to bursting from too much data and not enough disk storage space. If so, consider using WebSpace, data storage on austin.utexas.edu or co-location services for individual, department or enterprise-level storage. These solutions are approved for Category-I data, so you can tame the bulge and stay secure at the same time. - Out with the Old
If it’s been a while since you changed the password for your UT EID now is a great time to create a new one. Having a strong password and changing it can protect you from hackers.
Break the habit of clicking on links sent in unsolicited e-mails. It’s another good way to protect yourself against phishing scams so you don’t become a victim of online fraud. - Stay out of Debt
ITS products and services can help you stay current with new technology even if you are on a budget. You can use the campus computer labs for free, or purchase software and hardware through the Campus Computer Store at deep discounts. Check the ITS online price list to find out about other low-cost solutions. - Learn Something New
Acquire a new skill this year! ITS provides online tutorials and handouts so you can learn on your own and helps you connect with other technology-related training opportunities on campus. Developers on campus are encouraged to take the series of Web application security training courses which begin in February. - Help Others
ITS offers a number of part-time opportunities for students who like technology and want to help others. If you are interested, consider becoming a student programmer, a proctor in the computer labs or an ITS Help Desk Consultant. You can gain valuable skills and experience while helping people solve their technology-related problems.
Review the ITS jobs postings to discover full-time opportunities. ITS provides services for over 80,000 campus community members and gives you many different ways to contribute to the mission of the university. - Get Organized
Need a calendar to help get organized? Consider subscribing to the university’s premium e-mail and calendar service and integrate your e-mail with your calendar. You can use Microsoft Outlook or Entourage to stay on top of important e-mail messages and check for appointments. A premium e-mail account also allows you to use a mobile device to stay connected without having to synchronize things later.
UT Direct provides online services that allow you to complete many university related tasks. Login with your EID to receive personalized information and customize the tabs, content and layout to best suit your needs. - Stress Less
Stressing about your Master’s thesis or Ph.D. dissertation? ITS offers thesis and dissertation support for graduate students, which includes free templates for both Windows and Macs, based on guidelines from the Office of Graduate Studies.
Faculty can reduce stress using online tools such as Blackboard and mailing lists to streamline and manage communication and collaboration with students and colleagues. For no worries about your documents, the ITS Printing Service provides low cost, convenient printing options at a variety of locations on campus. - Enjoy Life More
Sure you have to get your work done, but technology can make accomplishing tasks more enjoyable. Examples? Use the campus wireless network to work outdoors. Faculty and staff can use the Virtual Private Network (VPN) to work from home. You can even experiment with using WebSpace to publish a personal Web site or explore how to use Webcasts and streaming media. It might lead to some fun, creative projects. - Spend More Time with Family and Friends
Spending time online to keep in touch with family and friends is important! Just be sure you understand the dangers of Facebook and similar sites if you enjoy social networking.
And while it is true that technology-related resolutions can help you stay connected with family and friends, don’t forget to go offline and spend more “face time” with the people in your life. It might make 2008 one of your best years yet!
