Osgoode Hall Law School - York University

Osgoode Hall Law School
Computing Plan and Academic Equipment Fund Request
2008 – 2009
Table of Contents
PART I – OSGOODE COMPUTING PLAN 2008-2009 ................................................. 2
A. Introduction............................................................................................................... 2
B. Review of Past Year................................................................................................. 3
C. Computing Plan Overview........................................................................................ 9
D. Academic and Research Initiatives.......................................................................... 9
E. Other Initiatives……………………........................................................................... 13
PART II – SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES AND AEF REQUEST............................... 16
A. Summary of Planned Expenditures………………………………..…………………… 16
B. AEF Request Priorities…………..….………………………………………………….... 20
Part III – NON-COMPUTING EQUIPMENT PLAN 2008-2009
NON-COMPUTING EQUIPMENT PLAN…...……………………..………………….…… N/A
APPENDIX A – Email Spam Statistics …………………………………………….……….. 23
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PART I – Computing Plan 2008-2009
Faculty/Unit: Osgoode Hall Law School
Completed by: Kurt Binnie, Director of Information Technology Services
Date: February 25, 2008
A. Introduction
Osgoode’s mission is to contribute to new knowledge about the law and the legal
system by being a centre for thoughtful and creative legal scholarship, to provide an
outstanding professional and liberal education to its students so that they can
assume positions of leadership in the legal profession, among legal academics and
in all aspects of public life, and to serve Canadian society and the world in ways that
further social justice.
The Law School strives to optimize the use of technology to position Osgoode as the
premier legal institution in the knowledge-based economy and to represent and
connect its staff, students, faculty and the external communities in Canada and
globally in an innovative, efficient, positive and learning-driven manner.
This document is the Osgoode Information Technology Services (ITS) annual
Computing Plan for 2008/2009. It identifies priority activities of high strategic value to
the Law School and the IT-based activities that will be undertaken to support them.
For 2008-2009 particular emphasis is being placed on addressing several of the
priorities identified in the Plan for the Law School 2006-2010.
IT support will continue to be focused on four key objectives outlined in the Plan for
the Law School: a commitment to lifelong learning; extending Osgoode’s global
reach; increased IT support of research projects; the expansion of graduate studies.
In addition to the objectives stated above 2008-2009 is a year of major facilities
initiatives at both Osgoode’s main and downtown locations. The renovation of the
Osgoode Professional Development centre (OPD) and the commencement of
construction of the building addition on the Keeled campus require IT support in
several areas including planning, electronic classroom design and the efficient use
of space during the building and renovation periods.
Planning Methodology
The plan was developed with input from key stakeholders at the Law School. The
primary source of new initiatives is through high-level IT consultations with
department and committee heads through a series of formal and informal meetings.
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B. Review of Past Year
The following is the status of initiatives outlined in the 2007-08 Osgoode Computing
Plan and additional major accomplishments.
2007-2008 was a very busy year for IT services characterized by multiple competing
priorities, growth in the demand for existing services as well as the addition of new
facilities that require ongoing remote support.
New service areas were added to the ITS portfolio including managing the
development and implementation of a rich media production studio to support a
research project, the establishment of the Law Commission of Ontario and the
addition of the Hart House building located behind Osgoode as a meeting facility.
There was also a sharp increase in the use videoconferencing and web casting of
events.
RESEARCH SUPPORT
Web Presence
One of Osgoode’s central goals is the improvement of research visibility inside and
outside of the Law School. In 2007-2008 related portions of the website were redone
and serve as gateway to Osgoode research, combining facilitative with showcasing
elements (http://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/research/). They build on preceding initiatives
to enhance the visibility of Osgoode research, including the annual, central collection
of Faculty publications listings for the compilation of a comprehensive
“PUBLICATIONS LIST” that includes Books, book chapters, articles, reports, funded
research projects, and conference presentations
(http://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/research/faculty_publications.html).
Beginning in the spring of 2007, a number of initiatives were undertaken to expand
on previous efforts and to further strengthen the Law School’s research profile and
performance and online visibility.
i) Centrally and continuously updated faculty web pages listing faculty’s CVs,
ongoing and past research (funded and non-funded), teaching and
collaborations of Osgoode faculty.
ii) List of all research areas of Osgoode faculty, linking back to the individual
faculty member’s updated webpage,
http://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/research/research_interests.html.
iii) List and showcase new and ongoing research grants by Osgoode faculty,
http://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/research/resgrants.html.
iv) Provide an overview of and links to the Law School’s four research
centers/units, the Institute for Feminist Legal Studies, the Nathan son Centre
for Transnational Human Rights, Crime and Security, the CLPE Comparative
Research in Law & Political Economy Network and the CRL Critical Research
Laboratory for multimedia projects on global cities,
http://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/research/research_centres.html.
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v) Lists and links to all - currently 12 - scholarly journals published at Osgoode
and through Osgoode faculty,
http://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/research/journals_osgoode.html.
vi) Listings and “top-ten downloads” rankings for Osgoode faculty publications in
the School’s own Research Paper Series, distributed through the CLPE
Comparative Research in Law & Political Economy Network
(http://www.omparativeresearch.net) and the Social Sciences Research Network
(SSRN)
(http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/JELJOUR_Results.cfm?form_name=journalbrowse&jour
nal_id=722488 ), http://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/research/ssrn_top10.html.
vii) Link to overviews and full programs for Law School events such as seminars,
lecture series, workshops, http://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/conferences.html.
viii) Present ongoing research projects as well as recently published books by
Osgoode faculty, http://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/research/news.html.
Comparative Research in Law and Political Economy Network (CLPE)
The http://www.comparativeresearch.net website was developed in-house by Osgoode
ITS. It is a collaborative multi-site virtual environment for research paper submission,
peer review, publishing, and distribution by combining a best of breed document
management solution with a custom-built print and web publication system for
scholars working in Law, Business, History, Sociology and Political Science with an
interest in governance and regulation.
Osgoode IT contributed project management, infrastructure implementation services
and development resources. The site is built on the Domino | Websphere | DB2
infrastructure implemented in 2006-2007.
Blog Support
TheCourt.ca, an Osgoode sponsored blog is an online resource for debate and data
about the Supreme Court of Canada supported jointly by Osgoode IT and York CNS.
It won the Canadian Law Blog Award (Clawbies) for “Best New Law Blog”. A second
Osgoode sponsored blog was added in 2007, ipilogue.ca, and is an intellectual
property blog populated with entries from Osgoode students. Several requests for
this type of external facing blog were made in 2007 and are under development.
Rich Media Production and Development
With the awarding of the Critical Research Laboratory for Multimedia Projects on
World Cities and Globalization (CRL) CFI grant, Osgoode is currently building a state
of the art rich media production studio and delivery infrastructure in the Computer
Methods building. This laboratory will serve as a centre of excellence in rich media
collaboration and production without equal in Canada.
Still under construction, the CRL is an interdisciplinary research facility for the
Principal Investigator and the Co-Investigators together with Faculty and graduate
students at Osgoode, other faculties of York University and other research
institutions in Canada and abroad. The CRL is conceptualized for interdisciplinary
and multimedia research on social and material urban infrastructure.
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The CRL production facility features
• two Avid Adrenaline high-definition editing suites,
• a ProTools audio suite with soundproof booth,
• a 25-seat meeting room with a high-definition projector,
• a twelve terabyte EditShare SAN for Avid and Final Cut project sharing,
• six development and text editing computers,
• three portable production kits,
• 100% digital workflow featuring the new solid state Sony XDCam EX,
• a server infrastructure capable of streaming Flash, Windows Media and
progressive DiVX HD video,
• a Flash and Silverlight development environment.
A new two-year contract position for a Rich Media Production Supervisor has been
created to run this facility for the duration of the project. Osgoode staff has worked
tirelessly to bring this project to fruition and will continue to do so over the next few
years. In 2007-2008 all design tasks, procurement and renovation planning was
completed with construction due to start in the near future.
Graduate Profiles
ITS worked with graduate studies to create and publish graduate bios and research
interests on the web. The entire graduate studies area of the website was redone
including the creation of new templates.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Classroom Technology
Distance Learning Facilities
Videoconferencing and webcasting remain an important tool for distance learning
and expanding Osgoode’s global reach. In 2007-2008 there was an increase in the
demand for and uses of the technology. Osgoode Professional Development’s “learn
from anywhere” component of the business stream LLM program grew dramatically.
An additional videoconference bridge (MCU) with 20 ports was added bringing the
concurrent port total to 40. Remotely located students have the same real-time
experience as the in-class participants each night of the week that courses are
delivered. 25+ concurrent remote sites participating in conferenced courses has
become a common occurrence.
Other uses of videoconferencing at Osgoode in the past year:
• a transnational classroom between Osgoode and the University of Jos in Nigeria,
• the seminar on Law and Social Change in Latin America hosted a video
conference with students from the Master in Human Rights at Rafael Landívar
University in Guatemala City,
• a conference facilitated by Osgoode that connected a judge from Colombia and a
lawyer from Argentina,
• students from Osgoode who are researching Canadian mining in Latin America
connected with students from the University of Arizona who are participating in
the Indigenous Law and Policy Program to work on a collaborative research
project on Canadian mines.
