CSC/ITSU Y2K Information Centre (YIC)
You might have read from various publications that CSC/ITSU will operate an information centre during Y2K rollover. Here, we would like to remind our readers that the function of the information centre is to answer inquiries from the University staff and students about the Y2K compliance information of the hardware and software of CSC/ITSU. It also provides the operation status of CSC/ITSU-managed computer systems and networks during the rollover.

Here is the information about YIC:
Operation Hours: 00:00 January 1, 2000 - 24:00 January 3, 2000
Telephone Numbers: 26037804 and 26037854
E-mail Address: yic@cuhk.edu.hk
Website: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/y2k/yic

Turn Off Your Computer System During Y2K Rollover
We advise you to turn OFF your computer systems and peripherals (e.g. printers, scanners) before the Y2K rollover period because of the following reasons:

1. As all offices will be closed from 31 December, 1999 13:00 to 1 January, 2000 13:00 (as directed by the Y2K Command Task Force of the University), nobody in your office will be able to take care of your computer systems within this period.

2. As a precaution to safeguard your computer systems and peripherals, and in particular, data in your hard disks, in case of power instability or failure during the rollover period.

3. As a means to safeguard your computer systems against possible heavy hacking activities and virus invasion during the rollover period.

A New UNIX Workstation Tender Available for Reference
A new UNIX workstation reference tender has recently been completed (Tender No. 99106559) and approved by the Tender Board. The tender is valid until May 15 2000. The tender specifies, among other things, the services, year 2000 compliance status, trade-in program, warranty, technical support, delivery date, price and the training offered. Please contact the CSC/ITSU Workstation Support Team (2609 8823 or 2609 8832) for more information.

WebCT Training Programs on Jan 7 2000
WebCT (CT stands for Course Tools) is a software package for the creation of a web-based educational environment. It provides a set of educational tools to facilitate learning, communication and collaboration. It also provides a set of administrative tools to assist the teacher to manage and improve a course. WebCT is completely web- based. Accessing it does not require any software on one's computer other than a web browser such as the Netscape Communicator and the Internet Explorer.

If you are a teacher and plan to use a WebCT in your course in the coming semester but have never attended any training course provided by CSC/ITSU, you and your assistants are invited to attend the WebCT training sessions on January 7 2000.

Registration and other related information can be found at CSC/ITSU Information Technology Training page . Also, CSC/ITSU is now planning another series of training seminars on the use of advanced instructional technologies. Details will be announced in early January on the CSC/ITSU IT Training page and the coming issue of CSC/ITSU Digest.

Maintenance Schedule from Jan 2000 to Jun 2000
Most of the centrally-managed computer systems need to be shut down regularly for maintenance work including user file back up, system testing, software/hardware upgrades, hardware preventive maintenance and etc. The maintenance schedule from January 2000 to June 2000 is now ready. A paper copy has been sent to your department and various college laboratories for information and posting.

You can also get it from the web at "http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/csc/sys_ava/maint.html"> http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/csc/sys_ava/maint.html and the CUHK anonymous FTP server, ftp.cuhk.edu.hk, which is placed under cuhk/csc/maint/csc-sch0100.doc

Computer Services During Christmas Holidays (Dec 23-28 1999)
User Area 1/F of Pi Chiu Bldg.
Closing Period : Dec 24 16:00 - Dec 27 09:30

User Area Room 103 of Wong Foo Yuan Bldg.
Closing Period : Dec 23 16:30 - Dec 28 09:15

User Area 1/F of Pi Chiu Bldg.
Closing Period : Dec 24 16:00 - Dec 27 09:30

User Area Room 103 of Wong Foo Yuan Bldg.
Closing Period : Dec 23 16:30 - Dec 28 09:15

Computer Services During New Year Holidays (Dec 30 1999 - Jan 3 2000)
User Area, 1/F of Pi Chiu Bldg.
Closing Period : Dec 31 12:00 1999 - Jan 2 09:00 2000

User Area, Room 103 of Wong Foo Yuan Bldg.
Closing Period : Dec 30 16:30 1999 - Jan 3 09:15 2000

Information Counter, G/F of Pi Chiu Bldg.
Closing Period : Dec 30 17:00 1999 - Jan 3 09:00 2000

Comprehensive Systems Checking
Checking Period : Dec 31 18:00 1999 - Jan 1 24:00 2000

During the comprehensive systems checking period, it is inevitable that some systems will be shut down occasionally or becoming unstable. Therefore, we suggest scheduling important computing activities during the checking period be avoided.

Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!