Naming Web Files
Office 2007 and Vista Update
E-mail Changes Update
Put Events on the Electronic Calendar
Write the Right Word
New Publications in the Distribution Center
Naming Web Files
Spaces in file names should not be used for files placed on the Web.
Spaces are legal characters in Windows files, and although not "illegal" on the Web, they may cause problems. Web browsers of all vintages and many different operating systems and server software configurations are in use today. Web page links that work on your computer may not work on someone else´s. A space in a filename will be converted to %20. For example, "heavy rain.htm" would be converted to "heavy%20rain.htm."
Another good reason to not use spaces is to shorten a URL. Consider the
URL: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/crops/oilseeds/Fertilizing%20Sunflowers%20in%2
The% 20Red%20 River%20Valley.htm. A customer would certainly prefer something shorter.
Also, remember that file names and file types are case sensitive; a capital B is completely different than a lowercase b. File types have to be lowercase.
The best advice: do not use spaces in file names, keep them short and use lower case.
Dave Rice, (701) 231-7381, david.rice@ndsu.edu
Office 2007 and Vista Update
All new computers will have Office 2007 installed. Learn how to use this new package with Microsoft's free e-learning courses at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/office2007/. ITS is developing additional resources that will be available for on- and off-campus faculty and staff.
NDSU is projecting that support for the Vista operating system will begin in Summer 2008. Many site-licensed software packages are not compatible with Vista now, and some of these won't be ready until 2008. Regular updates will be sent to faculty and staff.
As always, remember to regularly backup your important files and carry out the computer performance tips at http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/agcomm/accs/announcements/cleanup.htm .
Jon Fry, (701) 231-7934, jon.fry@ndsu.edu
E-mail Changes Update
The Ag IT Advisory Group recommends that the @ndsuext.nodak.edu e- mail addresses not be disbanded for at least a couple years. However, you're encouraged to start using the new @ndsu.edu addresses as they're made active. No @ndsuext.nodak.edu addresses have been deleted, unless it was requested.
The new @ndsu.edu non-personal addresses are being directed to personal mailboxes. For example, agcomm@ndsu.edu actually goes to Gail's box at gail.hokenson@ndsu.edu. Previously some of you had county or REC messages going to a separate mailbox. However, in a few instances, those generic mailboxes weren't being checked. With the generic e-mail going to a person's mailbox, messages are more likely to get to the people who need them.
We're now switching other non-personal addresses that go to one or two people, such as those for the Vet Diagnostic Lab and Distribution Center.
After those, we'll move to the e-mail lists, such as all-exp, MPU3 and cty@ndsuext.nodak.edu.
The old @ndsuext.nodak.edu list addresses will probably go away much sooner than individual addresses since e-mail lists are primarily for internal use and staff easily have access to the new addresses.
Becky Koch, (701) 231-7875, becky.koch@ndsu.edu
Put Events on the Electronic Calendar
Please put any events that affect more than just your office or a couple staff on the Ag and University Extension calendar. This is important to share information and to avoid conflicts.
Go to the Ag Info Center -- Ag's password-protected Intranet -- at http://info.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu. Login with your @ndsuext.nodak.edu username and password, not your @ndsu.edu username and password.
Click on Calendar in the upper left and follow the simple instructions for Create a New Calendar Entry. The person who entered the event can go in and edit at any time. Be sure to include a local contact somewhere in the entry.
The Ag Info Center will continue to require the username and password that correspond with your @ndsuext.nodak.edu, so afraid you'll continue to need two sets until we can work with ITS to figure out how to get them coordinated.
Becky Koch, (701) 231-7875, becky.koch@ndsu.edu
Write the Right Word
Articles for scientific or professional journals often need to be written in a formal style. But when writing for a generalized audience, such as in Extension publications, news releases, handouts and brochures, simpler usually is better.
For example, why say "utilize" when "use" means the same thing and is shorter? Use fertilizer during the growing season to improve your trees´ health.
Here are some other suggestions for replacing a pedantic word with simpler, stronger language:
"Try" instead of "attempt" or "endeavor" -- The 70-year-old man tried to climb Mt. McKinley for the third time.
"Help" instead of "facilitate" -- Planning helps any project.
"Get" or "buy" instead of "procure" -- She bought a copy of the book for every member of her family.
"Begin" or "start" instead of "initiate" or "commence" -- Begin the program as soon as possible.
"Learn" or "find out" instead of "ascertain" -- You´ll need to learn where the class will be held.
Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, ellen.crawford@ndsu.edu
New Publications in the Distribution Center
H1326 -- From Garden to Table: All in the Family! Potatoes, Tomatoes, Peppers and Eggplant
This 12-page publication is a joint effort from Ron Smith, Susie Thompson, Todd Weinmann and Julie Garden-Robinson. It brings these four popular garden vegetables together and provides history, basic cultural requirements, a list of popular cultivars and some of their favorite recipes.
AE1327 -- Aerial Application of Fungicide for the Suppression of Fusarium Head Blight in Small Grains by Vern Hofman, Scott Halley, Gary Van Ee, Charla Hollingsworth, Marcia McMullen and Brad Ruben
Since Fusarium head blight (FHB) has caused considerable damage to small grains during the past several years, this publication explains management strategies to control the disease. Retail cost of the publication is $1; wholesale for NDSU offices is 75 cents.
Duane Berglund has revised two publications.
A687 -- Buckwheat Production
The four-page publication addresses all areas of buckwheat production, including variety selection, dates of seeding, fertilizing and harvesting as well as other topics.
A935 -- Tame Mustard Production
Mustard is an economic cash crop that has a place in the rotation with small grains. Berglund explains seedbed preparation, varieties, fertilizing, pest control, harvesting, storage and more.
Three publications by Jane Edwards have been reprinted and added to the
inventory:
FN596 -- Flaxseed: Agriculture to Health
FN602 -- Beans: Agriculture to Health
FN620 -- Healthy ND Oils: Agriculture to Health
See the list of all publications -- most available both online and in print -- at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/.
Sharon Lane, (701) 231-7883, sharon.lane@ndsu.edu
Let's Communicate
Past issues and topics from Let´s Communicate are at www.ag.ndsu.edu/agcomm/letscomm/letscomm.htm. If you have questions or comments, or would like to submit information or make a suggestion for Let´s Communicate, please contact me.
Be sure to include communications costs in your grant proposals. Call for
estimates.
Extension faculty and staff may request operating funds from your program leader
or district director prior to the start of work on a project.
Becky Koch, (701) 231-7875, becky.koch@ndsu.edu
