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[:en]What is Microsoft Office 365?[:af]Wat is Microsoft Office 365?[:]

Monday, June 5th, 2017

[:en]

What is the cloud?

Cloud services is a broad description for IT services provided over the internet. Your services aren’t hosted on your system at work or home, but it’s located and managed remotely. Many services today use the Cloud, for example some e-mail services (e.g. Gmail), data storage (e.g. Dropbox) or photo storage (e.g. Flickr) Because it is is located online or ‘in the cloud’, you can access it from virtually anywhere on any device as long as you have an Internet connection. More articles on the cloud.

What is Microsoft Office 365?

Office 365 is an online, cloud-based application of the Microsoft Office products, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher and Access (Publisher and Access are available on PC only) available to staff and students with an active role. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WIbqcmSB_E

What do I get?

  • Five downloadable versions of Office365 for personal devices, for example, laptops, tablets and smartphones. This does NOT include asset number devices. 
    IMPORTANT: For the versions to stay active you must be an active staff member or student of the university. Licenses of the downloadable versions have to be refreshed on a monthly basis, otherwise it will stop working.
  • Mail: 50 GB mailbox in the cloud
  • Access to Microsoft Office365 online apps from any computer connected to the internet.
  • Calendar: online calendar
  • Word: online to access from any computer
  • Excel:  online to access from any computer
  • PowerPoint: online to access from any computer
  • People: online contacts
  • Planner: organise tasks and teamwork
  • OneDrive: 5TB online storage
  • Teams: collaboration
  • OneNote: digital notebook
  • Class Notebook: OneNote for classrooms
  • Sway: Create and share interactive reports, presentations, personal stories, and more.
  • Forms: build survey forms and easily share them with students, parents, and colleagues.
  • Tasks: schedule tasks
  • Video: scalable, easy-to-use portal for uploading and sharing your corporate videos.
  • SharePoint: online storage and sharing of files
  • Yammer: collaboration tool that helps you and your teams stay on top of it all. Start conversations, work together on files, and organise around projects.

What is the difference between the cloud and your PC?

After moving to the cloud you will have both data locally on your PC, on the network (G and H: drives), but you will also have data on the cloud. The same goes for your applications. You will be able to have some applications locally on your PC, while others will be cloud-based. Data on the cloud will be the primary source, while the copies on your PC and network drives are synced versions.

The same applies to your Office365 applications. For this reason, it’s important that you keep track of where you save your data. 

IMPORTANT: SU copyright agreements do not extend to storing and sharing of documents protected under the copyright law on OneDrive for business, SharePoint online or any other public store spaces.

What are the advantages of cloud services? 

  • More storage space available, up to 5TB on OneDrive and 50GB on Outlook.
  • Your data is available from anywhere, anytime, on any device. You’ll always have access to your data if you have an internet connection.
  • Your information is also safely stored, even if you lose one of your devices.  

What are the disadvantages of cloud services?  

  • Familiarise yourself with copyright regulations. Make sure you know what you are allowed to store and share online.  SU copyright agreements do not extend to storing of documents protected under the copyright law on OneDrive for business or any other public store space.
  • You are entirely responsible for your own information. Be careful who you give rights and access to, as it will compromise your information if it’s visible to other people.
  • You are responsible for synchronisation between online and local data. Synchronisation between online and local information needs to be set up correctly and done on a regular basis.
  • Keep in mind that access to cloud services when on campus will not incur any costs, but if you work from home your own data will be utilised.
  • It is very important that you keep your private usernames, passwords and information separate from your official work, to prevent your data from getting mixed up.
  • Having access to the cloud from any computer makes your digital identification vulnerable, do not use computers you do not trust to access your cloud services.

What if I have been using OneDrive personal, Dropbox and other cloud storage options? 

You can keep on using them, but it is very important that you only use these storage options for your personal data.

OneDrive for business and SharePoint online is available under of the US MS Licence agreement for storage and sharing of institutional data. The storage and sharing of institutional data are not allowed on Dropbox, OneDrive personal or any other cloud storage. IMPORTANT: SU copyright agreements do not extend to storing and sharing of documents protected under the copyright law on OneDrive for business, SharePoint online or any other public store spaces.

