Posted by admin on Oct 3, 2008 in
college students By Jennifer McDuffee
During recent years, data thieves have compromised computer systems at a myriad of universities, including Ohio University, Notre Dame University, Georgetown University, Western Illinois University and University of Alaska-Fairbanks, leaving many questioning the vulnerabilities of campus networks, and challenging college Information Technology (IT) personnel to find new approaches to securing the personal data of students, faculty and alumni.
While a slew of hacking incidents in corporate America have gained recent national attention, experts say that academic institutions are in many ways more vulnerable than corporations to security breaches because universities engender a culture that emphasizes openness and information sharing, not firewalls and threat prevention.
“Even though most colleges and universities employ a professional IT staff, each campus department or office might run its own computer system on the school’s network,” said Clete Rickert, director of information systems at Villanova University, and a Nuesoft Xpress client. “While this decentralized approach to managing information helps to contribute to the collaborative, open environment that universities foster, it also detracts from IT’s ability to effectively secure all of the computers on the network at any given time.”
To counter this security challenge, IT professionals are beginning to look for ways to house sensitive data - such as patient information in a health or counseling center - off site, instead of storing it on a campus server that may or may not be sufficiently protected.
One option for many IT staff is the application service provider (ASP) model. ASPs host data and manage software programs for a wide variety of users from a secure, centralized data center. Some ASP applications are delivered via a Web browser. Others, like Nuesoft Xpress, avoid the browser environment altogether, and are delivered by a secure Internet connection between the user’s desktop and the ASP’s data center.
With so much to think about when considering how to deliver mission critical applications and keep data safe, Rickert advises decision makers to take their time and consider options carefully.
“The notion of handing over your data to an ASP provider might be a little daunting to some people” he said. “And, if you do decide to move toward an ASP model, you then have to consider which type of ASP will best suit your needs. When Villanova’s health center staff came to (the IT department) for input during a search for practice management software, we chose Nuesoft Xpress because we felt more comfortable with the security and audit features that an Internet-based system has to offer.”
Nuesoft Technologies Chief Technology Officer Shahram Famorzadeh elaborates:
“The fact that the Xpress application is written in Java code adds a second layer of security that a browser-based system can not provide.” he said. “Most hackers are very familiar with the addresses of the ports and the protocols that browsers use to send and receive data. That information is standard, and so is commonly known. Additionally, the theft of the users’ security credential, one of the most common security vulnerability risks, via “phishing” techniques is not applicable in non-browser systems.
“By avoiding browsers, Nuesoft Technologies can use proprietary protocols and ports that are not commonly published, hence minimizing intrusion risks. Nuesoft strictly controls not only what gets sent, but how it is sent.”
And an added layer of protection might not be a bad idea in a university environment where the prevailing philosophy is to allow most everything into the network, rather than keeping most everything out with a firewall.
“Until colleges move away from their current open network approach to security, keeping hackers away will continue to be a challenge, and IT professionals will need to turn to ASP models or other options to provide secure solutions to the campus departments that depend on them,” Rickert said.
About the Author
Jennifer McDuffee writes for NueMD ( http://www.nuemd.com ), a provider of medical billing software . This article previously appeared in the Nuesoft Xpress e-nues .
Technorati Tags: Add new tag, campus security, college student safety
Tags: Add new tag, campus security, college student safety
Posted by admin on Sep 14, 2008 in
college students 
This is a video we made for a class in which we interview college students (mostly) about general science questions.
IMPORTANT: The purpose of this video is not to make people look stupid.
Rather, we wanted to probe how much a rather well-educated group knew about basic science questions. I believe we show just about everyone we interviewed, and the replies shown are pretty typical of the average response.
Duration : 0:22:3
Read more…
Technorati Tags: astronomy, biology, chemistry, climate, College, education, knowledge, leaps, physics, planets, public, questions, science, ucsb
Tags: astronomy, biology, chemistry, climate, College, education, knowledge, leaps, physics, planets, public, questions, science, ucsb
Posted by admin on Sep 3, 2008 in
college students
This is a video dedicated to the victims and families affected by the tragedy that occurred on April 16, 2007.
