New Service... Hornet Calendar!

Hornet Calendar is a school-wide calendar of events. This calendar will be displayed on our public website and on Hornet 365's homepage. Think of it as your centralized, one-stop-shop for Emporia State events. Hornet Calendar is the final piece of the puzzle of our promoting mediums. Along with concurrent use of  Hornet TV, Hornet Announcements, and Hornet Sites, this assures that your content is being promoted by all of the mediums offered here at Emporia State. Let us know which events you'd like to display by submitting an event here!

Guidelines and regulations of Hornet Calendar can be found on our Web + Digital guide.

Sam Derksen
Web Developer
Web and Digital Strategies

IT After Hours: Mario Kart Goes Mobile

Welcome to the very first post of the IT After Hours series! This blog series will cover technology-related topics that we enjoy once our office closes and our academics are taken care of. From games and apps to entertainment technology advancements, this is your number one spot for all things innovative and fun!

The beloved game that brought us the joy of red turtle shells and the despair of Rainbow Road is now in your pocket. Mario Kart has been available for iOS pre-order for some time now, but the day of download has finally come. On Wednesday, September 25th at 2:00 a.m. Mario Kart Tour became available to mobile devices across the globe.

Getting Started

The app is free to play, but requires you to register a Nintendo account; either linking a current account or creating a new one. You are then introduced to your first character, kart, and glider by "shooting them from the pipe." This is a new mechanic similar to mystery boxes seen in other games, where players can pay with in game currency (available to earn or purchase) to receive a random item.

Controls

The steering mechanics are also different from other racing games; there is no joystick, or any buttons for that matter. The kart accelerates automatically, leaving the power-ups and steering to you. The steering is powered by moving your finger back and forth on the screen, and led by a shadowed arrow in front of the kart. The power-ups are then triggered by a simple tap of the screen. However, to aim your power up, let's say a banana peel (which typically is only left behind the kart,) simply swipe forward and the banana peel will be thrown in front of the kart.

Around The World

The game features a "tour" aspect that allows the player to compete in different tracks inspired by real cities. The cities will cycle every two weeks, allowing the players to race around the world. The first stop on the tour is New York, as shown below in the trailer.

The app has already taken off around campus, with many students already racing their way to the trophy. "It really brings me back to my childhood, me and my dad used to play all the time." Grant Buchanan, a sophomore at Emporia State remarked. A multiplayer option is coming soon, which will allow you to play and compete with friends and opponents of your choosing; but until then random racers and automated bots
are your only option.

Tyler Parker
Social Media & Marketing Student Assistant
Web & Digital Strategies

Just Wing'in It

Just Wing'in It

What is Wing?

Wing is a drone delivery service owned by Alphabet, the parent company of Google. Similar to the Amazon drone delivery service, Wing aims to deliver over-the-counter medications and other health related items to your doorstep “within minutes” of online ordering. The company is partnering specifically with Walgreens and FedEx to complete this task, hoping to find a faster and more time efficient method of delivering your medicine.Wing aims to be a pioneer in the drone delivery service, becoming one of the first drone operators certified as a commercial carrier by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).

Where is Wing?

Wing hopes to compete with other companies’ delivery services, such as Amazon Prime and a newly announced CVS drone delivery prototype. The pilot program will launch in October 2019 in Christiansburg, Virginia, allowing residents of the town who live within the “designated delivery zones” to choose from over 100 individual products ranging from children’s snacks to cough and cold medicine. In December, Wing announced the launching of a trial service in Finland, offering free delivery to residents within the capital city; and was just approved to launch the service in 3 Australian cities. Stay tuned, as Wing delivery could be delivering M&M’s to your dorm room within the next few years.

Tyler Parker
Social Media & Marketing Student Assistant
Web & Digital Strategies

iOS 13 and Watch OS 6

Since Apple released the well anticipated iOS 13 and Watch OS 6 updates yesterday, I've had the opportunity to put it through a week of testing.

If you have an iPhone SE, 6S, and everything after that (the 7, 8, X, XR, XS) and have been thinking about updating, go ahead! You're going to enjoy the new life it breathes into your Apple devices.

NOTE: Just to be on the safe side, be sure to back up all the valuable data on your device and keep the phone plugged in while it updates. Better safe than sorry, trust me.

Since a majority of our users are iOS users, I'm sure you're wondering, "What do I get from this update and why should I even bother?" Well, I'm glad you asked.

Let's start with the top features from iOS 13.

