We are currently finalizing RFPs to create a campus-wide network for voice, data and video. As part of this plan we need to upgrade our telephone system and expand our voice mail capability. While this planning has been going on, we have reached our maximum capacity for both telephones on campus and for voice mail. We are not capable of meeting additional requests for new telephones or for new data connections to the mainframe except in a very limited way. If you make such a request we will elicit your needs and timeframe to seek the best way we can accommodate you.

Even more critical to the actual phone capability is the status of our voice mail. We have reached maximum capacity with automatic deletion set at three days. On average we have been operating at 77-86% full. During the Friday Spring Recess Day we reached 100% capacity which resulted in no one being able to leave any messages throughout campus. I called many people that Friday afternoon and evening and appreciate everyone's support. By the following Saturday morning we were operating at 80% capacity.

Until the new equipment is in place and operating (planned for sometime this summer), Jim Hague will monitor the voice mail space daily and notify me when we have reached 90% capacity. At that time I will try contacting all those with messages logged on the system starting with voice mailboxes with the most time logged against them. The Exeter community can support us by:

Listening to and deleting messages on a daily basis.

When off-campus, trying to make an effort to get your messages off your voice mail or delegating the responsibility to someone else.

To access your voice mail when off-campus you can dial into the main Academy number (772-4311). When asked for the extension, enter: 8900#

Followed by your mail box number and #sign: XXXX#

Your password (if you have one) and # sign: XXXX#

Once in your mailbox you follow the commands as you do when you are at your phone.

We apologize for the inconvenience this causes you. The new voice mail will be sized sufficiently so we will not have to worry about this in the future. In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, please contact Shelley Nason at ext. 3693.

Feedback on Teacher Comment Slips

We have heard mostly positive feedback regarding the work done to produce the Teacher Comment Slips on 8 ½ x 11 paper rather than the dot matrix forms. A big thank you goes out to Mark Bodnar, Joyce Kemp, Rick Parris and David Rea for their work on this project.

As I understand the project, this is only a first step in developing a system that will eventually merge the comment slips by student and print forms in a central place. In moving ahead, the technical staff are looking for comments from those who have used the programs, i.e. what was awkward, what did you like that you think should be kept, what functionality would you like to have that you couldn't find, etc. Please give this some thought and forward your comments to the Telecommunications Department where we will collate and distribute them to all members involved in this project.

Hints for Using Microsoft Windows 95
by Shelley Nason

Many of you may be like me and have just begun to use Windows 95. I plan to use the Newsletter to describe some of Windows 95 functionality.

Using the Windows 95 Taskbar
The Windows 95 Taskbar acts as a place to open a program and switch between programs. For example, when you want to use a program that is not on the desktop, click the Taskbar Start button and select the program from the Start menu. As you open a program, you'll see buttons on the Taskbar that correspond to each of the active programs. You can then switch between these programs by clicking the desired button on the Taskbar.

Windows 95 automatically places the Taskbar at the bottom of the desktop where it is always visible. This makes it easy for users to make use of the Taskbar and maximize use of Windows 95. If you do not like the way the Taskbar displays or do not want to see the Taskbar there are ways to move and hide this bar.

Moving the Taskbar
The Taskbar can be moved from the bottom to top or sides easily. Place your mouse cursor anywhere on the Taskbar, except the Start button or a task button. If the Taskbar is full, you can place the mouse cursor on the clock. While pressing the left mouse button, move the cursor to any edge of the computer (top, bottom, left or right side) where you would like to see the Taskbar. Once you have moved the taskbar where you want it simply release the mouse button. The Taskbar appears differently from the top/bottom displays versus the side display. You will want to experiment to see which way you like best.

Hiding the Taskbar
Windows 95 makes the Taskbar always visible. If you find that always having the Taskbar on the desktop is distracting, you can hide the Taskbar. To do this, access the Taskbar Properties sheet and select the Auto Hide check box. Next, click on the Apply button to activate the new setting. Then click on OK. When you return to the desktop you will only see the very edge of the bar. When you bring the cursor close to the edge, the Taskbar returns to the desktop. When you move the cursor away from the desktop, the Taskbar again hides.

Taskbar Properties
The Taskbar Properties sheet allows the user two options in addition to hiding the Taskbar. One is Show Small Icons in the Start menu and the second is Show Clock. These options provide the user with ways to configure the Taskbar. If the users want to maximize the number of applications displaying on the Taskbar, using smaller icons will help with fitting more on the bar. The Show Clock option allows the user to have the time display or not to display.

Offering Limited Modem Access

Faculty, administrators and staff are finding the Internet and email useful tools to do their work. Many of us already have modems at home and are using on-line services. The Telecommunications Department has received numerous requests to support modem access from home. In order to support this use the school has committed to purchasing server equipment to support limited access. The Telecommunications Department is in the process of defining support available to those using this service. During the remainder of this school year we will be able to set up limited user service; approximately fifty (50) registered users. This will allow us to assess the usage, work through unforeseen problems with the process and service and assist in future planning.

The anticipated required equipment arrived and was installed during spring break. We invite faculty, administrators and staff wishing to have modem access to complete the request on the insert page and return it to the Telecommunications Department in care of Shelley Nason. Using the Academy's access should be limited to work related endeavors and we realize some of this may include experimentation.

Requests will be returned to the Telecommunications Department for implementing according to a first-come, first-served basis.* Within a week of receiving a request, the Telecommunication Department will then provide the individual with equipment specifications supported by the department and written documentation to include downloading instructions for Web browsing and email software.

System Requirements: (provided by the individual)

Computer(s):
386PC or higher running Windows 95 Windows 3.1 will work but requires additional software which we will not be supporting.

Macintosh computer running System 7.1 or higher with MacTCP or TCP/1P software.

Modem:
14,400 or 28,800 bps recommended (slower modems will work but they will be extremely slow)

Support: (provided by the Telecommunications Department)

Detail:
We will be available to answer questions during work hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

We will NOT be able to physically assist anyone with the set-up, testing or troubleshooting of problems at one's residence, but will provide instructions and phone support during work hours.

We reserve the right to limit the number of registrations per week if we feel our department personnel or the remote access system would be unable to manage that level of users.

Call for Presenters!

Teachers interested in presenting at the 10th Annual Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference, December 3, 4, and 5, 1996, need to apply by May 1. The Conference is looking for 1-, 2-, and 3-hour presentations that promote teaching with technology. All presenters receive free lunch and registration on the day of their talk, and 2- and 3-hour presenters have the option of a $50 or $100 honorarium or registration and lunch to other days of the Conference. If you are interested, please see Helga for an application form which must be received in writing by the New Hampshire School Administrators Association by May 1.

Summer Workshop Opportunity

The Thatcher School, Ojai, California, is sponsoring a week-long summer institute on using technology in the classroom. Seminars include using software such as Irrawaddy, Cabrillo and WebQuest (for creating interactive lessons, creating micro-worlds with historical or scientific content, and for web-browsing respectively); Interactive Physics simulation programs; programming in Java; integrating text, graphics, audio and video with Hyper Studio; authoring WWW pages; creating customized photo-CD's; and more. Evening talks on gender differences in technology-based classroom, preparing teachers for technology, and other practical and philosophical topics. June 16-22. Cost: $650. This might be a good proposal for a technology 8incentive grant. See Helga for more details and application.