Updating Mason and Freeman

During the Christmas Break, technology office staff updated Wi-Fi in Mason and Freeman dorms. The work included removing old access points, adding all new ones, and increasing density.  The number of wireless access points more than doubled as a result of this project.  Combined with the installation of new network switches, the dorm rooms and faculty apartments benefited from improved performance and coverage.  This was especially helpful for smartphone users, as phones have a harder time picking up weak wireless signals than do laptops.

A Mix of Cloud and Physical Servers

Blair has a cloud-based strategy to server management.  When possible, the school adopts cloud-based software, such as Google docs.  If an application must be server-based, the server is virtualized and run in a hosted environment off-campus.  The transition from physical servers on campus to cloud-based solutions resulted in a significant decrease in downtime for our systems.  It also helps our technology staff focus more on people and their needs than on running server updates.   

Insley Hall Door Project

During a recent faculty maker space training, dorm parent Mr. Wenner imagined a project on the vinyl cutter.  With assistance from Mr. Garrant and Ms. Sykes, Mr. Wenner engaged students to help in the design, cutting, weeding, and transfer process.  The results are shown on the doors of Insley Hall.

Blair Hammer Award Makerspace Project

A recent maker space project made use of Blair's laser engraver to customize the handle of a hammer.  The Blair Hammer Award is a recognition for student athletes who have demonstrated one, some, or all the following characteristics, which are engraved on the hammer:

• Grit
• Strength
• Teamwork
• Character
• Effort

More information on the award, and information about its recipient, can be seen at this link:  https://www.blair.edu/athletics/blair-hammer-award

Chiang Center for Innovation and Collaboration Technology Summary

  

The Chiang Center for Innovation and Collaboration's 28,704 square feet house the most technology in one building on Blair's campus.  Here is a list of some of the technology available to our faculty and students:

• Maker space machines for digital fabrication including
• 3D printers
• Wide format color laser printer for posters
• T-shirt printer & thermal press
• Laser cutter
• Vinyl cutter
• Six flat screen TVs in conference rooms and meeting spaces
• Two 133" large-projection screens in the forum, with HD projectors
• Classroom AV systems for wireless projection and streaming video
• Bluetooth sound systems in the art studio, maker space, and ceramics classroom
• Media computer labs for digital sound, photo and video editing
• Electronic keyboard systems
• Recording studio for both video and audio recordings
• Studio lighting board, sound board, web cam system and video recording system
• Robotics lab

Maintaining an Emergency Notification System

In order to help create a safer environment for our students, faculty, and staff, the technology office maintains a software system that is capable of quickly sending out an emergency message.  Setting up the system entails uploading email addresses, and cell phone numbers of all campus community members and parents of students.  Maintaining the system includes removing stale numbers, and adding in new community members when they arrive on campus.  When an emergency message needs to be sent out, a message can be created and sent via text and email in a matter of minutes.  These messages will notify people of a situation on campus and offer directions on how to proceed.  A follow up message alerts people that the situation has ended and that they can return to normal activities.

Troubleshooting Computers after Windows Update

A recent windows update caused a number of all-in-one computers to fail to wake up from sleep mode.   The technology office received tickets from users in the Business Office, Library, and other office groups.  After some research and several attempts at a resolution, our user support specialist, Blake Wolos, was able to get the computers working again. Only one specific model of computer experienced the issue, and the solution was to re-install a graphics card driver from a manufacturer's website.