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.

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.

The Reserveroom tool is only accessible through the department Single Sign On facility at https://www.cs.sunysb.edu:8081/~sso/. Please delete any other references or bookmarks you have to the earlier version on intrawww.

New/Upgraded Software for Solaris
The perldoc documentation reading package has been added to the perl installation on the Solaris network. To read documentation on a particular module, use the command "perldoc <modulename>", for example, "perldoc File::Tail".

The java portion of the Mozilla browser for Solaris has been updated. You should be able to view any java page sucessfully. Please submit a WREQ at cs dot sunysb dot edu job if you encounter a java page that does not display. Please be sure to include the complete URL of the page in question.

Translabs
The Master Solution Vision5 software package has been installed in room 2129. This software allows the professor to monitor the student workstations from the podium. The professor can see what students are doing, can take control of individual workstations, and can block web surfing from student workstations, among other things. Documentation
is online at: http://www.mastersolutionus.com/downloads/downloadvision50.php.

All students currently enrolled in a course that uses the translabs should have accounts at this time. Please email ntadmin if you are aware of students who are missing accounts or who are having trouble with their accounts.

Scp is enabled between the department Unix network and the translab web server. From the Unix side, use

scp2 -r -v -S /usr/sec/ssh2/ssh2 ./<unixdir> \<username>@www.translab.cs.sunysb.edu:<userdir>

Databases
Sybase has been upgraded to Sybase ASE 12.5.2 Business Edition.

Graduate PC Lab
The Compaq PCs in grad lab room 1204 will be upgraded to GX 150s over the course of the next month.

On the Web
Please see the CS@35 pages of the department website for ongoing updates on the coming 35th Anniversary Celebration, scheduled for May 10, 2005. If you are in contact with any of our alumni, please ask them to visit our website and register themselves on the alumni section (follow the link under CS@35). (Note: there was a brief technical problem with the alumni registration page on Wednesday evening. It was fixed the next morning and is working at this time).

The course listings on the web for Spring 2005 including TA assignments will be up to date by Friday, February 4. Please send any additions or corrections to webadm.

Work has begun on a system that would enable faculty and students to publish news items on our website via the SSO facility.

Downloads
Version 6.1.1 of X-Win32 is available for free download for use on machines on any of the campus networks. You can download the software from the "downloads" section of our website, accessible through SSO at: https://www.cs.sunysb.edu:8081/~sso/login.php.

HOW TO REPORT A PROBLEM or MAKE A WORK REQUEST
First you should check the FAQ pages at:
http://www.cs.sunysb.edu/~faq

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: