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Enhanced service levels in centrally timetabled rooms

06 Oct 2010

Summary of changes and guidelines for users

Over the summer, colleagues in Estates and IT Services have been working together to introduce several enhancements to enable an improved experience for users of centrally timetabled rooms. This has resulted in a step change in the level of service provided, and includes:

  • A single hotline to deal efficiently and effectively with any problems experienced (e.g. computer, AV) - please telephone x52121. The helpdesk will ensure that your problem is signposted to the correct support team to ensure efficient resolution of your problem - a maximum 10 minute response time is guaranteed for a technician to attend any problem encountered by a lecturer when preparing for or during teaching;
     
  • Installation of 135 new PC's;
     
  • Upgrading the memory (to 4 MB) of a further 100 PC's;
     
  • Developing and rolling out a new Teaching Desktop which has significantly reduced the log in time and ensures machines are kept up-to-date with security patches and anti-virus updates, and providing a consistent image across campus so users of will see a familiar setup in every centrally timetabled room;
     
  • PC's now have the following software available as standard:

    o Microsoft Office 2007 (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access)
    o Turning Point
    o VLC Player (for playing DVDs)
    o Media Player Classic
    o PDF Viewer
    o SPSS
     
  • Access to a wide range of other software is available on request -- including any software from the Student Desktop (as used in PC Clusters). Requests for additional software should be made via the Helpdesk - x52121 or cturequest@listserv.manchester.ac.uk.

To ensure that all users experience a trouble free service on the PC's in centrally timetabled rooms, please take note of the following guidelines:

  • Logging On - You will need to log on with your centrally provided IT account name and password.  It is imperative that you logoff when at the end of your teaching session -- there have already been a number of breaches of security where lecturers have forgotten to logoff.
     
  • Switching Off - Always Log off by clicking on the Start Icon then Log Off . Do not divulge your password to anyone else.
     
  • Powering Off - Please DO NOT switch off these PCs, either by pushing the On/Off switch or at the wall. Powering off these PCs will significantly extend the logging on time for the next user and so can cause disruptions to their teaching session.
     
  • DVDs & Memory Sticks - To prevent the spread of viruses, CDs, DVDs and memory sticks inserted into these PCs will NOT start to play automatically. In order to play a CD OR DVD, insert the disk in the PC as usual and use the VLC Player. In order to access a memory stick, go to the start menu and click on 'My Computer' and locate your stick.