What is the difference between the storage options?  

 

ONEDRIVE

ONEDRIVE FOR BUSINESS

SHAREPOINT ONLINE

DROPBOX

GOOGLE DRIVE

  

PURPOSE

Personal

Business

Business

Personal

Personal

  
 

MANAGED BY

You (private)

You (business)

Teamsite owner, moderator (business)

You (private)

You (private)

  

WHAT DATA SHOULD I STORE HERE?

Personal files
(photos of your pet, last holiday, etc.)

Work files
(e.g. Word or Excel docs, PDF’s, etc.)

Your teams’ collabrative files, big data files, etc.

Personal files
(photos of your pet, last holiday etc.)

Personal files (photos of your pet, last holiday etc.)

  

HOW MUCH STORAGE SPACE?

5GB (more if you created an account before Feb’16)

5TB

Limited by your imagination or work needs.

First 5GB free, then pay as you need.

First 15GB free, then pay as you need.

  
 

FILE SHARING?

Yes, similar to Google Drive or DropBox.

Yes. You manage the share (security) of file/folder. Simple versioning.

Yes, team collab space; managed by moderators. Most granular and secure.

Yes, very simple.

Yes, very simple.

  
 

Do I still have to back up my data if it’s stored in the cloud?

Yes, it’s always beneficial to have more than one backup of your data, preferably in different locations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tRqs368GgA

 

 

[:af]

Wat is die wolk?

Wolkdienste is ʼn wye beskrywing vir IT-dienste wat oor die internet verskaf word. Jou dienste word nie gehuisves op jou stelsel by die huis of werk nie, maar word elders gestoor en bestuur. Vandag gebruik baie dienste die wolk, soos e-posdienste (byvoorbeeld Gmail), datastoring (byvoorbeeld Dropbox) of fotostoring (byvoorbeeld Flickr). Omdat alles aanlyn of “in die wolk” lê, het jy feitlik vanaf enige plek op jou toestel toegang – solank jy ʼn internetverbinding het.  Nog artikels oor die wolk. 

Wat is Microsoft Office 365?

Office 365 is ʼn aanlyn, wolkgebaseerde toepassing van die Microsoft Office produkte. Dit sluit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher en Access (Publisher en Access is slegs beskikbaar vir PC) vir alle personeel en studente met aktiewe rolle, in.    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WIbqcmSB_E

Wat kry ek?

 

  • Vyf aflaaibare weergawes van Office365 vir persoonlike toestelle, byvoorbeeld skootrekenaars, tablette en slimfone. Hierdie weergawes sluit NIE toestelle met batenommers in nie. 
    NB: Om die weergawes aktiveer te hou, moet jy ʼn personeellid of student wees met ʼn aktiewe rol. Aflaaibare weergawes se lisensies moet ook op ʼn maandelikse basis hernieu word, anders sal dit ophou werk.
  • E-pos: 50 GB posbus in die wolk.
  • Toegang tot die Microsoft Office365 aanlyntoepassings vanaf enige toestel verbind aan die internet.
  • Calendar: aanlyn kalender
  • Word: aanlyn toegang vanaf enige toestel
  • Excel: aanlyn toegang vanaf enige toestel
  • PowerPoint: aanlyn toegang vanaf enige toestel
  • People: aanlyn-kontakte
  • Planner: organiseer take en spanwerk
  • OneDrive: 5TB aanlyn stoorspasie
  • Teams: samewerking
  • OneNote: digitale notaboek
  • Class Notebook: OneNote vir klaskamers
  • Sway: Skep en deel interaktiewe verslae, aanbiedings, ens.
  • Forms: bou vorms vir opnames en deel dit sonder moeite met studente, ouers en kollegas.
  • Tasks: skeduleer take
  • Video: aanpasbare, maklik bruikbare portaal vir die oplaai en deel van jou korporatiewe video’s. 
  • SharePoint: aanlyn stoorspasie en deel van lêers.
  • Yammer: help om samewerking tussen jou en jou spanne te bewerkstellig. Voer gesprekke, werk saam en reël projekte. 

Wat is die verskil tussen die wolk en jou PC?

