CCC updates Novell Network over break.

by Debbie Dexter - Computer Trainer

Novell Network Updates:

The College Computer Center has made some changes over break. If you have any questions regarding the included updates/changes, please contact the Help Desk at: helpdesk@wpi.edu, call 831-5888 or drop by their office in Fuller Labs, room B12.

Software Updates and New Installs

(D-Term 1998)

CCC has recently installed new software and updated older software. The following applications are now available for installation or upgrade from WinInstall:

EPA Net v1.1e

GhostView v5.10

Netscape Communicator v4.04 (32-Bit)

Netscape Communicator v4.04 (32-Bit) Upgrade (from 4.03)

TK Solver v3.32

TK Solver v3.32 Upgrade (from 1.0)

All of the above applications are for Windows 95/NT ONLY. Windows 3.1x/DOS clients cannot access the above software since they are not compatible.

Due to our upgrade of TKSolver from verison 1.0 to version 3.32, we will need to remove version 1.0 from the Novell network to comply with licensing agreements. The removal of TK Solver v1.0 from Novell will occur the end of D-term. We advise all people currently using TK Solver 1.0 to upgrade to the newest version or uninstall the older product (you can do either through WinInstall).

WinInstall Update

MSOffice 97 Professional

CCC has recently installed a server-based version of Microsoft Office97 - Service Release 1 (Professional Edition). This option is available from WinInstall.

The upgrade will remove the previous version of Office 97 and install the new one. While the install should not remove any of your existing document files, it would be wise to maintain a backup just in case.

The old version of Office 97 is no longer available for installation, but CCC will keep the executables of the old version on Novell until the end of D-term. This should give users sufficient time to upgrade to the newest version of the software.

Adobe Acrobat Available

The Adobe Acrobat Reader public archive on Novell has been updated to reflect the newest version (3.01) available from Adobe. Versions for the Macintosh, Windows 3.1x, Windows 95, and Windows NT were upgraded. The DOS version of the program has not changed. Also, the Linux version of Acrobat Reader is added to this archive. All OS's are subdivided by directory under the archive root (O:\PUBLIC\ACROBAT).

Reminder - "Touch Program"

In the February 10th issue of Newspeak we informed the WPI community of a program called "Touch" that runs during the login process. Since we have received many questions about this program, we are re-printing the portion that covered it below.

Since a failure to obtain a Novell licensed connection will prevent access to rights to use all resources, on Monday February 9, 1998, we will implement a program in the Novell public login script that can evaluate the status of a Novell connection and warn the user if a licensed connection is not granted.

During the login process, a dos prompt will be started to run the program. If the program determines that you have a licensed connection, it will close the dos box and continue logging in as normal. If the program detects a non-licensed connection, it will present a warning message and allow you to choose one of the following two options:

(a) Continue using this machine without a licensed connection

(Please remember that programs may not function properly)

(b) Log off of this machine. You can then attempt to loginto this machine again in an effort to gain a licensed Novell connection.

If you choose option (a) then the machine will continue logging in. If you choose option (b), your Novell connection will be closed and you will be returned to the Windows 95/NT login prompt where you can attempt another login.

We will have added 250 Novell licenses to the WPI network by the time this script is activated, so there will be fewer license acquisition problems, but this script will give a the warning if a license is not granted, letting you know that you may have problems in a session.