Recently, the secondary schools received another upgrade to the "visual-desktop" side of the network. The upgrade is in Visual CASEL, now at version level 3.5. Most of the changes in this upgrade are "behind the scenes" but a couple of lines should be dedicated in this week's Technology Tip of the Week to alert you to those changes that affect you.

Tip #27: Visual CASEL - Part V - That was Then, This is Now - Changing Your Password!

DEFINITIONS: Visual CASEL: Visual CASEL is a management utility that has been adopted to create user desktops in Windows '95/'98® at the secondary level. When users log onto the system, the desktop appears according to the computer's configuration and the user's level of sign-on - administrator/SYSOP, teacher or student.

Every user on the instructional server has the following icon for Visual CASEL 3.5 on their desktop (Figure 1). The icon clearly states VC Utilities (VC is for Visual CASEL).

Double clicking on this icon brings up the window found in Figure 2 below. We will explore setting a new password at this juncture and explore other VC possibilities in future Technology Tips of the Week.

Click on the Set Password button - no need to Double Click in Visual CASEL! The dialog box shown in Figure 3 appears.

To change your login password:

• Type your existing (or old) password in the edit field labeled as Current Password:. The field will fill with asterisks (*) so be sure to type your password correctly!

• Now, tab to or click in the edit field labeled New Password:. Type in your new password - again the field is filled with a series of asterisks so once again, be sure to type it carefully!

NOTE: Your Password should be a minimum of 5 characters in length!

• Finally, tab or click in the edit field labeled Confirm New Password:. Type in your new password once more to confirm - and again, the field is filled with a series of asterisks.

• Click on the OK button.

Your new password is set and must be used the next time you log onto the system. Changing your password should be a regular event - especially if you feel that your password has become known to other users. Visual CASEL's method of changing passwords is easier than the previous DOS method.

REMEMBER: - Changing your password frequently is the easiest way to protect your data!

Special thanks to Mrs. Judy Beahan for this week's tip!