To install the next version of Blackboard (7.2) and move the application to a new virtual, load-balanced server, UMBC’s main Blackboard server will be down Tuesday, January 15, through Thursday, January 17, 2008. This upgrade will fix some existing bugs, increase system speed and reliability, and introduce new features such as:
• Performance Dashboard tool: provides a window to monitor user’s progress and activity in the course
• Early Warning System tool: used to communicate warnings to students that a performance problem is beginning to appear
Similar to past major upgrades performed in January, all WT2008 courses will be created and run on the alternate Blackboard server at http://bbss.umbc.edu. (Here is a video that demonstrates how to set up a link between the production server and the winter server.) All communities and organizations will remain on the main production server, but not be available January 15 to 17 during the upgrade. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact John Fritz (fritz@umbc.edu or 5-6596) or Bob Armstrong (rarmstro@umbc.edu or 5-3885), or send email to blackboard@umbc.edu.