Music in Background:
“A call to courage” from Ladder 49 soundtrack
Duration : 0:4:54
Read more…
Technorati Tags: College, health, Shooting, speak, students, Tech, Tribute, Virginia, yha, youth
Tags: College, health, Shooting, speak, students, Tech, Tribute, Virginia, yha, youth
Posted by admin on Aug 18, 2008 in
college students By Darrell Causey
Our modern society is an information based society and the amount of information being made available is growing at an alarming rate.
It is no longer possible to study everything your teachers present. If you try to absorb everything, you will be overwhelmed by information overload and fail.
What you need are strategies or a system that will help you find the gold in all this information and allow you to process it in a more usable form.
Strategy #1 Focus
The very first thing you need do in order to process information correctly is FOCUS. What does it mean to focus? Focusing is becoming aware of what is important and what is not. When you learn to filter out the dross from the gold you are focusing.
Strategy #2 Take Notes
The next strategy you must make a habit is taking notes. You won’t succeed in your classes unless you learn to properly take notes and then use those notes.
Strategy #3 Teach Someone
A great way to strengthen what you have learned is to teach someone else. You could organize a study group that meets before the test and exchange ideas or you could tutor someone who is struggling.
Strategy #4 Create Learning Tools
You can’t rely only on your notes for studying. You need to create study tools that will help you reinforce the new important information. You should put together practice quizzes, study guides and practice tests and then share them. If you take the time to create quality study guides you can sell them to other students for extra cash
Strategy #5 Practice, Practice and Practice
If you truly want to retain all the new information that is coming at you, you must practice, practice, practice. You can’t expect to do anything with any sort of excellence without practice. Practice is a must. Even pro athletes practice to maintain their edge.
I invite you to learn more about studying and testing by going to http://mrcauseytutors.com
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Posted by admin on Aug 9, 2008 in
college students By Chris Stout
The difference between a Zen-like test experience and an anxiety-ridden test experience is pretty clear. You either know what youre doing, or you dont. You either have confidence in you abilities, or you have doubt creeping in and clouding you response to every question.
Test taking doesnt have to be traumatizing. If you prepare properly, you can control the apprehension. Here are five proven college test strategies thatll help you release the stress and focus on the task at hand.
1. Get a good nights rest and eat a good breakfast Youd be surprised by how much rest and balanced eating can enhance your test performance. You need to have a clear head and energy to execute. That means no grumbling tummies or weighted eyelids. Get to bed at a decent hour and in some protein in the morning. Bring a snack and water bottle if you have to, and dress in your pajamas if itll make you more comfortable.
2. Dont cram for your tests Distribute your studying over a period of a few days. The more time you spend on the material, the more itll stick in your mind. Cramming can lead to great successes, but years later, the academic adhesive will have worn off. Put a few days of coating on the strips of information you need to learn, and youll be able to recall trivial college information for years to come.
3. Relax. Clear you mind. Close your eyes. Breath. Get youre favorite song stuck in your head, and let it be the soundtrack that drowns out the anxiety and distracts you into critical thinking. Bring a pillow to class. Wear a thinking cap. Count backwards starting from the number ten. Do whatever you have to do to get your mind ready to go. Youre going to need your brain to be tranquil and fully functional.
4. Anticipate the questions youll be asked Figure out whats going to be on the test. Ask questions about the format. Find out what material is supposed to be covered. If you can be strategic about your studying, then youll save yourself a lot of time and hassle.
5. Share and exchange knowledge with your classmates Meet with your classmates and pool together different areas of expertise. Share what you know and learn from other people. Stick to the facts and save your best ideas and frameworks for your own blue book. Dont hold out on your study buddies, just dont drop every part of your personal take.
If you prepare for the test youll be fine. Control the variables involved. Make sure your rested, relaxed, well-fed and well-read. Meet with your fellow classmates and dont cram your study time into just one night. Figure out what to expect, and you will have nothing to worry about.
Chris Stout is a feature writer for CareersandEducation.com. Review more of his work and read about using a Career learning center colleges.and explore his thoughts on online degree programs.
