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IT
Lab offers myMUSC to set up personalized Web page
by Kristi Adams
CCIT
The IT Lab investigates, tests and offers many free tools to the MUSC
community that can simplify a workflow process work or help save time.
One tool that can be easily used by anyone who uses the Internet, myMUSC,
has been around for some time but is still not widely known within MUSC.
Many MUSC applications are becoming Web-based. And with all the
MUSC Web pages available, it’s easy to get lost trying to find a particular
page or remember where to view or update information. With myMUSC you can
set up your own, personalized page to display shortcuts to MUSC Web-based
resources. This is different than using a Web editor and HTML to design
a Web page; instead, it’s more of a beefed-up bookmarks collection, geared
towards helping you get to the MUSC information you use most often, from
anywhere in the world.
But the best way to describe myMUSC may be to step through creating
your own page.
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Go to http://my.musc.edu (there isn’t
a www prefix). This is the generic page. (If you don’t like it, don’t worry,
you can change just about everything on the page.) Across the top of the
page is a helpful navigation bar, soon to become a common reference on
other MUSC sites, that will take you to the main areas of MUSC, including
the MUSC home page. On the default screen, you will see collections of
MUSC-focused Web resources, such as the Rumor Mill, recent Catalyst articles,
Broadcast messages, and the MUSC Blue Sheets. Keep in mind, what you see
here is not a comprehensive list of what you can get! When you configure
your site, you can select other items, such as Computer Help, mySimon,
MUSC Clinical Systems, and ITLab Toolbox. You can also perform direct searches
within MUSC, on the Web (outside MUSC) or name searches within the telephone
directory (PowerSearch).
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To start configuring your own page, select Configure at the top of the
screen. The system will prompt you for your MNA user name and password.
After your MNA has been verified, you’ll be presented with the option of
using the university or Medical Center default collection. Select
whichever choice applies to you. You will be able to select any datablock
designed for myMUSC; these collections are designed to just make it easier
for you to get started.
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Once you’re in, you can select Configure again and choose which datablocks
you’d like to see. If you frequently check on purchase requests,
select Open Purchase Requisitions Lookup. If you constantly page physicians,
choose mySimon. Some datablocks appear to be static groups of links—but
don’t be fooled. They’re not. Some, like Broadcast and Rumor
Mill, are updated as the sites themselves are updated. Others, such as
Computer Help aren’t modified as frequently but, when the hosting department
(in this case, CCIT) makes a change, your screen will be updated automatically.
You can also modify your own “Custom Data Block” with links to any
site (MUSC or non-MUSC), reorder the datablocks’ placement, and personalize
the color scheme and background image.
Why use my.MUSC.edu as my home page?
First, myMUSC is a way to access all your web-based resources and links
within one click. It can be configured to your interests and can be used
as your browser’s home page. Even if you use a ClinLAN autolog workstation,
work from home, or travel around the world, it can work for you. Enter
my.musc.edu into the browser’s location box, click Configure, enter your
MNA, and your personal page appears. When you leave, you can click Logout
or just close the browser to end your session. This allows the next person
to use their myMUSC page with their set preferences.
Second, myMUSC provides direct links to popular MUSC and department-specific
resources without forcing you to click 5+ times off the main MUSC Web site
to get to the page you need. It’s a huge time-saver.
I have a great collection of bookmarks. Why should I create my own
custom blocks?
Even if you’ve configured your browser for roaming—and not all browsers
have this option—it doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to access your bookmark
collection. Because myMUSC is a Web site and not a preferences file stored
on a server, it can be accessed from any computer, whether located at home
or on-campus or in China, using any internet browser.
What if my department wants to publish a datablock?
A department may find the need to create its own datablock containing
frequently accessed information. You can create a block like Broadcast
messages and the Blue Sheet, which are updated automatically; the IT
Lab’s site of Web services has instructions. If you need further assistance,
contact the IT Lab about working with you on providing a block that would
make life easier for you and a number of users.
Can I change how myMUSC looks?
Yes. As you log in, you can not only configure your own data blocks
and personal links, but you can also determine your own color scheme. You
can set the colors to your page’s text, links, background, blocks and more.
You can choose to display or remove the left menu that appears as a default.
You can also supply a background image to appear on your page as wallpaper.
You can have as many or as few blocks appear on your site as you wish.
What if I don’t have an MNA?
Download or print the form found at http://www.musc.edu/ccit/mna.
Instructions on how to forward the form and where to go to pick up your
account can be found at the top of this document.
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as
needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations
for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South
Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107
or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst
Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu
or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community
Press at 849-1778.
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