FINAL 02/25/2008 5

Webcasting, a possibility for years at Osgoode but not widely used, has finally
become a regular occurrence. OPD started using Sonic Foundry’s Mediasite Live as
a tool to deliver continuing legal education courses via the web in 2006. In
2007-2008 the number of CLEs offered live online grew as did the use of webcasting
at the main campus. Several events/conferences were broadcast live and made
available for on-demand viewing on the conference archive page at
http://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/conferences/conferences_archive2007.html. Both videoconferencing
and webcasting play a critical role in the virtual nature of the Law
School.
TEL Support – Websites, Blogs and Document Sharing
A new position was created in 2007 to support Technology Enhanced Learning at
Osgoode to work with faculty to facilitate their use of technology. The majority of
courses at Osgoode are supported by an IBM Quickr-based website which provides
document sharing, access control, discussion and collaborative functionality. In the
past year blog, wiki and document collaboration templates were added as was the
ability to use Quickr as a portable document container from the Web or Windows
explorer. The existing server was upgraded to version 8 (renamed from Quickplace
Quickr). The ability in Quickr to generate RSS and Atom feeds is of value to both
faculty and students.
Also, a new website was created to support the “Human Rights in Africa”
transnational classroom with the University of Jos, Nigeria. Students accessed joint
course material in preparation of the live videoconference sessions.
Legal Process (formerly LRW) Lab
The machines in the dedicated teaching lab were replaced in 2007.
OTHER INITIATIVES
Web/Application Development
Student Services Electronic Waitlist
In order to determine course availability at Osgoode during the add/drop period,
students previously had to physically visit student services to review paper-based
lists. An online system was developed in-house and launched in September 2007.
Osgoode Professional Development (http://www.osgoodepd.ca)
Created a dynamic and professional site that supports marketing efforts with the
ability to easily highlight featured programs, upcoming speakers etc. It also features
better, simpler navigation and mini-sites for each CLE program offered as well as for
LLM specializations. An International LLM component was added as well as a
streamlined registration process that supports single and multiple registrations. The
site was built and structured to give complete control to content producers and avoid
potential webmaster bottleneck.
Law Commission of Ontario (http://www.lco-cdo.org)
Designed and built a website to support the new Law Commission of Ontario.
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Building Osgoode Campaign (http://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/campaign/ )
Website to support the $25 million Building Osgoode Campaign.
Other Development Activities
• Redesigned OASIS to accommodate new admissions rules.
• Added visiting faculty and adjunct faculty module to Osgoode HR database.
• Added faculty compensation module to HR database.
• Added Research Assistant time tracking module to HR database.
• Developed grade tracking application.
• Developed OPD registration website and all-purpose validation.
• Redesigned materials ordering system OPD website.
• Created CLE brochures and LLM brochures upload function for OPD website.
• Created external funding database for researchers.
• Created mentoring database for alumni.
• Created database to house and disseminate research funding opportunities for faculty.
• Designed new course lottery backend to replace legacy Access databases.
• Continued working with the SIS team to synchronize data between SIS and OASIS
and provided more end-user control over generated letter content.
• Teen Osgoode Program for Secondary Schools (TOPSS) website.
2007-2008 Completed Infrastructure Initiatives
• Developed a multi-vendor universal image employing Microsoft’s System
Preparation Tool which, when combined with sysprep tools and custom scripts,
the operating systems installation overcomes the unique Hardware Abstraction
Layers.
• Developed a new, highly efficient, imaging technique for computer labs resulting
in 40% reduction in imaging time requirements. The method utilizes private
network and Pre-execution Environment (PXE) configuration which localizes all
the resulting traffic with no impact on the rest of the network, and allows for
diskless imaging.
• Created a utility program that captures the Novell client login results to a text file.
This text file is then stored on the network and can be used for troubleshooting
login script errors or other Novell client related errors.
• Enhanced the existing mobile video recording cart with capabilities to hold live
webcasts and video recordings of special lectures and classes. This was
accomplished by upgrading existing video recording and webcast facilities with
HD solid state video recorder, mobile PA speaker system, digital mixing board,
2 wireless hand-held microphones, and wireless clip-on microphones.
• Added 2 state-of-the-art mobile multimedia presentation units to the IT facilities at
Osgoode. These units comprise of a 42” and a 47” Plasma TV. One of the units
is currently used in the building for video conferencing with a Sony PCS-1 unit
and the second is setup at Hart House for presentations and conferences.
• Deployed remote desktop support utilizing Ultra VNC. This dramatically
increases the effectiveness of Help Services for remote locations, specifically the
FINAL 02/25/2008 7

Law Commission of Ontario and the Critical Research Laboratory, located in the
Computer Methods Building.
• Reorganized common data storage area into departmentalized data storage
spaces with tiered security.
• Replaced electronic classroom computers.
