To print the entire copy of Computer News #77, click the File menu, then Print... from this Browser window. There are 32 printed pages.

If you do not wish to print the entire newsletter but only selected articles, then go Back to the last page and click into each individual article and print it.

 



Table Of Contents

Upgrade Replacement of the HKUCC System

We wish to inform our HKUCC users that we have re-scheduled the migration of the HKUCC system to Sunday, February 21, 1999 from 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m..

The previous migration

The previous migration attempt on January 31, 1999 was aborted due to the discovery of serious discrepancies in mail and folder conversions from the VMS environment of the old HKUCC system to the Unix environment of the new HKUCC system. We have tried our best to resolve the observed problems and sought assistance from the software vendors for the past ten days. While we can identify and resolve most of the issues, there is still one outstanding issue that we cannot resolve cost effectively. The outstanding issue is the handling of the VMS distribution list (i.e. @namelist.dis) which is a proprietary feature of the VMS mail. This feature is not supported in the Unix environment of the new system and hence the use of VMS distribution list will not be transferred to the new system. If you have used the VMS distribution list, you can contact our Helpdesk at Room 109, Run Run Shaw Building for assistance.
HKUCC migration and HKUVMS
During the migration, access to services (e.g. email, login etc.) on the HKUCC system will not be available. After the migration, the new system will be assigned the name HKUCC and the old system will be re-named HKUVMS.
New password for HKUCC accounts
After the migration, users will have to use their new password to access the new HKUCC system. The new password has been emailed to your HKUCC accounts on January 27, 1999. If you have not received your new password, you can email to "newpass@hkucc.hku.hk" from your HKUCC system before February 21, 1999 and we shall inform you again of your new password at your HKUCC account. For security of your computer account, you should change the password after you logon to the new HKUCC system. For instructions on how to change the password of your account on the new HKUCC system,  you can send an email to "chanpass@hkucc.hku.hk" and the procedure will be emailed to you.
Email service on HKUCC system
If you use Eudora, Netscape or PC-pine (and pine) or other PC-based email program, you can continue to read and send your email as before using the new password. If you use VMS mail for email, we recommend you to use PC-pine in either HKUWIN or HKUPPP for email after the migration. Alternatively, you can use the "pine" program on the new HKUCC after you login to the new system. The operation of the PC-pine and pine are basically the same. The PC-pine has an advantage over the pine program as it can access the files on your PC directly so that it is easier to send attachments. For information on the use of pine for email, please refer to the "Pine User Guide" on our web page at url: "http://www.itservices.hku.hk/document/pine/pine.htm".
Mail Quota on HKUCC system
A mail quota of 4MB will be implemented on the INBOX (the default folder for holding incoming email or read messages until the messages are deleted or moved to other user defined folders) of each user of the new HKUCC system. If your INBOX has used up to 3MB of disk space for email, you are still able to receive new mail but a daily message will be sent to you to remind you that you will soon exceed your quota limit.  If your INBOX has used up to 4MB of disk space, the system will return all incoming email to the sender and you will not receive any new mail until you have deleted some mail in your INBOX and reduced the disk space to below 4MB.
Hence users are advised to read their new mail as often as possible and delete any unwanted messages from their INBOX to avoid exceeding the quota limit of 4MB in their INBOX.
Telnet to HKUCC system from remote systems
If you use a non-HKU network connection to telnet to the new HKUCC system, you have to first telnet to and login the "hkuccsys.hku.hk" system using your HKUPPP account name and password and then selected the HKUCC system from the displayed list of host names.
Services on HKUVMS system
Except for the email service, users can continue to run their application programs on the HKUVMS system until they have converted the application programs to the new HKUCC system. We plan to decommission the HKUVMS system after June 30, 1999,  hence users should take steps to convert their application programs to the new HKUCC system now. For conversion, we have set up an "OpenVMS to Digital Unix Migration" webpage at url: "http://www.itservices.hku.hk/ccsystem/vms-to-unix.htm" to provide information for VMS users to use the new Unix system.
User enquiry service about the migration
We have made special arrangements to provide 24-hour user enquiry service through telephone to assist users to access the new system immediately after the migration on Sunday, February 21, 1999. You can call 2859-2496 anytime and our operations staff will try their best to help you to access the email service on the new HKUCC system. In addition, we have also setup a webpage of FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) and anticipated questions related to the HKUCC migration  to the new system at url: "http://www.itservices.hku.hk/ccsystem/cc.html"

For further enquiries and assistance on the HKUCC migration, please contact either Mr. Charles Cheung, tel: 2859-2488, email: cheungyw@hku.hk or the undersigned.

CM Mak
Tel: 2859 2491
E-mail: cmmak@hku.hk

Extended Hours for Technician Support Service

We are pleased to inform our users that starting from February 1, 1999 the Computer Centre has enhanced its technician service for supporting the University Campus Network and PC equipment maintenance by extending the service hours beyond the normal office hours, as follows :

Monday to Friday : 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday : 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday and holidays: 12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m.

To report problems or request service, please use the following phone numbers :
 

  • During normal office hours (9:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday,  9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saturday)

  •      2859-2774
  • During the extended hours :

  •      2241-5230

    In addition, users can also make such requests through the Centre's web page at URL: "http://www.itservices.hku.hk/services/maintain.htm"

    For more information or queries about the extended hours of the technician support service, please contact the undersigned.

    Lyman Wong
    Tel: 2859-2491
    Email : lyman@cc.hku.hk


    Grace Period for Terminating Personal Computer Accounts

    To allow staff and students who are leaving the University a more orderly transition in their use of electronic mail, the Computer Centre is pleased to announce that staff and students who are leaving the University will have their personal computer accounts on our Centre's systems extended automatically for a grace period of 31 days before their accounts are closed.

    The grace period will be effective from the staff's leaving date or from the date of change of status for students as recorded in the Registry's staff and student database. E-mails will be sent to inform them of the grace period and when their personal accounts will be closed.

    Staff and students who are leaving the University are still advised to make early and necessary arrangements for transferring their computer accounts well before the grace period, e.g. copying their data files, email, email address, notifying their email partners of their new email address etc. Please be warned that the personal computer accounts will NOT be accessible after the grace period.

    Please contact the undersigned for any enquiries about the grace period for leaving staff and students.

    Lui Tun Yee
    Tel: 2857 8633
    E-mail: lty@cc.hku.hk



    Help! Unable to Receive E-Mail

    Housekeeping Your Incoming Mailbox

    The Computer Centre often receives reports from our users that they have problems in receiving e-mail. In many cases, the cause can be attributed to the fact that the user's incoming mailbox on the host computer (hkucc or hkusua or graduate) has reached or exceeded the mail quota limit.

