Purdue NETC Conference 2004

Panels
We had such an overwhelming response for proposals that we looked for ways to meet the demand. We had a series of proposals that were on the same topic; therefore, we worked with the individual(s) to create panel session. We want to thank everyone who have moved to a panel session. We appreciate your flexibility! There will be more specific information available as the panels work together. In the meantime, here is the list:

Cascading Style Sheets
Bill Shepler, Web Application Developer, Purdue AgIT – Moderator
Neal Wollenberg, CIS-Web Coordinator/Developer, Kansas State University

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) have been used for some time in the formatting of text on the internet, but is this the real intent of this technology? This panel will discuss the advantages and capabilities of CSS in the www, and examine some of the uses of this technology in education.

Disaster Recovery Planning and Network Documentation
Bonnie Scranton, Systems Specialist, The Ohio State University – Moderator
Michael J. Budzik, Network Administrator, Purdue University

This panel on disaster recovery is presented in two parts with open discussion at the end. The first presentation looks at disaster recovery planning at a high level and addresses specific issues related to the successful creation and maintenance of useful network documentation. The second is about the planning, testing, and updating a disaster recovery plan, including the formation of a disaster recovery team, the conducting of an impact analysis, and the identification of critical functions.

Portal from A to Z
Bill Childers, Network Administrator, University of Illinois Extension - Moderator
Dave King, Executive Director, IHETS / Purdue University
Cindy Straus, Extension Specialist, Michigan State University Extension
Luke Rees, Associate Professor, Michigan State University Extension
Joe Murray, IT Professional, Michigan State University Extension

Portals are the new buzz word for the internet. How do you choose one, who participates with you in it, and how can you get it off the paper and you staff into it. Come listen to 3 states experiences in making choices on platforms, working with external partners, and implementation and see what a portal could mean for you.

Using Interactive Video for Extension
Pete Vergot III, Ph.D., University of Florida IFAS Extension - Moderator
Rod Clouser, Ph.D., University of Florida IFAS Extension
Josh Wilson, MBA, University of Florida IFAS Extension
Valynnda (Val) Slack, MS, Purdue University
Jim Segers, PhD., Texas A&M Extension

Discussions centered on topics related to: Extension faced with reduced budgets and increase in demand for services from Extension clientele turned to the use of web based interactive video for many types of day to day communications, professional development for county faculty and enhancing daily operations. The purpose of using web based interactive video use was to reduce the amount of travel time for Extension administrators and faculty and to allow increased participation during workshops, conferences and program planning.

Breakout Sessions (listed alphabetically by Title)
Note: Some presenters provided longer abstracts. You may reach these by clicking on the 'For more information..' after the short description.

A GPS Based Cattle Grazing Behavior Monitoring and Analysis System
Ashu Guru, Senior Software Development Engineer, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Xingchun Chen, Sr. Software Development Engineer, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

A project was initiated with the objective to develop a web-based, user friendly, online system that enables extension specialists, instructors, and students to run analyses on collected data and test hypotheses using the data available in the system. By doing so, the team expects to strengthen the experimentation and learning abilities of agricultural community and academics. Implementation with a cattle-grazing project is featured in this presentation.

A Soil Test Analysis and Fertilizer Recommendation System: Java Web Service’s Application
Julia Zhu, Information Technology Specialist, Auburn University
Hamilton Bryant, Director of Soil Testing Laboratory, Auburn University

Java-based web service technology was implemented to develop a computer-based system for soil testing analysis, reporting, and data management to allow delivery of analytical results via the web. The system has four major management modules: user management, soil sample data management, report management, and billing management.

A Virtual Bovine Anatomy and Physiology Lab
Ashu Guru, Senior Software Development Engineer, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Vishal Singh, Multimedia Designer, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

In an academic setting, it is difficult to instruct a student in the anatomy of a beef animal, because a beef carcass must be fabricated into wholesale and retail cuts or dissection of individual muscles. This could only happen in a laboratory and a substantial cost would be incurred for each lab session. We developed a website to address this issue and serve as a resource for both academia and industry.

Access E Info: Internet Education for Communities
Rae Montgomery, Technology Literacy Coordinator, University of Minnesota

Access E Info is a suite of programs that help community and business leaders, residents, small businesses, local governments, and nonprofit agencies make informed decisions about using the Internet. Each of the programs is an online, self-directed guide that is easy to read, up-to-date, and contains many pertinent resources and links. This presentation will showcase the Access E Info programs, including content excerpts and applications in communities.