• Replaced library staff computers.
• Replaced 31 CRP computers for full-time faculty.
• Replaced 38 full-time staff computers.
• Replaced 5 workstations in CLASP.
• Replaced 16 Law Library public access workstations.
• Replaced 22 computers in LRW teaching lab.
• Deployed 8 new computers in for the Law Commission of Ontario.
• Deployed 2 Law Library kiosks systems on the main level of the Library. These
systems provide the public at large with York intranet access only.
• Migrated Sametime server to new IBM BladeCenter.
• Added second IBM Director system for redundant server monitoring and remote
systems administration.
• Added IBM Remote Deployment Manager to IBM Director server farm that
provides drag and drop application and agent upgrades to MS Windows server
pool, as well as pre-emptive failure prediction.
• Continued with our commitment to implementing a virtual infrastructure, where
feasible. Virtualized Osgoode MDC’s critical Point of Sale (Moneris) billing
system so that it now runs stably inside a VMWare image on one of two
redundantly configured servers to run the VM’s. In addition to the POS VM, we
have another VM WAMP Server, (Windows, Apache, MySQL & PHP) that will be
running the new helpdesk ticketing & inventory software.
• Refined Barracuda spam filtering, virtually eliminating the need for daily
management.
• Assumed responsibility for all IT requirements for the Ontario Law Commission
currently located in the Computer Methods Building. The initial requirements
included the deployment of 8 desktop computers.
• Deployed dedicated Notes 8 mail server for the Ontario Law Commission.
• Deployed server infrastructure requirement for OPD CRM system.
• Upgraded Osgoode’s Blackberry Enterprise Server to v4.15 with support for two
domains, including the Ontario Law Commission users.
• Expanded E-exam approved hardware to include Mac laptops running Bootcamp
with MS Windows 2000/XP.
• Implemented a pilot project of a complete registration management system
Osgoode Professional Development.
• Deployed second Codian video conferencing bridge expanding the total number
of concurrent available endpoints to 40.
• Created a new HelpDesk Technician position in order to accommodate the
additional support responsibilities.
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• Secured a 12 month trial contract to outsource Osgoode’s printer maintenance
and toner requirements. The program is expected to realize an annual saving of
20% and ostensibly extend the useful life of Osgoode’s printers indefinitely
subject to parts availability from manufacturers.
• Expanded wireless network coverage for the Ontario Law Commission and the
Critical Research Laboratory in the Computer Methods Building.
• Added OPD Mediasite.
• Started development of the Osgoode ITS Policies and Procedures Manual, which
includes practices and guidelines for Quality of Service Standards.
• Upgraded QuickPlace to Quickr version 8.0.0.2.
• Migrated WSE 2.5 to WPE version 6.0.0.1.
• Migrated graduate and first-year students to Domino Web Access 7.0.3, a much
improved webmail template.
C. Overview
The coming year looks to be as exciting as it is challenging. The lion’s share of
activity will focus on technology planning and integration related to major facilities
improvements at three locations. Osgoode Professional Development will undergo
renovations, work on the new wing at Osgoode is slated for the fall and the
Computer Methods Building will house three Osgoode-related entities.
An immediate challenge faced by the Law School is how to optimally utilize reduced
space available during the construction period of both the new wing and the
renovation of the existing building. Osgoode ITS will work with the building user
committee and community to determine how technology can and will be used to
overcome these obstacles.
Several additional initiatives have been identified for the upcoming year including
exploring the theme of “technology and the law school learning experience”, the
need to refresh secondary Osgoode web properties, requests for more real-time
transaction processing and the continued growth of web-based research initiatives.
D. Academic and Research Initiatives
RESEARCH INITIATIVES
Research Blogs, Web Hosting and Development
In order to provide timely support to key blogs, journals and websites at the Law
School, a new research PHP/MySQL server will be added to the existing farm to host
IPILog.ca, TheCourt.ca, the Nathanson Centre website, the German Law Journal
and in preparation for anticipated growth in requests for development/support of
popular PHP-based systems.
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A centralized research website and blog hosting service would be beneficial to the
entire York community and would avoid costly hardware and service duplication at
the faculty level.
ITS will continue to work with the RGS Dean’s team to continue development of the
research area of the Osgoode website, which commenced in 2007-2008.
Nathanson Centre (NC)
The Nathanson Centre on Transnational Human Rights, Crime and Security
(http://www.yorku.ca/nathanson/) offers annual research fellowships to graduate
students and hosts international workshops and lectures. In the fall of 2007, the NC
was home to the widely noted “After Arar” Seminar Series that was simulcast via the
Web.
ITS will develop a new NC website based on an ambitious proposal from the
Centre’s Director.