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Tags: college information
Posted by admin on Aug 8, 2008 in
college students By Carol Eiseman
If you are the parent of an up and coming college freshman student, you will soon be inundated with mailers for dorm room shopping. Some will come from the big box stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond, others will come direct from an “approved” college service. In addition, your student will have a hit list of items on their own. So sit back, take a deep breath and try not to spend your mortgage payment on furnishing their dorm room.
As a mother of four, all close in age and all past and present collegians, I have gleaned some insight into this process that may save you some money and make the process a lot easier. First and foremost, I have found from experience that it is cheaper for you and your student to shop yourself than buy the packages direct from the school. I start in the spring and save, acquire and beg all the Bed, Bath and Beyond coupons I can get my hands on. This retailer, which I have no affiliation with, is the most customer friendly. You can use as many coupons as you have items. They also take all of their own expired coupons. They also have an incredible selection and good quality. Finally, they have a service where you can order it and it will be waiting for you at a store near your college. It could not be easier.
Bedding In terms of what you need. Let’s start with bedding. Most all college dorms have twin extra long mattresses and if you want your bedding to fit, that’s what you need to purchase. Check with your college information and confirm if that is the case. I would purchase the least expensive bedding that is still of decent quality. Why?? Because as soon as they move out of the dorm, they will never again have a twin extra long mattress. These sheets do not fit regular twin beds. So no more than two sets is necessary. Trust me, there is no need to spend $300 on a designer bedset for a college dorm. There is usually a great assortment of colors and patterns available for half the cost. What I would recommend is a twin feather bed to lie under the fitted sheets. College mattresses are usually hard or lumpy and this feather bed will make it much more comfortable. Throw in two pillows and a backrest and their beds are good to go. The backrest in my opinion is a necessity. They spend a good amount of time sitting on their beds with their books and lap top studying and this makes for a comfy sit!
Bath and Laundry Bath items.. again do not spend a fortune on towels… most do not make beyond one year. I would get 3 bath size, 2 washcloths and 1 hand towel. A bathrobe and a pair of flip-flops is a must. A small plastic carry container to store their soap, shampoo etc is the only other item they really need. I would buy a mesh, collapsible laundry bag. They are lightweight, easy to carry and can fit a ton of dirty clothes. I would also find out how the laundry room works. Do they need quarters? I always have rolls ready for September! I also bring bags of coat hangers..they can never have enough!
Fridge, Computer and Electric Check the college housing information sheet to see what they supply. You may not need a desk lamp. You can usually rent a micro-fridge for cheaper and less aggravation than bringing your own. Check on the air conditioning situation. I have found that even with air-conditioned rooms, they still need a fan. An alarm clock is really useful. They have a great one that also recharges their I-pod. It is a worthy investment, even if they tell you they will use their cell phone alarm!
Finally, check the information sheet for what you will need to hook up the computer. Some have wireless access but require a card. Others have only Ethernet access which require a cord. I would spend money on a quality surge protector and a computer lock. They can wrap it around their desk leg and it will prevent theft. Extension cords and one additional multiple outlet strip are usually needed. A ream of computer paper and a small box with desk supplies of pens, paper, scissors and tape at least! Also bring a small tool kit, it seems like we were always using it for something.
Once you arrive and check out the room, there are always things you will want to get once there. Underbed storage boxes and yaffa blocks may be needed but not always. And remember to bring your coupons.. you can use the last of them for purchasing these on-site items!
Say Good bye and plan a Care Package It is a stressful time for both the kids and parents, so try to relax. You’ll be missing them like crazy as soon as you drive off the campus! On your way home, start thinking about what kind of care package you can put together. Those are among their most prized packages from the campus post office!
Check out the great care package ideas Carol has developed for her own four over the years at http://www.celebrationideasonline.com/college-care-packages.html
Carol is married with four grown children who loves to celebrate everything! Their family celebration experiences and traditions can be further viewed at http://www.celebrationideasonline.com - There are some great ideas for creating lasting family memories!
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