IST's caution about new IE7 browser

a memo from Information Systems and Technology

Microsoft's Web browser Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) is now available for computers running the Windows XP (SP2) operating system. This new release contains many new features including tabbed browsing and improved security. IE7 is available as a download from Microsoft and as an automatic, high-priority update from the Windows/Microsoft Update services.

While IE7 is a improvement over previous versions of Internet Explorer, before deciding to upgrade your machine, you should be aware of some problems related to its early implementation and use:

1. If you use UW-ACE, we advise you to delay implementation of IE7. The company that supports this software expects to have updates in place some time in November that will address issues with display and navigation using IE7.

2. Staff and faculty should also be aware of possible issues with the use of IE7 with some of the University's information systems (e.g., Quest, Trellis, JobMine, HRinfo, Oracle Government Financials). These issues are being investigated and more information will be provided as available.

3. There are printing issues with IE7 and some of the templates used with UW's Common Look and Feel (CLF). The Web Operations Team (webops) is aware of these issues and will be providing more information.

Because of the issues identified above, we recommend that you delay the installation of IE7. If you are using Microsoft's Update service, please continue to install critical updates but delay the installation of IE7. (IE7 will not automatically install without the explicit approval of an administrator of the computer.) If you decide to install IE7, we would be interested in hearing from you about your experiences, especially those related to the use of UW services.

If you are using IST's Windows Server Update Service (WSUS), the deployment of IE7 will be delayed until the above issues are clarified.

Note that this Web page will be updated as details become available on the above issues.

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Event will show off map technology

"GIS Day" for this year is scheduled for Wednesday, says Eva Dodsworth of the University Map Library, sending these details:

"GIS Day is an annual grassroots event that celebrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) users and teaches and promotes research tools to schools and businesses.
To coincide with worldwide GIS Day events, the University Map Library, the Faculty of Environmental Studies and the Waterloo-Laurier Graduate Program in Geography will be hosting a variety of events between 10:30 and 3:30 in the ES I courtyard and the adjacent seminar room.

"All students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in celebrating GIS Day. Learn what GIS is and how it can be used in both your academic and personal lives. Learn more about the different software that supports all the geospatial data available to the campus.

"The courtyard will be transformed into a poster map gallery where students, faculty and staff across campus will be displaying their research and work using GIS. During the entire duration of the event the seminar room will have a continuous stream of UW speakers demonstrating GIS technology in their course projects." A full agenda is online, she notes. And at the end of the day, Dodsworth herself will introduce GIS and demonstrate the Library's data resources using the software GeoExpress View.

"Don't miss this session," she urges, "as you will learn how to incorporate GIS into your next course project without needing to know or use ArcGIS. There will be several door prizes, giveaways and refreshments as well." Advance registration for the day is online.

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Co-op student's job in fund-raising

by Jessica Voll, for the Inside Scoop newsletter

Telemarketers. They are feared, avoided and often subjected to rude comments.

Just the thought of being a telemarketer would make most of us cringe — especially if we saw it as a duty in a co-op job description! But what if the telemarketing wasn’t to try and convince you to join the newest gym, buy the newest kitchen appliance, or agree to time-share in the Bahamas?

As part of her co-op position with Muscular Dystrophy Canada, Shannon Turzanski (left), a 3B Arts and Business French major, participated in telemarketing among other fundraising activities. A typically unpleasant task took on new meaning for Turzanski as she devoted her time and energy to fundraising for neuromuscular disorders. A progressive disorder caused by the improper functioning of nerves and muscles in the body, it can cause muscles to weaken and waste away over time, making it difficult to speak, breathe or move.

She thrived in her first term as Fundraising Assistant, so she was thrilled to have the opportunity return for a second term as Communication and Public Relations Intern. Developing and distributing media releases, she now advocated for the organization in a different manner by helping share the stories of those affected by the disorder. By gathering testimonials from people who have benefited from the organization’s services, she was able compose informational and inspiring stories for their direct mailing and Annual Report. "It was interesting to learn about direct mail, something that we always get in the mailbox from so many different organizations. It was neat to see the behind the scenes work of putting it together and the value of direct mail for a non-profit organization."

Having a hard time pinpointing the highlights of her co-op term, she was able to settle on "just a few". The supportive and encouraging work environment, the chance to speak to people with neuromuscular disorders, and receiving a solid introduction to the non-profit sector (specifically in respect to fundraising, communications, and public relations) were among the many reasons she cited her work terms as being “even more than I expected!"

Where will this self-described "articulate, driven, and enthusiastic" student focus her talents next? "For my next co-op term, I would like to work for a corporation to see the differences between non-profitable and profitable organizations. After graduation I can see myself either going to teacher’s college or doing a post graduate program such as Human Resources or Event Management."

After two consecutive terms with the same employer, Turzanski reminds students that "it is important to take your duties seriously and remember that these work terms are very important stepping stones to when you leave university and start your career. If there are any events, such as a general meeting, ask if you can attend. Every project and event is a new experience from which you learn new skills or build on your skills you’ve already learned."

CAR

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