Some of the requested functionalities include:
• Blog capabilities
• Podcasting
• Live and archived events page (for webcasts)
• An Intranet with discussion boards collaboration and chat facilities
• RSS feed aggregation
• Database to house publications
• Mailing list functionality
An initial investigation into possible engines for the site singled out the Open Source
CMS Drupal as offering much of the requested functionality out of the box.
Critical Research Laboratory (CRL)
The Critical Research Lab will be used for multimedia projects on world cities and
globalization. Osgoode ITS will continue to support the CRL production facility
through the construction, installation and actual project phase. A new position has
been created within the IT department to supervise all aspects of the project
including
• high definition video production
• technical training and mentoring
• content dissemination and distribution
• facility administration
Project management, rich media development, staff time, as well as server
installation and maintenance are also committed to support the project.
Research Fellows Lab
The creation of a four seat lab, including printing, for Research Assistants and
Research Fellows has been proposed.
FINAL 02/25/2008 10

ACADEMIC INITIATIVES
Classroom Technology
The planned relocation of the OPD facility in 2007-2008 did not occur. The existing
classroom equipment was supplemented by a new Sony G50 video-conference
codec. The technology plans prepared for the relocation are being adapted for a
retrofit of the existing facility due to occur in the summer of 2008.
The project entails the integration of state-of the art technology into five classrooms
and builds on previous work to implement a robust behind-the scenes infrastructure
capable of handling multiple concurrent conferences and multiple sites. The primary
goal of the integration effort this year is to improve the learning experience for both
in-class and remote students who participate via videoconferencing or webcasting.
This includes providing remote participants with a clear view, excellent audio and an
equal presence in the classroom.
The technology implemented will provide the following:
• A new hands-off approach to VC-based learning. Two PTZ cameras
will provide a direct line of sight to all students. Every two students will share a
tabletop microphone that is either activated by the loudest speaker, or upon
touching its base. An automated PTZ control system will automatically switch to
the appropriate PTZ camera for the activated microphone, and align it to a preset
point of view for that microphone. PTZ positions will be easily adjusted through a
remote control system.
• Significantly more screen real estate will be allocated for each distance learner in
continuous presence mode. This will “bring” the distance students into the
classroom.
• Flexibility to support next generation multi-format teaching, learning and
collaboration spaces.
• Improved audio reinforcement – wireless audio pods located throughout the
rooms will allow speakers to be seated anywhere.
• In the large conference room two 4000 ANSI lumens projectors will project on
large wall-mounted screens, and angle-mounted speakers will be installed in the
room.
• A central IT control area will be created for the monitoring and remote assistance
of all rooms.
Growth in Graduate Studies
A project has been requested to build a dedicated student portal for part-time LLM
students to provide one-stop access to course websites, relevant announcements
and recorded lectures. The use of Mediasite for delivery of specific LLM components
and the use of a learning management system are being explored as possible
additions to the technology used in the program.
The number of LLM students taking advantage of the “learn from anywhere” student
is expected to rise this year and reach the 40 concurrent port maximum on the
MCUs. Given the current course delivery schedule and assuming one student per
videoconference endpoint, the maximum number of students enrolled as distance
students has increased to 144, double the capacity of 2007-2008 and vastly greater
than what was possible two years ago.
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MyOsgoode Portal
The student portal at Osgoode is outdated and poorly organized. A concerted effort
will be made this year to redesign the portal to be better organized, and serve as an
efficient communication platform and self-service tool for students. While portal
platform selection has not been finalized, work will begin on identifying key new
components and functionality that will add value to the existing set of applications
that are surfaced by the existing portal.
Website Architecture
Efforts will continue to improve the Osgoode website. Finding related information still
poses a challenge to site visitors. There are currently faculty profiles, course offering
information and a database of selected works by faculty but they could be better
linked. Work will be done on the website to achieve the following:
• Link course descriptions automatically to relevant faculty bio and schedule
information. This will be achieved by developing a database to be used by
student services for the creation of the annual course calendar. It will pull
schedule information automatically from SIS.
• The annual course calendar document poses a challenge to students as it is a
series of pdf documents. It will be a better tool as a navigable website.
• Hotlink courses taught listed in faculty bio page to course/schedule information.
Computing Facilities
In order to prepare for the Osgoode Renovation & Expansion Project slated to begin
at the end of 2008, part of the Osgoode library will be closed effective summer 2008,
including the 40-seat Smalley-Baker computer lab which is used throughout the year
by students for coursework, printing and for writing electronic exams. This closure
poses a significant challenge to ensure that there will be adequate computing
facilities for both day-to-day use as well as the heavy periods leading up to and
during exams.
The following are proposed initiatives to ensure continued computing availability
during the renovation and construction period.