    When users call the Computer Centre, our advice would usually be: "Delete some unwanted mail from your INBOX on the host computer and then you will be able to receive e-mail again".  However, our users' response would often be: "But I have deleted all the mails in my INBOX and I still cannot receive any new mail."  The simple reason for this problem is that the user has only deleted the mail on their own personal computer, but not those on the host computer.

    Perhaps a detailed explanation of the client-server e-mail system will help clarify this issue.  The server is your host computer e.g. hkusua or hkucc.  The client is your PC running an e-mail program such as Eudora, Netscape or Outlook Express. The computer which receives your e-mail, as shown in your e-mail address username@hostname.hku.hk, is the host computer and not your PC.  However, the e-mail program on your PC can read the mail saved on your host if it is configured accordingly.

    If the client e-mail program on your PC is configured to "leave mail on host", then a copy of your mail will be kept on the host even after the mail is downloaded to the PC. If the client email program is configured to "NOT leave mail on host", then after your mail is downloaded to the PC by your PC-based mail program, no copy will be kept on the host.

    Currently, the soft mail quota limit on the host computer is 3 MB for everyone. When it is exceeded, a warning message will be sent daily to you telling you that you should delete some old mail. When the disk usage of the incoming mailbox  reaches 4 MB, you have reached the hard limit of your mail quota and will no longer receive any new mail.  A message will be sent by the system to the sender informing him that the mail was not delivered because your mail quota was exceeded.

    The disk usage of your incoming mailbox is always displayed when you login to a host computer using "telnet". To avoid exceeding the quota limit, you should monitor this figure frequently and act to clean up your incoming mailbox on the host computer immediately when you receive any "mail quota exceeded" message.

    If you are using Eudora to check your host mail, you can configure it to NOT leave mail on host. Below are the steps to select this option:

    1. Start Eudora.
    2. (For version 3.0.5) Under the "Tools" menu, select "Options".
    3. (For version 1.5.2) Under the "Special" menu, select "Settings".
    4. Under the "Category" column on the left side, select "Checking Mails".
    5. On the right side, there is an option called "Leave Mail on Server". Un-select this option so that the mail messages will be deleted from the mail server once they are downloaded to the PC.
    If you are using Netscape Mail (v4.0x), the NOT leave mail on host option can be set by doing the following:
    1. Start Netscape.
    2. Under "Edit" menu, choose "Preferences".
    3. Under the "Category" column, double-click "Mail and Groups".
    4. Select "Mail Server" within "Mail and Groups".
    5. On the right side, in the "Mail Server Type", un-select "Leave messages on server after retrieval".
    We recommend that you DO NOT leave mail on the host computer to save the trouble of cleaning up the incoming mailbox on the host computer. However, if you choose to keep your mail on the host computer, please remember to clean up your incoming mailbox frequently to make sure that it keeps within the quota limit.

    For users using Pine or PC-Pine to check email, all incoming mail are stored in your incoming mailbox "INBOX" on the host computer. You are reminded to delete or move the messages from the "INBOX" to other mailboxes after they are read to make room for new mail.

    As a general practice, you should adhere to one e-mail program of your choice and not switch between different ones as each e-mail program maintains it's own mailbox. It would be difficult to keep track of all your mail and to find anything if they are spread between different mailboxes.

    Should you have any questions on the PC e-mail system, please contact the undersigned.

    Tony F.K. Lai
    Tel: 2829 7976
    E-mail: lfk@cc.hku.hk


    Two New 56Kbps Modem Pools

    Two new 56Kbps modem pools with 192 lines were installed in December 1998, making the total number of HKUPPP lines that support up to 50Kbps to be 768.  These modem pools support both V.90 and x2 56Kbps standards.

    Phone no. 29647000: 144 lines for all staff and students (30 minutes or more)

    Like the existing modem pool of phone no. 21057100, a 30-minute time limit is imposed on connections to this pool when the utilization of the PPP lines is high. If the utilization of the PPP lines is low, this time limit is not imposed. The checking of the utilization level is done at 5-minute intervals.

    We have to introduce a new telephone number (29647000) because the existing 30-minute number (21057100) has a maximum capacity of 100 lines. We plan to merge the two 30-minute modem pools for both staff and students under one telephone number (29647000) in the future. Further notice will be sent to our HKUPPP users before the merge is done. We encourage our users to use the new pool as it has a large number of lines and has a higher chance of being connected during busy hours from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

    Phone no. 29642300: 48 lines for staff only (30 minutes or more)

    This is a new 30-minute modem pool for staff users. A 30-minute time limit is imposed on the connections to this modem pool when the utilization of the PPP lines is high.

    How to connect to the new modem pools?

    To configure your computer to connect to the new pools, please follow the procedure at the URL: http://www.itservices.hku.hk/services/ppp56k.htm. For Windows 95 and Windows 98 which are the most commonly used platforms,  and assuming the communication software has been installed properly, only five steps are required:

    Create a PPP connection icon:

    1. Double click on the icon My Computer, open the Dial-Up Networking folder. Double-click the icon Make New Connection.
    2. Type the name of the modem pool (e.g. 30-minute all-user) and select the appropriate modem if you have installed more than one modem.
    3. Click the button Configure. Set Maximum Speed to 115200. Click OK, and then Next.
    4. Type the telephone number that clicking the newly created icon will dial, and select 'Hong Kong (852)' as the country code. You can leave the area code field blank. Click Next.
    5. Click Finish and a new connection icon will be created in the Dial-Up Networking folder.


    The number of HKU PPP lines are summarized in the following table.
     
    Modem Pool
    Telephone Number
    Capacity
    56Kbps lines for staff and student users (60 minutes) 29757000
    408 
    56Kbps lines for staff and student users (30 minutes) 21057100
    96 
    56Kbps lines for staff and student users (30 minutes) [NEW] 29647000
    144
    56Kbps lines for staff users only (60 minutes) 28595100
    72 
    56Kbps lines for staff users only (30 minutes) [NEW] 29642300
    48
    Total:
    768

    Decreasing the number of 28Kbps PPP lines

    While we are increasing the number of 56Kbps PPP lines, the number of 28Kbps PPP lines with phone numbers 25480590 (for all users) and 28030202 (for staff) are being decreased, with a plan to phase out these lines in the summer of 1999.  Users are encouraged to use the 56Kbps lines which also support non-56Kbps modems.

