On the 11th July staff will be moved from the current calendar service based on Oracle Calendar to a new service based on Google Calendar. A suite of web-based information and training resources have been produced and the following training events are being developed.

• CiCS is presently training the IT support staff within each Faculty.
• In June training will be offered to advanced calendar users (those who manage multiple calendars and set up large meetings).
• In the first two weeks of July there will be demo sessions for any staff who want to see how Google Calendar works.
• Finally on the 11th July Google are coming to do two presentations to staff on their suite of products.

Full information will be available on the CiCS website and the training and demo dates will be advertised soon.

Moving to Google Calendar

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To emphasise the importance of both the print and design services now offered, the University Print Service is being rebranded as Print and Design Solutions.

We have developed a brand new website. It has a much greater emphasis on showcasing the range of services on offer to your department, and highlights our wish to work with you to explore a range of print and design solutions to help promote your department. Please take a look at our new website using the link below and use the contact us link within it to leave feedback on the new website and any of our services.

Print and Design Solutions

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myEcho, which lets you record your lectures and publish them on the web, is available in 10 rooms across campus. For more details and a full list of locations see:

Lecture Theatres Providing myEcho

A new desktop version of myEcho lets you record presentations on your desktop computer or laptop, at a time and place that suits you. This is ideal for short tutorials, FAQs, advice for revision and feedback. For further information see:

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There are 4 billion Internet addresses in the current system (called IPv4) and these are running out. The next generation IPv6 solves this problem but it requires pro-active steps from the IT industry and uptake has been slow. However, on 8th June the University along with big players including Google, Youtube and Facebook, will be running a one-day 'test flight' in which IPv6 connectivity will be enabled for our web services.

You should notice no difference as a result, but the IT industry and Internet community will be able to test their IPv6 solutions and embrace the next generation of web technology. CiCS is proud to be working on the cutting edge, helping to push the boundaries of web services.

More Information About IPv6

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CiCS is running two spotlight sessions to get you started using innovative technologies. Details on each session are provided below. For more information or to book a place on a session email:

A Spotlight on Enhancing your Lectures using Electronic Voting Systems event will take place on Tuesday 28th June, 13.00 - 14.00 in St George's Church. Electronic Voting Systems add interactivity to your lectures. They let you ask multiple choice questions, then gather and show student responses immediately in class.

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A Spotlight on Podcasting, and Lecture Recording event takes place on Thursday 30th June, 13.00 - 14.00 in Lecture Theatre A, Hicks Building. It will introduce technologies involved in podcasting, and lecture recording, and investigate how these can be used for flexible delivery of learning resources aimed at campus based students and distance learners.

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There are a number of places now available to store your work, but which one do you choose - your Department's shared drive, uSpace or Google Docs? The following web page gives an outline of what each of these different services offers, and aims to help you decide which is best for your particular needs.

Creating, Sharing and Storing Work

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The European Computer License (ECDL) Test Centre will close on Wednesday 8th June. CiCS would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all staff who have taken part in this programme over the last 11 years.

During this time nearly 500 candidates have completed all seven modules and gained their ECDL qualification, 100 candidates have completed four modules and gained an ECDL START Certificate and 85 candidates have passed one of the ECDL Advanced modules. Well done to all of you.

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• Google Calendar Support
• Print and Design Solutions
• myEcho Lecture Capture
• IPv6 Test Flight
• Spotlight on Learning and Teaching
• Creating, Sharing, Storing Work
• ECDL

The CiCS service web page shows planned, potential and actual service failures and maintenance periods. It is updated in office hours 8am-6pm Monday to Friday and also over weekends of significant service maintenance.

CiCS Service Status Page

The CiCS twitter service delivers service status updates, security information and news about IT systems to students and staff at the University of Sheffield

twitter.com/cics

Did you know the Director of CiCS maintains a blog? Typically updated several times a week, Dr Christine Sexton shares her work life with you but is keen to point out that the views expressed are hers alone.

From a Distance - Director's Blog

For a regular supply of news from CiCS including project news, service improvements and security updates keep checking the CiCS news web page.

CiCS News Web Page

The monthly email newsletter from CiCS aims to keep you informed of developments within CiCS, whilst reducing the total number of emails sent. For information about this email list, including how to remove your name, please visit

Announce Distribution List