A Strategy for Your Website

A recent national study continues to show that American adults (ages 18 and older) use the Internet for information, and more than half of them are using wireless connections to do so.

The Pew Research Center reports that 74% of American adults use the Internet. Their research included interviews with 2,258 Americans (including Spanish-speaking Americans). The margin of error for this study was 2 percent.

Fifty-five percent of American adults connect wirelessly through laptops or handheld devices. And, 60% are using broadband connections at home.

Those findings underscore the ongoing need to keep Websites updated, and to maintain content that is brief and well-written.

If you don't already have a Web strategy for your office, consider drafting at least simple guidelines, including:
* Who determines and approves updates?* Who posts the updates, and how often?* How do you monitor and use new information from KSRE?* How do you determine when to link to external information?* What are the key messages your office communicates, and does the Web page reflect those?

See more communications tips at http://www.communications.ksu.edu/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=899 .

--Pat Melgares melgares@ksu.edu

A Strategy for Your Website

Tips for Changing Your Password

The start of a new year means it is time to change your eID password. You must change your eID password by February 10.

To be valid, your new password must meet certain criteria, available at https://eid.k-state.edu/eProfile/jsp/faq/password.jsp#required . Among the requirements, your password must
be 7 - 30 characters long;
contain 3 of 4 of the following: uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, or special characters or symbols;
have at least 5 different characters;
not be based on any name, eID or known word.
A password can be a multi-word phrase; you can separate parts of the password with spaces.

To change your eID password, simply log on to the eID Web site, http://eid.k-state.edu , and enter your current eID and password. Then, click the "Change your eID password or password-reset options" link and set your new password.

Some additional tips:
After clicking the "Change password" button, make sure you see a message in green text stating your password was accepted.
Set a verification e-mail address and a secret question and answer.
Never write down your password or share it with anyone, for any reason.
If you have questions about this process, contact IET technical support at 785-532-6270, or support@ksre.ksu.edu . If you forget your eID password, or have problems changing your eID password, you can also call the K-State IT Helpdesk at 785-532-7722 or e-mail helpdesk@k-state.edu .

--Russ Feldhausen russfeld@ksu.edu

Tips for Changing Your Password

Color Printing Increases the Value of Your Message

Reaching your target audiences means you must provide products that will appeal to them. In print, it is clear that color printing makes a difference. Various research conducted with consumers indicates that color: increases retention by 78 percent, increases comprehension by 73 percent, increases brand comprehension by 80 percent, reduces search time by 80 percent.
K-State Research and Extension employees have an excellent opportunity to take advantage of color printing at affordable prices. The Department of Communications now offers full-color services at a cost of 40-cents or less per page (depending on quantity). Professional graphic design also is available at a fraction of what you would pay. Think creatively: Color can spice up your pre-prints, and print-on-demand projects. For more information, contact Greg LeValley at 785-532-1158 or glevalle@ksu.edu .

--Greg LeValley glevalle@ksu.edu

Color Printing Increases the Value of Your Message