    Thomas Lee
    Tel: 2859 7977
    E-mail: ytlee@hku.hk


    Password for Personal Computer Accounts can be Changed Online

    You can now change the password of your computer accounts (HKUSUA or HKUCC systems) online if you are a staff member at HKU and if you have a UIS (University Information System) account.

    The Change Computer Password Form can be accessed through the Intranet Systems for Staff with the following procedure:

    1. Visit HKU Intranet at http://www.hku.hk/intranet.
    2. Click on the button 'Intranet Systems for Staff'.
    3. Login using your UIS account name and password.
    4. Click on the button 'Computer Centre'.
    5. Click on the link 'Change Computer Account Password'.
    6. Choose the computer name HKUCC or HKUSUA
    7. Type in your new password twice.
      Note: The new account password will be effective within 3 hours if the electronic form is submitted during normal office hours. Otherwise, the new password will be effective within one working day after submission of the electronic form.
    Do not confuse the HKUCC or HKUSUA account password with the PPP account password which is used for connecting to the network from home via the dial-up modem and which can also be changed on-line.

    Please refer to 'Recommendations on the Security of Accounts' for choosing a secure password.  For better account security, it is also recommended that you should change your account passwords regularly, e.g. once every two to three montns.

    Should you have any questions about the electronic Change Computer Account Password Form, please contact the undersigned.

    Lui Tun Yee
    Tel: 2857 8633
    E-mail: lty@cc.hku.hk


    Usage Statistics on Access Everywhere Network (ACEnet) and Hall Network

    The monthly statistics of usage of ACEnet and Hall Network from December 1, 1998 is now on line and users can query the usage of the network points in various buildings and residential halls via the URL http://www.hku.hk/local/cc/network/stat/buildings .
     

    Users can choose a particular year of statistics out of the available ones by selecting the corresponding year in the drop-down choice box. Unless users specify explicitly their required year, the default is "All Years", in which case a table showing the pointers of the monthly statistics of all available years will be displayed.

    Users can then proceed to choose the statistics of any particular month by clicking on the pointer located in the second column of the table.


    For example, if the user has chosen to browse the statistics of December, 1998, the following screen will appear:


    1. The "ACEnet Usage Statistics By Buildings" or "Hall Network Usage Statistics By Halls" statistics show the total usage (in connection hours), the total number of sessions and the average usage per session made in each building.

    2. The "By Days" statistics show the total usage (in connection hours), the total number of sessions and the average usage per session for all buildings/halls per day.

    The usage statistics are refreshed daily. Thus, the statistics of the current month are also available and show the network usage information up to the day before.
     

    Helen Lam
    Tel: 28597975
    E-mail: ylam@cc.hku.hk



    Update on the Major Upgrade of the University Campus Network

    In the last issue of the Computer News (No. 76), we have reported the completion status of the three phases of the University Campus Network development. We noted that Phase I (installation of network points in the residential halls) upgrade was completed in January 1998, and that Phases II and III upgrades (replacement of coaxial network cable by UTP cables and ACEnet points installation, respectively), with the exception for premises in the Queen Mary Hospital, were also completed in November 1998.

    Progress in QMH

    Cabling work has started on 6/F Professorial Block since mid-December last year, in line with the ceiling-replacement project conducted by the Architectural Services Department. Installation of cables is also being carried out in the Main Block where the installation schedule in the ward areas is being worked out with the respective ward operation staff.

    For Blocks J, K, L and the Nursing School, we are still working closely with the contractor and the Government's Electrical and Mechanical Services Department to resolve issues of the installation of electrical sockets for ACEnet points.

    We will report on further progress in the next issue of the Computer News.

    Network Interface Cards (NIC) Replacement

    Following the replacement of coaxial network cables by UTP cables, the Computer Centre has been working with a contractor to install new Fast Ethernet network interface cards for the departments' Pentium computers which were still using the 10Mbps coaxial cables. Now the exercise is nearing its end with about 1800 network cards installed. We would like to express our thanks to each department's Project Coordinator and users for their patience and support.

    The network card replacement exercise will also be carried out in the Queen Mary Hospital as soon as the Phase II network cables upgrade is completed there.

    T.Y. Shen
    Tel: 2241 5229
    E-mail: sty@cc.hku.hk



    Problem Reporting System of the Estates Office

    We are pleased to inform our users that the Problem Reporting System of the Estates Office was successfully launched on December 7, 1998. This system was jointly developed by the Estates Office and the Computer Centre. The objective of the Problem Reporting System to allow UIS users to report problems through the University Staff Intranet.  Problems which can be reported include the following : Building Maintenance, Electrical and Mechanical, Cleaning, Parking, Security and Gardening.

    To report a new problem, UIS users can initiate the web page through:
    1. the University Staff Intranet at http://www.hku.hk/intranet.

    You can click on the 'Intranet Systems for Staff' button, enter your UIS account name and password, then click on 'UIS' button, select 'Estates' to enter into Problem Reporting System
     

      OR

    2. The Estates Office web page at http://www.hku.hk/estates under the Service Guide button.

    You can select Problem Reporting  and you will be prompted for your UIS account name and password.

    On the web page, users can fill in the details of the problem,  e.g. building name, floor, room and nature of the problem.  On completion of the details, simply click on 'Send request' button on the bottom of the web page.  A Work Order Number will be assigned to this problem and users can take note of this number for tracking and future reference.  The request has now been sent to the Estates Office for action.

    To track the latest status of problems raised, an enquiry facility is also provided for users to check on the progress of the problems reported.

    Please note that for urgent requests, you should contact the Estates Office directly.

    If you are interested to find out more about the Problem Reporting System, you are welcome to contact the undersigned.