Nadat die skuif na die wolk, sal jy plaaslike data op jou rekenaar en op die netwerk (G en H: skywe) hê, maar jy sal ook data op die wolk hê. Dieselfde geld vir toepassings. Sommige toepassings sal plaaslik op jou rekenaar wees, terwyl ander wolkgebaseerd is. Die data op die wolk sal jou primêre bron wees, terwyl die kopieë op jou rekenaar en netwerkdrywe sinkroniseerde weergawes is.

Dieselfde geld vir jou Office365-toepassings. Om hierdie rede is dit belangrik dat jy tred hou met waar jy jou data stoor. 

Wat is die voordele van wolkdienste?

  • Meer stoorspasie beskikbaar – tot 5TB op OneDrive en 50GB op Outlook.
  • Jou data is beskikbaar vanaf enige plek, enige tyd en op enige toestel. Jy sal altyd toegang tot jou data hê as jy `ʼn internetverbinding het. 
  • Jou inligting word veilig gestoor, selfs al verloor jy een van jou toestelle. 

Wat is die nadele van wolkdienste? 

  • Raak vertroud met kopiereg-regulasies. Maak seker jy weet wat jy aanlyn mag stoor en deel. US kopiereg-ooreenkomste sluit nie die stoor en deel van dokumente wat beskerm word onder kopiereg op OneDrive for business, SharePoint online of enige ander publieke stoorspasies in nie.
  • Jy is volledig verantwoordelik vir jou eie inligting.  Wees versigtig vir wie jy regte en toegang gee, aangesien dit jou inligting in gevaar mag stel as dit sigbaar is vir ander mense. 
  • Jy is verantwoordelik vir die sinkronisasie tussen aanlyn en plaaslike data. Sinkronisasie tussen aanlyn en plaaslike data moet korrek opgestel word en op `ʼn gereelde basis uitgevoer word. 
  • Hou in gedagte dat die gebruik van wolkdienste terwyl jy op kampus is, nie enigiets sal kos nie, maar as jy tuis werk sal jou eie datakostes gehef word. 
  • Dit is baie belangrik dat jy jou privaat gebruikersname, wagwoorde en inligting apart hou van jou amptelike werk om te voorkom dat jou data deurmekaar raak. 
  • Digitale identifikasie is kwesbaar as jy toegang tot die wolk het vanaf enige rekenaar. Moenie rekenaars of toestelle wat jy nie vertrou nie, toelaat om jou wolkdienste te gebruik nie. 

Wat as ek OneDrive personal, Dropbox of ander wolkopsies gebruik? 

Jy kan aanhou om dit te gebruik, maar dis baie belangrik dat jy hierdie opsies slegs vir persoonlike data gebruik.

OneDrive for business en SharePoint online is beskikbaar onder die US MS lisensieooreenkoms vir stoor en deel van institusionele data. Stoor en deel van institusionele data word nie toegelaat op Dropbox, OneDrive personal of enige ander wolkstoorspasie nie. US kopiereg-ooreenkomste sluit nie die stoor en deel van dokumente wat beskerm word onder kopiereg op OneDrive for business, SharePoint online of enige ander publieke stoorspasies in nie.

Wat is die verskil tusse die verskeie stooropsies?  

 

ONEDRIVE

ONEDRIVE FOR BUSINESS

SHAREPOINT
ONLINE

DROPBOX

GOOGLE DRIVE

DOEL

Persoonlik

Besigheid

Besigheid

Persoonlik

Persoonlik

BESTUUR DEUR

Jou

Jou

Teamsite eienaar, moderator 

Jou

Jou

WATTER DATA MOET EK HIER STOOR?

Persoonlike lêers 

Werklêers
bv. Word of Excel dokumente, PDFs.

Lêers vir spanne om saam aan te werk.
Groot data lêers, ens.

Persoonlike lêers

Persoonlike lêers

HOEVEEL STOOR-
SPASIE?

5GB
(meer as die rekening voor Feb’16 geskep is)

5TB

Beperk tot jou werksbehoeftes.

Eerste 5GB gratis, betaal vir meer.

Eerste 15GB gratis, betaal vir meer.

DEEL VAN LêERS?

Ja, soortgelyk as Google Drive of DropBox.

