In July, while many computer users were away from campus, Cornell Information Technologies (CIT) released updated and improved versions of the Bear Access software packages for Windows 95, Windows 3.1x and the Macintosh. Bear Access is a computer software package Cornell faculty, staff and students use to connect to a variety of both local and worldwide network services. Along with a new logo look (see illustration), highlights of the Bear Access release included:
·distribution of Bear Access software on CD-ROM for faster and easier first-time installations;
·a new "virus scanning" button on all versions of Bear Access that provides software for detecting and eradicating computer viruses;
·a new program for installing Windows 95 Bear Access;
·a new program for installing EZ-Remote (software that allows users to connect to the Cornell computing network by modem) for Macintosh Bear Access;
·a new "e-mail directory" button for contacting someone in Cornell's central electronic directory or in one of the many available at other universities;
·a new help system that can be used whether or not you are connected to the network;
·a new "Career Services" button for access to the Cornell Career Center's on-line services; and
·a new "CENET" button connecting to Cornell Cooperative Extension's on-line services.
Due to collaborative efforts by computing service staff across campus, members of the Cornell community also will find the new versions of Bear Access more flexible and easier to install.
"As we prepared for the release, we encouraged more computing support staff across campus to become involved," explained Graham Hall, Bear Access project manager.
In order to facilitate communication between Bear Access software developers and people who provide computing support across campus, Jose Orench, systems integrator for Windows Bear Access, formed a Windows Bear Access Technical Group last November.
"The focus of this group," Orench said, "was to see what we could do together to improve each release of Windows Bear Access."
For example, Jeffrey Bishop, a computer support provider, was frustrated with the way the Windows Bear Access installer (the program used to install Windows Bear Access software on your computer) required removing the software package and reinstalling it before any new components could be added such as EZ-Remote network connection software. During a technical group meeting, he suggested the installer be improved to allow software components to be added to a previously installed copy of Bear Access at any time.
In response, Bear Access developers modified the installer. "Now users have the flexibility to run the installer program multiple times and to add new components whenever they want to," explained Bishop, "which makes Bear Access easier to support." Bishop is a computer support provider in the Technology Services group of the School of Industrial and Labor Relations and the Johnson Graduate School of Management.
In addition to installer improvements, the technical group has enhanced this release of Bear Access by adding new services. Having dealt with several computer viruses in his departments, Mel Radcliffe was the technical group participant who suggested delivering virus protection software through Bear Access. "When you support over 500 users," he says "it's difficult to make sure everyone is running the latest virus protection software." Radcliffe is a computer support provider for the College of Human Ecology and the Division of Nutritional Sciences.
Another group of people who contributed to the quality of this fall's release were those who tested the pre-release versions of Bear Access. More than 100 users, including members of the faculty, alumni, students and staff, tested Bear Access this summer, which is twice the number who tested it last year. Keith Kubarek, systems integrator for Macintosh Bear Access, redesigned the tester registration system to allow people to register on-line via the Web. In addition to tracking the types of computers on which Bear Access was being tested, the database allowed software developers to identify and communicate with specific tester groups.
Orench pointed out that although collaboration is crucial to the success of a software product like Bear Access, it comes with a price: the more people you involve, the more time the project will take. However, says Orench, "taking the time to do good planning and build consensus really pays off. With the help of support providers and testers across campus, we've been able to accomplish things that were previously not possible."
For detailed descriptions of changes to the Bear Access software for the fall 1996 release, visit the Bear Access project Web server at http://bearaccess.cit.cornell.edu.