Computing News 2001-2002

Information about remote access to PennNet

Penn Express Modem Pool to be Discontinued on June 30, 2002

Penn's Express Modem Pool will be discontinued on June 30, 2002. The termination plans were first announced two years ago, when the regular modem pool was discontinued and users were directed to commercial ISP services for remote access to PennNet and the Internet. Since that time, the Express Pool has been continued as a transitional service for the convenience of the Penn community. The Express Pool uses aging technology and does not provide the data transfer speeds that ISPs offer and that are required to take advantage of many online services.

The termination of the Modem Pool will affect about 1,200 individuals, most of whom use the service sporadically, rather than as their primary means of accessing the Internet from off-campus. Those using the Express Modem Pool as their primary ISP can learn about alternatives at the remote access web page at www.upenn.edu/computing/remote. The web site provides information on how to get assistance with making the transition. A useful chart comparing service options and prices is available at www.upenn.edu/computing/remote/help_chart.html.

--Mike Lazenka, IT Project Leader, ISC Technology Support Services (April 17, 2002)

Hewlett-Packard Inkjet Power Cord Recall Program

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Longwell Electronics is recalling AC power cords shipped with certain inkjet printers manufactured by Hewlett-Packard.

The plug, which connects the power cord to the printer, may crack, exposing live electrical contacts and could result in electric shock or electrocution. HP and Information Systems & Computing (ISC) recommend that users, upon positive identification, stop using the power cord immediately.

The recall is isolated to Longwell "LS-7C" gray two-prong power cords. The cords were shipped with certain Hewlett-Packard DeskJet and Photosmart printers in the United States and Canada from April 2001 through January 2002. HP has instructions on how to determine if you have a defective power cord and is offering a free replacement. Affected individuals may call HP at 1-877-917-4378, 24 hours a day, or order a replacement online.

For more detailed information, see the Hewlett-Packard Inkjet Power Cord Recall Program page.

--Mark Aseltine, Executive Director, ISC Technology Support Services (March 12, 2002)

Security Alert: Universal Plug & Play Security Vulnerability In Windows XP

Windows XP, Microsoft's newest version of Windows, contains a serious flaw that allows hackers to steal or destroy a victim's data files across the Internet or implant rogue computer software. The company released a free fix on December 20, 2001.

The risk to XP users is unprecedented because the vulnerability allows hackers to assume control of all Windows XP operating system software if the Windows XP workstation is connected to the Internet.

The Windows XP problems affect a feature that uses Internet protocols to allow devices such as computers, scanners and printers to automatically discover one another so they can communicate. The feature, called "Universal Plug & Play," is activated by design in every copy of Windows XP and can be added manually to earlier versions of Microsoft's Windows software, specifically Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Millenium Edition (Windows ME).

Microsoft has made a free fix for both Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional available on its Web site. Information Systems & Computing (ISC) and Microsoft strongly recommend that every Windows XP user apply the patch immediately. Customers using Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows ME with the "Universal Plug & Play" service running should use the same patch. This vulnerability does not exist under Windows 95, Windows NT Workstation 4.0, or Windows 2000 Professional.

For more detailed information, see the Universal Plug & Play Security Vulnerability page.

--Mike Lazenka & Nicholas Allen, ISC Technology Support Services (December 21, 2001)

Apple’s iPod

On October 23, 2001, Apple introduced the iPod, a significant advance in portable MP3 and music players. Lightweight (6.5 ounces), small (about the size of a deck of playing cards), fast, and easy to use, the iPod offers a superior music listening experience, along with real and usable features such as a 1,000+ song capacity and up to 10 hours of battery life.

