A message from John Levay, chief technology officer, Information Technology Services:
There are a few changes for the 2019-20 year that we would like to bring to the attention of faculty when accessing our classroom and lab computers:
- All classroom computers now require you to login. Previously, only instructor stations in labs required a login. This new requirement reflects the growing need for integration of services through your College login credentials, as well as the need to better secure the Niagara College computing environment.
- Along with the new login requirement, there are several benefits we can now enjoy, and we anticipate that these benefits will grow as more services adopt integrated login capabilities:
- Accessing the Niagara college portal (portalnc.niagaracollege.ca) no longer requires a login for lab or classroom computers. You will automatically be logged in as a result of your sign-on to the computer;
- Microsoft One Drive is now embedded in all our College lab and classroom computers, allowing seamless cloud access to files you store using this service. Additionally, “documents” and “pictures” folders typically used on College computers automatically save to One Drive on classroom computers, which means you can now save files in these locations and they will follow you in the cloud from classroom to classroom. (A note that MAC integration with One Drive remains the same as previous years);
- Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Acrobat applications have a new licensing model which requires that all users log in to these products. Logging in would typically require a username and password, however due to our single sign in capability enabled by logging on to the lab or classroom computer, all that is required is for you to enter your email address.
NOTE: As we upgrade faculty and staff computer equipment, these new features will be available on your College desktop and laptops. Unfortunately, older images will not support some or all of these capabilities.
Security alert: Please make sure you restart all classroom and lab computers after your session to ensure you are logged off and your personal information is protected.
The following rooms received new Lab computers:
- Welland Campus -L5, L18, L19, L19a, M112, S104, SE182
- NOTL Campus – E104, E202, E212, N201
All labs and classroom podium computers have been updated to the latest Windows or MAC OS including several changes introduced this year, as described below.
The following rooms received standard audio visual equipment refreshes including new podium, a touch screen control panel, and, where required, new displays:
- Welland Campus – L4, M104, M200, M213, S208, S230, S231, S232, S234, S235
- NOTL Campus – E106, E107, E204, E207, E209, E211, E309, HT005, W205, W310
Additional updates completed this summer include:
- Two new video walls installed in the Welland Learning Commons with sound;
- New displays and AV set-up for library group study rooms – Four in Welland and nine at NOTL;
- W213 A and B returned to service as meeting rooms;
- S302 converted from Journalism computer lab to Gaming computer lab;
- S207 converted from Test Centre to new Journalism Lab;
- AH121 new 70″ displays installed;
- AH141 and AH255 full system overhaul, new touch screens with simplified interface;
- V114 displays added to provide better visibility to lab equipment displays and network upgrades;
- V116 new displays, switching and podium;
- S211 upgrade to full video switching system;
- Welland and NOTL libraries computer equipment upgrade back to full windows desktops;
- AH237 Pharmacy lab converted to full windows desktops from thin clients.
Please always practice safe computing.
