The infographic below titled, Students Love Technology, shows statistics on:

• Daily tech use
• Study habits
• Tablets
• Communication
• and more…

The infographic also discusses a study that was conducted at the University of Maryland where students were asked to give up their technology for 24 hours. The study resulted in students experiencing similar symptoms to those with drug and alcohol withdrawal.

When it comes to technology, where do you think you stand with the rest of these students?

Differences in gender also play a major role with internet addictions. According to SodaHead, only 55% of men experience the addiction in comparison to 64% of women. The survey also showed, that on average, 35 hours a week were spent online. Coming in with a whopping five hours a day. Check out the infographic below to see where you stack up when it comes to Internet addiction.

Everyday, users carelessly download apps onto their smart phones without thinking twice about a single thing. What they don’t know is, data, such as the address book on their smart phones is being collected by these app developers. Smartphone apps like, Twitter, Foursquare, Instagram, Yelp, Gowalla, Hipster, and Foodspotting take contact information, store it on their computers and at most times without knowledge of the user.

Apple recently addressed this controversy over a week ago where they implemented rules that prohibit this practice among app developers. Some developers are already taking the advice and changing their apps before Apple and Congress decide to step in. For the companies who have decided to change, a new update will be available. For example, in Foursquare’s update, the company said that they planned on including a disclaimer warning users that the app would be able to access contact information.

What causes the most controversy is the fact that this has been done without the consent or knowledge of smartphone users. Problems arise when users have been unaware that app developers have been storing their data. However, many argue that if a majority of users knew that certain apps stored data they would be okay with it.

MAP reporting applications (Discoverer and TOAD) will continue to use Office 2007. If you no longer use Discoverer or TOAD, please contact the OIT Help Desk at 304-293-4444 or email oithelp@mail.wvu.edu to update your MasterApps profile to eliminate those applications.

Microsoft Office 2010 training information is available at http://oit.wvu.edu/training/.

The event will be held at the Waterfront Place in Morgantown on Wednesday, February 29.

Read more about this upcoming event.

Register now!

Apple recently announced the latest version of its operating system, Mac OS X Mountain Lion will be arriving this summer. With this latest version, users will notice that some of the same features that are available on both the iPhone and iPad are now available on OS X Mountain Lion. iCloud, Messages, Reminders, Notes, Notification Center, Game Center, and Twitter Integration are just some of the features that are being included on OS X Mountain Lion.

Working with iCloud, everything that now will be done with the Mac will be both smarter and easier. You sign in once with your Apple ID and iCloud is set up on your Mac. Your mail, calendar, contacts, and more will be updated, added, or deleted and then synced to your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch from Mac OS X Mountain Lion.

Replacing iChat but having the same capabilities plus more, Messages comes with iMessage which originally came to iOS 5. With this new feature on the Mac OS X Mountain Lion, users will be able to send unlimited messages to anyone on a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Like iMessage, users will be able to see whether a message has been delivered or read or if someone is typing a response.

Reminders on Mac OS X Mountain Lion lists out items that need to be accomplished. The reminders set due dates with corresponding alerts so you never forget an important reminder.

Notes in Mac OS X Mountain Lion helps you keep track of whatever is on your mind. Make your notes stand out with photos and attachments. With the Share button you can easily send your notes to whoever with Mail or Messages. The best part about Notes in Mac OS X Mountain Lion is when you create a note it will automatically be saved in iCloud and will be available on all of your devices.

The Notification Center on Mac OS X Mountain Lion will now alert you from a side bar on your Mac. Now, all of your emails, friend requests, Twitter mentions, calendar alerts, etc will be shown in this Notification Center in a clean organized layout.

With Twitter Integration  on the Mac OS X Lion you can tweet directly from Safari and Photo Booth. Whenever you get a mention, you’ll get a Twitter notification in the Notification Center.

Just like on the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, the Game Center will now be available on the Mac OS X Mountain Lion. In the Game Center using your Apple ID you can play against your friends in some of the same exciting games that you do on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.

Below we included just a few of the apps, click here to view the whole slideshow.

Converter Plus

This app converts and calculates the numbers from currency to loan interest figures along with temperature, length, volume and so much more.

Dropbox

Store all your files and have them backed up with this cloud based service, Dropbox. With this app you can access your files from your iPhone, the office, your desktop, and laptop.

Evernote

This productive cloud based service app, Evernote allows you to be more productive on the go. With Evernote you can write, take notes, snap pictures, and then access them from your computer later on in the day.

Google Translate

Google Translates supports over 30 languages with a feature that allows you to hear the word or phrase pronounced correctly. This app works well when studying a language or when traveling.

Ever had any of those embarrassing or inappropriate photos on Facebook that you needed to delete? Sources show that deleted pictures from Facebook may still exist. Investigations conducted in 2009 by ARS  first recognized this issue and revealed that “deleted” photos are  still easily accessible on the internet, especially if the user has a direct link to them. Facebook blames the problem on its servers and systems. Since there are so many photos from its millions of users, the deletion process was going much slower than expected. In some cases, it has taken up to three years for a photo to be permanently deleted.

The company admitted that its older systems,

 ”did not always delete images from content delivery networks in a reasonable period of time even though they were immediately removed from the site,”

Thankfully today, Facebook is currently working on the problem with its systems to fully delete unwanted photos and within 45 days. However, this progress won’t be able to take place until the upcoming several months

Last year Corning Incorporated, a world leader in specialty glass released a video on the future of photovoltaic glass technology titled, A Day Made of Glass… Made Possible by Corning. Becoming extremely popular with over 17 million views, Corning decided to release a follow up video with commentary titled A Day Made of Glass 2.

In this second video, Corning provides a more lengthy video including a narrator who follows the life of Amy and her family. Throughout, they show various ways the glass products are used in their life. The video shows the futuristic glass products used everywhere from classrooms, cars, field trips, hospitals, etc.

The narrator provides specific details on each product including how soon each product would be available, whether it is already developed or on its way soon to be developed. To learn more about Corning Incorporated log on corning.com

Watch the first video, A Day Made of Glass… Made Possible by Corning.

Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and chief executor of Facebook first unveiled Timeline back in September at a conference in San Francisco. Zuckerberg described Timeline as, “an important next step to help tell the story of your life.” PCMag.com described Timeline as,

“…a new feature in Facebook that replaces the profile page. It shows the story of your life, as you choose to tell it or as Facebook has recorded it, in a visual, scrolling, ordered timeline. It’s a cross between visual blog and online scrapbook.”

After weeks of delay from the conference, the new feature was finally released to the public mid- December. The Timeline feature displays the entire history of status updates, photos, links, job history, and anything else that you have shared.

The reaction from the public was quite mixed as always. The company’s blog displayed comments where a large number of users criticized the new layout. Like in previous years, once you turn on the layout you will be unable to turn it off. Many of the comments resembled each other stating how they wanted the old layout back, a popular theme which often occurs when Facebook decides to revamp itself.  Despite the negative comments there were some users who were anxious to use the new feature and applauded Facebook’s Timeline.

“I like it. Better user experience…” – Robert Fleming.

“Looks good” – Cem Baker

“…It looks awesome and it’s a huge step forward.” – Anthony Coburn

To learn more Facebook’s Timeline visit here, or if you want to install it right away visit Facebook’s Timeline page.

Last week, Google announced upcoming changes to its Privacy Policy that will be taking effect on March 1, 2012. The company decided to condense its 70 privacy settings into one easy to read document. The updated Privacy Policy, organized and worded simply (along with including a list of key terms for the unfamiliar) outlines Google’s plans to fully integrate its products and services. The Privacy Policy is more directed toward users who hold Google Accounts to help enhance their experience with the company.

The Privacy Policy outlines:

• The Information Google collects and why.
• How Google uses this information.
• How to access and update information.

Google is collecting this information to provide a better service to its users. So instead of seeing ads for services that don’t apply to you or your interests, Google will be able to direct ads that are relevant to your wants, interests and so on.

“By syncing your Google products, the ads you see and your search results will be customized. Google will be different for each individual.” mashable.com

So this way, you won’t be seeing ads for services that don’t apply to you, such as an ad for gym memberships — when, let’s say you aren’t a gym person. Instead, Google is able to deliver ads specific to your searches. They are able to do this through integrating its different services like Gmail, Calendar, Youtube, and Search.

The Spring semester 2012 workshop schedule is now online. Pre-registration is required. For more information, go to http://oit.wvu.edu/training/ or email workshop@mail.wvu.edu.

WVU OIT Mobile allows users to view a list of Wi-Fi Locations, the OIT calendar, and receive updates from OIT News and OIT Blog in addition to connecting with MyID and OIT Help Desk. OIT News and the OIT Blog are updated regularly, providing users with the latest technological news from the University.

MyID, a single username and password, allows users to activate their MyID account, retrieve a forgotten password, and to change their password directly from their mobile device on OIT Mobile. MyID is a single set of login credentials that can be used with numerous WVU systems such as eCampus, MIX, and MyAccess.

The mobile Help Desk feature allows users to quickly call or email the Help Desk for computer-related questions or assistance.

In addition to accessing OIT’s most popular services, mobile users can view the full OIT website.

WVU OIT Mobile is also available by clicking on the “OIT” icon on WVUMobileWeb (m.wvu.edu) on your mobile device.

WVU is adopting a new clicker model. The University has selected i>clicker2 (pronounced “eye clicker two”) as its new clicker standard for undergraduate classes. Faculty can now indicate in their syllabus if a clicker will be used and students can purchase their own. A student needs only one clicker that he/she will carry to all classes that require this educational technology.

The decision to adopt a new clicker model is based on research and pilot testing conducted by WVU’s Clicker Committee. Input from faculty outside of the committee was also taken into consideration.

After Spring Semester 2012 ends, WVU will no longer install clickers in classrooms and students will be required to purchase clickers. The current PRS model will remain in place until classes end in May 2012 but faculty have the option of using the i>clicker2 as early as January 2012.

Training options (workshop, online modules) are being developed and further information will be released soon. Faculty who want to use the i>clicker2 for Spring 2012 should contact Amy Kuhn at amy.kuhn@mail.wvu.edu or 293-4456.

“Since arriving at WVU in 1998, Mark has consistently led improvements and efficiencies within several areas of OIT, and his broad-based knowledge and understanding of the department will allow us to remain on a course of building the kind of infrastructure necessary to support the University’s goals in advancing research,” Provost Michele Wheatly said in announcing the appointment, which is effective Dec. 12. Six will serve until a new chief information officer and associate provost for information technology is appointed.

Six joined WVU in November of 1998 as a senior systems programmer; he currently serves as director of enterprise infrastructure and technical services. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree in electronic engineering technology from Fairmont State College, has completed several IT-industry certifications and is pursuing a Masters of Business Administration in information technology management from American Public University.

You will experience no change to the process you follow to access any of your accounts.

MyID can be activated any time before or up to the time your MasterID or MIX passwords expire.

What you will need to complete the process:

a) Your Username for any of the included systems (all should be the same)
b) Your employee ID number, WVU ID number or the last four digits in your Social Security number to confirm your identity
c) Select three Challenge Questions for later use when resetting a forgotten password

A list of included systems can be found at: oit.wvu.edu/idm/where-can-i-use-myid/

Documentation for activating accounts, changing your password, and how to reset your password is on the https://myid.wvu.edu website under “Documentation.” There is also a video that walks through the steps to activate your account located just below the “Activate Account” button.

For additional assistance, contact the Help Desk at 304-293-4444 or email oithelp@mail.wvu.edu.

As part of this study, you are invited to complete a survey evaluating campus information technology training needs. All responses will remain anonymous. In addition to (or instead of) completing a survey, you can schedule an interview with the OIT Training Team.

The deadline for completing the survey is Friday November 18, 2011. To participate, go to http://oit.wvu.edu/training/survey_fy12/. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Fletcher at 304-293-8769 or send email to workshop@mail.wvu.edu.

Registration starts at 10:00 a.m. and lunch will be served.

Seating is limited, so please register by emailing Pam Deivernois at Pam_Deivernois@dell.com.

Some off campus users of WVU eCampus are experiencing performance issues when they login and utilize some of the tools associated with eCampus. We are aware of the problem and every effort is being made to resolve the issues. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Any questions should be directed to the OIT Help Desk at 304-293-4444 or email oithelp@mail.wvu.edu