Accountability Management software
Eric Adams, Assistant Development Team Leader, Purdue AgIT
Bret Hanson, Webmaster/Application Developer, Purdue AgIT
Marylou Bushman, DBA, Purdue AgIT
William Shepler, Application Developer, Purdue AgIT

This session features an overview of the Accountability Management Software currently in use at Purdue University. This walkthrough will provide a working knowledge of the application providing a one solution approach to reporting needs, ranging from federal to university to school to local constituents.

Arizona Flora and Fauna Image Gallery
Robert Armstrong, Support Systems Analyst Sr., University of Arizona Cooperative
Extension
Sheila Merrigan, Program Coordinator, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

The Arizona Flora and Fauna Image Gallery is an online image collection of plants, animals, and plant diseases. Its primary purpose is to assist University of Arizona faculty with the identification of plants, animals, and plant diseases, or for other educational purposes. Lessons learned from the development of this site will be presented throughout the session.

Building Interactive Graphic Simulations to Help Students Understand Nitrogen Transformations in the Soil
Xingchun Chen, Senior Software Development Engineer, University of Nebraska
Ashu Guru, Senior Software Engineer, University of Nebraska

Better understanding on how biological activities and environmental factors regulate soil nitrogen (N) transformations is essential to guide farming practices for better plant production and environmental quality. We demonstrate how Java, Perl, and XML are used to re-engine an empirical NCSOIL FORTRAN model and transform it into an interactive internet based system.

Challenges and Opportunities in Creating a Distance Learning Course
Mickey A. Latour, Associate Professor, Purdue University

This presentation gives an overview of challenges and opportunities in creating distance learning materials. Within this talk, there will be real examples of using teleconferencing to undergraduates, graduate students and then a totally internet based course for mature students.

Collaborative Project Management and Planning
Eric Adams, Assistant Development Team Leader, Purdue AgIT
Bret Hanson, Webmaster/Application Developer, Purdue AgIT
Marylou Bushman, DBA, Purdue AgIT
William Shepler, Application Developer, Purdue AgIT

The Enterprise Application Team of AgIT implemented a new collaborative approach to project management and planning on their latest application development. The presentation consists of a short description of the process, its advantages and disadvantage, and there will be time for questions, answers, and discussion.

Content Mgt System for County Extension - What is Next?
Alfred Stark, Manager Clientele Services, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ron Roeber, Coordinator, Information & Ed Tech Support, University of Nebraska-
Lincoln

A year ago in Nebraska, we deployed a Content Management System (CMS) web application for our county extension offices. We hoped it would empower more staff to provide their own content on their web site themselves, while maintaining the quality of what was provided. In this presentation, we discuss what we learned from this past year and what is next.

Corralling, Cajoling, and Coercing Your Content Providers
Meg Ashman, Extension Professor and Publications Editor, University of Vermont
Purdue NETC Conference 2004 Kim Parker, Extension Associate Professor and Information Technology Specialist,
University of Vermont
Cathy Yandow, Technical Support Specialist, University of Vermont

The members of the University of Vermont (UVM) Extension Web Team share their experiences in using the UVM Template Publishing system to reorganize UVM Extension’s website. They are composed of a publications editor, an information technology specialist, and a technical support specialist. Their goal is to make useful educational content more easily accessible for Extension clientele.

Creating Content Management Sites with MS Share Point
Leanne McGiveron, Application Development Team Leader, Purdue AgIT
Marilyn Moore, Web Designer and Developer, Streaming Coordinator, Purdue AgIT

Content management has become the current focus for many development entities at the university level. We have provided a custom, web-based environment that will be easy and efficient for the client. Join us as we demo how to use MS Share Point to create content management sites.

Do Customers Know Where You Are?... Putting Extension On the Map
J. Reynaldo Santos, Assoc. Professor and Ext. Information Technologist, Texas Cooperative
Extension

This presentation describes the development of a pilot Texas Cooperative Extension MapBuilder and its features include a monochromatic and thematic color set option, mapping type options, customizable titles, legends and footnotes, a transparency option, and more. The objective of this project is to provide county agents, faculty, and staff with a simple tool to generate maps that can be used for websites, presentations, and reports without using a complicated GIS system.

