Computer Science Department - Systems Staff Monthly Update

WREQ Problem Reporting Tool
Email work requests and problem reports are now being entered into the WREQ problem reporting tool. You should submit all requests directly to WREQ and not to ntadmin or individual staff members. You can do this by posting a request through the web interface at: http://www.cs.sunysb.edu/~wreq or simply by sending your email request to WREQ at cs dot sunysb dot edu.

WREQ Problem Reporting Tool for Administrative Requests
There is now a WREQ Problem Reporting Tool for work requests directed to the department secretarial and administrative staff. You should use secwreq for requests such as requisitions, course room changes, office supplies, grade changes, room reservations, payroll issues, tuition issues, reimbursements and building management needs. This tool can be found at http://www.cs.sunysb.edu/~secwreq or you can send mail to SECWREQ at cs dot sunysb dot edu.

New/Upgraded Software for Solaris
The xfig package has been upgraded to version 3.2 (PL 4). Xfig is a menu-driven tool that allows the user to draw and manipulate objects interactively in an X window. There are man pages installed and web based documentation is available at http://www.xfig.org/userman/.

The transfig package, including fig2dev, has been upgraded to version 3.2 (PL 4). TransFig is a set of tools for creating TeX documents with graphics which are portable, in the sense that they can be printed in a wide variety of environments. New with this upgrade is the ability to convert .fig files to .eps files using the command:
fig2dev -L eps foo.fig foo.eps
Please see the manpage for further information.

Python has been upgraded to version 2.4. Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented, extensible programming language. See the manpage or http://www.python.org/doc/2.4 for more information.

Translabs
NetBeans 4.0 has been installed in the Translabs. NetBeans is a full-featured integrated development environment for Java Software Developers.

The database server running Sybase and Oracle for classes has been upgraded for better performance.

JISQL is a front-end java enabled tool that allow Sybase users to remotely connect to their database. The above link walks a user through the steps on how to setup the tool on their personal laptops/desktops and connect to Sybase from outside the department.

A printer has been installed for class use in the Programming Techniques Teaching Laboratory (room 2129). Please send mail to ntadmin if you are a professor and would like to use this printer for class work.

Graduate PC Lab
The times on the PCs in the Graduate Windows Labs (1239 and 1204) have been synchronized.

The workstations in room 1239 now have labels on the desks. Please be sure to include the specific workstation label number when reporting a problem in this lab. Please report your problems to WREQ if you have any further questions.

On the Web
This year is the 35th anniversary of the Computer Science Department at Stony Brook University, and a full day celebration is planned for May 10, 2005. Please see http://www.cs.sunysb.edu/cs@35/ for a full schedule of events. So far 72 attendees have registered for this event. Please spread the word amongst alumni or interested business people in the community.

In addition the the anniversary celebration we are also compiling a directory of alumni, which has 130 former students registered so far. If you are in touch with any of our alumni please point them to http://alum.cs.sunysb.edu/~alumni/register/index.php to register in the directory.

Two new features have been added to the Single Sign On (SSO) area of the department website.
- Wireless access information including necessary keys
- Application for graduation
The SSO facility is at http://www.cs.sunysb.edu/~sso. Use your department userid and password to sign on.

PCs and Laptops
The campus has signed an agreement with Microsoft to enable students to obtain one copy of the following Microsoft products: MS Office for the PC or MAC, Win XP Prof Upgrade, Frontpage, and Visual Studio.net. Beginning on Tuesday, March 1, 2005, Graduate Students and Seniors may go to either the Seawolves Marketplace or HSC Bookstore to get the
software. Please visit http://www.stonybrook.edu/mscampus for information about the agreement and details about the distribution and cost.

Virus/Spyware/Security
The Stony Brook University Police have sent out an advisory warning users against disclosing personal information in reply to unsolicited emails. The Federal Trade Commission has issued the following warning for all email users:

Internet scammers casting about for peoples financial information have a new way to lure unsuspecting victims. They go "phishing".
Phishing is a high-tech scam that uses spam or pop-up messages to deceive you into disclosing your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information.
Most phishing attempts come from overseas. Never reply to these emails, simply delete the phishing email.

There is also a link to an index of FAQs.
If the answer to your question is not in the faq's you should use wreq to report the problem or make a work request.
There is a short blurb on wreq in the faq area (search by index).
Wreq lives at: http://www.cs.sunysb.edu/~wreq/

You can also send email to:WREQ at cs dot sunysb dot edu from your dept account, or campus account. The subject line should cover what is wrong or what you need. The body of the email can supply any details.

Your problem report must include the following information for us to be able to help you promptly:

The room you are working in, either room number or lab name.
The name of the host you are working on (hostname command in Unix, machine number in 1239, the number written on the bookshelf by your desk in the student offices).
The sequence of things you did just prior to having the problem as best you recollect.
The exact text of any error message you see on the screen, or a complete description of the problem that occured.

Please report problems promptly as they occur so they can be investigated under the same set of conditions as far as possible. When in doubt, feel free to send email to: