Playing ball

When Coach Ed Serdar of Plainfield was looking for to create a website for his girl's softball team, he turned to his friend Coach Richard Smith of USF, who in turned called on the USF Computer Science department. Three of our students are stepping up to meet the challenge and lend a hand. Megan O'Brien, Computer Science Sophomore, Alex Schmid, Computer Science Junior, and Caleb Piggott, Computer Science Senior are going to provide Coach Serdar's team with a web presence and gain valuable experience at the same time. Teamwork, developing new skills, and gaining a first exposure to working for a client are important aspects of a student's growth.

We're looking forward to seeing the website they create.

Seeing through - website development

The call came out from USF Solutions and Information Technology junior, Matt Strama, answered it. He's helping a company that has never had a web presence create one. He is currently working with a glass company to identify their needs and help them understand what they will be able to accomplish with a company website. This will give Matt another competency on his resume and he'll be able to work around his busy schedule. We're looking forward to spreading the word once his project is completed. Good going, Matt.

Beyond the Books

What’s up at the library? Ask Matthew Strama, Information Technology junior , he is a Computer Technician for the Morris Area Public Library. He maintains, fixes, and troubleshoots the network and computers, which includes staff and public computers. And if anyone, staff or customers, has a computer question, Matt is the go-to guy. Maintenance on the machines includes Windows updates, reinstall OS if it needs to be reinstalled, run the spy-ware cleaner, install the library check out system when it is needed, and installing deep-freeze on the public machines (a program that wipes the machine after its restarted.). He gets involved in networking troubleshooting if the internet drops, the switches and routers are having connection problems or the public needs help connecting to our wireless router.

The Morris Area Public Library network is made up of switches, routers, and a sonic wall. They have 20 public computers and 14 staff computers that need to be maintained on a daily basis. That means running updates and other software on them. Matt just assisted in the switch from ATT DSL to Comcast cable internet. Not only did Matt help setup the internet system, he teaches computer classes as well to the public. The classes he has taught include computer basics, Word 2007, Internet Explorer 7 & 8, Yahoo email, and intermediate computers. Besides teaching the public he does staff training as well on the new updates and software that purchased for the computers.

So if you thought libraries were just about books, talk to Matt. Whether its helping someone get online to make that important change to their Facebook status or teaching them about using their computers, he knows that support comes with a variety of responsibilities.

Excellent work, Matt!

Opportunities from USF Solutions

Bonnie Covelli of USF Solutions approached us with opportunities for students. She is looking on the behalf of a local business for website design. The company is a glass company. According to Ms Covelli: "They have zero web presence at the moment. The website would primarily include information on company location and products. No e-commerce, no outrageous bells and whistles are needed."

At this point it would be donated time, but this would be an excellent opportunity for students who have not had any experience or just a little experience. Perhaps two students could cooperate on this. It would be a good entry for your resume and help you when more formal jobs or other paid opportunities occur.

Additionally Ms Covelli, also informed us of another opportunity, this one paid, but will require more experience.

"It's for a small retail store, but the website will need a bit more "bells and whistles" and someone with enough knowledge to advise on hosting and long-term maintenance carriers. The store has a current "basic" website, but they are ready to upgrade to a more sophisticated look. ... For this project, the designer would only need to work with me, and I'd serve as the interface with the client. Also, the designer would be paid."

Please contact either Cris or Ruth if you'd like to take advantage of either opportunity.

Paid or unpaid - experience will help you land the job of your choice.

Join us on Facebook!

We now have a Facebook group: Computer Science at University of St. Francis. Anyone interested in our Computer Science program whether student, alumni, faculty, staff, prospective student, former teacher, or just plain interested, is welcome.

Facebook Link

So sign in, add photos, links, start or join a discussion. This can be a great way to reconnect with old friends and classmates.

You're always welcome!

VMWare is here.

University of St. Francis’s Computer Science department is now participating in the VMWare academic program. This allows students, faculty and staff access to selected VMWare software products at no charge. You should have received an email from VMWare to activate your account via your St. Francis email. If you didn’t stop in and see Ruth so we can get your account started. Once you get your account you can download the software for your personal use.

Click here to access the VMWare Elms site.

This is your chance to explore what you can do with VMWare!

Anatomy of a Server Room

Thanks to the efforts of students, alumni, and staff here at USF who gave up a day of their Christmas break we have our first Computer Science server room.

Our heroes were Tim Archer, Joe Bozen, T.J. Eakle, Ben Gunnink, Jon Paul, Matt Ramuta, Arturas Zalenekas, Chris Bigott, Kyle Baczynski, Kevin Beckman, and Ross McCallister.

VPN access to the server room is up and working.

The server built during Fall Semester by Scott Walton for databases was also added to the server room. So far, we have a firewall, web server and a database server. Plans are in the works to incorporate a virtualization server as well. Stop in and take a peek, it’s next to the A116 computer lab.



Thanks to their efforts the resources in our new server are accessible from all labs on campus.

Oh and while they were at it, we now have a new wireless access point in the A119 lab.




VPN access to the server is available to all Computer Science department students, alumni and, of course, to our staff.

Thanks to all who devoted so much time and continue to help improve the learning environment at USF.