    Wiley Chau
    Tel: 28578591
    E-mail: cch@cc.hku.hk


    Achieving Year 2000 (Y2K) Compliance

    As you are probably aware, every department now has a Y2K coordinator who is responsible for ensuring that your department's hardware and software will function properly in Year 2000. The University's target for Y2K compliance is June 30, 1999. If you believe you have a potential Y2K problem with any of your equipment which may have been overlooked when the inventory of non-Y2K compliant items was drawn up, please contact your coordinator as soon as possible. The Computer Centre has also set up a Y2K Task Force to help the coordinators to complete their job. Our Y2K task force members are also visiting the departments to see how they can best help them. Members of the Centre's "Y2K task force" are:
     
  • Mr. Newton Lui, tel: 2857-8633, email: lty@cc.hku.hk
  • Mr. Vitus Lam, tel: 2859-2484, email: lsw@cc.hku.hk
  • Mr. T.Y. Kan, tel: 2859-7979, email: kty@cc.hku.hk
  • Mr. Tony Lai, tel: 2859-7976, email: lfk@cc.hku.hk
  • Mr. Lyman Wong, 2859-2491, email: lyman@cc.hku.hk
  • Ms. Mabel Chau, tel: 2859-8934, email: chaumabc@cc.hku.hk
  • Two training sessions were held in December, 1998 for Y2K coordinators to give them training in the use of the PC testing software named ACTY2000. This software was produced by the Information Technology Services Division of the Hong Kong SAR Government which has kindly allowed us to use the software on any university-owned PC. Upgrade strategies for dealing with non-compliant versions of applications software such as databases, word processors and spreadsheets were also covered in these sessions. Departments with large data files built with non-compliant software were advised to consider more powerful Y2K tools which they can purchase for a few hundred dollars per PC from the software vendors.

    At a third session for coordinators held on 27th January, 1999 there was also an opportunity to discuss Y2K problems with the Director of the Computer Centre. One popular question was "who will pay for the replacement equipment?". The Computer Centre can however only offer technical advice to all departments on drawing up action/contingency plans and on the use of testing software etc.. The Computer Centre does not have funds for departments to replace their hardware or software and departments will have to find their own funding for replacement of computers. If your department does have major equipment with Y2K issues, please talk to the Y2K Task Force as soon as possible to draw up an action plan.

    Since January 1999, the Government requires the University to report on our Y2K compliance progress on a monthly basis, instead of bimonthly. We shall require your input to report on your Y2K compliance status also on a monthly basis until you have achieved compliance.  Coordinators are to report their departments' Y2K progress on a web form maintained at the website

                                        https://uis.hku.hk/staffweb/plsql/y2k_survey.main.

    We ask for your co-operation to work together to meet our target of early Y2K compliance, the latest by June 30, 1999.
     

    D.P. Carthy
    Tel: 28590535
    Email: dpc@cc.hku.hk


    Web-based e-mail services

    We are pleased to inform our users that the Netscape Messenger Express 3.52 web-based e-mail server has been installed for the hkusua/hkusub and hkucc host computer systems to provide a web-based interface to the Computer Centre's e-mail servers.  To access this e-mail server, visit URL http://webmail.hku.hk.

    The advantage of using web-mail is that now you can delete unwanted messages and manipulate e-mail folders in your host account without having to logon to your host account, and without having to configure the mail  component of your browser.

    The Netscape Messenger Express offers a basic set of web-based e-mail features, including sending and receiving messages, attachment support, message sorting and searching, LDAP search, and server-side folder management.

    Following is a brief description of the functions of Netscape Messenger Express:

    BASIC MAIL

    FOLDER MANAGEMENT BROWSERS SUPPORTED If you have any questions about this Netscape Messenger Express, please contact the undersigned.

    T.Y. Kan
    Tel: 2859 7979
    E-mail: kty@cc.hku.hk


    Electronic Course Enquiry
    In September 1998, the Computer Centre introduced an in-house developed accounting system, the WebCT Automatic Accounting System (WebCT AAS), for WebCT course designers. This system can automatically generate student accounts for electronic courses prepared with the WebCT software according to student registration data and HKUSUA accounts. Since then, WebCT AAS has been widely adopted by teaching staff for creating WebCT student accounts. As the number of courses implemented with WebCT has been constantly growing, students need to remember many URLs of electronic courses available to them. In view of this, the Computer Centre has developed a web page for undergraduate students to check all electronic courses which are available to them using their HKUSUA accounts. This web page can be accessed by clicking on the Electronic Courses button from the HKU Intranet for Students web page.
     
    If you have any questions regarding electronic courses, please feel free to contact the undersigned.

     
              Dickson Chow
              Tel: 2964 5739
              E-mail: flchow@hku.hk
     

    Disk Space Re-Allocation on HKU WWW Server

    Currently, the HKU Central Information Server (i.e. www.hku.hk) is hosting over 200 websites of University departments, student associations and societies, student halls, Convocation and alumni bodies.  According to the trend, we are expecting even more websites to be set up on the HKU Central Information Server.

    To cope with the continuously increasing demand of disk storage space on the HKU Central Information Server, the Computer Centre has increased the total amount of disk space on the server from 8GB to 18GB.  For better and more efficient use of the disk space, starting from February, 1999, new accounts created on the Central Information Server, i.e. www.hku.hk, will be assigned the following default disk quota. :

    (a) the disk quota for student associations/societies/clubs will be 10MB.

    (b) the disk quota for residential and non-residential halls will be 20MB.

    (c) the disk quota for University departments will be 30MB.

    (d) the mail quota for each account on the Central Information Server will have a soft limit of 3MB and a hard limit of 4MB.

    The existing users on the Central Information Server will be assigned the disk quota equivalent to its current usage. If you have exceeded your disk quota limit, you will not be able to create any files in your homepage directory. If you need more disk space for your homepage, you can apply for additional disk quota by completing the "Application for Additional Resources" (i.e. CF-101a.2 for staff and CF-101b.2 for students). For application from student bodies, endorsement from their "supervisor", usually the Office of Student Affairs or Hall warden, is required.

    If you have exceeded the soft limit of your mail quota, you will get a warning message to delete some mail while you can still receive new mail. But if the hard limit of your mail quota is reached, without further warning you will not be able to receive any new mail until you have reduced the size of your mail box by deleting some old mail.

    If you have any questions about the new disk space allocation, please contact the undersigned for details.

    Lui Tun Yee
    Tel: 2857 8633
    E-mail: lty@cc.hku.hk 



    Upgrade of The HKUSP2 System

    With the installation of the new file server, the upgrade of the HKUSP2 supercomputer from 32 nodes of 66.25MHz processors to 48 nodes of 160MHz processors is now complete.

    Files of all existing HKUSP2 users have been transferred to this new file server.  The transfer of user files to the new file server should be transparent to our users.  Nevertheless, users are advised to check their accounts, ensuring that all their files have been successfully transferred.  Please contact Mr. W. K. Kwan or Mr. C. M. Woo (see undersigned) if you detect any problems.  The old file server has been decommissioned on January 27, 1999.

    The new file server has a total user disk storage of 191 GB. With the system upgrade and the increase in user disk storage, the default disk quota for all HKUSP2 users is now increased to 50 MB. Disk quota of existing users who were allocated less than 50MB before will now be increased to this new default level.

