Why is the University upgrading to WebVista Version 4?
For several reasons:
- The need to stay relatively current with teaching and learning software
- The improvements and fixes, especially in accessibility, available in Version 4 (see the new features list);
- The potential of returning to a single instance of WebVista due to performance enhancements.
My site is on WebVista B. Do I have to upgrade in August 2007?
Yes, unless you have a special reason, such as a class in session.
I’m teaching a summer 2007 class. How can I be sure this upgrade will not be detrimental to my course goals or to my students?
With any upgrade there is risk. There will also be a service interruption during the upgrade, over a weekend and beginning Friday night. However, we are committed to reducing that risk as much as possible so that your class and students are not disrupted. There is no good time to perform an upgrade of this magnitude of a system which is always in use. If you have a direct conflict with the scheduled downtime, we can move your site to WebVista A. This will also require a small interruption of service but we can work with you to pick a good time to move your site. Let us know at webvista@umn.edu if you need your site moved to WebVista A due to a class in session.
Can I start working in WebVista Version 4 before the upgrade?
Not at this time. You may sign up for one of the Version 4 short courses for access to Version 4. To see a listing of WebVista Version 4 short courses, go to http://uttc.umn.edu, type webvista in the search box under find a course, then click Go.
Is any cleanup of content or design required?
In general, your site design and site content will convert to WebVista 4 without issue. However, there are a few cleanup steps you may wish to take due to new navigational design in WebVista Version 4. See steps you may take at the WebVista Version 3 to WebVista Version 4 Cleanup page.