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Information technology news for the UC Berkeley community.

Collaborative Tools Strategy update

IST–Data Services' Collaboration Services unit has developed draft recommendations for a strategy to help the campus better support collaboration through the use of collaborative tools. The recommendations were released to the campus for comment in mid-August, and the final version of the strategy will be available on the Campus Collaborative Tools Strategy Development website in early to mid-October. October 1, 2008.

An overview of the OCIO

This article gives background on how the Office of the Chief Information Officer came to be, and describes the functions of and services provided by the departments that comprise it. September 30, 2008.

CalHPC: A dedicated cluster support service for campus researchers

IST is collaborating with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to offer campus researchers a comprehensive service for supporting Linux-based computing clusters hosted in the campus data center. September 30, 2008.

Network Communications Funding Model project update

The Network Communications Funding Model project is progressing on schedule. The next phase of the project is now beginning and will focus on analyzing the impact of the model at the departmental level. September 24, 2008.

Project Bamboo engages institutions and organizations across the world to develop cyberinfrastructure for arts and humanities

Bamboo is a multi-institutional and interdisciplinary effort to bring together researchers in arts and humanities, computer and information scientists, librarians, and campus information technologists to collectively tackle the question: How can we advance arts and humanities research through the development of shared technology services? September 24, 2008.

Update: Limited offer to replace current CRT monitors

The special offer on LCD monitors announced in the article Limited offer to replace current CRT monitors was even more popular than we had imagined. All 150 monitors have been requested. We will be offering a similar program after the first of the year. September 23, 2008.

Safety notice: iPhone 3G ultracompact USB power adapter exchange program

Apple has determined that under certain conditions, the new ultracompact Apple USB power adapter's metal prongs can break off and remain in a power outlet, creating a risk of electric shock. Replacement adapters will be available starting Friday, October 10, 2008. Customers who own an affected adapter should immediately stop using it until they exchange it for a new, redesigned ultracompact adapter. September 20, 2008.

Federated identity management

Identity federations facilitate the sharing of electronic resources between associated institutions. Federated identity management allows users to log in using their local authentication credentials (the CalNet ID and passphrase in Berkeley's case) to access electronic resources hosted at other institutions belonging to the same identity federation. UC Berkeley is a member of two identity federations: InCommon and UCTrust. September 18, 2008.

Minimum Security Standards for Electronic Information

The Campus Information Security and Privacy Committee (CISPC) has created a new policy on Minimum Security Standards for Electronic Information (MSSEI) for UC Berkeley. The policy describes detailed protective measures which are required for a specified minimum set of types of highly confidential electronic information. Penalties may be incurred for failure to comply with the MSSEI. September 18, 2008.

User-centered design in IT services: End-to-end user experience and conclusion

Final segment of a five-part series on user-centered design (UCD) in IT services. This piece focuses on the user experience, and offers several recommendations to learn more about user-centered design. September 18, 2008.

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