    To check your disk quota allocation and usage of your HKUSP2 account, use the command 'checkquota' after you login the HKUSP2 system.

    If there are any queries on the HKUSP2 system, please contact the undersigned.

    Kwan Wing Keung
    Tel: 2859 8631
    Email: kwk@cc.hku.hk

                or

    Woo Chat Ming
    Tel: 2859 8632
    Email: cmwoo@cc.hku.hk


    Upgrade of Pine and Pico in HKUSUA/HKUSUB

    Pine is an integrated electronic messaging program package created and maintained by the Computing & Communications group at the University of Washington.  Pico is the easy-to-use editor of the Pine package for composing messages.  The Pine package on our Unix host systems are upgraded from Pine 3.96 and Pico 2.9 to Pine 4.05 and Pico 3.4 in February, 1999.

    There are many enhancements in this new version. Following are some of the highlights:

    1. New screen navigation commands:
      • use of "<" for "level up" and ">" for "level down" (i.e., just use the "," and "." keys, no need to use the Shift key)
      • Optional use of the left and right arrow keys for the same functions as "<" and ">" keys (by setting the "enable-arrow-navigation" feature)
    2. Hierarchical folder (i.e. mailbox) collections:
      • supports hierarchical folders similar to other GUI-based mail clients
    3. URL recognition and viewer dispatch:
      • capable of recognizing URLs and launching the external browser
    4. Basic rendering of message bodies in HTML format:
      • similar to Netscape mail/messenger supporting the basic HTML format mail
    5. Help screens with hyperlinks to other help screens and dynamic content (for example, showing current working directory)
    6. Address-books Improvements
      • revise address book interface
      • can store address-book on IMAP server. This permits access to the same addressbook from different computers using Pine (only for Unix Pine and PC-Pine 4.0x or above)
    7. Enhanced functions in GoTo and Save commands, Folder List and Setup screens
    8. Miscellaneous improvements of the mail composer, preferences, MIME handling and others, etc.
    In addition to the above enhancements, many bugs in earlier versions are now fixed in Pine 4, e.g. in earlier versions, dates in the 21st century would be sorted incorrectly among dates of the current century.  The new Pine 4 should be year-2000 compliant (however there is no guarantee as Pine is essentially a freeware).

    While this upgrade should be transparent to all Pine users, you may get a message generated by the system with the subject "DON'T DELETE THIS MESSAGE FOLDER WITH INTERNAL DATA".  The reason is apparent from the Pine 4.01 release notes:

    Beginning with version 4.00, Pine supports enhanced functionality for sites using the standard Unix mailbox format or the MMDF mailbox format. It does this by creating a "pseudo-message" at the beginning of the folder which holds the following values:
    • unique identifier validity stamp
    • last assigned unique identifier
    • any keyword flags assigned to the mailbox
    For complete information on the changes from Pine 3.96 to Pine 4, please refer to the Pine documentation online.  There is also an online tutorial for Pine 4 available at the URL: http://www.washington.edu/pine/tutorial.4/index.html
     

    K C Chang
    Tel: 2859 7972
    E-mail: kcchang@hkusua.hku.hk


    IMSL migration from HKURSC to HKUSUB

    The Computer Centre is pleased to announce that the IMSL mathematical software library has been migrated from HKURSC to HKUSUB.

    The HKUSUB system has 8 CPUs and 1GB of memory, capable of running 8 programs at the same time. This makes it much faster than traditional single CPU system. On the other hand, the HKURSC system is a single CPU system. It has been in operation for long period of time and the system is running huge amount of CPU intensive jobs. Many of these jobs involves the use of IMSL library. In view of the fact that the utilization of HKURSC is coming close to saturation, we have decided to migrate the IMSL from HKURSC to HKUSUB and we anticipate that the the new system could run more jobs with a faster turn around time.

    The library installed on HKUSUB is a new version of IMSL called Fortran 90 MP Mathematics and Statistics Libraries. In addition all existing functions of the old IMSL Mathematics and Statistics libraries, this new version also includes Fortran 90 subroutines and multi-threaded subroutines. Please refer to this web page for the detail information about the new features.

    Existing HKURSC users using this library should migrate their program to run on HKUSUB by recompile their programs in HKUSUB. A new web page http://www.itservices.hku.hk/ccsystem/software/imsl/index.html has been set up to consolidate the procedure in compiling IMSL programs on HKUSUB with other up-to-date information about the library.

    For further information about the new IMSL library and for any problems encountered in using the library, please contact the undersigned.
     
    Nick Chi
    Tel: 2859 8936
    E-mail: nhychi@hku.hk

    Woo Chat Ming
    Tel: 2857 8632
    E-mail: cmwoo@hkusua.hku.hk



    SAS 6.12 Available on HKUSUB

    We are pleased to announce that we have recently upgraded the SAS to version 6.12 on the HKUSUB (SUN Solaris 2.6) system. For users' information, SAS Version 6.12 is year 2000 compliant.

    Below is a summary of some new features in Release 6.12:

    Window based SAS 6.12 on HKUSUB can be started from any UNIX workstations with the following procedure:

    Note: Assume C shell is the user default login shell

    (1) Login a UNIX workstation (e.g. hkusu15)

    (2) Disable the access control on remote machine (hkusub) by typing the command:

    (3) Display the nodename (e.g. hkusu15) of your workstation by typing the command: (4) Login to hkusub UNIX server using the telnet command: Note: Steps (5) & (6) should be done within a hkusub login session.

    (5) Direct graphic display to your workstation, say hkusu15, by typing the command:

    (6) Invoke SAS 6.12 by typing Note: SAS invoking command (xsas) is placed under /usr/local/bin.

    Then several windows and a "SAS: Session Manager" icon will be displayed on the screen of your workstation.

    On-line help is available within the SAS program. To invoke the on-line help, just click the <Help> option from the top Menu Bar for "SAS: LOG" or "SAS: PROGRAM EDITOR" windows to select an action, or click the <SAS/ASSIST> or <Help> button in "ToolBox" window to invoke "SAS ASSIST" program or "SAS System Help" program.

    To quit the SAS 6.12, users can double-click the "SAS: Session Manager" icon, select "Terminate" and then "OK" in the following windows.


     

    Text based SAS 6.12 on HKUSUB can be started from either PC or UNIX workstations with the following procedure:

    Note: Assume C shell is the user default login shell

    (1) Login a UNIX workstation (e.g. hkusu15) or PCs

    (2) Connect to hkusub UNIX server using the telnet program.

    Note: Steps (3) & (4) should be done within a hkusub login session.

