IN THIS ISSUE:

* MiCTA/ATAlliance Announce Signing of the Final Two Video Integration Services Agreements Awarded Under RFP # MSC -0009

* MiCTA/ATAlliance Reaches Agreement with Blackboard Inc.

* Desire2Learn and MERLOT Partner to Improve Exchange and Development of eLearning Content

* Request to Update Member Contact Information

* Notice to Michigan Public School Districts

* Welcome to New Members

* MiCTA Supports Michigan State Department of Education in USF/E-rate Training

* MCI, MiCTA/ATAlliance Present- Effective Energy Communications Management Webinar– November 9, 2004

* Handspring Treo 600 Palm/PDA Phones Will be Randomly Given to MiCTA Members Joining Sprint PCS Web-Conference on November 17

* Brodart Special

* Office Depot Special

* Gateway Special

* Just For Fun!

MiCTA/ATAlliance Announce the Signing of the Final Two Video Integration Services Agreements Awarded Under RFP #MSC-0009

Video Images Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana has signed an Endorsed, Level-2 agreement that began October 10, 2004 and will be in effect for three years with options for two one-year extensions. Video Images, Inc. will provide nationwide integration services, video equipment, and many other value added products and services to the membership.

Visual Systems Group, Inc. of McLean , Virginia has signed an Approved VIS Agreement on October 22, 2004 for a three-year term expiring October 21, 2007 . Subcontractors supply video products and services to VSGi for nationwide distribution to MiCTA/ATAlliance members. VSGi remains the single point of contact between their subcontractors and members, and maintains direct responsibility for all subcontractors.

MSC is currently working with Video Images Inc. and Visual Systems Group Inc. to develop appropriate marketing strategies and program pages for the MiCTA website. We look forward to long and successful relationships with both organizations.

MiCTA/ATAlliance Reaches Agreement with Blackboard Inc.

MiCTA/ATAlliance has reached an agreement with Blackboard Inc. that will create increased value for MiCTA/ATAlliance members who purchase certain Blackboard eLearning products and services. Included in the new plan are the Blackboard Learning System™, Blackboard Learning System - Basic Edition™, Blackboard Community System™, Blackboard® ASP Services, and Blackboard Global Services.

The Blackboard Learning System, Blackboard's flagship product, delivers education online, and includes tools for content distribution, assessment, grade book management and collaboration and analysis of learning outcomes. The Blackboard Community System provides a customizable community environment that unifies academics, commerce, communities, and administrative services online through an integrated interface.

For more information, please visit http://www.blackboard.com/about/press/prview.htm?id=631577.

Desire2Learn and MERLOT Partner to Improve Exchange and Development of eLearning Content

DENVER, CO, October 21, 2004 – Desire2Learn Inc., a world-leading provider of enterprise learning systems, and MERLOT, the international Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching cooperative, today announced a strategic partnership to improve online teaching and learning through the distribution and sharing of eLearning resources.

In the agreement, Desire2Learn (D2L) users will be able to perform targeted searches into the MERLOT database, which indexes more than 10,000 learning objects, and retrieve content to help create customized online courses. D2L users will have the option to include searches of the MERLOT database while using the Desire2Learn Learning Object Repository, an easy-to-use fully integrated standards-based learning object repository enabling the storing, sharing and tracking of learning objects, to allow seamless linking of content and digital assets, such as pictures and animations, from internal or external sources into the user’s D2L courses. MERLOT will provide the ability for D2L users to contribute D2L content into the MERLOT database, and access D2L-ready content produced by faculty, instructors and institutions world-wide.

In addition, the Desire2Learn Learning Platform, a complete suite of easy-to-use teaching and learning tools for course development, delivery and management, will seamlessly integrate with the MERLOT Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed which enables the indexing of learning objects by subject, material type, audience, format, author, language, copyright restrictions, peer review and member comment availability, and rating. Users may browse the learning objects, search them or subscribe to updates as part of the MERLOT site's RSS content distribution engine.

"Extending the boundaries of a single institution by leveraging MERLOT's vast resources and seamlessly accessing reusable learning objects within the D2L learning environment and D2L learning object repository, strengthens our ongoing commitment to improve the quality of teaching and learning online," said John Baker, Desire2Learn President and CEO. "We are pleased to become part of the MERLOT community, and look forward to building a thriving relationship."

