Agriculture Information Technology

Advisory Group (AITAG)

Ag IT Advisory Group
9 a.m. CDT, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007

Langdon – Randy Mehlhoff
Fargo – Cindy Selstedt, Jeff Gerst, Becky Koch, Christina Hargiss, Rosi Kloberdanz, Jim Hammond, Dave Rice
Minot – Mike Miller
Carrington – Vern Anderson
Williston – Gordy Bradbury

Videoconference Baseline

Mike Miller recommends the Polycom VSX7400 as the baseline videoconference equipment, which includes the presenter package (People + Content). Lower versions cause problems, and higher versions, such as with high definition, cost more.

The $5,500 from Qwest is about $200 cheaper than AVI, and includes maintenance (help desk calls, software upgrades, etc.). This is H.239 compatible. Rosi asked if this package coordinates with IVN recommendations.

In three years, Polycom is discontinuing support of H.323 ViewStations. Probably more than half of the Ag Consortium cameras are the old H.323. Can we trade in old machines?

AITAG needs to post the baseline specs, minimum support levels and cost estimate on the Web. Cameras must keep up-to-date software, or they’ll be dropped from the network. Polycom just started charging for the updates eight months ago, and they’ve let us slip by so far. AVI sells a support package for about $300 more than Qwest’s.

Visual Concert is included in the package to simply plug your computer into it.

We need to keep a close eye on Wimba webconferencing. Will it replace videoconferencing? AITAG also needs to look at standards for desktop video. Unless an office has an urgent need, maybe they should wait to see how videoconferencing vs. webconferencing shakes out. Desktop video scares Mike as far as support – limited bandwidth, connectivity, compatibility, etc. Rosi will discuss this with IVN. Mike pointed out that nearly all Extension offices and RECs have only T1 lines rather than bigger pipes like campuses have. A year ago, ITD said thereare no plans for upgrading the network since it’s so expensive.

Jim moved, Christina seconded, AITAG support the baseline for videoconferencing. Motion carried. Mike, Becky and Randy will work on the writeup for the AITAG Web site.

Web Guidelines

Dave Rice has developed Web guidelines over the last 10 years or so at www.ag.ndsu.edu/agcomm/web/webguide.html.

Ag Com uses Arial flexible font. NDSU Web pages  need to comply with Section 508 for disabilities. The five major Ag pages need to be moved to the new server and have the same headers and footers.  Becky pointed out that to market NDSU strongly, the goal should be to have the headers and footers on as many pages as possible. An Ag Web advisory committee supported these guidelines years ago, but they’ve never officially been supported by AITAG and Ag Administration. Dave will review Section 508 minimum standards for accessibility.

Advertisements  and Personal Messages on Ag Web Pages

Randy checked with Jack Rasmussen on the Bayer CropSciences product ad on the Small Grains Forecasting Page. The disclaimer was recently added. Jim said in journals if you reference a product, you must include a disclaimer.

Cindy asked about the “teeth” in a guideline. Is there any accountability attached? AITAG provides recommendations to VP Coston, Ken Grafton and Duane Hauck who must bless and support policies. Jim said Ag Administration needs to decide whether to deal with a problem. Dave pointed out there’s a big difference between a guideline and a policy. What is the process/method to deal with inappropriate information on Web pages?

Rosi pointed out that there’s an educational responsibility. Jeff said NDSU has a policy that says if inappropriate information is brought to their attention, the university has the authority to eliminate Web pages.

Randy will send a report to Ag Administration after this meeting and see if they support the guidelines and policies. The guidelines and policies must be communicated. AITAG assumes Bayer CropScience is paying for computer programming support of the Small Grain Disease Forecasting Model page.

AITAG should reference NDSU and NDUS policies, and educate faculty and staff about those policies.

Evie Myers asked Rick Johnson, who cited cases, but didn’t give a clearcut answer regarding personal messages on NDSU Web pages. Are personal sentiments appropriate on educational Web sites? Freedom of speech may apply on FaceBook or Yahoo, but not with pages on an NDSU server. Randy will contact Evie again. Cindy pointed out laws do separate church and state. Becky said University Relations questioned the reference to God in a Family and Community Education creed on a county Extension Web site.

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