    (3) Set the terminal type as VT100, by typing the command:

    (4) Invoke SAS 6.12 by typing Note: SAS invoking command (sas) is placed under /usr/local/bin.

    To quit the text based SAS 6.12, users can type bye besides the "Command ===>" prompt and then press <Enter>.


     

    Nick Chi
    Tel: 28598936
    Email: nhychi@hkusua.hku.hk


    Control of E-mail Spamming on HKUSUA/HKUSUB systems

    What exactly is e-mail spamming?

    E-mail spamming is the sending of many copies of the same message to the Internet and forcing the message on people who would not otherwise choose to receive it.  E-mail spamming is primarily transmitted through mailing lists of e-mail addresses.  Advertisers amass lists of e-mail addresses and then send their business proposition directly to individuals. Various methods exist for collecting addresses. Advertisers routinely collect addresses from listserv postings, and subscription lists for newsgroups. Web-site guest books are also a popular source.

    E-mail spamming is becoming a serious problem because:
     

    What can we do about it?

    Although there is no way to eradicate e-mail spamming completely, at the moment we have installed two software packages on our unix systems to tackle the problem.

    1:  SPAMCONTROL is a software package that has been installed on the hkusua and hkusub cluster to reduce the number of junk e-mail. SPAMCONTROL detects junk e-mail by volume. Once the spamming has reached a pre-configured level, it will block the whole spamming site completely.

    2:  Any site black-listed in the Mail Abuse Protection System's Realtime Blackhole list will be blocked access to the hkusua/hkusub mail servers.

    If you have further questions about email spamming, please contact the undersigned.

    T.Y. Kan
    Tel: 2859 7979
    e-mail: kty@cc.hku.hk


    WATCOM Complier Products withdrawn from PC Laboratories

    WATCOM compiler products, which run in DOS mode, have been withdrawn from the PCs in all PC Laboratories since February 1, 1999. These WATCOM products include: The software company Sybase, Inc., which purchased the Watcom Corporation, will not ensure that these products be Year 2000 compliant, and they will no longer support these products or release new versions.

    For users who have to use these language compilers to compile their programs, please use the host version of these language compilers available in the hkusua or hkusub computer systems.  Users are reminded that their programs may need to be modified to conform to the syntax required by the language compilers on the host compilers.

    Should you have any queries, please contact the undersigned.

    Tony F.K. Lai
    Tel: 2859 7976
    E-mail: lfk@cc.hku.hk


    Enhancement of Self-service Laser Printing

    In Computer News Issue 75, we announced the launching of self-service laser printing in the microcomputer laboratories.  In an effort to improve our user service, the self-service laser printing has been enhanced with the following features starting in February, 1999: This is a supplement to the article on "Revised Laser Printing Service" of Computer News Issue 75.

    Self-service Laser Printing

    Starting from September 1, 1998, laser printing is available throughout the day in the Run Run Shaw Building Room 103, and the Old Library Building Room 134.  Each of these two PC laboratories is equipped with three 24 page/minute black and white laser printers and one 10 page/minute colour laser printer.
    In the self-service mode, users can collect their printout directly from the laser printers themselves and the equivalent number of units for the number of pages printed will be automatically deducted from the users' laser printing budget in their HKUSUA account.

    Laser Printing Budget

    To promote the laser printing service, each user is initially allocated a budget of 50 printing units.  The laser printing budget is similar to the former laser printing coupon in operation.  Each A4-size black and white page is charged 1 unit while a colour page is charged 10 units.  When a user's printing budget is overdrawn, he will not be able to print until he replenishes his printing budget. Users can then purchase the laser printing budget at HK$20 for 50 units from the Centre's General Office at Room 223, Run Run Shaw Building or at the Enquiry Counter at Room 134, Old Library Building during office hours.  Any outstanding balance of the printing units will be adjusted when additional budget is purchased whereas unused printing units are not refundable.

    Printing Budget purchase using VisaCash after office hours

    Starting from February 1, 1999, the computer laboratories at Room 103, 104 and 113, Run Run Shaw Building and the laser printing service in Room 103, Run Run Shaw Building are available 24 hours around the clock throughout the year. In view of this 24 hours opening of the computer laboratories and the laser printing service, users may have a need for laser printing budget refill after office hours when the General Office at Room 223, Run Run Shaw and the counter at Room 134A, Old Library Building are closed. We are pleased to inform our users that the Computer Centre is to provide after-office-hour sale of laser printing budget at Room 108, Run Run Shaw Building from March 1, 1999. For security and safety reasons, we will only accept VISA CASH (an electronic wallet) instead of cash for sale of laser printing budget after hours in Room 108, Run Run Shaw Building as we do not wish to handle any cash after hours.

    Laser Printout Collection and Disposal

    In the Centre's microcomputer laboratories, each laser printer is labelled with its print queue name and each PC or Macintosh workstation is associated with a default print queue.  The user should note the name of the print queue to which he has sent his file for printing. He can then go to the laser printer labelled with the respective print queue name to collect his printout. The user should check carefully that the printout is his, and leave other users' printout in the output stack of the laser printer.  Any printout taken by mistake should be returned immediately to the output stack of the respective laser printer.

    On each laser printer, there is a tray to hold any uncollected printout from that printer. The tray is emptied everyday at 8:30a.m. and any uncollected printout from the previous day is placed in a box on top of the laser printer. Uncollected printout older than one day is discarded without notice.

    Printing Budget Enquiry and Cancellation of Print Jobs

    A user can enquire about his laser printing budget usage at the Budget Enquiry Page using a web browser and cancel his print jobs at the Print Job Manipulation Page.  For authentication purpose, a user has to enter the account name and password of his HKUSUA account before accessing the tools.  The budget enquiry page will display the user's remaining budget and his print history whereas the print job manipulation page will display the user's print requests queued up to be served.  Users can access these pages from any computer connected to the campus network with a web browser installed.

    Notification to users running out of printing budget

    In the previous article, we suggested that users can check the status of their print jobs in the print queue at the URL: "http://web.hku.hk/LPRng".  Incidentally, the status of the print jobs can also be queried from the print queue display workstation located next to the laser printers in each PC laboratory.

    In order to alert users running out of printing budget, a new feature has been implemented to blink all print requests with negative printing units.  This implementation will hopefully inform users of why they are not able to print and urge them to purchase additional budget before submitting other print jobs.

    K C Chang
    Tel: 2859 7972
    Email: kcchang@hkusua.hku.hk



    Staff News

    The Computer Centre welcomes the following 9 staff from the former Electronic Services Unit. They joined the Computer Centre in January, 1999.