"In the US and Canada, Desire2Learn customers are also MERLOT Institutional Partners and users", said Gerry Hanley, Executive Director of MERLOT. "By integrating MERLOT's RSS and Web services into D2L's standards-based, enterprise-level learning management system, faculty will be able to design powerful student learning experiences effectively and efficiently."

About Desire2Learn Inc.
Desire2Learn, Inc. is a world-leading provider of enterprise learning systems that empower education to build teaching and learning environments that reflect their vision and objectives. Desire2Learn clients include colleges, universities, schools and other education providers, as well as associations and other leading organizations. There are more than two million users of the Desire2Learn enterprise eLearning technology worldwide. Founded in 1999, Desire2Learn is headquartered in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. For more information, please visit: http://www.Desire2Learn.com

About MERLOT
Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching (MERLOT) is an international cooperative with a growing collection of more than 10,000 online teaching and learning materials and a membership of more than 20,000 individual faculty, students and researchers. Members freely contribute and access curricular and human resources materials to aid their use of technology in teaching and learning.

Request to Update Member Contact Information

To ensure useful and timely distribution of MiCTA communications, the staff is now working to update member contact information. We are asking that each member email Heather Nostrant (hnostrant@mictaservice.com) at the office. Heather will return to you, the data sheet for your organization. We ask that you review the data sheet, update appropriately and return to Heather. If you have questions, please give Heather a call. Your help with this important effort will be greatly appreciated.

Heather Nostrant
(888) 870 8677

Notice to Michigan Public School Districts!

Forty-two Intermediate School Districts in Michigan have a special group membership arrangement with MiCTA providing the school districts they represent with a MiCTA membership at no cost. Recently, it came to our attention that some districts were not aware of this. If your ISD is on the list following, send us an email at hnostrant@mictaservice.com, and we’ll send you a member packet, which will tell you about MiCTA, our money saving programs and the many other benefits of membership.

Allegan County ISD
Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona ESD
Barry ISD
Bay-Arenac ISD
Berrien ISD
Charlevoix-Emmet ISD
Clare-Gladwin RESD
COOR ISD
Copper Country ISD
Delta-Schoolcraft ISD
Easter Upper Peninsula ISD
Genesee ISD
Gratiot-Isabella RESD
Hillsdale ISD
Huron ISD
Ionia County ISD
Iosco RESD
Jackson ISD
Kent ISD
Lapeer ISD
Lenawee ISD
Livingston ESA
Macomb ISD
Manistee ISD
Marquette-Alger ISD
Mason-Lake ISD
Mecosta-Osceola ISD
Midland County ESA
Monroe County ISD
Montcalm Area ISD
Muskegon Area ISD
Oakland ISD
Oceana ISD
Ottawa Area ISD
Saginaw ISD
Shiawassee RESD
St. Clair ISD
Traverse Bay Area ISD
Tuscola ISD
Van Buren ISD
Washtenaw ISD
Wexford-Missaukee ISD

Welcome to New Members

Chicago Transit Authority
City of Chicago
Iowa Association of Independent Living
Keystone College
Ministry in Action Living Center
National Society of Hispanic MBA’s
Oral Roberts University
St. Clair County Community Mental Health
St. Louis Public Schools
Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Care

MiCTA Supports State Dept of Education in USF/E-Rate Training

MiCTA is pleased to announce its continuing support for the State of Michigan , Department of Education’s effort to provide on-going, up-to-date E-Rate Train-The-Trainer sessions at multiple sites across the State. These training sessions focus on new topics, strategies, and proper filing of the new forms recently introduced by the SLD. The training is for those who have filed in the past and are trainers for their District, ISD, and REMC, etc. The first session took place at Northern Michigan University on Friday, October 29, in room LRC-109. The following dates and locations have also been determined:

• Nov 5 - COOR ISD
• Nov 8 - Kent ISD
• Nov 9 - Oakland ISD
• Nov 10 - Gene ssee ISD
• Nov 19 - Macomb ISD
• Nov 22 - Wayne RESA

Please continue to check the MiCTA website for new dates for this training.