Ja.
Jy bestuur die deelspasie en sekuriteit of lêer.
Eenvoudige weergawes.

Ja, `n area vir spanne om saam te werk; bestuur deur moderators.
Mees eenvoudige struktuur.

Ja, baie eenvoudig.

Ja, baie eenvoudig.

Moet ek nogsteeds my data rugsteun as dit in die wolk gestoor word?

Ja, dis altyd voordelig om meer as een weergawe van jou data te hê, verkieslik ook op verskillende plekke. .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tRqs368GgA

 

 

[:]

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[:en]Wherever you roam, eduroam[:af]Waar jy ookal swerf, eduroam[:]

Wednesday, April 5th, 2017

[:en]

eduroam (education roaming) is the secure, world-wide roaming access service developed for the international research and education community.

Users can move between campuses and visit other participating institutions at home or abroad and get instant, secure network access, without having to arrange and use guest accounts or extra passwords. The visiting user is authenticated using the same credentials (username and password)  they use at their home institution, the institution or organisation they are affiliated with.

Visiting dignitaries who subscribe to eduroam will be able to connect to all wireless access points across campus.

More information on how to use and activate the eduroam service can be found in our service catalogue. Also consult the eduroam websites at www. eduroam.org and http://eduroam.ac.za.

[:af]

eduroam (education roaming) is `n sekure, wêreldwye toegangsbeheerde swerwingsdiens ontwikkel vir die internasionale navorsing- en onderriggemeenskap. 

Gebruikers kan tussen kampusse rondbeweeg en ander deelnemende instellings tuis of oorsee besoek en onmiddellike, veilige netwerktoegang verkry – sonder om te reël vir die gebruik van besoekersrekeninge of addisionele wagwoorde. Die besoekende gebruiker word verifieer met dieselfde inligting (gebruikersnaam en wagwoord) wat  hulle by hulle plaaslike instelling waarby hulle geaffileer is, gebruik.

Besoekers wat registreer is by eduroam sal aan alle WiFi-punte regoor die betrokke kampus kan verbind. 

Meer inligting oor die gebruik en aktivering van eduroam-diens is beskikbaar op ons dienskatalogus. Addisionele inligting is ook beskikbaar op www. eduroam.org en http://eduroam.ac.za.

[:]

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[:en]Is screen time safe for your children? [:af]Is skermtyd goed vir kinders?

Friday, July 22nd, 2016

[:en] When you Google “children and screen time”, you will instantly be confronted with a wide range of strong opinions on the subject. As with most controversial issues, it’s best to consider all the facts and draw your own conclusions.

Screen time is defined by the National Library of Medicine (www.nlm.nih.gov) as “a term used for activities done in front of a screen such as watching TV, working on a computer or playing games.”

child-screenTechnology undoubtedly has its advantages. With the arrival of tablets, education became more accessible and affordable. A seemingly endless range of educational games and apps for children are available for parents to choose from. (See our article on best games for children)

According to a survey conducted on behalf of kids clothing retailer Vertbaudet.co.uk, four in five parents in the UK believe technology and gadgets are beneficial to their children. 

Clearly, many parents believe that technology is crucial to their child’s development and that it teaches coordination, concentration, communication skills and, of course, makes them tech-savvy. All of which is true.

Technology can be utilised for homework and in some schools, tablets are considered a necessity. Access to the internet and information has never been easier. But there’s always a “but”.

When technology purely becomes a means of entertainment to occupy a child with, it becomes a concern – on a psychological, as well as a medical level.  The UK survey, mentioned above, indicated that children, on average, are exposed to screens 17 hours per week. Time spent outside adds up to 8.8 hours – almost half of the time spent interacting with a screen. In the United States, children spend, on average, 5 to 7 hours per day in front of a screen.

The UK survey, mentioned above, indicated that children, on average, are exposed to screens 17 hours per week. Time spent outside adds up to 8.8 hours – almost half of the time spent interacting with a screen. In the United States, children spend, on average, 5 to 7 hours per day in front of a screen.

Watching a screen is a sedentary activity and utilises little energy. Minimal physical activity, combined with unhealthy eating habits, (because we eat more when we do screen watching) leads to obesity. 