EDIS: Extension Publication Management from Cradle to Grave ... and Beyond
Diana Hagan, Coordinator of Computer Applications, UF/IFAS Information Technology
Marion Douglas, Information Technology Expert, UF/IFAS Communication Services
Petraq Papajorgii, Coordinator of Computer Applications, UF/IFAS Information
Technology
Jorge Gonzalez, Senior Archivist, UF Smathers Libraries

EDIS (Electronic Data Information Source) is a publication management system UF/IFAS that has used since 1994 for the creation, storage, and online display of extension publications. Participants learn how the EDIS system handles publications through the full spectrum of their life cycles.

E-Extension on the Agriculture Network Information Center (AgNIC)
Mark E. Einstein, Chief Web Officer, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

The Agriculture Network Information Center (AgNIC) focuses on providing agricultural information in electronic format via the internet. One goal of AgNIC is to catalog all of the Cooperative Extension full text resources into the AgNIC database, which will allow users to search from a centralized site and locate vetted materials. The results of this project will be improved marketability and access to Extension publications. Implementation of National eExtension portal will decrease duplication of effort across state boundaries and increase the likelihood that publications will remain accessible through the ongoing stewardship of AgNIC.

Extending Information Services through Syndication
Floyd Davenport, Information Technology Officer, Iowa State University Extension
Deb Coates, IT Specialist, Iowa State University Extension
Ray Kimsey, North Carolina State University Extension

Making your content available using RSS increases awareness, accessibility, content sharing, and traffic to your website. Learn about new online services that aggregate information across the Internet and deliver the information you want directly to your desktop. Iowa State University Extension and North Carolina State University Extension will discuss a project to collect, share, and redistribute 'Food Safety' information using this simple process.

"From The Chair" NEWS: More than an online department newsletter. How to create, market and use "people in the news" stories about teaching, research and extension programs
Victor van Buchem, Communications Coordinator, Ohio State Horticulture & Crop
Science
Dr. Tim Rhodus, Professor, Ohio State Horticulture & Crop Science
Bud Witney, Systems Manager, Ohio State Horticulture & Crop Science

This session demonstrates the evolution of the "From the Chair" news website. It includes descriptions of technologies used for managing stories, photos, mailing lists, and sites.

Get in the Fast Lane to Editing and Publishing Your Extension Web Sites!
Mary J. Lucas, Multimedia & Web Design Specialist, UWEX Cooperative Extension
Tech Services

The University of Wisconsin Extension – Cooperative Extension is now designing web sites to be maintained by non-technical staff using Macromedia Contribute software. This empowers users to easily update and publish content to their websites in minutes without knowing HTML or how to FTP. The design process, software, user feedback and ongoing maintenance will be presented.

Goodbye HTML--Hello XHTML and CSS2
Ronald L. Roeber

Software developers and multimedia designers in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska are replacing HTML with XHTML and CSS2, allowing for greater separation of web content from layout and design. This session includes a demonstration of this technique.

Illinois Extension's WAN hardening using Firewalls
Bill Woessner, Network Administrator, University of Illinoios
Mary Margaret Avelis, Network Administrator, University of Illinois

This presentation will discuss the difficulties that Illinois Extension experienced with hackers and the use of Netscreen Firewalls in transparent mode to make our Wide Area Network less vulnerable.

Implementing a Web Based Extension Calendar
Pete Vergot III, District Extension Director, University of Florida IFAS Extension
Rod Clouser, District Extension Director, University of Florida IFAS Extension
Josh Wilson, District Computer Specialist, University of Florida IFAS Extension

This presentation on a web based calendar will cover the topics of selecting and implementing a web-based Extension calendar program, encouraging its usage by Extension professionals, and marketing to the public.

Implementing Web Conferencing in the Southern Region
Lawrence A Lippke, Professor & Head-Information Technology, Texas Cooperative
Extension

In August 2003, the Southern Region IT Committee initiated a project to evaluate and implement a web conferencing system for use by Extension agents and specialists throughout the region. This presentation will describe the web conferencing systems evaluated, what criteria were used to evaluate them, what their relative merits are, and what the current plans are for implementation.

Integrating Extension Communication and Technology to Mitigate Natural Hazards and Security Threats
Patricia Skinner, EDEN Web Manager and Registrar, Louisiana State University -
AgCenter
Steve Cain, EDEN Communications Specialist, Purdue University
Chris Richardson, EDEN Webmaster, Louisiana State University - AgCenter
Abigail Borron, EDEN Communications Specialist, Purdue University

The Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) is taking a holistic approach to natural disaster and homeland security education. Participants will learn about the resources available through the EDEN website and communications network. They will also learn about the challenges of developing the site and planning proper educational responses for Extension in anticipation of the most likely threats.

