February 5, 2004

Upcoming Tech Talks touch on spam, viruses and online directory services

The latest mobile computing options, helpful hints on how to handle junk e-mail, better ways to protect against computer viruses, and improvements to online directory services are some of the topics covered in upcoming “TechTalk” seminars presented by Information Technology.

The free TechTalk series, open to students, faculty and staff, is designed to give the University community an understanding of what’s changing in technology, what resources are available, and technology-related issues that affect the work environment. All sessions take place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the University Library Forum Room in Evanston, and are videoconferenced to Wieboldt Hall, room 421, in Chicago.

There is no charge to attend TechTalks, but registration is requested at www.it.northwestern.edu/ events/index.html.

For further information, e-mail James Mustard at j-mustard@northwestern.edu. Upcoming topics include:

• Get Control: Be safe, not sorry (Feb. 11, April 7). Could you afford to lose your files, research, confidential data, e-mail or network connection? Is junk e-mail making you crazy? Get a handle on how to protect yourself against computer viruses, how to secure your desktop against hackers, and what to do about unwanted e-mail.

• Introduction to IT computing resources (Feb. 23, April 22). Where can you find the computing support you need? Get an overview of the computing systems and technical support available from IT, plus information on new automated services, selection of appropriate systems, and sources of technical assistance.

• A look at the new LDAP directory service (March 10). Do you use Northwestern’s online directory to find phone numbers, e-mail addresses, or office addresses? You may be interested in Northwestern’s migration to LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol), an industry standard basis for authentication, authorization, mail routing and online directory services.

• A mobile world: From computers to PDAs/Tablet PCs presentation (May 5). Who says you can’t take it with you? Use your wireless laptop or personal digital assistant (PDAs) to access the Web and e-mail on both campuses! Learn all you need to know about going wireless at Northwestern. Check out some of the latest Tablet PCs and learn how they might provide better mobile solutions.