kile (an integrated LaTeX environment) and kate (an advanced text editor for KDE) on coxeter now automatically run with the “–graphicssystem native” option, which should result in better response times when using those programs.

The projector in BA6180 (the Boardroom) is now working through the connections in the table.

Only the On, Off, Volume Up, and Volume Down buttons on the Extron MLC 52 Basic MediaLink Controller in the table are used, and only the HDMI connection is available (the distance was too far for reliable transmission over a VGA cable).  Note that the On and Off buttons need to be pressed for about a half-second to take effect (but please do not press too hard, the panel could be broken), and that it takes about 30 seconds for the projector to warm up when turned on.

The system only accepts HDMI input but there is a cable, available at the front desk, for converting VGA signals to HDMI (a USB connection, attached to the cable, is also needed to power the conversion).

There is no on-screen feedback when the Volume Up or Volume Down keys are used, but the volume is changing for the projector’s speakers.

There was an unscheduled power outage in Bahen late on Wednesday night (May 27).  After power was restored to our servers we were able to bring them back up in the morning of May 28.

If you wish to run kate (an advanced text editor for KDE) or kile (an integrated LaTeX environment) on coxeter (say, on a file called file.tex) then it is best to use a command line of the form:

kate --graphicssystem native file.tex

and

kile --graphicssystem native file.tex

The latest major update to the KDE graphics system has caused those programs to run quite slowly without those options.

The update of the network switches for the rooms (mostly offices) in Bahen was completed yesterday and they appear to be working well.

The main departmental network connection to the University backbone will be upgraded soon as well.  This new departmental network connection will support a faster connection should the department decide to upgrade the connection.  We expect that the downtime for the switch upgrade will be less than a half-hour.

In order for our email server to function well for all our users, it is necessary to prevent the degradation of our email server’s reputation with respect to outside agencies.  Otherwise, outgoing messages may be blocked by outside email servers.  As this degradation has already begun, we must act to minimize the amount of spam we allow to be transmitted by our servers.  For this reason, anyone forwarding email from our mail server must have the “autodelete” function enabled.  This automatically deletes any email that according to our spam filter is 99% or 100% likely to be spam.