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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] (517) 432-7541
Submit technical requests at http://help.ess.msu.edu/