Blue light emitted by digital devices interfere with the sleep-inducing hormone, melatonin. A lack of melatonin causes a change in sleep behaviour and difficulty sleeping. 

Constant exposure to an abundance of information and screens for long periods of time will lead to difficulty in concentration and an attention deficit disorder. This behaviour is beneficial for developing multi-tasking skills, but the ability to focus on one task at a time will not be learnt.

Anxiety, depression and screen addiction are all serious side-effects and may continue later in life. Just as with any other addiction, watching a screen alters brain chemistry. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter found in sugar and cocaine addictions, is also prevalent in screen addiction.

According to Psychology Today, studies indicate that extended exposure to electronic media might cause delayed cognitive development. During the early years of growth the brain’s frontal lobe, responsible for decoding and comprehending social interactions, is at a critical phase. If during this time, a child isn’t exposed to the necessary human interaction, the frontal lobe will not develop normally. This, in turn, will lead to the inability to learn to read social cues, facial expressions or empathise with people.

By no means do we suggest you immediately ban all electronic devices from your home. As with most things in life, moderation is key. With a few simple guidelines and rules, your children can still reap the benefits of technology.

Research suggests no screen time should be allowed for children under two years, as they are in a crucial developmental stage. One to two hours is recommended for children over two.

Instead of spending time in front of a screen, suggest hobbies, activities and playing outside, which will benefit physical development.

Other suggestions by the National Library of Medicine include:

  • Remove televisions and other electronic devices from the bedroom. 
  • No screen time during meals or homework.
  • No television as background noise. Rather switch on the radio.
  • No eating while watching television or using a tablet.
  • Keep track of time spent in front of screens.
  • Be a good parental role model by limiting your own screen time.
  • Challenge the family to spend one week without using their screens.

[SOURCES: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk, https://medlineplus.gov, https://www.psychologytoday.com, http://screenfreeproject.co.nz/news/]

[:af] Google “kinders en skermtyd” en jy sal gekonfronteer word met ʼn uiteenlopende en sterk menings. Die beste benadering met kontroversiële onderwerpe soos hierdie, is om die feite noukeurig te bestudeer en eerder jou eie gevolgtrekking te maak. 

“Skermtyd” word deur die National Library of Medicine (www.nlm.nih.gov) definieer as “aktiwiteite wat uitgevoer word voor ʼn skerm, byvoorbeeld televisie-kyk, werk op ‘n rekenaar of speletjies speel.”

child-screenTegnologie het, sonder twyfel, sy voordele. Sedert tablette op die toneel verskyn het, is opvoeding meer toeganklik en bekostigbaar en is ‘n wye verskeidenheid opvoedkundige speletjies en toepassings vir kinders beskikbaar. (Lees ons artikel oor die beste speletjies vir kinders).

Volgens ʼn opname gemaak deur die klerehandelaar,Vertbaudet.co.uk, glo vier uit elke vyf ouers in die Brittanje dat tegnologie en toestelle voordelig is vir kinders.

Duidelik is baie ouers van mening dat tegnologie noodsaaklik is vir hul kinders se ontwikkeling en dat dit koördinasie, konsentrasie, kommunikasie en tegnologiese vaardighede, aanleer.  Al hierdie argumente is geldig. 

Tegnologie kan ingespan word vir huiswerk en sommige skole beskou tablette deesdae as ‘n noodsaaklikheid in klaskamers. Toegang tot die internet en inligting is makliker as ooit tevore. Maar, en daar is altyd ʼn “maar”.

Wanneer tegnologie bloot ‘n vorm van vermaak word om kinders mee besig te hou, raak dit probleem – op sielkundige en fisiese vlak. Volgens die Vertbaudet-opname spandeer kinders in Brittanje gemiddeld 17 uur per week voor skerms. In teenstelling spandeer hulle slegs 8.8 ure buite, byna die helfte minder. In die VSA styg dit tot 5 tot 7 uur per dag.

Om tyd voor ʼn skerm yr spandeer, is ʼn passiewe aktiwiteit wat die minimum energie verbruik. Die gebrek aan fisiese oefening, gekombineer met ongesonde eetgewoontes, lei tot vetsug. Jy is ook geneig om meer te eet wanneer jy tyd voor ʼn skerm spandeer.