Features & Specifications:

• Support for MP3, variable bit rate MP3, AIFF, and WAV format music files
• 5 GB storage, usable in FireWire (IEEE 1394) disk mode
• Built-in 6-pin FireWire interface for data transfer and recharging battery
• Up to 10 hours of life from a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Skip-free, 20-minute data buffer
• Upgradeable firmware for bug fixes, future music formats, or added functionality
• 2-inch, 160 by 128 pixel, 102 dpi backlit display
• 6.5 ounces; 2.4 by 4.0 by 0.8 inches

Interface & Battery

With the iPod's scroll-wheel you can access your music collection by artist, title, and song. Through one-handed operation you can navigate through menus, choose your song, stop, reverse, or fast-forward through the song, or set preferences such as turning on the shuffle mode or the backlight. The bright backlight illuminates a high-resolution, easy-to-read display.

Not only can you store lots of your music on the iPod (1,000 or more MP3s), but you can play that music for up to 10 hours from the built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The iPod recharges completely in about 3 hours through the FireWire cable while connected to your computer, or you can plug it in directly to a two-prong power outlet through a special included adapter.

For more detailed information, see the Apple iPod page.

--Vern Yoneyama & Kristen Zborowski, ISC Client Services Group (December 14, 2001)

Windows XP (Home & Professional)

Windows XP, released on October 25, 2001, is the latest Microsoft operating system. Windows XP is currently available in two editions -- Windows XP Home (designed as a replacement for Windows ME) and Windows XP Professional (designed as a replacement for Windows 2000 Professional).

Information Systems & Computing (ISC) will support Windows XP for its clients, including off-campus students, only on new Intel-based PCs that ship with Windows XP pre-installed. ISC strongly recommends that all other users adopt a "wait and see" attitude, continuing to use previous versions of Windows until after the initial bugs in Windows XP are identified and fixed.

When ISC does recommend an upgrade it will be for workstations with processors 350 MHz or above that have at least 256 megabytes of RAM. Please refer to ISC's Windows System Specifications to find out which versions of Windows are recommended for your Intel-based computer. The full install of Windows XP uses between 300 megabytes and 1.5 gigabytes of hard disk space, depending on the type of Intel-based PC and choices made during the install.

For more detailed information, including issues, availability information, and new features, see the Windows XP (Home & Professional) page.

--John Mulhern III, IT Project Leader, ISC Technology Support Services (October 25, 2001)

Apple’s Latest iBook

On October 16, 2001, Apple Computer announced an updated version of their iBook laptop line. This system, currently available only in white, represents primarily a speed update to the "consumer portable" portion of Apple's four-part product line.

The new iBook is approximately 2 pounds lighter than the previous version, weighing in at 4.9 lbs in its base configuration. It comes in three standard configurations and can be custom configured at Penn's Apple Store.

For more detailed information, including configuration, technical issues, and recommendations, see the Apple's Latest iBook page.

--Robert L. DeSilets, Jr., IT Support Specialist, ISC Provider Desk (October 16, 2001)

Mac OS X version 10.1

Mac OS X version 10.1, released on September 25, 2001, is the latest version of Apple’s flagship operating system. Mac OS X version 10.1 is the first significant update to Mac OS X.

Information Systems & Computing (ISC) will support Mac OS X version 10.1 for its clients, including off-campus students, only on new Macintoshes that ship with Mac OS X version 10.1 pre-installed. ISC strongly recommends that all other users adopt a "wait and see" attitude, continuing to use previous versions of the Mac OS (including Mac OS X version 10.0.4) until after the initial bugs in Mac OS X version 10.1 are identified and fixed.

When ISC does recommend an upgrade it will be for PowerPC G3s or above that have at least 128 megabytes of RAM. Please refer to ISC's Mac OS System Specifications to find out which versions of the Mac OS are recommended for your Macintosh computer. The full install of Mac OS X version 10.1 uses between 300 megabytes and 1.5 gigabytes of hard disk space, depending on the type of Macintosh and choices made during the install.

For more detailed information, including issues, availability information, and new features, and technical issues, see the Mac OS X version 10.1 page .

