University Software Standards - March 2001 Updates
In response to the recommendation in the IT Strategy Committee Report (1999), ITSC has regularly published a list of University standard software since February 2000. These University Software Standards are mandatory for administrative units but advisory for academic departments.

Adopting campus-wide software standards is beneficial to the overall IT development of the University as standardization helps to facilitate intra-campus collaboration and electronic document exchange, shortens software adoption time and reduces software training and support costs. The latest University Software Standards as of March 2001 are MS Windows98 or Windows NT WKS 4.0, MS Office 2000, Acrobat Reader 4, Netscape 4.7 or IE 5, OfficeScan, WinZip 8, SSH 2.4 and Novell Client. Meanwhile, Windows 2000 professional and Netscape 6 are being considered. Administrative Units should comply with the current University Software Standards (March 2001) not later than 30 June 2001. Please refer to http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/mcas/swstandard for more information.

Adobe Contractual License Program (CLP)
The Adobe Open Options Contractual License Program (CLP) is a volume licensing solution that allows organizations to simplify software license administration by forecasting their two-year requirements for Adobe software and the licensing software as needed during the term of the agreement.

During the two-year CLP agreement, the program allows us to order licenses and maintenance. Maintenance is the Adobe Open Options CLP upgrade insurance program that entitles us to all enhancements, bug fixes, updates, and upgrades for a two-year period. We are entitled to acquire Maintenance as we acquire new licenses. We also have six months to purchase Maintenance on legacy products. Legacy products are those at the current version for which we have acquired a license from buying a shrink-wrapped product or licensing through another Adobe licensing program, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Maintenance on non-CLP licenses can be purchased only within the first six months of the CLP agreement.

Also, ITSC is now coordinating a volume license for Adobe Acrobat for the computing community of the University. User departments can obtain the licenses at no cost at a later time. More information will be published soon.

While we are finalizing the Program, you can obtain the first hand program information and price details at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/mcas/hwsw.

VPN - Another Way to Connect the Campus Network
Our recently established Virtual Private Network (VPN) service facilitates access to the CUHK campus network and systems through a public ISP, local or overseas.

To connect to the VPN, you need to run a VPN client program on your PC. You will be authenticated by your Campus-wide E-mail System account and password.

The VPN also allows access to the campus network through various ClassNet Access Points at the Shaw College Canteen and classrooms in the Wong Foo Yuan and Sino Buildings. This service will be extended to all ResNet users in September.

Details can be read at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/itsc/network/vpn.

Wireless LAN
An 11-Mbps wireless LAN has been installed in the Central campus. It allows a wireless (radio) connection to a local area network. The wireless LAN employs an IEEE 802.11b standard. This standard includes an encryption method, the Wired Equivalent Privacy algorithm, that operates in a 2.4-GHz frequency band with Cisco enhanced roaming features. The roaming features allow PCs connected to the wireless LAN to move from one access point to another without losing the connection.

With this wireless LAN, you can easily access the campus network or the Internet along the University Mall (Million Road) or the University Culture Square. The coverage of the LAN also includes buildings along those areas.

Now, the wireless LAN can support 2000 concurrent users. To connect to the wireless LAN, you don't have to contact ITSC for special arrangements. Simply use your laptop equipped with a wireless network card and VPN client software.

Please visit http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/itsc/network/wlan for details about access.

Accessing a Remote Computer System, SSH or Telnet ?
SSH and Telnet are programs for connecting your computer to a remote computer system through the Internet. In general, most of these remote computer systems are UNIX-based, and you need to have a computer account there before you make a connection. These systems at CUHK include Mailserv, Logic, Theory, Orient and Origin.

SSH and Telnet have similar functions but SSH encrypts all the transmissions while Telnet sends plain text only. Thus, we recommend that you connect to CUHK remote systems using SSH because it is more secure. In addition, you can also use SSH's FTP program to transfer files securely from your computer to these remote computer systems. During the transmission, your password, administrative commands, and other confidential data are encrypted.

You can now download SSH 2.4 (Windows and Unix version) freely under an academic site license. Please visit http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/itsc/ssh for downloading and information. In visiting the page, please enter your Campus-wide E-mail System (Mailserv) computing id and password for authentication

Guidelines on Web Accessibility
The University has received guidelines on web accessibility from the Information Technology Services Department, HKSAR which asked for our support in enhancing the accessibility of our web sites and catering to the needs of the community, in particular the visually impaired. All web administrators are encouraged to consider their suggestions and make CUHK web sites more accessible to the general public. The guidelines can be accessed at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/itsd-web-accessibility.pdf

Recruitment of Computer Assistants
ITSC is now looking for part-time computer assistants to assist in various project developments this summer. Interested students should fill in the application form and e-mail it to applysca@cuhk.edu.hk on or before April 8, 2001. Applicants who do not receive any notifications after late April may consider that their application failed.

Post 1: HelpDesk Consultants
Post 2: Writers
Post 3: Java Programmer (AIMS Project)
Post 4. Data Library Programmer
Post 5. Web Page Programmer (Mass Mailing Enhancement Project)
Post 6. Web Page Programmer (MyCUHK Intranet Project)
Post 7. Web Page Designer
Post 8. Courseware Developer (Flash Programming)
Post 9. Courseware Developer (Non-programming)
Post 10. Project Leader
Post 11. Web-based Application Developer (Web-based Teaching Project)

Application and post details can be found online at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/itsc/announce/sca-recruit.html

Computer Services on Ching Ming Festival and Easter Holidays (April 5, 13-16)
Consultation Room, Room 131A Pi Chiu Building
9:30a.m.-5:00p.m.

Information Counter, G/F Pi Chiu Bldg.
Closed

User Area, Room 103 Wong Foo Yuan Bldg.
Closed

User Area, 1/F Pi Chiu Bldg.
Open in 24 hours as usual

During this period, other computer systems and network services will continue operating as normal over the holiday period.