Tech News - August 2022

Welcome to the second issue of Tech News. This month’s newsletter spotlights University Softwareand gives a heads-up of the University's eWaste Day, provides an overview of new services and changes to existing services, lists upcoming ICT training, and what planned maintenance is scheduled which may impact staff.  Please feel free to pass this on to your own staff distribution lists.

ICT Spotlight - Software Centre/Self Help & Free Software

• Remember that the University has access to a large number of free and/or sitewide licenced software available via Software Centre (Windows) or Self Service (MAC) to download software to your University computer yourself.
• Most of the software available for self installation is free, and any that require the purchase of a licence are noted in the information about the product when you click into it.



• There is often alternative free software for some of the more well known paid applications such as Corel Draw Graphics Suite instead of Adobe Illustrator, or Corel PDF Fusion instead of Adobe Acrobat Pro.
• Talk to the Service Desk if you need assistance - help@waikato.ac.nz or 07 838 4008.

A reminder that software should only be purchased via ITS, not using other methods such as PCards. The ICT Procurement team are available to help with software licencing - just log a “Hardware and Software Purchasing” request in  Kuhukuhu asking for a quote and advice, before you buy.

ICT Services - what’s new and what’s changed

Accessing systems from home

• If a system or application doesn’t open from home it may require you to enable the Forticlient VPN on your computer first. This then treats your offsite device as ‘inside’ the Waikato environment, giving you access to services which require extra security layers.

CORRECTION: UniAccess Account Creation

The services and access provisioned for a Limited Account was incorrect in last months newsletter. When to choose a Staff account has been further clarified.

When creating new user accounts in UniAccess, follow these guidelines:

• Staff: If they are going to have an HR contract, and are new to the University.
  If they are a returning employee, use External (short-term) until the HR contract shows.
• External: If they will not have an HR contract e.g. External Contractor or Emeritus Professor.
• Limited: If they will not have an HR contract e.g. External Contractor or Emeritus Professor, AND don’t require use of Microsoft Office.

An External account will provide the user with a username, email account and access to an H: drive, wifi, internet, printing (must provide a print code), Microsoft Office license.

A Limited account will provide the user with a username and access to wifi, internet, and printing (must provide a print code).
Note: H: drive and an email account can be provisioned for a Limited account on request.

If an External or Limited user requires access to Moodle and/or MyWaikato this must be requested as a Resource in UniAccess and access is granted manually.

Chromebook Support for Zoom Changing

This affects Zoom and other applications on Chromebooks only.  You can access Zoom’s replacement “Progressive Web Application” (WPA) from the Google Play Store if this affects you. Zoom will stop working in the Chrome Os App in February 2023.

Google Marketplace Apps

Pear Deck - The Pear Deck sidebar is an interactive presentation tool that has ‘decks’ saved in your Google Drive and used to actively engage students by including interactive questions in Google Slides.  Tools and resources free to users include access to Google Drive storage, Google Apps integration, three types of interactive question slides, a limited number of PDF and Google Slide imports, and 30 session participants.

Reclaim.ai - Automatically find the best time for your tasks, recurring events, 1:1 meetings, and breaks in Google Calendar with Reclaim.ai.

See the Google Apps Self Help Page for more information on available apps.

Upcoming ICT Training

This list is subject to change, for the most up-to-date information please view the Professional Development page which has the calendar and registration form. If you have any questions or would like a specific course developed, please email its.training@waikato.ac.nz or contact the Service Desk.

UoW eWaste Day is Coming!

This year the University is holding an eWaste Day on the same day as the International eWaste Day - 14th of October. This amnesty day will be held across both University campuses. So, mark the date in your calendars, and start digging all that old electronic equipment out of those storage spaces/desk drawers/dark and dusty corners. More information about the day will follow so keep an eye out!

Kuhukuhu Improvements

Phones and Voicemail overhauled - easier to ask for help or to get a new softphone, desk phone, or assistance with a range of mobile contract services.

*Remember you can purchase mobile phones directly through Unimarket now, and PB Tech are more than happy to assist with this if needed.

Planned Maintenance