Internet2 Applications to Enhance the Management of Natural and Agro-ecosystems
Dan Cotton, Director, e-Extension Initiative, University of Nebraska
Ashu Guru, Senior Software Development Engineer, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, CIT
Xingchun Chen, Senior Software Development Engineer, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, CIT

This presentation will demonstrate how wireless networking and Internet2 applications strengthen the ability of the agricultural community to conduct real-time research, education, and extension.

Internet-to-Go: Transportable Satellite Internet System for Extension Programming
Rich Emnett, Systems Specialist, Ohio State Univeristy Extension
Duane Rigsby, Systems Specialist, Ohio State Univeristy South Centers
Steve Lichtensteiger, Systems Specialist, Ohio State Univeristy Extension
Tim Barkley, Systems Specialist, Ohio State Univeristy Extension

The Transportable Satellite Internet System, or TSIS trailer, is a small self-contained unit that can be towed by automobile and used virtually anywhere with exposure to the southern sky. This is a demonstration of the TSIS trailer, a unit currently used to provide temporary broadband Internet access, IP Video, Wireless LAN, Voice over IP and wireless phone service to remote locations during Extension and University events.

Is freeware worth the price?
Thomas Hintz, Associate Director, Information Technology, University of Florida

This presentation is a review of various freeware that deserve serious consideration as useful replacements, add-ons, or supplements to higher cost products. We will present applications that have been used and do not require any monetary payment. They allow continuous use at home, in education, or for business.

Learning Environmental Science through Computer Games
Stephen Lovejoy, Professor of Agricultural and Environmental Policy, Dept. of
Agricultural Economics/ Purdue University
Natalie Carroll, Assoc. Professor, Purdue University

An exhibit detailing information about water and waste was developed along with a computer game entitled "What's Your E-IQ". Utilizing touch screens, several thousand individuals played the game at the 2003 Indiana State Fair, and we have utilized it at several smaller venues since then. This presentation provides information on how such a game facilitates greater learning.

Let your Fingers Do the Clicking: Using a Web-based Approach to Reach Childcare Providers and Parents
Judith A. Myers-Walls, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Purdue University
Extension
Karen Ruprecht, Graduate Assistant, Purdue University
Lisa Stein; Secretary, Purdue University

Purdue Extension created a user-friendly website aimed at delivering educational information to childcare providers and parents. The session will describe the development and delivery of the website. The evaluation strategy for gathering both process and outcome data from parents and childcare providers will also be shared.

Make Your Web Content Accessible to Everyone
Pamela Peters, Coordinator, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

This session is a discussion of the guidelines that should be followed for accommodating web viewers who have disabilities, small screens, slow connections, and those for whom English is not the first language. We will review good and bad examples and learn of the best resources to use for help in evaluating a website.

Needs Assessment: Technology assists in discovering clients priorities
Stephen Lovejoy, Professor of Agricultural and Environmental Policy, Purdue University
Natalie Carroll, Assoc. Professor, Purdue U.

In 2003, we developed an easy, flexible, inexpensive method of acquiring public input into Extension decisions concerning areas of emphasis and allocation of resources. At the Indiana State Fair, we utilized a touch screen computer in a stand-alone space to ask fair goers to prioritize various water quality problems in Indiana. We compared these results to those of the same survey given to extension specialists and educators.

Online Pesticide Applicator Recertification
Cheri Janssen, Program Specialist, Purdue Pesticide Programs
Mike Atwell, WWW Instructional Designer, Ag Communications, Purdue University

Indiana private pesticide applicators are required to attend three programs to maintain their certifications. One of those recertification programs can be taken online. Hear our experiences in developing and maintaining this program in WebCT.

PlantFacts revised. An example of integrating Factsheets, Movies, FAQ's, and media resources
Bud Witney, Systems Manager, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The
Ohio State University
Tim Rhodus, Professor, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State
University

Factsheet Database has been a special feature of the OSU WebGarden website, because it enables academic and industry users to search the entire collection of plant-related Extension fact sheets and bulletins from across the United States and Canada. Unfortunately, there was no common way to access information from all the collections at the same time, so we merged these resources into one consolidated tool. We will discuss the history, tools, and techniques used to produce this powerful information resource.

