Welcome back for the fall 2025 semester. We hope the start of the semester goes smoothly
for you and we would like to pass along the following information and reminders regarding
recent changes/issues in computing at ESF.
In this edition:
Classroom systems updates/changes
As always, CNS encourages you to visit your class space and confirm that the systems
function as you anticipate.
Over the summer, CNS has (with the help of Facilities, Business Office staff, and
the Academic Governance Classroom Committee) completed total renovation of four classrooms
on campus: Walter 210, Walters 211, Bray 300, and Bray 321. These renovations mark
major improvements to these spaces, and we invite everyone to stop by the one nearest
to you for a look.
If you would like to see your classroom in action, please contact the CNS Help Desk
to arrange for a session with CNS staff when we can demonstrate how to get up and
running in your assigned space. For information about instructional/collaboration
spaces on campus, check out the classroom pages.
Software at ESF
Adobe Creative Cloud and Acrobat Reminder: Effective fall 2024, If you previously
subscribed to an Adobe product (e.g., Creative Cloud, Acrobat Pro, etc.) through the
Business Office, there have been changes regarding billing and contacts for this software.
You are no longer charged for Adobe software installed on campus/State owned computers
used for college business/teaching and any requests for Adobe software should be sent
to the CNS Help Desk.
SPSS, MaxQDA, and Wolfram Mathematica are now available for you to install via the
Software Center (see below) on college-managed Windows PCs and in the computer labs.
Windows 11 Upgrade: Is your campus computer still using Windows10? If so, information
about the campus move to Windows 11 and details needed to make the move is available
here: https://it.esf.edu/Windows-11 . If you still need to have your campus PC evaluated,
please contact the help desk. If you are waiting to be evaluated, thank you for contacting
us and we will get to your case as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience as
we work through this process.
Software Center (and software in classrooms)
The Software Center contains a collection of software and updates available to all
college-managed Windows PCs. To get there, search ‘Software Center’ at the desktop
from any campus Windows 10 or 11 PC. If you do not see the software you are expecting,
it could mean that it is already installed, it is not compatible with your computer,
or ESF does not yet license it.
Important note: If you are using a classroom PC and do not see software you need or
expect, visit the Software Center to look for it and then self-install/add it from
there. Note that not all software titles are pushed to all PCs for performance reasons
and you may need to occasionally add something in order to use it.
Generative AI tools available to the ESF community
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are redefining what it means to work,
study, teach, and create. These tools generate new content based on existing data
from the internet or other databases, including user or College data in certain applications.
ESF and SU have provided ESF Faculty, Staff and Students access to two of the most
widely used generative AI models: Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini. When logged
in to Copilot with your ESFiD or Gemini with your SU NetID, data that is provided
to the tools will be protected from use elsewhere or inclusion into the model. This
gives access to important tools while protecting ESF’s valuable data resources from
damage, loss, or theft.
For further details, please see the following:
ESF AI Resources
Syracuse University AI Insights
IT Office Hours
Join CNS staff for monthly topical updates and learning opportunities. Sessions for
the fall semester are as follows:
- CNS research support and guidance on ESF managed PCs – the 2025 edition on September
4th in Walters 210.
- ESF phone system, SUNY DTP, and the SUNY Unified Communication System on October 2nd
in Walters 210.
- Cybersecurity issues on campus on November 6th in Walters 210.
- Open session: Bring your own topics! on December 4th in Walters 210.
Session times are all 11am – 12:30pm and remote links and details will be sent prior
to each session.
Virtual/Remote labs for the fall semester
ESF has several distinct virtual/remote computing resources that deliver software
used in ESF classes while not on campus. These systems also offer a means of remote
access onto campus if needed. These are:
- ESF virtual computers/lab (Horizon)
- ESF remote lab/cloud lab (Apporto; Updated version available mid-September)
- SU RDS remote lab (SU NetID required)
For connection and software details, please see the Remote computer lab information.
Printing
CNS is increasingly moving network stand-alone printers to “global” printer queues,
allowing users to release a print job at the closest printer via the posted QR code.
Visit the CNS website for more information (Computing & Network Services > College
Resources > Printing @ ESF) and step-by-step directions on printing using this new
model (Computing & Network Services > College Resources > Printing @ ESF > How to
Print).
CNS has increased the number of central, non-quota-based printers available for Faculty
and Staff to use around campus. Shared printers for Faculty and Staff have been added
on the 2nd floor of Marshall Hall, 3rd floor of Baker Labs (outside the Help Desk)
and in the basement rotunda of Bray Hall (near UPD). Walters and Illick Halls are
coming soon.
Student-focused, quota-based shared printers are available on the first floor of Moon
Library, and the 3rd floor of Baker Laboratory. An additional printer has been added
for students on the main level of Moon for the fall of 2025.
ESFiD & SU NetID reminder
CNS would like to remind the ESF community that the systems we use daily are split
between ESF/SUNY and SU and require separate logins depending on which campus hosts
the systems. ESF faculty, staff, and students all have and maintain two digital identities:
The ESFiD and the SU NetID. Systems hosted at ESF/SUNY require the ESFiD and those
hosted at SU require the NetID to log in. It is important, and sometimes challenging,
to keep these identities separate. As most of these systems are Web-based, a tip to
separating systems using these separate identities is to use Private/InPrivate/Incognito
browsing sessions in your Web browser of choice.
Zoom and Teams at ESF and Syracuse University
Please update your Zoom and Teams client software. Recent feature additions and security
fixes to these systems require that the software installed on your devices be updated
for the most consistent results. If you use a PC, you can update Zoom through the Software Center. Teams should update automatically and ask to be restarted when complete.
Zoom at ESF is provided by SU and your SU NetID is required to log in and use this
system. Microsoft Teams is provided by ESF and uses your ESFiD to log in. As always,
CNS recommends that ESF faculty, staff, and students use Microsoft Teams for all your
meeting/collaboration needs.
ESF wireless network
ESF's secure campus wireless network, Evergreen, was recently upgraded and is now
available at all ESF locations that support wireless connections, including the Ranger
School main building, Heiberg Forest shop and classrooms, and the Pack Forest office
in Warrensburg. If you find that you are experiencing difficulties connecting with
your devices, please see the following for assistance or contact the Help Desk: Computing
& Network Services > College Resources > Campus Wireless (esf.edu)
ESF-Guest is a guest wireless network available to guests of ESF during their visit.
It is meant as a short-term way to access resources available on the Internet. As
a guest network, ESF-Guest is resource constrained and is an extremely poor replacement
for the Evergreen wireless network, which is the secure ESF student and employee wireless
network.
