March workshop highlighted tech support for retirees, UMRA website
Many avenues exist for U of M retirees to access tech support from the University’s Office of Information Technology (OIT), for both computer and software problems. Simply call, walk in, chat, email, or use online self-help to receive trouble-shooting support. Workshop presenter and OIT training consultant Lisa Larson covered a range of issues including: the security and accessibility merits of using the U’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) for access when off campus (not available to all retirees) and ‘eduroam’ for WiFi access when on campus; tactics to avoid phishing scams; and the benefits and ease of using Google Apps (G Suite) for all Google products. (The U moved to Google Apps in 2009.) Larson recommended Google Help as a highly valuable resource. Online training videos are available through Lynda.com (free to current U of M students, faculty, and staff and to the public via local libraries). To learn more, go to it.umn.edu, email [email protected], or call 612-301-4357 (1-HELP).
The UMRA website was highlighted in the second part of the workshop. UMRA webmaster Cathy Lee Gierke and website design leader David Naumann demonstrated the structure and features of the website. The website provides an impressive array of current information, with older material easily accessible through links to archives. Members take note: an additional login and password are needed to access online reservations for luncheons and parking and to search within the members’ directory.
— Claudia Parliament, Communications and Outreach Committee chair
March 27 Workshop: Keeping up with technology tools
Tue, March 27 2018, 1:30pm
Conference Room ABC, Campus Club, Fourth Floor, Coffman Memorial Union
Ever run into technical difficulties when surfing the Internet? Or had trouble finding something on the UMRA website? Then this workshop is for you!
Lisa Larson, a training consultant with the University of Minnesota’s Office of Information Technology (OIT), will be the first presenter for a two-part IT-focused workshop following UMRA’s March luncheon. She will provide an overview of the very useful Google Apps (G Suite) technology tools available to all U of M retirees and an introduction to Lynda.com, an excellent library of online training videos for learning about a wide variety of technology topics.
Larson will also provide an overview of services offered by OIT’s Technology Help desk, including how to access the U’s Virtual Private Network (not available to all retirees) for improved access to library materials, installing anti-virus software, and troubleshooting Internet connection issues. Larson ([email protected]) has been with OIT since 2014 and specializes in training for Google Apps (G Suite), storage systems, and various other software.
During the second part of the workshop, UMRA Webmaster Cathy Lee Gierke will present the features of the new UMRA website, assisted by David Naumann, UMRA website design leader. They will explain the website’s structure and show how UMRA members can best use the site. Topics will include website content, where to find things, how to solicit web assistance, online sign-up for membership and luncheons, and how to search for members.
Gierke is a member of the UMRA Board of Directors and new UMRA Communications and Outreach Committee. She worked in the computer industry before coming to the University, where, at the Carlson School’s Business Career Center, she managed and enhanced CARS, the U’s first web-based automated recruiting system. Gierke is currently doing research at the Halberg Chronobiology Center.
Please join us at 1:30 p.m., following the UMRA luncheon, for this workshop in the ABC Dining Room of the Campus Club. There will be ample time for Q & A.
— Ron Anderson, acting chair, Workshop Subcommittee
Upcoming Events
We are fortunate to have UMRA member and former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director Peter Moe to lead this approximately 3.7-mile hike at the Arboretum on Monday, May 6. Plan to have lunch together after the hike at the Eatery café inside the Oswald Visitor Center.
This session will continue the discussion begun in the May 8, 2023 session. See that article for details.
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.