*Cue panic, mayhem, and frantic running and screaming*
I know, I know, its really stressful having to learn a whole new system, AGAIN. I feel your pain, I really do, but we've made it through other changes we can definitely make it through this! Google Apps is going to make our email capabilities so much better and easier to use. So relax, sit back, and lets talk about Google Apps for a while!
First thing to note about this change, it makes it so much easier to check email.
Right now we all have, at minimum, two different email addresses: Zimbra and MEMO. How do we check these? Email clients that prompt for... wait I forget which password this one needs, and I don't think my settings are correct. Is this District or Zimbra? WHY AREN'T THEY THE SAME THING!?!
*pant pant*
Whew...Ok, now we've all done that, I've heard you all on the phone with me quietly cursing your ability to remember passwords. So the single most awesome outcome from this change is that Google Apps combines our two email accounts into a single location. That means one inbox to check in your email client. Even easier is just accessing one email account using a web browser. Here's the kicker: the logon information is your MEID and password, just like every other system we use! One username, one password, one happy workplace!
Second thing to note about this change, Google Apps provides significantly more space than our old systems, combined.
Raise your hand if you've had to ask for more space because you absolutely must, no questions asked, keep all emails from 1992 through today in your mail box. I should see a lot of hands right now. As a HelpCenter analyst I've logged countless tickets requesting quota increases for both of our email systems. Sometimes they were denied, forcing us to create local folders and save emails there. This meant all of these super important emails were only available on one computer. That is definitely not making life any easier is it?
With Google Apps we've been given a whopping 25 GB of storage! "HOLY COW!", you say? "WHAT WILL I DO WITH ALL THAT SPACE?!", you say? It's amazing right? If you somehow manage to fill this account to the brim, I will personally walk over and present you with an award.
The third, and certainly most important, note about this change is that you have help.
As part of this change to Google Apps, we have implemented a mentoring program and appointed Google Guides around campus. So in addition to all of the amazing people in the HelpCenter and with Desktop Services, staff and faculty members from departments around canvas have received training on maneuvering through Google Apps. These Google Guides will be able to help you with any questions you have, all you have to do it ask!
Confused about how to check your email? ASK! Want to know what your email address is? ASK! Curious about the air-speed velocity of a coconut-laden swallow? ASK! Although that last one may be a tough one.
Prefer to DIY? Visit or print out our
guides for preparation and visit our
Google Apps help page. Step 6 has all the setting goodies!
On a final note, don't panic!
This migration to Google Apps is a huge step forward for the college. We will have one sign-in, one mail box, one password. Its great! You're not doing this alone, the end-result is pure awesomeness, and you have the support you need!
If you feel that stress level creeping us, remember: the HelpCenter is always here to help you. We're open Monday - Thursday 6:30am to 10:30pm, Friday and Saturday 8am to 5pm during the summer so we can be here anytime you need us. Call us at 461-7217 or email us at helpcenter@mesacc.edu.
Now go out and celebrate your new found freedom to keep all emails, your ability to remember your password (finally), and know you always have someone to lean on.
-Andi-
Client Support Analyst
MCC HelpCenter
icon on the left side to upload the file.