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It is safe to say that there is a lot of strong opinions about whether
the new email system interface is meeting its target.  Before one starts
to complaint or relay dissatisfaction about what's missing etc, it makes
sense to take a timeout and try to understand what ATS is trying to do
with this upgrade.
I think we all can agree that increasing one's mailbox and including
things like calendaring and contacts are steps in the right direction.
There may be differing opinions about the amount of additional disk
space and missing functionality of new features.   It is clear that this
new email system is significant to some departments and not significant
at all to others.  This is the nature of technology at MSU.         
 
What if we were to spend a lot more time at figuring out what's really
needed <not a wish list> to make life easier for students, faculty and
staff?  With that, I would end with a few questions to trigger some
thoughts:
Is it feasible for MSU to have an authenticator?  By that I mean
synchronizing MSUnet IDs with local departmental IDs for departments
with their own networks whether they use Microsoft, Novell or an open
source solution.
Why can't I logon safely with my MSUNet ID into my departmental AD
domain and access all my resources?  
Why can't I access my departmental resources when I log into a lab
computer?
 
Some of these questions may or may not have immediate answers to them,
but finding answers boils down to interests & resources and that is
where the rubber hits the road!
 
Firmin Charlot, MCSE, A+, Information Systems Manager
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services
Educational and Support Services   162 Student Services Building   East
Lansing, MI 48824
[log in to unmask] <blocked::mailto:[log in to unmask]>   (517) 432-7541 
Submit technical requests at http://help.ess.msu.edu/
<blocked::http://help.ess.msu.edu/>