Die blou lig wat deur digitale skerms uitgestraal word, beïnvloed melanien, die slaaphormoon. ʼn Tekort aan melanien ly tot ʼn versteuring in slaappatrone en slapeloosheid. 

Hoewel die blootstelling aan meer inligting die vaardigheid om verskeie take te kan verrig, bevorder, bemoeilik dit die vermoë om op enkele take te fokus. Konsentrasievermoë verswak en kan aandagafleibaarheid tot gevolg hê. 

Meer ernstige nagevolge soos angs, depressie en skermverslawing kan op die lang termyn blywend wees. Soos met enige ander verslawing, word die brein se chemiese balans versteur.  Dopamien, ‘n neurosender in suiker- en selfs kokaïenverslawing, is ook aanwesig by skermverslawing.

Volgens Psychology Today, dui studies daarop dat verlengde blootstelling aan elektroniese media vertraagde kognitiewe ontwikkeling kan veroorsaak. Die frontale lob van ʼn kind se brein, wat   verantwoordelik is vir die dekodering en ontleed van sosiale interaksie, is gedurende die eerste paar jaar in ʼn kritiese groeifase. As kinders gedurende hierdie fase nie genoeg interaksie met ander mense kry nie, ontwikkel die deel van die brein nie normaal nie. Dit lei tot die onvermoë om sosiale reëls te interpreteer, gesigsuitdrukkings te lees of empatie te hê met ander. 

Dit beteken nie jy moet summier alle elektroniese toestelle uit jou huis verban nie. Soos met die meeste dinge in die lewe, is ʼn goeie balans al wat nodig is. Deur die toepassing van eenvoudige riglyne en reëls kan jou gesin steeds die voordele van tegnologie pluk. 

Navorsing dui daarop dat kinders jonger as twee, gedurende ʼn belangrike ontwikkelingsfase, nie aan skerms blootgestel moet word nie. Een tot twee ure word vir kinders bo twee jaar voorgestel.

In plaas van ure verwyl voor ʼn skerm, moedig kinders aan om stokperdjies te beoefen, aan aktiwiteite deel te neem of buite te speel. Dit sal terselfdertyd ook voordelig wees vir fisiese ontwikkeling. 

Die National Library of Medicine gee ook die volgende wenke:

  • Verwyder televisies en ander elektroniese toestelle uit slaapkamers.
  • Verban die skerm gedurende maaltye of huiswerk.
  • Moenie die televisie aan hou as agtergrondgeraas nie. Skakel eerder die radio aan.
  • Geen peuselhappies of etery terwyl kinders televisie kyk of op ʼn tablet speel nie. 
  • Probeer rekord hou van die tyd gespandeer met skermtoestelle. 
  • Wees ‘n goeie, rolmodel ouer en beperk jou eie skermtyd.
  • Daag die gesin uit om ‘n week sonder skerms uit te hou.

[BRONNE: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk, https://medlineplus.gov, https://www.psychologytoday.com, http://screenfreeproject.co.nz/news/]

 

 

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[:en]Video conferencing made easy[:af]Videokonferensies vergemaklik

Thursday, June 9th, 2016

Vidyo-2[:en]How often have your attempts to set up a video conference been marred by locked conference rooms, double bookings, faulty equipment, incompatible systems and limited support? Even when it’s up and running, both video and audio quality are so poor, it’s practically useless.

TENET, the Tertiary Education Research Network of South Africa, has introduced a new video conferencing service, aimed at fulfilling the conferencing needs of the South African Higher Education and Research communities. Their chosen delivery platform for this service is Vidyo.

Vidyo is a video conferencing platform developed to address the problems of traditional video conferencing by integrating with existing video conferencing systems. This means that no upgrades for existing room systems are required, i.e. no expensive video conferencing hardware is needed.

Desktops and laptops can be used as video conferencing tools, as well as any tablet or smartphone. You can display conference participants and shared content simultaneously on a laptop or desktop screen. Vidyo automatically adapts to the hardware to deliver the best possible experience.  

