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Here we are, halfway through the process of replacing UA1VM. Last year at this time, we were buying a new UNIX system that would become bama.ua.edu. Next year at this time, we will have said goodbye to the system that was UA1VM. Below is a list of the changes happening this summer. The August issue of SUN will give a more complete schedule for the coming year, as we finish moving off UA1VM. You can also check for current information on the migration page. (Editor's note: The migration web site was removed during the fall 1999 semester.)
July 12, 1998 - Last day to use UA1VM for dialup authentication. If you use the University's modem pool and you use your UA1VM account for authentication (to make the Internet connection), you must change to an account on bama.ua.edu or another campus authenticator, or you must move to another service provider. Note: once you make the connection, you can still use your UA1VM account through dialup (as you continue your efforts to move off UA1VM).
July 12 - Last day to use ns1.ua.edu for SMTP service. If you use Netscape, Internet Explorer, Eudora or a similar mail client for mail service, check your preferences and make sure that your SMTP (outgoing) mail server is set to bama.ua.edu, not to ns1.ua.edu or UA1VM.UA.EDU.
July 12 (expected) - The AMELIA on-line library catalog will be down one day while the new library system in installed. After the new system is in place, you will use your web browser to access the library on-line catalog, NOT your tn3270 program (e.g. QWS_3270, Passport, Extra) and not a plain terminal. Watch for more announcements about accessing and using the new library system. Use the web address http://amelia.ua.edu for the new library system.
July 13 - Student accounts with no valid identification will be deleted. Student accounts are identified by student number. If you are a student using a UA1VM account, and you think there may be a problem with your authorization or ID number, you should take your valid ACT card to the Helpdesk immediately and explain that you need to verify authorization of your UA1VM account.
During the summer - the Computer Center will be deleting unused and unneeded accounts on UA1VM. Faculty and staff accounts will be identified through the department where they were authorized. If you have changed departments and you still need your UA1VM account, you may call the Helpdesk (348-2435) to make sure your account is authorized through your current department.
During the summer - If you are planning a fall class in which you expect your students to use a computer account, remember that students will have accounts on bama.ua.edu, not on UA1VM. If your class will use standard software (e.g. FORTRAN, SAS, SPSS, MINITAB, etc.) which you have used on UA1VM, you should be sure you know how to use that software on bama.ua.edu or in a PC lab instead. For more information about software on bama.ua.edu, check the bama information page at http://bama.ua.edu/~unixinfo. If you have created your own applications on UA1VM, you should be in the process of moving them.
During the summer (date TBA) - The LISTSERV server will move from UA1VM to bama.ua.edu. Existing lists will move, and addresses will be updated. Note that this means the address of the list itself will change from listname@UA1VM.UA.EDU to listname@bama.ua.edu. List owners will be notified before the move so they can notify their list members.
Start of Fall Semester - accounts on bama.ua.edu will be available for all new students and new faculty. They should take their valid ACT card to the Helpdesk counter in Seebeck Computer Center to obtain their account. If you are a current student, faculty or staff member and you have not yet requested your account on bama.ua.edu, take your ACT card to the Helpdesk now, and avoid the August crowds.
Need to look up the e-mail address of a colleague across campus? Have you checked the on-line campus directory? This is your most up-to-date resource for on-campus name, phone and e-mail information. Changes are made daily as they are received. If you are not yet used to using this directory, point your browser to the campus home page (http://www.ua.edu), click on Faculty/Staff Directory in the University Community section, then make a bookmark to the directory page so you return to it directly whenever you need it. On the search page you can enter the first or last name of the person you want, then click on Start Search and your browser will return a list of people with that name. Click on the name of anyone in the list to see additional information about that person. If you are not sure of the spelling, or want to search in some other way, click on the first search page where it says 'Link here' to go to the more extensive search page. For example, if you wrote down a campus phone number, and you can't remember whose it is, go to the extensive search page and look for entries with that phone number. Note that you can click in the 'is equal to' box to change it to 'is anywhere in' or 'starts with' if you know part of a name or phone number or are unsure about the exact spelling.
While you are looking at this directory, why not put your own name in and check your own directory entry. When your entry comes up, click on your name to see the more complete entry information. Is your e-mail address correct? If you need to make a change in your directory entry, The Office of Publications requests that you use the form on page 3 of your printed campus directory. (An on-line change request form will be offered starting in the fall.) If you are only making minor changes or additions, you only need to enter the specific items to add or change. The next printed campus directory will be printed using this database, so now is the time to make corrections. (August 28 is the deadline for corrections for the next printed directory.)
In particular, if your entry shows UA1VM for your e-mail, but you gave up using UA1VM some time ago, why not go ahead and change your entry to show the address you want people to use. If you are STILL using UA1VM for e-mail, remember that this system is going away, and you DO have to move to another mail system. (See related articles on UA1VM migration this issue.)
Question: I keep hearing that UA1VM is going away. Do I need to do anything?
Answer: If you use UA1VM in any way for anything at all, yes you do need to do something. UA1VM is going away. Other computer changes are also taking place right now. The new Library system is going in very soon. Administrative system changes related to software upgrades and the Year 2000 are underway. Everyone on campus is affected by these changes.
To find out how you are affected and what you need to do, first read the article in this newsletter about changes taking place now. Then check the earlier newsletters (online at http://bama.ua.edu/~usernews) to see if something has already been announced that you didn't notice. Watch for the back-to-school issue of SUN in August, which will outline what is still to happen with UA1VM, and give links for further information. Talk to your colleagues; see what they are doing. Encourage them if they haven't started either. Keep your eye on the Dialog, the Crimson White, the campus home page, and other campus information resources. And as always, for more information about anything you read or hear related to all the computer changes taking place, call the Helpdesk at 348-2435 (on campus UAHELP), or send e-mail to Help.Desk@ua.edu
NOTE: For more information about any question featured here, or to ask about something which might be answered here, send e-mail to Help.Desk@ua.edu