R2TechnoBlog

I setup a new email / blog server this summer.  I have removed my edublogs link from our district page and added new site.  Please click here or copy and paste this URL in your browser: http://willard.k12.mo.us/blogs/tech/

I will work on copying any articles that are still current over to the new location.

I will not be setting up forwarding of our district email to your home email over the summer.  It will not be necessary since you will be able to access your email from any web browser.  I will be shutting down the school email server on Wednesday, May 30.  I hope to have email switched over during the day and bring the new server / webmail to life by Wednesday evening.  You will maintain the same username and password that you are currently using and hopefully the process will only take a short time and no mail will be lost in the process.  To check your mail, simply go to the following web address:

http://willard.k12.mo.us/scripts/webmail.exe

You will be prompted for your username and password.  With just a few exceptions, the pattern is:

• Username= first initial, first seven letters of last name
• Password= (email or call me)

I hope to have the new server setup and email moved by Wednesday evening.  I will not have mailing lists available for a few days as they will need to be redeveloped.

Feel free to check your mail at the above address anytime beginning Wednesday evening from any internet-connected computer.  When you return for school in the fall, you will have the option to use Eudora to “pop” in and get mail or you may continue to use the web email version.  There are some differences between Pop mail and Webmail, but they are easy to learn.  The biggest difference with Webmail is your disk quota.  Since your email resides on the server, you will need to monitor your disk space.  As you begin to use all of your disk space, you will need to clean out your folders to create room.  Whenever you reach 80% of your disk quota, you will get a message / reminder from the server.

As we wind down these last few days, I thought this was a good time for a few reminders.  If your room is being used for summer school, there really is little or no computer preparation for you.  If your room is not being used, then you are responsible for breaking down and storing your computer materials.  You might want to consider labeling cables and cords to make reassembly easier, especially if you are in a lab or 4TEC room.  Feel free to use permanent marker on the back or underneath side to label your room number or name.  If your classroom is being painted or tiled, keep that in mind as you are storing your station.  Try to store the parts in your closet or in an area that will not be affected.  Store small parts, mice, keyboards, cords in your desk or cabinet.   Parts that are left loose and not locked away, tend to disappear more easily.  If you are limited on space and can at least get your CPU into your closet, that would be more secure.

If you have surplus equipment that you no longer need, make sure to label it as such and then place it outside your classroom door after the last day of school.  The Tech Department will come by and collect those items.  If you have a projector and / or a smartboard in a room that is going to be painted, do your best to cover the items with plastic bags and tape.  Make sure the items have cooled before covering with plastic  

The Tech Department would like to thank each of you for a great school year.  We have many changes and projects over the summer.  I will blog about them at some future date, but most are behind the scenes items.  Have a great summer!