Monthly Archives: March 2017

Silver screens

By | March 22, 2017

L. Jay Guo, professor of electrical engineering and computer science, has developed a “stainless” silver film that could change the way touchscreens and flat or flexible displays are made, and also help improve computing power. By combining silver with a little bit of aluminum, the U-M researchers found that it was possible to produce exceptionally thin, smooth conductive layers… Read More »

WiFi update

The WiFi Project team continues to upgrade buildings across campus. Visit the project website for additional information. Recently completed: GG Brown, Walgreen Drama Center/Stamps, Engineering Research Bldg. 1, Engineering Research Bldg. 2 Currently under construction:  Dental Bldg. Lay Automotive Engineering Laboratory,  East Hall, Nuclear Engineering Lab, West Hall, Ross School of Business, School of Social Work, Gerstacker Bldg.,… Read More »

Michigan Medicine tightens network security

Michigan Medicine is tightening the security for its wired and wireless networks to ensure that only authorized and inventoried computing devices can connect to internal resources. The network project is part of a year-long program to make the IT environment within the academic medical center as secure as possible for all patients, faculty, and staff. The program also… Read More »

Learn to use digital signage

By | March 20, 2017

Interested in learning more about how to use digital signage at U-M?  The Digital Signage Support page is your one-stop shop for training and support resources, including two digital signage courses offered through MyLinc: DSWE101 Introduction to Digital Signage (30 mins) An introductory eLearning course for Content Managers of digital signs at U-M. This course provides an overview… Read More »

Annual Esri academic site license renewed

March is the month when U-M’s Esri academic site license renews each year. This includes licensing for ArcGIS for Desktop, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, CityEngine, and a wide variety of other Esri products. The university-wide concurrent license server has already been updated, however, users relying on annual single-use licensing will need to re-authorize their installations by the end of the… Read More »

Computer Showcase offers secure removable media

Computer Showcase now carries secure Aegis drives from Apricorn, providing encrypted removable media with layers of protection to keep sensitive data safe in transit. The Aegis Padlock Fortress is a 500GB USB 3.0 hard drive with 2 levels of military grade encryption, unique PIN access with programmable auto-lock features, and rugged physical attack protection. Aegis Secure Key offers… Read More »

H-1B visas affect tech wages

By | March 15, 2017

Silicon Valley has long portrayed the H-1B visa program for skilled foreign workers as a win-win, providing much-needed tech talent and fueling innovation and economic growth. Critics say it disadvantages American workers by allowing companies to hire cheaper foreign labor for jobs that would have gone to U.S. workers. A new study by researchers from U-M and the University… Read More »

“Musical virus” can hack smartphones

By | March 15, 2017

A security loophole that lets someone add extra steps to your Fitbit might seem harmless, but a group of computer security researchers at U-M and the University of South Carolina say it points to the broader risks that come with technology embedding itself into our lives. They found a vulnerability that allows them to compromise devices through the tiny accelerometers that… Read More »

U-M launches digital “teach-outs”

By | March 14, 2017

Authoritarian rule and fake news are among the topics for the University of Michigan Teach-Out Series, a new open online opportunity for global learners. President Mark Schlissel kicked off an Academic Innovation forum March 13 with the announcement of the first four global community learning events on the edX platform, intended to encourage public discourse about relevant issues.… Read More »

Computing at the speed of light

By | March 14, 2017

Extremely short, configurable “femtosecond” pulses of light demonstrated by an international team could lead to future computers that run up to 100,000 times faster than today’s electronics. The researchers, including engineers at U-M, showed that they could control the peaks within the laser pulses and also twist the light. The method moves electrons faster and more efficiently than… Read More »

UMSI announces two new information centers

By | March 12, 2017

The School of Information has announced the future establishment of two new information centers to improve communications infrastructure in underserved communities, and advance data usage by organizations that serve populations in those areas. The centers will be designed and managed by Edward Happ, a global IT leader with a background in nonprofit management, consulting, financial information services, and technology.… Read More »

Transforming the transcript

By | March 11, 2017

Timothy A. McKay, professor of physics, astronomy, and education, thinks it’s time for the academic transcript to catch up with 21st century information technology. In a recent blog post, he examines how higher education has undergone dramatic changes over the last two decades, particularly in the way that much of what happens in college is digitally mediated. Courses are… Read More »

Software changes business accounting

By | March 10, 2017

A good accountant is hard to find. Some companies are avoiding the search by replacing human bean counters with computer software. The increasing use of software is also changing how students and schools are approaching accounting education, according to Cathy Shakespeare, faculty director for the masters of accounting program at U-M. She said basic bookkeeping skills are becoming… Read More »

Moving from paper to online grading

By | March 9, 2017

Gina Brandolino, an instructor in the Sweetland Center for Writing and the English Language and Literature department, wanted to move from grading physical papers to using online tools, but she wanted to preserve her ability to hand write comments as opposed to typing inline comments. An LSA-ISS Teaching Transformed grant enabled her to spend a summer adapting her work… Read More »