• Open the exiting 22-seat Legal Process (formerly LRW) Lab when it is not being
used for teaching purposes or library sessions.
• Increase the loaner laptop pool by 15 to cover peak periods when the Legal
Process Lab is in use.
• Create an eight-seat computing cluster outside of the Moot Court on the second
floor.
• Work with other units to identify and secure a 40-seat lab for the two examination
periods located elsewhere on the Keele campus to be used for electronic
examinations. If this is not possible, an additional minimum of 25 laptops will be
purchased for examination periods.
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Technology and the Law School Learning Experience
The members of the Information Technology Committee with approval from the Dean
have proposed a technology oriented theme for this year’s Osgoode Course Design
Institute (OCDI) to encourage engagement by faculty members with technology
issues arising in and around the learning experience at Osgoode.
Proposed topics include
• addressing the role that technology plays in learning (not only informing faculty
about available technology, but also highlighting actual faculty experience on a
variety of topics),
• learning assistance outside the classroom (websites, blogs, podcasts,
chatrooms, email),
• evaluation methods (including new possibilities associated with technology),
• the changing role of course materials (including issues about online and webbased
materials).
The goal is to allow a range of faculty experiences and experiments with technology
to be included so that nobody is excluded and because often broader engagement
may coalesce around more moderate or considered uses of technology.
E. Other Initiatives
Helpdesk Ticketing System / Inventory Tracking System
For a number of years Osgoode has utilized a CRM application, Maximizer, for
tracking service requests and related correspondence. While Maximizer has indeed
been beneficial, greater flexibility, inventory integration and reporting are needed in
order to further enhance the quality of service (QoS) to the Osgoode Community.
Several new Help Services software are being tested to determine the ideal solution.
We expect to commit to the successor of Maximizer during the summer of 2008.
Desktop Deployment and Maintenance
Osgoode continues to extend the functionality and efficiency of its desktop computer
deployment techniques. The universal image process will be further enhanced by
integrating this method with Novell’s ZenWorks. The universal image allows us to
create a standard, brand independent, software image that, when combined with
sysprep, significantly reduced deployment time to multi-brand/model computing
environments. Additional techniques will be developed and tested to automate the
initial configuration of the Lotus Notes client on new machines.
Tivoli Systems Management
A project team will evaluate the feasibility of integrating IBM Tivoli systems and
storage management solutions with Osgoode’s existing IBM Director environment. If
testing proves successful it will be used for the proactive management of the health
and availability of the server infrastructure, including operating systems, databases
and servers. Systems status reports could also be published and maintained in real
time to a web page for easy reference. The storage add-on provides intelligent tiered
storage management and automated archiving capabilities.
FINAL 02/25/2008 13

Alumni/Advancement Website
The alumni/advancement website will be redone and the look aligned closely with the
current main Osgoode site.
The deliverables of the redesign are:
• provide easier access to the most frequently searched items (e.g. Stay
Connected, FAQ, Get Involved etc.),
• create consistent navigation,
• spice up graphic design by including more colour photos and using more
sophisticated styles,
• integrate site seamlessly with the Osgoode events calendar, news and bulletins
databases,
• build an on-line registration system and enable immediate payment processing
for all relevant events. Create a mini-site for each class for general information,
archives of on-line class notes and where classmates can post messages and
photos themselves,
• continue most current features of the site, including Mentor Program and other
on-line forms and databases.
Career Services
The career services website will be redone and integrated with an e-business
platform. The CSO is considering replacing the current Easelaw solution with
Symplicity, a system that has been implemented by other university units.
Student Services
• Build online transcript ordering system including real-time payment processing.
• Develop online E-Soft electronic exam software license ordering and payment.
• Extend Oasis functionality.
• Carry forward the student records management project defined in last year’s
plan.
Additional Academic Initiatives
• Replace student mail server SEISIN and add new, scalable storage array.
• Implement clustered Domino environment.
• Replace Quickr server GUILTY.
• Replace Media Server BARRISTER and migrate all existing FTP users to the
new server.
• Add wireless PowerPoint remote control/pointers.
• Purchase one Mediasite recorder to further enhance student experience.
• Replace aging Polycom equipment with state of art Sony HD video conferencing
systems.
• Link the Research Database OGAD to the personnel one. Put a tab on the HR
site that reads Research, perform some fine tuning on the database, and add
additional fields.
• Support Law Library to digitize special collections materials and make them
available on the web.
FINAL 02/25/2008 14

Additional Infrastructure Initiatives
• Replace nineteen full-time faculty computers consisting of seven laptops and
twelve desktop computers.
• Replace twenty full-time staff desktop computers including two in CLASP and
eight at Osgoode Professional Development Centre.
• Secure ten laptops to support accommodated exams.
