VPN is required for accessing critical applications on campus because it creates a secure pathway back to the UA campus network. Duo two-factor authentication is required to access the VPN. When you connect to the campus VPN, you will be prompted for your username, password and second password. In the second password field, you can enter the word “push” to receive a push notification to your smartphone, you can enter “phone” to receive a phone call, or you can enter a passcode. Additional instructions for using Duo with VPN is available above under each operating system.
Alertus Desktop Notification is an emergency mass notification system. Alertus is used to communicate emergency events to UA computers. Alertus is available for PC and Mac computers. Alertus is used in partnership with other UA Alert systems by the Office of Emergency Management.
Flip is a simple, free and accessible video discussion experience. In Flip, instructors post discussion prompts and students respond with short videos. Learn more through the video below and on the Flip blog.
OneDrive offers secure cloud storage that allows students, faculty and staff to seamlessly collaborate and access files from anywhere with an internet connection. Along with all O365 apps, OneDrive offers mobile apps to view, edit, create and share content on the go. OneDrive is ideal for sharing content and files with others at UA.
OneDrive can be used to store sensitive data, including HIPAA data as the University has a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Business Associate Agreement (HIPAA BAA) with Microsoft to allow use for Protected Health Information.
Benefits of using OneDrive with Microsoft 365
Automatically save a backup copy of your files
Access files from anywhere
Easily switch between different devices
Share files with anyone, anywhere
5TB of storage space
100GB Maximum single file size
File Syncing
With OneDrive installed, users can sync files between a computer and the cloud, securing access to files from anywhere – your computer, your mobile device, and even through the OneDrive website. If you make a change to a file in one place, the change is reflected anywhere you use OneDrive. Note – when accessing files on the web, you’ll notice the file name begins with bama365-my.sharepoint. This reflects your UA enterprise account.
Storage + Backup
Students, faculty and staff can store up to 5TB of data in Microsoft OneDrive, and each Microsoft Team also receives 5 TB of shared storage. Because of this high storage amount, OneDrive is a good solution for archiving files. Sensitive data, including HIPAA data can be stored in OneDrive. All O365 data, including OneDrive, is stored on US-based servers.
File Sharing
There are multiple ways to initiate sharing in OneDrive. Below are a few options.
With the document open in the Microsoft application (ex: Word, PowerPoint, Excel), click the File button from the top bar, select Share from the left hand bar, and the top option, “Share with People”, should be selected.
When creating or editing a document online, click the Share button on the top right of the screen.
In the OneDrive Online Documents file list, click the checkmark next to an existing file or folder, and select the Share button in the screens top menu.
In the OneDrive Online Documents file list, right click an existing file or folder, and select Share.
Sharing with Individuals and Groups
People you specify can view is the default settings for sharing files in OneDrive. This option does not allow the user to make changes to the document, just view and download.
You have the option to block downloads. To do this you must uncheck the “Allow editing” option.
People you specify can edit allows the people you share the file with to make changes to the document, download the document, and share the document with others.
Anyone with the link gives access to anyone who receives this link, whether they receive it directly from you or forwarded from someone else. This may include people outside of your organization.
People in The University of Alabama with the link gives anyone within the organization who has the link access to the file, whether they receive it directly from you or forwarded from someone else.
People with existing access can be used by people who already have access to the document or folder. It does not change any permissions. Use this if you just want to send a link to somebody who already has access.
Specific people gives access only to the people you specify, although other people may already have access. If people forward the sharing invitation, only people who already have access to the item will be able to use the link.
File Sharing Tips
Always choose the option to share files with “specific people”
If the option “Anyone” or “People in The University of Alabama” is selected, the file is no longer private
Use folders to share multiple files with others online. Managing access is easier this way too!
Remember that once a file/folder is shared with someone and they download it to their device, they can share it with others
Sharing files with edit permissions allows multiple people to edit the same file simultaneously.
OneDrive Training
OIT regularly offers live webinar trainings on using Microsoft OneDrive. Visit our Events calendar to see OIT-hosted sessions. Microsoft offers guides on their website, and the UA LMS offers OneDrive training. Additionally, Microsoft offers a OneDrive Quick Guide for students, educators and researchers.
ZoomText Magnifier/Reader is a screen magnification and reading program that enables users with low vision to see, hear, and use everything on the computer screen. Screen magnification tools can be used to enlarge and enhance screen contents, while screen and document reading tools can be used to hear information spoken aloud. The program also includes ZoomText Recorder, a feature that turns text from documents, web pages, and other sources into audio recordings you can listen to on a computer or mobile device.
The current version available through the university license is 2022.2110.47.400. It is compatible with Windows 11,10, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2016.
Zoom provides cloud video conferencing, simple online meetings and group messaging creating a complete conference room solution. Zoom accounts are available to students, faculty and staff; however, only those hosting or scheduling meetings are required to have a Zoom account. Attendees can participate in meetings without Zoom accounts. View informational video resources on Zoom’s website. These videos showcase everything from how to start a meeting to screen sharing and meeting controls.
Zoom Tutorials and Resources
The Center for Instructional Technology offers resources and webinars to support Zoom. Visit the CIT website for more information.
Create Secure Meetings
Zoom requires that all meetings have a passcode or a waiting room enabled. Meetings that do not have a passcode or waiting room enabled will automatically be applied a waiting room. Waiting rooms can be customized to fit the need and audience for your meeting. For more information, visit the Zoom Support website.
Windows 10 and 11 Education is available for all UA students. Windows 10 is a computer operating system produced by Microsoft. Windows 10 is for PC machines or Macs running parallel systems. Learn more about Windows on Microsoft’s website.
The VMware Academic Program provides programs access to virtualization technology and resources for teaching and research.VMware Academic Program includes the following elements:
VMware Workstation
VMware Fusion
VMware eLearning and VMware Sales Professional training materials
