Frequently Asked Questions about our new Communications Center
How do I catch up with all the changes?
There’s a lot going on! Answers to many common questions appear below. We also recommend Understanding Our New Computer Environment on the New Systems Documentation Site for a more comprehensive description of all that will be changing.
What do I HAVE to do before June 6th?
1) archive Meeting Maker data, 2) retrieve “trash” you want to keep, 3) prepare to change your password.
When will my environment change?
The first phase will run from June 6-9, 2008 and affect everyone.
- On June 6th at 5pm email and Meeting Maker will go out of service.
- On June 9th the new Communication Center (integrated email & calendar) will come online at http://webmail.brynmawr.edu.
- Also on June 9 the following services will begin using the new College Password:
- all college email
- Virtual Bryn Mawr
- Off-Campus access (EZproxy)
- Message Center (spamcheck.brynmawr.edu)
The second phase of transitions will happen by department or building over the Summer and Fall. At that time your computer will be “re-imaged” with a fresh installation that will have a Windows domain login replacing Novell. At that time your email clients and offline Meeting Maker access will also go away and all your email will be moved to the server.
What’s going on with passwords?
The new system will start you out with a temporary password based on information you know about yourself. You can change back to your old email or other password as long as it’s 10 (or more) characters long and uses at least 1 capital letter, lower-case letter and number. Starting June 9th this password will work for 4 services: see the list above, over time we intend to add other services such as Blackboard.
After June 9th, where should I check email?
If you use calendaring, then you should check new email and do calendaring in the new webmail (Communication Center). If you currently see only some of your email in webmail then you have mail stored locally which will be moved to the server during an I.S. visit (over the Summer/Fall). In that case:
- you could check email in your local client (until the desktop visit) or
- you could go back and forth – using the new Communication Center for new mail and your client to view history and
- you may see a 1-time duplicate of some emails (those stored on the server on June 6th).
Who will be using calendaring? And for what?
All email users will have a calendar. You will need to block out unavailable times and share your policies for use of your calendar. This has some implications and a lot of benefits. We will put out more info and suggestions shortly.
What features will go away or be limited?
In Calendar: auto-pick, limited calendar printing, limited options for sync’ing to some PDA/Mobile devices. In email: return-receipt.
What features will be easier or better than what we have now?
Fewer passwords (and ability to reset using identity questions), larger quota (and a quota “meter”), a “global address list” so you can find a colleague using their first/last name, an integrated vacation message with an expiration date, multi-language support [Quick Tips coming soon], accepting a meeting from within an email and extensive options for sharing calendars, mail folders and task lists
Mark, We have a work order program, TMA, and for some reason over the years when I was propmted to change my personal e-mail password, I had to change the password for TMA. I had to follow a long procedure in puddy, and then change it in the TMA program also. We have a Service Request Form on the Facilities page that our customers use. Can you help me. What do I need to do for this change over. Thank You. Pat.
Is there a way to set a .foward before mail goes down and that would redirect email over the period that email is down?
Hi Pat, this is a great question in that it points out the wide number of services that in some way depend on our old email system for some functionality, typically authentication. I have notified the Desktop Support team about your question and you should have a visit from a technician shortly.
I hope others who know of similar connections between a systems they use and email will come forward. We’ve id as many as possible in advance but I’m sure there are some we’ve missed.
Mark
In response to Doug’s question, email forwarding will not work while the system is down. However, all incoming mail will be held, then delivered when the system comes back up. No mail will be lost.
Hi ~ For we off-site users, will the login link be the same? and will the first login post-migration prompt for a new password?
Also, just a clarification that people will need to contact us using other modes during that downtime?
What’s the new ’system’, Outlook or??
and, (finally..) will there be password synching now so that we have one password for all systems??
Many thanks!
Amy
Amy,
The webmail URL will be the same (webmail.brynmawr.edu) but you’ll need to visit password.brynmawr.edu to change your new password.
Yes, you’ll need to use other communication tools over the weekend.
The new system is called Zimbra and it will check your password against a central “directory”. This weekend we’re also changing Virtual Bryn Mawr and network registration to use that password. in August all public computers will use the new password to get you in to the network to store files and use printers.
So, we will reduce the number of passwords but it won’t yet be one password for every system. We will continue to fold in new systems - hopefully bulletin boards in August and web editing in February. Stay tuned.
Janet
I have a lot of address-book data in Thunderbird. Will this migrate to Zimbra automatically or do I need to export it and re-enter it?
Thanks!
Claudia
Claudia, address-book data in Thunderbird can be exported and imported to Zimbra. We’ll be offering continual walk -in sessions in Campus Center on Monday June 9, and Tuesday June 10. Stop by and we’ll help you move your data.
Note that all local email data, including addressbook, will be moved into the Communication Center [webmail/calendar] online during your Phase 2 migration of individual desktop computers. Your department I believe has been scheduled for this transition later this month. If you want to wait until then our technicians will move your data for you.
hope this helps.
Mark