• Replace/upgrade mail archive/replica server BAILIFF.
• Virtualize Osgoode’s Citrix Gateway, DOCTRINCE.
• Utility server TRIAL will be moved to a more powerful, cascaded server with
greater storage.
• Counsel (CLASP Client Management Tool) server to be replaced by new
software and run in a VMware environment.
• Create a sand-box environment to facilitate the testing of new infrastructure
technologies relevant to Osgoode Academic, Research, and Teaching
objectives.
• Preload computer images for new computers at the factory level to reduce
deployment time.
• Move students to a dedicated mail server and re-enable POP and/or IMAP
service in addition to full DWA webmail.
• Continue to use virtualization and thin provisioning technologies to limit the
growth in the number of physical servers and storage devices.
• Support the upgrade of the connection to OPD from the Keele campus.
• Upgrade the Blackberry Enterprise Server to v4.1.5 and migrate to VMware.
• Upgrade Blackberry devices following BES server upgrade to v4.1.5 adding
the following functionality for users:
BlackBerry Maps with Points of Interest • Spell Check • Improved media player with
playlist support and automatic playlist generation • Voice note recording • Streaming
support for YouTube and Sling Player • Bluetooth stereo music (H) • Microsoft Office
document editing with DocumentsToGo • Native format attachment downloading •
HTML e-mails • Over-the-air device upgrades • Free/busy calendar lookup •
Searching the server for old e-mail messages
FINAL 02/25/2008 15

PART II – Summary of Computing Plan Expenditures and AEF Request
Faculty/Unit: Osgoode Hall Law School
Completed by: Kurt Binnie, Director of Information Technology Services
Date: February 25, 2008
A. Summary of Planned Expenditures
i) Academic and Research Initiatives
• Creation of a small computer lab facility dedicated to Research Assistants and
Research Fellows.
• Implementation of a PHP server to host research blogs, websites and research
centers.
• Create a student computing cluster outside Moot court.
• Replace lecture recording equipment with more efficient, higher quality current
technology for both voice and video recordings.
• Continue commitment to distance learning, replacing aging Polycom video
conferencing equipment with state of the art HD video conferencing equipment.
• Subsequent to last year successful wireless PowerPoint point pilot, respond to
faculty requests for additional controllers with a purchase of a pool of 10 to be
checked out at the HelpDesk.
• Osgoode Professional Development integration of state-of-the art
presentation/display, audio, high-definition videoconference and control systems
throughout the facility including five classrooms.
FINAL 02/25/2008 16

ii) Computer Renewal Program and other support for Faculty
In the upcoming year we expect to be replacing a total of 14 existing computers
funded through the Computer Replacement Program (CRP) for full-time faculty
sponsored by Computing and Network Services. We also expect an increase in the
Osgoode full-time faculty compliment. Based on our experience in this program to
date, we foresee the faculty’s preference for laptops continue to rise with a
forecasted ratio of 2:1 for desktop and laptop computers respectively for 2008-2009.
iii) Computing Support for Staff and other Faculty users
Recognizing the importance of Osgoode full-time staff’s contribution to its success,
Osgoode will continue its commitment to provide full-time staff with new computers
as warranties expire. This will ensure that staff are not impeded by inferior computing
equipment. This commitment is also supplemented by a current 12 month pilot
project, outsourcing printer maintenance, to maximize network printer performance,
quality and minimize downtime. The distribution of new staff computers is listed in
the following table.
FINAL 02/25/2008 17

iv) Teaching and Student Computing Facilities
The closure of the Smalley Baker Lab in May 2008 during the Osgoode multi-year
construction and renovation project necessitates the conversion of the much smaller
LRW teaching lab to a multi-purpose lab. Since the LRW Lab is significantly smaller
and has limited availability, several initiatives are to be implemented to ensure that
students are not without adequate computing resources for their research and
printing requirements. These include supplementing the smaller-sized and limited
availability of the LRW Lab with a loaner laptop pool for student checkout when the
lab is in use for teaching, and adding/replacing the laptop pool utilized for
accommodated exams. Additionally, there is an opportunity to create a permanent
computing cluster in a more lounge like space without the “quiet” space restriction of
the library.
Several existing servers supporting courses and student mail services must be
replaced due to their age and lack of warranty. These include the dedicated student
mail server, streaming server for recorded lectures, and the course website server.
The Osgoode eBoard is an important communication tool for students, providing
notifications, class changes and cancellations, as well as daily events at Osgoode.
The existing eBoard technology will be replaced by a digital signage solution.
FINAL 02/25/2008 18

v) Common Facilities and General Software
In the summer of 2008, Osgoode is migrating the current mail infrastructure to a
clustered architecture. To complete this initiative, the existing mail archive server
must be replaced with hardware and significantly more storage space.