The Vidyo client software is Windows, Mac OS and Linux compatible and VidyoMobile™ supports both Android and iOS devices. This means that you can participate in a conference from your smartphone or tablet on-the-go. Access is possible from anywhere, anytime – all you need is a webcam and internet enabled device.

Vidyo was used at the recently held National Telecommunication User Group (NTUG) Conference in Bloemfontein, allowing delegates from all over the country, who were unable to attend in person, the opportunity to participate online.

While Vidyo works well in normal and high bandwidth environments, it is also designed to operate when very little bandwidth is available. This makes it ideal if you’re on a slow connection. No more unintelligible conversations and blurry images.

Telephone bridging allows others to join your conference by phone and a recording and replay appliance allows recording of meetings. A large number of participants can be hosted, even if they use different brands of video conferencing equipment.

When it comes to video conferencing, the buzzword on everyone’s lips is collaboration. You can use this service to meet and consult instantly, share documents and images, exchange ideas and mentor and teach students.

The Vidyo service is available free of charge to all eligible academic and research institutions. We have created 46 Vidyo accounts of which 10 are used with existing video conferencing equipment on campus.

To use Vidyo, send an e-mail to telecom@sun.ac.za requesting a Vidyo account.

  1. You will receive an e-mail containing a link to the Vidyo client, as well as a username and password to access the service.
  2. Download and install the Vidyo client.
  3. Log in with the following details:
    VidyoPortal: http://sun-vc.tenet.ac.za
    Username: as specified by IT
    Password: as specified by IT

Useful links

TENET Vidyo Blog 
Vidyo Knowledge Center (Videos) 
Getting Started with Vidyo

[ARTICLE BY ANDRé ELMS]

Vidyo-2[:af]Om `n videokonferensie te organiseer is nie kinderspeletjies nie. As die konferensielokaal nie gesluit is of dubbel geboek nie, is toerusting foutief, stelsels nie versoenbaar nie of ondersteuning beperk. Selfs al kry jy alles aan die gang, is video- en oudiokwaliteit dikwels swak en onbruikbaar.

TENET, die Tertiary Education Research Network of South Africa, het onlangs sy nuwe videokonferensie-diens vir Suid-Afrikaanse Hoëronderwys en Navorsingsgemeenskappe aangekondig en die gekose platform vir die diens is Vidyo.

Vidyo is ʼn videokonferensie-platform, ontwikkel om die probleme wat tradisionele videokonferensielokaal-stelsels ondervind, uit te skakel en met bestaande videokonferensie-stelsels te integreer. Dit beteken ook dat opgradering van bestaande lokale nie vereis word nie en duur videokonferensie hardeware gevolglik ook nie nodig is nie.

Tafel- en skootrekenaars kan ingespan word, sowel as enige tablet of slimfoon. Konferensiedeelnemers kan gemeenskaplike inhoud intyds deel op ʼn rekenaarskerm. Vidyo pas outomaties die hardeware aan om die beste moontlike diens te lewer. Dit bevat ook ʼn opsionele opneem- en herspeelfunksie. 

Die Vidyo-kliënt is beskikbaar op die Windows, Mac OS en Linux platforms en VidyoMobile™ ondersteun beide Android en iOS-toestelle. Dit beteken dat jy onmiddellik kan deelneem aan ʼn konferensie op jou slimfoon of tablet sonder enige verdere opstellings. 

Deur middel van telephone bridging, kan deelnemers telefonies soomloos by jou konferensie aansluit. ʼn Groot groep deelnemers kan fasiliteer word, selfs al gebruik hulle verskillende tipes videokonferensie toerusting.

Toegang is moontlik van enige plek – al wat jy nodig het, is ʼn webkamera en toestel met internet.

Vidyo is onlangs gebruik by die Nasionale Telekommunikasie Gebruikersgroep (NTUG) in Bloemfontein. Afgevaardigdes van regoor die land, wat nie die konferensie fisies kon bywoon nie, kon wel aanlyn deelneem aan verrigtinge.

Hoewel Vidyo goed werk in normale en hoë bandwydte omgewings, is dit spesifiek ontwerp om te funksioneer wanneer min bandwydte beskikbaar is. Daarom is dit ideaal as jy ʼn stadige verbinding het. Geen onverstaanbare gesprekke en vae beelde meer nie.