--John Mulhern III, IT Project Leader, ISC Technology Support Services (October 2, 2001)

PennConnect CD-ROM Network Applications Fall 2001

Information Systems and Computing has released the PennConnect CD-ROM for fall 2001, which contains the recommended networking and anti-virus software for off-campus students, staff, and faculty, as well as on-campus ResNet students. The CD-ROM includes the recommended Web browsers and other Internet applications including clients for terminal emulation, e-mail, and NetNews.

The CD-ROM features a graphical interface that guides users through installation and configuration of the software. The CD-ROM is cross-platform and works on Mac OS 8.x/9.x, Mac OS X, Windows 95/98, Windows ME, Windows NT, and Windows 2000 Pro.

Copies are available for many faculty and staff directly from their local support provider or at the Computing Resource Center, Suite 202, Sansom Place West, 3650 Chestnut Street. The CRC's hours are M-F, 1-4:30. The software is also available for download via the network. The Supported Products page provides additional information and download links to the software.

--Mike Lazenka, IT Project Leader, ISC Technology Support Services (August 28, 2001)

Problems with browser upgrades: Netscape 6.x, Internet Explorer 5.5, & Internet Explorer 6.0

Netscape 6.x, Internet Explorer 5.5, & Internet Explorer 6.0 introduce significant problems for University users. Information Systems & Computing (ISC) does not currently support these new versions and strongly suggests staying with the previous versions of the browsers, Netscape Communicator 4.77 and Internet Explorer 5.0/5.01/5.1.

For detailed information about the new browser versions and the issues relevant to Penn users, see the Problems with browser upgrades page.

John Mulhern III, IT Project Leader, ISC Technology Support Services (August 24, 2001)

Mac OS 9.2.1

Mac OS 9.2.1 (code name "Limelight"), released on August 21, 2001, is the latest version of Apple's 'Classic' operating system. It is intended primarily as a bug fix and compatibility update, with few new features. Mac OS 9.2.1 is a reference release closely related to Mac OS 9.2, which shipped with some of the new Power Macintosh G4s announced in July. Like Mac OS 9.1, Mac OS 9.2.1 is intended to help ease the transition to Mac OS X.

Information Systems & Computing (ISC) will support Mac OS 9.2.1 for its clients, including off-campus students, only on new Macintoshes that ship with Mac OS 9.2.1 pre-installed. ISC strongly recommends that all other users adopt a "wait and see" attitude, continuing to use previous versions of the Mac OS until after the initial bugs in Mac OS 9.2.1 are identified and fixed.

When ISC does recommend an upgrade, it will be for PowerPCs 233 MHz or above that have at least 64 megabytes of RAM. Please refer to ISC's Mac OS System Specifications to find out which versions of the Mac OS are recommended for your Macintosh computer. Mac OS 9.2.1 requires between 320 megabytes and 520 megabytes of hard disk space, depending on the type of Macintosh and choices made during the install.

For more detailed information, including issues, availability information, and new features, and technical issues, see the Mac OS 9.2.1 page .

--John Mulhern III, Bob DeSilets, Jr., Steve Strawser, and Vern Yoneyama, ISC Technology Support Services (August 22, 2001)

Apple AC Power Adapter Recall Program

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Apple is voluntarily recalling certain AC power adapters that were sold for use with some models of PowerBook notebook computers, including some of those in the University of Pennsylvania's 1998 and 1999 Fall Truckload Sales. Apple states that these power adapters can overheat, potentially causing them to become very hot, release smoke, and possibly catch fire.

The recalled AC power adapters can be identified by the label located on the side, which reads, in part, "Macintosh PowerBook 45W AC Adapter" and "Model Number: M4402." They were sold with Apple's PowerBook G3 notebook computers and were also sold separately, including as replacement power adapters. The power adapters were shipped to customers between May 1998 and March 2000.

For more detailed information, including a link to instructions on how to visually inspect your AC power adapter to determine if you are eligible to participate in the recall, see the Apple AC Power Adapter Recall Program page.

--Mark Aseltine, Executive Director, ISC Technology Support Services (July 11, 2001)