Extension Technology and
Computer Services

University of Missouri-Columbia   Extension Technology and Computer Services—ETCS

 March 2004
 Vol. 21, No. 1

A Technology Newsletter for Extension Specialists

Get a Jump on Office 2003
By Steve Giesel

By now you're aware that new computers and versions of the Microsoft® Office Suite are coming soon to your eager fingertips. You now have a chance to get a head start on Office 2003 by making use of the MELL system, (Microsoft Enterprise Learning Library). My purpose today is to give you a few pointers for getting into and using these self-tutorials.

In order to make up for the loss of NETg, the university is now offering the MELL system to its users. More to the point, this is where you will have a chance to learn about a number of Microsoft products including Office 2003, now and in the future. The system contains a series of computer-based tutorials focused on the various software applications. It includes pre- and post- tests to help assess your abilities and is completely self-paced, allowing you to work at your leisure.

To use MELL, just point your browser to, https://iatservices.missouri.edu/training/mell.html . This page provides a brief description of MELL, a link to the MELL home page, helpdesk access, and a list of titles covered by MELL. The first two main list entries at the bottom of the page will link you to sections dealing with Office 2003. The first one covers Core Training for the four basic Office 2003 components: Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word in separate lessons. It is more detailed than the second section but does not include tutorials for Publisher as does the Core Training for Office Professional Enterprise Edition 2003. You can spend time in either one or both to get the familiarization you need.

From the MELL homepage http://mell.umsystem.edu/, choose the group you want to work in. You'll notice this page is a repeat of the list at the first link above.

• Click on your chosen group.

• A login dialog box will open asking for your Pawprint (there's an example at the top of the page).

• The actual tutorial links will open up in Internet Explorer, where you will do all of your work.

It's important to note at this point that the system is available only to computers/IP addresses owned by the university. This means you cannot access the system from home through your own ISP, or a public ISP somewhere else. You will be able to access MELL from your desktops, and laptops at the office, and from your laptops outside of the office if you use the 800 number dialup previously setup in that machine.

That's probably everything you need to know to enter and use MELL. I've spent some time in the system myself over the last few days and it's fairly easy to use. Unlike many folks who serve in a technical support role my "geek" factor is fairly low, so if I can use a computer system without too much agonyyou probably can too.

Special Note: I encourage you to tryout MELL when you have some free time, though you may find that the Office 2003 tutorials are not working properly at present. If they aren't, feel free to explore some of the other sections and get a feel for the way the system works. In the meantime IAT Services and UM System are working to resolve the problems. Thanks for your understanding.

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