The increased number of events in non-electronic classroom and off-campus
locations necessitates the need for the acquisition of a portable sound system,
which will significantly improve the consistency and quality of the events.
The 2008-2009 fiscal year will include annual license fees with renewed
commitments to Lotus Notes, the Microsoft Campus Agreement, Adobe products,
and desktop security application Deep Freeze. Annual support and maintenance will
continue to be maintained for the spam appliances, remote access and application
publishing through Citrix Presentation server, scalable Equalogic iSCSI storage
solution, Codian videoconferencing appliances, document management database
system DocLogic, and the research portal delivered through Websphere Portal
Express.
FINAL 02/25/2008 19

B. AEF Request Priorities
ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH INITIATIVES
Research Assistant and Research Fellow Computing Facilities
Continuing Osgoode and York’s commitment to research and related projects, it has
become increasingly apparent that computing facilities available to researchers, their
assistants, and collaborative visiting researchers has been greatly lacking.
Committing dedicated workspace to these critical endeavors recognizes this priority.
The facility will provide desktop computing and printing.
PHP Server - Research BLOGS & Websites
Blogs and websites have grown into an important communication and collaborative
space where researchers, scholars and students can create intellectual and
comparative debate and publish their research findings. These blogs and websites
will also provide research centers with unique identities that support multiple
domains.
Student Computing Cluster – Desktops
In the course of the planning process for the new Osgoode Academic Wing and
renovations, maintaining the current Smalley Baker Lab was not feasible. As such,
there was an opportunity to create alternative workspaces that would have the same
restrictive space. With the increasing numbers of students with laptops entering the
Law School, it had become apparent that collaborative workspaces for students must
be more diverse, flexible and less confining. Creating this space will allow students
with and without laptops to co-exist in a collaborative, open environment that
encourages the interaction of technology and open discussion in a non-quiet space.
Lecture Recording Equipment
Regular recording of lectures will continues to be necessary to accommodate both
the needs of students and faculty. As such, the quality and timely delivery of
recorded lectures is increasingly important. More efficient, solid state, portable
recording equipment that provides exceptional quality, and a single step process
without the need for media conversion, will deliver on these priorities.
Osgoode Mediasite Encoder
A Mediasite encoder will be purchased to improve the delivery of webcasts at
Osgoode and provides automated video and slide synchronization that until now has
been accomplished via manual switching.
Osgoode Videoconferencing Solution
The addition of Sony HD/SD videoconference codec will improve the quality of
streamed video and add features including dual streams (video/data at 30fps) and
data/video annotation to videoconferences.
FINAL 02/25/2008 20

TEACHING AND STUDENT COMPUTING FACILITIES
LRW Lab - Peak Period Supplementary Computing Requirements
Unfortunately even with the closure of Smalley Baker Lab, expanding the availability
of the LRW Lab does not adequately address the peak demand periods for lab
computing throughout the year. Since the LRW Lab is a teaching lab, it is not
available during scheduled classes. To overcome this, a pool of laptops will be
purchased to ensure students are never without computing facilities.
Law Library - Student Loaner Laptops
Osgoode has maintained a small number of laptops for several years that students
can check out in much the same way as a reference book. This pool is now due for
replacement. Given the closure of the Smalley Baker Lab and limited availability of
the LRW Lab, the replacement number will also be increased by 3 units.
Accomodated Exam Requirements
Demand for computing facilities for accommodated exams has continued to grow in
recent years. While historically accommodated exams have been satisfied with the
combined loaner laptop pool, the closure of Smalley Baker Lab will result in
competing priorities and demands for loaner laptops. Given the nature and unique
requirements for maintaining secure e-exams, reconfiguring the laptops for multipurposes
is simply not feasible. A small number of laptops will be purchased to
ensure these competing priorities are satisfied securely and without delay.
Student Mail Server Replacement
The dedicated student mail server will be off warranty before the end of the 2007-
2008 fiscal year. In addition to using outdated storage technology, storage space
has also become a serious concern. The new mail server will be integrated into a
clustered mail architecture to further enhance availability of this service.
Media Server Replacement
Well past the warranty period, Osgoode’s media server that delivers all recorded
lecturers is overdue for replacement.
Quckr Server Replacement
Osgoode’s course websites are all delivered via a Quickr server. Unfortunately, this
server, like the student mail and media servers, is well past its warranty period.
FINAL 02/25/2008 21

Part III – Non-Computing Equipment Plan 2008-2009
Faculty: Osgoode Hall Law School
Completed by: Kurt Binnie, Director of Information Technology Services
Date: February 25, 2008
A. Equipment Additions and Renewal
N/A
B. AEF Request Priorities
N/A
FINAL 02/25/2008 22