NOVA Alert system

Please review your NOVA Alert registration. Please make sure your registration is associated with the campus you attend classes. This will make sure you recieve all pertinent messages when dispatched. Also please use the website to register. Registration from cell phone is no longer accepted. This document provides instructions in case you have any questions.

Powerpoint Presentations and Classroom Computers

Please be advised that sending 2007 versions of PowerPoint (.pptx) through email and retrieving them through Webmail is not the best method for getting files to classroom computers. The webmail program does not process the extra data associated with this file type well. Webmail wants you to save the file as a zip or compressed file making it very difficult to display properly in Powerpoint.

If you want to use Webmail to retrieve Powerpoint files on classroom computers, your best option is to save the file as a 97-2003 version (.ppt).

When saving a PowerPoint created in 2007 as an older version you may get a warning about some slides losing some compatibility features. Please do not worry about this, that warning only means that those slides would be un-editable if they were opened by an older version of the program. You will still be able to edit them and they will still display correctly.
A reminder that if you are emailing for retrieval in a classroom, we strongly suggest using network drives instead to avoid these issues all together.

Macintosh Snow Leopard

There have been a number of questions about support at the college for Apple Macintosh's operating system Snow Leopard (10.6). This operating system is currently not supported for computers permanently attached to the college's network. The reason for this is that a number of our educational applications and security mechanisms do not have updated releases to support this operating system. This system is constantly monitored, and as soon as all the necessary upgrades have been released the NOVA will move to the Snow Leopard operating system.

Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System

There has been some questions concerning the migration to the new Microsoft operating system Windows 7. NOVA will likely move to Windows 7 in the future, however, there has been no date set for this migration. The operating system will be tested and reviewed to insure it will provide the best opportunities for NOVA students, faculty, and staff. As we get deeper into the release cycle, you will likely see more information about the college's plans for Windows 7.

Student Log On Required

There have been some questions as to why student computers in laboratories and libraries require students to use a log-on for access. The reasons for this are that computer log-ons using specific user id and passwords are one part of a multi-layered security approach in attempts to keep the NOVA network free from malicious code as well as maintain a safe computing environment.

MOAT Security Awareness Training

There have been a lot of activity at the Help Desk recently, as NOVA reviews users for completion of MOAT training. Managed Ongoing Awareness and Trust (MOAT) training covers materials related to IT security risks. The completion of the training programs are tracked and documented so administrators can generate reports on completion. NOVA policy requires annual security training for faculty and staff users. The NOVA policy was put in place to create alignment with requirements endorsed by the Virginia General Assembly.

When a user is required to renew their security training certificate, they will receive a notification from Awareity, which manages the MOAT training program for many Commonwealth of Virginia institutions.

If you have any issues concerning MOAT training, the IT Helpdesk is prepared to assist with any issues.

Smartphone access

This is a response to an inquiry concerning the utilization of Smartphones to access NVCC systems. First, we would like thank our users for comments. Second, currently, the only approved smartphone access to the email system at this time is the Apple iPhone and the Apple iPod. Instructions on how to connect these devices are actually posted on the NVCC IT Helpdesk website. The link for the connection instructions are posted at http://www.nvcc.edu/ithd/faculty/working-remotely/iphone-nvcc-webmail-1.pdf We have reason to believe this situation will change very soon, and please check the above link frequently for updated information. NVCC will publish additional conectivity instructions as soon as they are available.

Access to ELI Video on Demand

We have been getting calls from some students unable to access the Video on Demand files. We have found that all of them are on the Verizon Fios network. By having a student remove their laptop from the Fios network and playing the videos on the same laptop on campus we have confirmed that the issue lies with Fios and the settings on their router/modem.

Fios users unable to play our video files. Fios users need to contact Fios and have them change the settings on their router/firewall to allow for the MMS protocol.
All of our VOD files use MMS.

Here is the info regarding MMS that can be forwarded to students needing the information:
Microsoft Media Services( MMS )

The MMS protocol is designed specifically for serving multimedia presentations. Although it is not standards-based, you can use it to broadcast live or on-demand Windows Media clips to Windows Media Player. MMS uses TCP for player control messages, and UDP for video and audio data. MMS can also use TCP to deliver data, but this is not recommended.
MMS (Microsoft Windows Media) uses port 1755, when this port is used it makes the traffic faster because it is using pure MMS technology and has no HTTP overhead. MMS also works on port 80 but is slower because it is using http pragma command extensions. MMS uses Windows Media Player client to access steaming media resources. MMS is the ‘carrier’ of ASF (Advanced Streaming Format) Microsoft’s ® propriety streaming protocol. Its prime use is to carry live or pre-recorded multi media broadcasts, archived videos, sound tracks and live shows over the internet. MMS operates on top of UDP or TCP transport protocols, they are transport/network level, where as MMS exists and operates at the application level.

Opening office files

There was a recent request to load Microsoft Office 2003 on computers on campus because a user was unable to open a file they created on campus using Microsoft Office 2007. This is because they only had Microsoft Office 2003 loaded on their home computer. Microsoft has created a compatibility pack which allows users to open Office 2007 documents using Office 2003. Here is the link to download the Microsoft Office compatibility pack.

Websites and Clubs

A recent question at the IT Help Desk concerned the ability for a club to have a website. Yes!! at NOVA clubs are allowed to have websites. Since each campus manages clubs and organizations locally, if you have any questions about clubs please contact your campus Student Services organization. They will be happy to guide you to the proper resources for any questions you may have concerning clubs and student organizations. Here are links to two of the many student organizations at NOVA: Recreation and Parks Society and The Hispanic Student Union

Software at NOVA

NOVA does not offer Microsoft products for download. Microsoft office as well as other applications are available on the computers available to students at the different campuses. As a NOVA student, you are eligible for significant discounts from software vendors for the products you referenced. You are also eligible for free downloads of symantec virus scanner from the VCCS. Here is the link for usefull software information at NOVA.

Please Take this opportunity to share with other users in the Northern Virginia Community College community any tips or questions you may have about technology use at the college. There are a lot of resources available, and this forum will allow communication about the resources between peers in order to maximize technology utilization.

This site will allow posting, and will only edit content based on the college's acceptable use policy, and accuracy of information.