• You now have a system wide Dark Mode. Let's sign a petition and dark mode everything!
• Swipe Keyboard. Try swiping a word on your keyboard! It's an easier and faster method for typing with one hand! They call it 'QuickPath'..
• Faster FaceID. Apple claims 30% faster!
• New Built-In Photo and VIDEO Editing Tools. If you're a digital creative, you're going to appreciate this!
• Find My (Now combines Find my iPhone and Find my Friends). Now, even if your iPhone is not connected to the internet you'll be able to tell where it is.
• Files. Now you have the ability to connect external drives and USB's natively. Along with unzip capabilities.
• Safari. You now have access to a built-in download manager! Along with upgraded browser capabilities.
• Reminders.  App Updates.
• Notes. App Updates.
• Mail. App Redesign
• Siri. Siri now sounds a lot better!
• Better Screenshots. 
• Control your Contact Information Persona. If you someone adds you as a contact, the name and image you want will automatically pull into their contact.
• Memoji Stickers. Extend your Animoji persona and create new Memoji stickers.
• Sign In with Apple. Before you had the option to make an account, or use the convenient Sign in with Google and Sign in with Facebook. Now, there's a new way to sign in! 
• Use your Gaming controllers. If you enjoy mobile games, now you can connect your favorite Xbox or PS4 Controller and start gaming!

Next we got Watch OS 6.

• New Watch Faces. Cool new styles to try!
• Dedicated App Store. All the more apps for your watch!
• Noise Level. If you spend too much time in a loud environment, you'll be notified!
• Voice Memos. Got a quick thought? Narrate it to your new best friend.
• Cycle Tracking. Apple's big on Health
• Calculator. Calculate right on your wrist! Take it a step further and now you can easily know how much the tip will be and how to evenly split the bill.
• Activity Trends. Because the more health data you have, the more you strive to succeed!

There were minor bugs I have seen or had colleagues report to me. However, Apple has released iOS 13.1 today, and it should squash all the bugs (if any) and provide improvements to your overall experience. Apple also released iPad OS today and I will be going over it next week! 

Have you updated to iOS 13.1 yet? If so, what are you currently enjoying about it?



Saandhyarag Sasidhar
Student Operations Manager
Web and Digital Strategies

myIT Tip of the Week

Classroom Support

Faculty and Staff, 

Are you having issues playing videos in your classroom? Is your audio always a hit or miss when it comes time to teach? Here are some troubleshooting steps that we recommend here at IT: 

1) Are you using the SMART login? Logging in with SMART will resolve audio issues on classroom computers/SMART boards almost all of the time. The SMART login is highly recommended, as this user profile contains the necessary settings for our classroom technology. IT has no other way of making sure each user has the corrected settings chosen on their account. If you forget the login, or are unsure, you can call the help desk at 620-341-5555.  

2) Have you tried restarting the machine? Restarting the computer is another common solution to audio issues in the classroom.  

3) Protect your data while using the SMART login. Since our classrooms are best equipped to use the SMART login for everyone, this means that we should not be signing into any apps directly on the SMART desktop, or any browsers on this account as well.  

4) When navigating to sites on browsers, try using an “Incognito Window”, so that none of your history or data is kept on the SMART login. You can see our blog post about private browsers if you are needing help with this. When you are trying to access your files from OneDrive on a SMART classroom, using a private window will be important, so that nobody else can access your OneDrive or SharePoint files. Please remember not to sync your OneDrive to the computer while logged in as SMART. Only use the web version of OneDrive on the SMART login while using a private browser.  

Be sure to check back next week and we will have some SMART podium tips from our classroom techs. 

myIT Tip of the Week

Keeping Your Computer Healthy!

With all the hustle and bustle of the semester, the last thing anyone wants is technology issues, so here are a few ideas to keep your computer running smoothly! 

        1) One tip for any laptop, computer, or cell phone is too avoid malware. This sounds super scary, but it’s fairly simple: don’t click on things you don’t recognize. One of the most common causes of malware is people clicking on emails that contain viruses, I promise the King of Nigeria doesn’t need your financial support. If and when you com across any of these emails, don’t open them, just delete them!

      2) Do not download super heavy, unnecessary programs. A lot of gaming software, or editing equipment puts a lot of stress on your machines, so if you come across programs that you no longer use, go  ahead and uninstall them. 

      3) Keep your machine physically clean! Eating around your machine, or letting drinks spill near your computer is dangerous and can cause a lot of internal problems including actual hard drive failure. Not to mention, sticky keys and smudgy screens are never fun when writing a paper. 

If you notice your computer having issues, don’t hesitate to bring it into the Help Desk in Cremer 149 or give us a call to have us run a check and make sure all is running well! 

New 2019 Apple Devices!

