[ED-TECH] Bill Gates and Steve Jobs keynotes

Ed-Tech list members,

 

You might enjoy watching Bill Gates' keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show and Steve Jobs' MacWorld presentation of the new Macintosh computers with Intel chips inside.

 

Bill Gates: http://www.microsoft.com/events/executives/billgates.mspx

Steve Jobs: http://macworld.apple.com.edgesuite.net/mw/index.html

 

Bill Vilberg

[ED-TECH] WMF Windows exploit

STATUS REPORT:

 

There is a new technique that "bad people" are using on the Internet in order to get things placed onto your Windows computer. 

 

The process occurs when you access a web page containing this "WMF exploit."  This can be done from ANY web browser, so Firefox users are not automatically safe. 

 

This can also happen if you view e-mail that has pictures or other objects from an infected site.  When the message is viewed, the material is stored on your computer.  The material can be of any type, including key loggers and other spyware. 

 

It affects all versions of Windows back to at least Windows 95.  It only affects Windows machines, so Macintosh users are safe, as usual.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

1. If you have a computer that is being managed by someone else, don't worry about it.  The manager of your computer has probably already taken steps to protect your computer.  UM has notified all system managers, so there is no need for you to notify your local manager.

 

2. If you do not have administrator privileges on your computer, you are apparently safe.  The installation of the bad stuff will fail, I guess.

 

3. If you have a computer that you manage, say at home or, in some cases, on your desktop at work, I suggest the following step.  

 

NOTES:  On Tuesday, January, 10, Microsoft is expected to release a patch for this exploit.  If you are reading this on or after that day, just run Windows update you should be protected.  I will update my www.snurl.com/mysecurity page as I gather more information.

 

And, of course, I am only making a recommendation.  This is something that I did on my computers, but I can't guarantee that it won't cause problems on your computer. 

 

Again, if someone manages your computer, DO NOT do this yourself.  He or she might have a different way of dealing with this exploit.

 

Finally, the patch listed below does not work with Windows 98 or Windows 95 or, I think, Windows ME. Check the listed web page for complete details.

 

ACTION RECOMMENDATION: Go to http://www.grc.com/sn/notes-020.htm and download Ilfak's WMF patch utility from GRC.  Install it.  Reboot your computer.  That will protect you. Once Microsoft offers a permanent patch, probably on Tuesday,  you can remove Ilfak's patch using Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs.  There is also a program there to test whether you are vulnerable.

 

 

Bill Vilberg

305-284-3949 (work); 786-218-3052 (cell); 305-255-9138 (home)

 

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Thu, 22 Dec 2005 06:00:05

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Bill Vilberg bill.vilberg@miami.edu Home: 305-255-9138 Work: 305-284-3949
Cell: 786-218-3052

[ED-TECH] Podcasting in the classroom - materials

On November 30th UM participated in a webinar entitled "Podcasting in the Classroom."  The session dealt with the system used at Purdue University to (audio) record, convert, and publish classroom sessions.  The materials from that session are now available from the www.miami.edu/iac "Lunch and Learn Series" page for Fall 2005, or from the links below.

 

Complete recording of session, including audio and screen: (This will only be available until January 19, 2006.)

http://tinyurl.com/83whh

 

PowerPoint slides: 

http://www.academicimpressions.com/preconference/1105_podcasting.ppt

 

Q&A transcript:

http://www.academicimpressions.com/postconference/1105_podcastingQ&A.pdf

 

Bill Vilberg

305-284-3949 (work); 786-218-3052 (cell); 305-255-9138 (home)

 

[ED-TECH] 2006 Excellence in Teaching Awards - Nominations Open

Ed-Tech List Members,

 

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2006 Excellence in Teaching Awards.  All full-time faculty members who have been teaching undergraduate or graduate students, excluding law and medical school students, at the University of Miami for at least three years are eligible. Nominations may be made by students, alumni, administrators, or other faculty members and must be received by Tuesday, January 31, 2006.

 

You can find the nomination form on the www.miami.edu/iac web site in the "Excellence in Teaching Awards" area, or by going directly to https://www.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/0,1770,2666-1;2786-2;43128-3,00.html.  The list of previous award winners, including links to the outstanding practices submitted by the 2005 award winners, can be found at the http://www.snurl.com/excellence web page.

 

Please let your students know that we strongly encourage student nominations.  Please consider nominating a worthy colleague. It will only take a few moments to describe the teacher's outstanding qualities and what features in particular distinguish their approach to teaching.

 

Bill Vilberg
Associate Director, Instructional Advancement Center

University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL

305-284-3949, bill.vilberg@miami.edu