ISC's Computing Resource Center

Highlights for Fall 2009

Important items you should be aware of for Fall 2009 include:

Changes in web authentication

Over the course of the fall semester, many of the web applications you use for registration, collaboration, and financial matters will continue transitioning to a new facility for web authentication and security. The change will likely be imperceptible with the exception of one enchancement that will see more websites participating in single-sign-on. Stated simply, your credentials will be cached in a way that will permit other websites to use them without requiring you to re-enter your PennKey and password. Additional information about these changes will be provided throughout the semester via a variety of media including the Almanac.

AirPennNet

AirPennNet, the wireless network deployed throughout Sansom Place East & West had its Access Points (APs) upgraded. Users of the service should not notice any difference in connectivity, but the new APs have "intelligence" that allows them to adjust signal up or down based on traffic on other APs in the area.

Access to AirPennNet is controlled via PennKey and requires installation and configuration of SecureW2 software on Windows Vista and XP machines or configuration of Apple's built-in Internet Connect software on Macs. Users of more modern Mac OSs can connect using instructions found for Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard) and OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) on the Supported Products web site.

Up-to-Date coverage maps are available at: http://www.upenn.edu/computing/wireless/

Mac OS 10.6 - Snow Leopard

Snow Leopard, Apple's newest operating system for the Macintosh, was released shortly before the start of the semester. ISC is recommending a wait-and-see approach before adopting this new OS. Details can be found on the Supported Products Snow Leopard page.

Movies, Music, and copyright infringement

The Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA), passed by Congress in 1998, grants copyright holders of intellectual and artistic property and their agents the right to demand Internet service providers (ISPs) to remove infringing content from their networks when it is found and subject the responsible parties to disciplinary measures. For the purposes of the DMCA, Penn is considered the ISP for all PennNet-connected devices and users.

As well as being a violation of Federal law, copyright infringement violates Penn's Acceptable Use Policy. Penn users found to be infringing on copyrights by illegally sharing music, movies, games, software and other licensed material may be subject to penalties including (but not limited to) fines and/or loss of network privileges. Students may be subject to disciplinary action by the Office of Student Conduct. Employees will be counseled on University copyright policy, and may be subject to action up to and including termination.

Copyright holders have recently become much more active in pursuing violations, and some Penn students and employees have been subjected to lawsuits in which they have been forced to pay large settlements and judgments. If a lawsuit claiming copyright infringement is brought against you, it will be your responsibility to obtain appropriate legal representation.

For more information on DMCA issues at Penn, write to dmc AT isc.

For more information on U.S Copyright law go to: http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/

Windows Vista

Windows Vista was released during the early part of the Spring 2007 semester. While it is generally approved for use in most schools and centers, students should consult with local support providers and representatives from your school's computing organization to determine if Vista is right for you.

The School of Design recommends students avoid using Windows Vista Home and Home Basic during the upcoming semester because of some lingering compatibility problems with a number of the high end graphical applications used in its curricula. More details are available on the Penn Design Computer Recommendations page.