On September 10, the WDS team attended the Apple special event virtually. During which, Apple unveiled a new iPad, three new iPhones, and a new Series 5 Apple Watch. Here's all that you need to know, before deciding!

iPhone 11 

Starts at $699

Six Colors

Two Cameras (New Ultra Wide Camera)

A13 Bionic Processor (Faster and more Battery Efficient)

Faster Unlocking with FaceID

iPhone 11 Pro

Starts at $999

Four Colors

Three Cameras (New Ultra Wide Camera)

Super Retina XDR Screen (It means it's really really good!)

A13 Bionic Processor (Faster and more Battery Efficient)

4-5 hours longer battery life

Faster Unlocking with FaceID

You can even get a bigger screen size with the iPhone 11 Pro Max

Apple Watch Series 5

Starts at $399

Always On Display

New S5 Processor

ECG monitor

Built-in Compass

New Case Materials (Titanium, Ceramic, Expensive...)

On Cellular models you can now make emergency calls internationally

iPad

Starts at $329 (education discount bring it to $299)

10.2 Retina Screen

A10X Processor

iPad OS Support

Smart Keyboard Support

Apple Pencil 1 Support

If you decide to keep your current devices, check out how iOS 13 and Watch OS 6  can breathe new life into your devices!

For Emporia State University

Students, faculty and staff looking for personal/at-home devices can get discounts for the devices from Apple. For faculty/staff looking to purchase one of these devices, please contact the IT Help Desk for more information.  Our IT purchasing catalog, IT Advisor, will be updated with our recommended models in each category shortly.



Saandhyarag Sasidhar
Student Operations Manager
Web and Digital Strategies

myIT Tip of the Week

SkyPrint Credit: Information on Adding More

SkyPrint allows you to access and upload supported documents from any device, anywhere. If you send the document to your account or to a release station you can receive it. Now, for the credits ESU does load your account with up to $8 at the beginning of each semester. Then towards the end of the semester, right before dead week, the school reloads your account back to $8. Which is awesome! You can also upload credit yourself or come by the Help Desk and we can help you. To make sure you are accessing the correct link for SkyPrint go to Hornet365.com, and choose the Students tab. Then you should see a SkyPrint link. 

Do it yourself:  

          1) Go into your SkyPrint account. 

          2) Choose the option to the left on the menu that says, “Add 

Credit.” 

          3) Select the amount you would like added to you card and press the green button that says, “Add Value.” 

          4) This will bring a page up asking for your credit card information. (This page is secure).  

At the Help Desk:  

           1) Come visit us at the Help Desk, in Cremer Hall 149.  

           2) Ask for SkyPrint credit. We will then ask how much you would like to add. We sell SkyPrint credit in $2 increments.  

           3) We will give you your increment cards, which you will take and go onto your SkyPrint account and select, “Redeem Card.”  Here, it will ask for you to enter the card number. Once you enter the card number you will click the green button, “Redeem Card.” The credit will soon be added to your account.  

Web Presence Update!

As the Fall semester is in full-go, I am sure many of those here at Emporia State are wondering... What is going on with the websites? Luckily, we provide a web page, Web Presence Projects, that provides information on Hornet 365 and our public website. Examples of information provided are timelines, future enhancements, progress pages, and much more. We're very excited that Hornet 365 had a successful launch, and we are excited to launch the public website!

Don't forget to provide any feedback on our website by using this form. This helps us determine what you all want and helps us fix any bugs/issues. Good luck this semester, pay attention to the coming changes to Emporia State's web presence, and Stingers Up!

Sam Derksen
Web Developer
Web and Digital Strategies

Malicious Emails and Scams

With the start of another school semester, we always seem to see a rise in certain kinds of malicious email traffic.  While we have processes in place to stop as many of these as possible, we are limited in what we can stop without blocking legitimate emails.  

As we read through our inboxes, there are some things that we all need to keep in mind:

1. If it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is. It pays to be skeptical.

2. If you receive an email from someone you know with an uncharacteristic request or unusual attachment, it never hurts to call them up and ask if they really send the message.

3. ALWAYS be suspicious of requests for money ESPECIALLY untraceable cash cards. Verify through alternate means that it is a legitimate request.

4. ALWAYS be suspicious of requests for confidential information, login credentials, or cell phone numbers.  If an email gives you a link to log into a site, or provides an attachment that then asked for a login, these are almost always malicious. And cell phone numbers can be used to hijack your cell account.

Finally, if you have ANY questions as to the validity of an email, especially those that claim to come from IT, please call the Help Desk at 341-5555, and let us know.