Regional On-line Training using Centra Symposium
Greg Thomas, Extension Computer Specialist, Texas Cooperative Extension

Centra Symposium provides a medium for on-line training that allows students using web-browsing software to participate in real-time interactive educational events. Training modules can be developed and captured for web streaming. This eliminates travel time and expenses, allowing county based faculty and support staff greater flexibility in participating in training events.

Responsive Educational Technology: Using the Internet in a Time of Need
Judith A. Myers-Walls, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Purdue University
Karen Ruprecht, Graduate Assistant, Purdue University

This workshop will focus on the development and maintenance of the 'Children and Terrorism' website (http://www.extension.purdue.edu/terrorism//). Participants will share approaches to linking electronic educational materials to spin-off programs. We will explore suggestions for evaluating web pages, including WebTrends and usage stats.

Site Builder System Matures - Functional and Useful tools for CE on the web
Karl Krist, Programmer, ANR Communication Services

This is a presentation of a mature system used to allow county offices to create their own websites. The tools also create surveys, databases, and other 'add-ons.' The program includes full integration with directories and search engines.

Supporting Multiple Operating Systems with Microsoft’s Virtual PC 2004
Rich Emnett, Systems Specialist, Ohio State University Extension

OSUE Computer Support is using MS Virtual PC 2004 to help telephone support personnel assist users running various Microsoft operating systems in over 90 county and district offices without breaking the bank.

Surviving a Software Audit and Providing First Level Computer Support During a Budget Crunch with Layton Technologies AuditWizard and HelpDesk
Rich Emnett, Systems Specialist, Ohio State University Extension
Duane Rigsby, Systems Specialist, Ohio State University South Centers
Steve Lichtensteiger, Systems Specialist, Ohio State University Extension
Tim Barkley, Systems Specialist, Ohio State University Extension

This presentation will discuss OSUE’s use of Layton Technologies AuditWizard and companion application HelpDesk. These comparatively low cost solutions helped OSUE Support personnel survive a surprise software audit, continuing budget cuts, and IT personnel defections.

The Art of Videoconferencing Over a Hybrid Network
Dan Cotton, Director d-Extension Initiative, University of Nebraska -
Lincoln
Kevin Gamble, CIO, ADEC
Mark Hendricks, Multimedia Specialist, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Janet Poley, President, ADEC

This presentation will share how ADEC successfully produces videoconferences. It focuses on lessons learned and pointers on how to communicate effectively using a variety of networks and technologies.

The Development of Melcast: a Melon Disease Forecasting System
Dan Egel, Extension Plant Pathologist, Purdue University - Southwest Purdue
Agricultural Center
Bob Mitchell, Botany and Plant Pathology Department IT, Purdue University

Foliar disease of muskmelon and watermelon threaten fruit yield and quality, so a weather-based disease forecasting system was developed. In 2003, this process of manual data importing and processing to Excel was automated by using an application server, a database, and a web server. Now, disease forecasting is more efficient and access is provided weekly in an online newsletter.

The Eyes Have It
Dr. Clint Rusk, Associate Professor, Purdue University
Christy Blomeke, Graduate Research Assistant, Purdue University

The OptiReader device, designed by Optibrand Ltd., LLC, is being used to capture retinal images. The associated software tracks the 4-H beef and sheep projects enrolled in the seven selected counties. The purpose of this study is to compare retinal imaging with current identification methods used in 4-H beef and sheep projects.

The MSU Extension Knowledge Repository: Using the NAL Thesaurus for Search and Organization
Randall C. Heatley, Extension Specialist and Manager, Michigan State University
Melanie Gardner, AgNIC Coordinator, National Agricultural Library

Michigan State University Extension has begun using a new portal and information management system. The information within the portal is organized within the conceptual framework of the NAL Thesaurus. The thesaurus is used in creating meta data and for searching the repository.

The New Look and Feel of CSREES Communications!
Anne Henderson, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA/CSREES

CSREES Communications Staff display the new CSREES website. They explain how the new site will help their partners do business with them and access information about their programs.

The Toolbox CD: Agricultural Tools, Equipment, Machinery, and Buildings for Farmers and Ranchers with Physical Disabilities
Paul Jones, Manager, Breaking New Ground Resource Center, Purdue University
William E. Field, Professor, Purdue University

Purdue University’s Breaking New Ground (BNG) Resource Center has been assisting farmers and ranchers with disabilities since 1979. The Center’s services include the documentation of assistive technology products to aid this population in a manual called The Toolbox. The latest version is The Toolbox CD, which contains video clips, hyperlinks, and a system of interlinked fact sheets, bookmarks, and indexes.

