In ITS, we are often asked the age-old question: "Should I shut down my computer or leave it on overnight?"  In recent years, the best answer is often "neither."  Sleep mode is an energy-saving mode of operation in which all the unnecessary components in a computer are shut down. All modern computers, laptops, desktops, printers and other electronic devices support sleep mode. When an electronic device goes into sleep mode it uses just a small amount of energy to stand by. The equipment awakes with a touch of a button and is faster than rebooting and logging in. Sleep mode can go by many different names including Stand By (Windows XP), Sleep (Mac OS and Vista), and Suspend (Linux). 

Hibernation, on the other hand, saves an image of your current operating environment.  This allows your system to be completely shut down and be disconnected from power (for desktops) or to remove your battery (laptops) and the system will resume with all of your launched programs, documents, and files exactly as you left them.  Hibernation is not usually available on desktop computers but may be activated (In Windows XP: Start, Control Panel, Power Options, Hibernation, Enable Hibernation). It requires more time to reactivate a computer from hibernation than from sleep mode.

For the best balance between energy savings and startup time, Sleep or Stand By is your best option.  In Windows XP, this is done by choosing Start, Shut Down, and then selecting Stand By.  A good security practice is to also require your network password be entered to wake up your system.  This is the same to locking your system by pressing Windows-L. In Windows XP, turn on this option by going to Start, Settings, Control Panel, Power Options, Advanced, and enable "Prompt for password when system resumes."

Colleague Update Lillian Bradshaw, ITS

The Advancement Office has recently acquired from Datatel, Inc. the Major Donors module as part of the Colleague Advancement application.  This module can facilitate our advancement officers, staff members and volunteers with designing and implementing an effective cultivation strategy. This includes identifying prospective donors who are likely to give to the college and establishing appropriate solicitation activities with our donors.  The move management tool can rate, track and store information on our donors, such as sources of wealth, interests, and contact efforts made in the past by our advancement personnel.  The calendar function provides ticklers as reminders for letters, calls, or visits to assist members in their assigned activities.  Charged with this latest information system, fundraising efforts by our advancement representatives can be streamlined and enhanced greatly.  Our best wishes to those in Advancement Office in their efforts!

Summer Projects? We Can help! Shawn Beattie, ITS

Are you annoyed when you open a Word document from an email message and it opens in full screen view instead of a view that you can edit? To fix this: 1. Open Word 2. Click on the Microsoft Office Button 3. Click on Word Options 4. Click on Popular 5. Uncheck the box next to Open e-mail attachments in Full Screen Reading view 6. Click OK 7. Close Word

Upcoming Moodle Workshops

On Wednesday, May 27th we're offering a couple options for Moodle training:

Moodle Basics - Wednesday May 27th, 10AM-11AM - Olin 110 - click here to RSVP
This is an intro-level session for creating an online presence for your course in Moodle
Moodle Walk-in training and support - Wednesday, May 27th, 1PM-3PM - Olin 110 - No RSVP required
This session will allow custom one-on-one support for any question or issue you might have regarding Moodle.

Have a great summer!
-Your friends in ITS