    Those joining the Maintenance Team include:

    Mr Chan Tsz Hong,
    Mr Cheung Yin Man, Ben,
    Mr Ng Chi Kai, Ken,
    Mr Wong Kwok San, Eric and
    Mr Wong Wing Wa.

    Those joining the Operations Team include:

     Ms Chiu Mei Wan, Maizee,
    Mr Lau Kai Kuen,
    Mr Li Chun Man, Gary and
    Mr Tsang Kwok Kwong.


    Training News

    The Computer Centre is pleased to announce a series of courses between January and March,1999
    to assist staff and students in using our Centre's facilities. The courses will cover the following areas:
     
    • Spreadsheet
    • Word Processing
    • Chinese Information Handling
    • Unix System and Application Software
    • Internet Browsing & Web-page Authoring
    • PC and Network Services
    • Parallel Programming
    • Migrating from VMS to Unix on HKUCC
    The courses are open to all staff and students.  Some courses may require pre-requisite knowledge. Users can apply for these courses through the "CC Course Registration" icon in the HKUWIN or select "Computer Courses" from the Centre's homepage at URL http://www.hku.hk/local/cc/training/courses.htm. Otherwise, users can make their applications by completing and returning the Registration Form obtainable from the General Office (Room RR-223) in the Computer Centre.



    Course Schedule from January to March 1999

    Register on our Intranet Systems for Staff or Intranet Systems for Students. 
     
     

    Courses on Parallel Programming
     
     
    C0813598 SP2 Parallel Programming with Workshop February 22, 1999 
    2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-101
    C0313798 High Perforomance FORTRAN March 8, 1999 
    2:00 pm - 5:00 pm 
    March 9, 1999 
    2:00 pm - 5:00 pm 
    March 10, 1999 
    2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-101
    C0913598 SP2 Parallel Programming with Workshop March 24, 1999 
    2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-101
    C1013598 SP2 Parallel Programming with Workshop April 29, 1999 
    2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Old Library Building, 
    LBO-135
    C0413798 High Perforomance FORTRAN May 10, 1999 
    2:00 pm - 5:00 pm 
    May 11, 1999 
    2:00 pm - 5:00 pm 
    May 12, 1999 
    2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-101
    C1113598 SP2 Parallel Programming with Workshop May 25, 1999 
    2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Old Library Building, 
    LBO-135
    Courses on Web Browsing, Webpage Authoring and
    Web Course Tools
     
     
     
    C0614098 Getting Started with Internet Services and WWW February 23, 1999 
    9:30 am - 12:30 pm
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-201
    C0615198 HTML Editing March 18, 1999 
    9:30 am - 12:30 pm
    Old Library Building, 
    LBO-135
    C0714098 Getting Started with Internet Services and WWW March 23, 1999 
    9:30 am - 12:30 pm
    Old Library Building, 
    LBO-135
    C0115898 Adanced HTML Editing: Imagemap, CGI and Frames April 16, 1999 
    3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Old Library Building, 
    LBO-135
    C0814098 Getting Started with Internet Services and WWW April 27, 1999 
    9:30 am - 12:30 pm
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-201
    C0215098 Introduction to WebCT May 8, 1999 
    9:30 am - 11:30 pm
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-201
    C0715098 HTML Editing May 10, 1999 
    9:30 am - 12:30 pm
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-201
    C0215298 WebCT Course Designer's Basic Workshop May 15, 1999 
    9:00 am - 1:00 pm
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-201
    C0215398 WebCT Course Designer's Advanced Workshop May 29, 1999 
    9:30 am - 11:30 pm
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-201
    Courses on Unix System and Application Software
     
     
    C0411898 Introduction to UNIX March 19, 1999 
    2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-201
    Courses on Microsoft Office and Other Topics
     
     
    W0380598 Adobe Shotoshop 4.0 for Windows95 March 1, 1999 
    9:30 am - 4:30 pm 
    March 2, 1999 
    9:30 am - 4:30 pm 
    March 3, 1999 
    9:30 am - 12:30 pm 
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-201
    W0480898 Chinese Inputing Method & 
    Chinese Word 97 for Windows 95
    March 29, 1999 
    9:30 am - 4:30 pm 
    March 30, 1999 
    9:30 am - 4:30 pm 
    March 31, 1999 
    9:30 am - 12:30 pm 
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-201
    W0380698 MS Word 97 for Windows95 April 7, 1999 
    9:30 am - 4:30 pm 
    April 8, 1999 
    9:30 am - 4:30 pm 
    April 9, 1999 
    9:30 am - 12:30 pm 
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-201
    W0480698 MS Word 97 for Windows95 May 3, 1999 
    9:30 am - 4:30 pm 
    May 4, 1999 
    9:30 am - 4:30 pm 
    May 5, 1999 
    9:30 am - 12:30 pm 
    Run Run Shaw Building, 
    RR-201
    W0380798 MS Excel 97 for Windows95 May 18, 1999 
    9:30 am - 4:30 pm 
    May 19, 1999 
    9:30 am - 4:30 pm 
    May 20, 1999 
    9:30 am - 12:30 pm 
    Old Library Building, 
    LBO-135
    Courses on PC and Network Services
     
     
    C0511998 PC and Network Services Seminar  March 30, 1999 
    2:00 pm- 5:00 pm
    Old Library Building, 
    LBO-135
          Register on our Intranet Systems for Staffor Intranet Systems for Students.
     

    Course Descriptions:

    Courses on Internet Browsing and Webpage Authoring

    Course No. C0514098, C0614098, C0714098  - Getting Started with Internet Services and WWW

    This is a 3-hour introductory course. It shows the users how they can obtain information and services offered by the Computer Centre and the Internet.
     

    Course No.   - Advanced HTML Editing Techniques

    This is a 2-hour course on advanced techniques for homepage authoring and HTML editing.  It covers how to download and imbed cgi programs in a web page, building frames and using image maps in a web page.  Pre-requisite: Basic Web Authoring and HTML Editing course. 
     

    New WebCT Training Courses

    Course No. C0415198, C0515198, C0615198 - Web Authoring Using Netscape Communicator 4

    This 3-hour course will discuss the basic HTML editing skills using Communicator 4. Note that although this is a general HTML editing training that is also suitable for web masters, priority will be given to those who are taking this training for preparing courses on WebCT.
     