Using H.264 to Maximize Marginal Connectivity for Videoconferencing
Rusty Presley, Master IT Specialist, I2C Coordinator / CVE, Alabama Cooperative
Extension System

This presentation will briefly explain H.264 and show examples of how it may allow videoconferencing to remote locations with marginal connectivity.

Return to Top

University of Vermont Live On-Line: The Perks, Pitfalls, and Possibilities
Kim Parker, Extension Associate Professor, University of Vermont
John Cooley, Computer Specialist, University of Vermont

The University of Vermont’s Live On-Line program, powered by Horizon Live, provides real-time, interactive web-communications regardless of geographic location, bandwidth, operating system, or physical disability. During this session, presenters will demonstrate University of Vermont Live On-Line and describe how it has been used for Extension programming and administration during the past year. They will also share their insight on the perks, the pitfalls, and the possibilities of this particular product.

Using CommunityZero for Team Communications
Mary Bartron, Database Specialist, West Virginia University

CommunityZero is a private, interactive, user-friendly, and affordable online community that allows teams to securely share information and communicate with each other in real-time. We will discuss our rationale for choosing CommunityZero as a resource for efficient communication and our strategy for introducing, training, and implementing CommunityZero.

Using Desktop Video Publishing, specifically MS Producer 2003 and PowerPoint 2003, to deliver education materials to clientele and faculty and utilizing different media for delivery
Pete Flores, Associate Professor and Extension Computer Specialist, Texas
Cooperative Extension
Jeffer SoRelle, Extension Computer Specialist Information Technology, Texas
Cooperative Extension

This session is on using desktop video publishing to deliver education materials to clientele and faculty. We will demonstrate how to use Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 and Microsoft Producer 2003 to create media-rich presentations for educational programs that can be delivered via the web, CD, or DVD. We will also showcase educational material for clientele and TCE faculty that the Texas Cooperative Extension has produced and delivered.

Using Extreme Programming Techniques for Large Software Projects- Nebraska’s eARFA Faculty Reporting System
Ronald L. Roeber, IT Coordinator, University of Nebraska

Extreme Programming (XP) is a method of software development that emphasizes high levels of communication between software developers, designers, and clients. This session is an early assessment of this effort and offers lessons learned so far.

Web Site Development: Comparing Browser-Based and Standards-Based Development
Bill Shepler, Web Application Developer, Purdue AgIT

This session examines and evaluates the differences between standard-based and browser-based development and makes a recommendation for developing engaging websites.

H.Something Video Conferencing
Jim Segers, Associate Head - Extension Information Technology, Texas Cooperative
Extension
David Foote, Dir of IT and Distance Education, University of New Hampshire
Will Baldwin, Systems Engineer, Kansas State University
Randy Cross, Media Services Coordinator, Washington State

This roundtable is an annual NETC gathering, originally called the H.323 roundtable. This year, as experience with Internet video conferencing technology and the related hardware evolves we are expanding the discussions. New developments and experiences with hardware and protocols like H.264 video, streaming, and with accessories will be including.

Problems Unique to Field Technology Support Personnel
Steve Spencer, Microcomputer Support Specialist, Kansas State University

A session for support personnel to share/discuss ideas for supporting Extension offices remotely located from the main Campus.

Wi-Fi for the Office Network - Bane or Boon!
David Dunn, Microcomputer Support Specialist, Kansas State University

A session for sharing of ideas on whether wireless networking within the office is necessary and what the positives and negatives of this new technology.

eExtension
Larry Lippke, Head Information Technology, Texas Cooperative Extension

e-Extension is initially being funded by CSREES and by NASULGC through institution assessments. Efforts are underway to staff this system and to launch an initial set of e-Extension "communities of interest." This roundtable discussion will explore ideas of how to obtain and integrate content, information technology, and technical support for this nation wide, standards based, distributed system.

Poster Sessions
With such a large number of proposals, we moved some breakout sessions into poster sessions. We have room for 20 poster session tables. If you are interested, please contact Leanne McGiveron. Additional poster session information will be posted as available.

Let your Fingers Do the Clicking: Using a Web-based Approach to Reach Childcare Providers and Parents
Judith A. Myers-Walls, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Purdue University