Die gonswoord wanneer videokonferensies ter sprake is, is “collaboration”. Vidyo kan gebruik word om intyds kollegas te ontmoet, te konsulteer, dokumente, grafika en idees uit te ruil en ook, binne die akademiese omgewing, om studente te onderrig en mentor.

Die Vidyo-diens is gratis beskikbaar aan akademiese en navorsingsinstellings wat in aanmerking kom. Ons het 46 Vidyo-rekeninge, waarvan 10 reeds op kampus gebruik word saam met bestaande videokonferensie fasiliteite.

Om Vidyo te gebruik, stuur ʼn e-pos aan telecom@sun.ac.za en versoek ʼn Vidyo-rekening.

  1. Jy sal ʼn e-pos ontvang met ʼn skakel na die Vidyo-kliënt, sowel as ʼn gebruikersnaam en wagwoord om toegang tot die diens te verkry.
  2. Laai die Vidyo-kliënt af en installeer dit.
  3. Teken aan met die volgende details:
    VidyoPortal: http://sun-vc.tenet.ac.za
    Username: soos verskaf deur IT
    Password: soos verskaf deur IT

Handige skakels

TENET Vidyo Blog 
Vidyo Knowledge Center (Videos) 
Getting Started with Vidyo

[ARTIKEL DEUR ANDRé ELMS]

Email

Posted in Communication, Connectivity | Comments Off on [:en]Video conferencing made easy[:af]Videokonferensies vergemaklik

[:en]Network installations: status and procedures[:af]Netwerkinstallasies: status en prosedures[:]

Friday, February 5th, 2016

[:en]

Due to a great demand for networkpoints in 2015, as well as the start of the ICT Network Improvement Project, a backlog in providing networkpoints developed.

Consequently Information Technology and Facilities Management were compelled to review the process. To create a larger capacity, we will also use external consultants and contractors to facilitate network installations.

KKW procedures for network points
At the end of 2015, KKWs not processed, could have been cancelled. Therefore, it might be necessary to submit another KKW if you still need a network installation. To establish if a KKW request is active or has been cancelled, send the KKW number to netinfra@sun.ac.za and we will answer your query as soon as possible.

On the basis of the KKW, Facilities management will generate a work order for IT requesting the networkpoint installation. IT will then appoint a consultant to investigate and coordinate the installation.

Issues with existing networkpoints still have to be logged at the IT Service Desk. More information on network installation procedure.

We are confident that this new process will lead to a more satisfactory service.

[:af]

Weens die groot aanvraag vir netwerkpunte in 2015 en die aanvang van die IKT Netwerkopgraderingsprojek, het `n agterstand in die voorsiening van netwerkpunte ontstaan.

Gevolglik het Informasietegnologie en Fasiliteitsbestuur die proses hersien. Ten einde meer kapasiteit te skep, sal daar gebruik gemaak word van buite-konsultante en -kontrakteurs vir netwerkinstallasies.

KKW-prosedure vir netwerkpunte
KKWs wat nie in 2015 geprosesseer is nie, is moontlik aan die einde van 2015 gekanselleer. Dit mag dus nodig wees om weer `n KKW in te sleutel indien u steeds ‘n nuwe netwerkpunt-installasie benodig. Om vas te stel of ’n KKW-versoek vir netwerkpunte aktief of gekanselleer is, stuur die KKW-nommer aan netinfra@sun.ac.za. Terugvoer sal so gou as moontlik gegee word.

Uit die KKW-versoek sal Fasiliteitsbestuur vir IT ‘n werksopdrag genereer vir die netwerkpunt-installasie. IT sal dan op sy beurt die konsultant aanstel om die installasie te ondersoek en koördineer.

Probleme met bestaande netwerkpunte moet steeds by die IT Dienstoonbank aangemeld word. Meer inligting oor prosedure vir netwerkinstallasies.

Ons is vol vertroue dat die nuwe proses sal lei tot ‘n meer bevredigende diens.

[:]

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Posted in Connectivity | Comments Off on [:en]Network installations: status and procedures[:af]Netwerkinstallasies: status en prosedures[:]

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