New computers will be the first to run on Windows 10 

Starting October, most new computers will come with Windows 10, Office 2016 and OneDrive already installed.

This change is part of the University’s plan to progressively move staff computers from Windows 7 to Windows 10 with Office 2016 and OneDrive. Gradually upgrading staff computers to Windows 10 will be the least disruptive to staff’s day-to-day activities, and is the most practicable way to make this big change across the University.

The next group of staff who will have the opportunity to upgrade to Windows 10 with Office 2016 and OneDrive will be those with compatible Windows computers less than 2 years old—this will happen in early 2017.

Not all software or software versions will work on Windows 10. ITS has published a list of software tested on Windows 10 by ITS or other subject matter experts. It is important for staff to check this list before ordering a new computer to ensure that any software they will need is compatible with Windows 10. Staff can ask for access to a Windows 10 computer to test any unlisted software by contacting the ITS Service Desk.

Online resources and training will be made available to staff receiving Windows 10 computers.

Staff with new Windows 10 computers will gain access to Office 365 online services

Staff receiving new Windows 10 computers will also gain access to Office 365 online services which includes apps such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Staff can download these apps on five personal devices at no cost. Staff should not install these apps onto their new Massey computer because it could conflict with the software already installed.

At this point in time, ITS is working through the details of giving other staff members access to Office 365 online services. Staff will receive an update on this topic in the next ITS News.

Issues with working outside Massey on new Mac Sierra operating system

On the 20th of September, Apple released its latest version of Mac OS (Formerly known as Mac OS X) called Sierra. Sierra contains a plethora of changes under the bonnet, and more details can be found here.

Some of these changes include removal of support for the type of Virtual Private Network (VPN) used by Massey, incompatibility with Massey’s current version of Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP), which is the University’s antivirus software, as well as other software incompatibility issues, and feature changes.

ITS recommends not upgrading your Massey Apple computer to Sierra until these matters are addressed, which is in progress at the moment. Software vendors such as Adobe are also working to update their software for compatibility with Sierra. There will be more news on this subject to come in future.

Dell monitors out of supply

Dell monitors are currently out of supply and Dell have indicated this may be until November. In the meantime, other monitors have been added to the Hardware Catalogue and ITS Service Desk have contacted staff with pending orders to offer other options.

Yahoo! announces significant cyber security breach

Within the past week, Yahoo! has announced that they suffered a serious cyber security breach in late 2014, which included the disclosure of information including email addresses, passwords, and account security questions. Yahoo! are intending on contacting the people whose information was hacked to perform password resets, and to invalidate previous account security questions.

Massey’s advice to users of Yahoo! services is simple. We strongly recommend all Yahoo! users take time to reset your Yahoo! password as soon as possible, and we strongly recommend you use a different password than you use for your Massey network usercodes.

Let people call you directly

All staff have a direct phone number on which people can call them without having to pass through Massey's automated greeting first. Share your Direct Dial In (DDI) number with people by adding it to your email signature and business card so they can call you directly. 

To find your number, search for yourself on Lync or Skype for Business then expand your contact card to see your work number.