    Course No. C0215498 - WebCT Course Designer's Advanced Workshop

    This 2-hour course will cover more advanced features for course designers, e.g. preparing on-line quizzes, checking statistical data, managing student records. Note that knowledge on topics covered in WebCT Course Designer's Basic Workshop is a pre-requisite for attending this session.
     
     

    Courses on Unix System and Application Software

    Course No. C0211898 & C0311898 - Introduction to UNIX

    This is a 3-hour introductory course for users with little or noUnix experience. The course will cover the Unix environment in the University, the Unix file system, the editor, electronic communication and other hints to better user the Unix facilities.

    Course No. C0215598 - Migrating from OpenVMS to UNIX on HKUCC

    This is a 2.5 hour seminar on the migration of email and other program from OpenVMS to the UNIX system on the new HKUCC computer.  Course contents include:

    Course No. C0212298 - Seminar on MAPLE V

    MAPLE V is a system for mathematical computation - symbolic, numeric and graphical. This 2-hour seminar covers an introduction on the package and examples of numerical and symbolic calculations, algebra, calculus, graphics etc.
     

    Course No. C0110698 - Seminar on MATLAB

    MATLAB is an integrated computing environment for numeric computation and visualization. This 2-hour seminar will give an introduction on using MATLAB in numerical analysis, matrix computation and graphics etc.
     

    Course No. C0210598 - Seminar on Mathematica

    Mathematica is a general computer software system and language intended for mathematical and other applications. In this 2-hour seminar, examples of using Mathematica in numerical calculations, graphics, algebra and calculus, solving equations etc, will be shown.

    Course on PC and Network Services

    Course No. C0511998, C0411998  - PC and Network Services Seminar

    This 3-hour course will be divided equally into two parts. The first part will give a description of the HKU campus network, how to access the network and the use of various computer facilities and network services. The emphasis will mainly be on the use of network services which include electronic mail, WWW browsing, News reading, network printing services, dialup access, etc. The second part will be a workshop that gives users some hands-on experience on the use of those network services.
     

    Course No. C0115498 - Connecting Notebook Computers in ACEnet and in Offices

    This one-hour course will introduce to the staff users how to connect their notebook PCs to the campus network. It will describe the procedure of configurating Windows 95 and installing HKUNAP to enable the notebook PC to access the campus network from the office, from the Access-Everywhere Network (ACEnet), and from home through the modem, Demonstration will be given during the class.
     

    Courses on Parallel Programming

    Course No. C0613598, C0713598, C0813598, C0913598 - SP2 Parallel Programming with Workshop

    This is a 3-hour seminar and workshop for people interested in parallel programming using the IBM SP2 Supercomputer. It covers the methodology of writing parallel programs using the message passing interface (MPI). Students should have programming experience in C or Fortran but experience in parallel programming is not needed. Sample programs will be given to users in the hands-on workshop.

    Course No. C0313798 - High Performance FORTRAN

    This 3-hour seminar on High Performance FORTRAN provides an easy way to write data parallel programs in MIMD computers such as the IBM SP2. The High Performance FORTRAN is an extension of the FORTRAN 90 in several areas, including:

    Course No. C0213898 & C0313898 - Introduction to FORTRAN 90 Programming
  • This 9-hour course provides and introduction to the structure and syntax of the FORTRAN 90 language for FORTRAN 77 programmers. After taking this course, users will be able ot wirte FORTRAN 90 programs using arrays and witre reusable and readable codes using the data encapsulation feature of FORTRAN 90.

  •  

    Courses on Microsoft Office and Other Topics

    Course No. W0380598 - Adobe Photoshop 4.0 for Windows 95

    This is a 2-day course on using the Adobe Photoshop, a software for photo retouching, image editing and color painting. This course is suitable for art and graphics designers, electronic publishers, printers and photographers.  Adobe Photoshop 4.0 has many new and enhanced features in auto-updating of formats, multiple layers control, digital watermarks for copyright, 48 effects filters, and progressive JPEG formats for control of quality etc.

    Course Content:

    Course Duration: 12 hours
    Course Fee: $360
    Pre-requisites: The attendees should have experience on using Windows 95

    Course No. W0280698 - Ms Word 97 for Windows 95

    This is a 2 1/2 day course especially designed for users who want to learn how to navigate through and work with documents; manipulate text; change formatting and page layout; and preview and print a document.

    Course Outline :

    Course No. W0280798 - Ms Excel 97 for Windows 95

    The course outline of this 2 1/2-day workshop include :

  • Spreadsheet concepts, basic movement
  • data entry techniques & create formulas
  • using special functions formatting
  • cells formatting, data & formulascell reference
  • workbook save & retrieve
  • using dialog box commands, icons & toolbars
  • creating an embedded chart on worksheets
  • creating graphical objects on worksheets
  • worksheets printing techniques
  • database query and table handling auto filter
  • worksheet and workbook linking
  • useful built-in & functions, PMT, vlookup, (if, sumif)
  • add-in program, auto save
  • graph and picture handling and slide show
  • goal seeking and scenario manager
  • view manager

  •  

     
     

    Course No. W0380898, W0480898 - Chinese Inputting Method & Chinese Word 97*

    This is a 2 1/2-day course especially designed for users who are familiar with the English microcomputer working environment but with little experience on Chinese microcomputer operation. The course will cover :
     

  • Basic principle Changjei Chinese character input method.
  • Basic operation of Microsoft Word 6.0 under the Chinese Windows 3.1 working environment.
  • Techniques and common practices in preparing Chinese document.

  •  

    * The workshops W0280598, W0280898 and W0380898 will be conducted in Cantonese.
    * Enrolment for W0280598, W0280698, W0280798, W0180598, W0280598 and W0380898 is limited to    staff of the University only.

    * The maximum number of participants for workshops held in Room 135, Old Library Building is 25; Room 201,    Run Run Shaw Building is 22; and Room 101, Run Run Shaw Building is 20.

    For courses requiring a fee, please send payment to the Computer Centre together with your registration form, or as soon as you have registered on the web, otherwise your registration is considered invalid and will be replaced by another applicant.  Payment can be made in cash or cheque (payable to the University of Hong Kong), or through departmental requisition (for applicants supported by departments).   Successful applicants will be notified by e-mail or telephone at least one week before the commencement of the workshop. Once accepted, the fee is not refundable. However, substitution of participant is possible by written notification to the Centre.

    * Since the workshops on Chinese Inputting Method & Chinese Word 97 , MS Word 97, MS Excel 97 and Adobe Photoshop 4.0 for Windows are organised in conjunction with a course vendor, the Whiz Company, there will be a nominal charge of HK$360 per participant.