MCI, MiCTA/ATAlliance Present - Effective Emergency Communications Management – November 9, 2004

To register for this event:
1. Go to the URL listed below and choose Web RSVP under Join Events. 
2. Enter the conference number and passcode. 
3. Provide your information for the event leader and then click submit.

URL: https://e-meetings.mci.com
CONFERENCE NUMBER:  8009823
PASSCODE: MCI

Handspring Treo 600 Palm/PDA Phones Will be Randomly Given to MiCTA Members Joining Sprint PCS Conference

Plan to join us on November 17 for a special conference designed to inform MiCTA members about the MiCTA/ATAlliance Sprint PCS program and be eligible to win a Handspring Treo 600 Palm/PDA phone valued at $600 each . The conference will include information about Sprint PCS:

• Products and Services
• Rate Plans
• Costs and Benefits
• Global Network Solutions
• Enhanced PCS Discount Bundling

Conference Description: MiCTA/SPRINT PCS Presentation
Conference Start Time: 11/17/2004 2:00 PM EST
Scheduled Duration: 60 Minutes

Broadart Brings You the Latest in Library Furniture at 20% Off

Moen Woodworks is changing the way people think about library furniture – the Twist Circulation Desk is just one of those ways! Mix and match one-of-a-kind pieces to create an exciting, colorful addition to your circulation area. This innovative product is exclusive to Brodart, and MiCTA members save 20% on purchases! With hundreds of laminate color options, you’ll easily create the ideal circulation area.

Call us today at 1-888-820-4377 and start saving! Or, go online at www.shopbrodart.com for fast, easy and secure service. Brodart guarantees 100% satisfaction!

For more information on products and services for MiCTA members from Brodart:
Call: 1-800-233-8467 Ext. 4338
Click: http://www.shopbrodart.com/pricing/micta/
Fax: 1-800-578-1064
E-mail: lyndapierce@brodart.com

E-4300 4-Bay
System Quote

Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
AntiVirus Software: Norton AntiVirus 90 day introductory offer
Processor:Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 530 (3.0GHz)
Chipset: Intel® 915G chipset
Memory: 512MB DDR2 Dual Channel 400MHz SDRAM (2-DIMMs)
Hard Drive:80GB Serial ATA100 7200rpm hard drive w/ 2MB cache
Controller Card: Integrated ultra ATA100 and serial ATA150 controllers
Floppy Drive: 3.5" 1.44MB diskette drive
Optical Drive:48x/32x/48x CD-RW/DVD combo drive
Case: 4-bay small form factor case w/ front audio ports and 180-watt power supply
Expansion Slots: 1 PCI-E x 16 (low-profile available for graphics card option) and 1 PCI Low Profile
External Ports: (6) USB 2.0 (2 in front and 4 in back), (3) IEEE 1394 Firewire (2 in front and 1 in back), (1) Serial, (1) Parallel, (2) PS/2, (1) RJ-45 Integrated LAN, (1) VGA, (1) Microphone, front audio ports
Certification: Energy Star Compliant
Monitor: Monitor Not Selected
Video: Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900 with up to 128MB Shared Memory
Keyboard: 104+ key Keyboard (PS/2)
Mouse: Gateway 2-Button USB Optical Mouse & mouse pad
Sound System: Integrated Sound Blaster compatible audio
Speakers: External speakers not selected
Network Adapter: Integrated Marvell PCI 10/100/1000 Twisted Pair Ethernet
Extended Service Plan Including Limited Warranty: Desktop Value Plus Service Plan -- 3 year part/labor/NBD on-site/3 year technical support
LANDesk Software: Gateway Client Manager 8.1

Total Price: US $945.00 Delivered

Quote subject to terms of current Agreement signed by you and Gateway, or absent Agreement, to Gateway’s Standard Terms of Sale and applicable product and services warranties which are available by writing to Gateway Terms & Conditions, P.O. Box 1951 , North Sioux City , SD 57049-1951 . Prices exclude shipping and handling and taxes unless otherwise noted. Certain Microsoft® software product(s) included with this computer may use technological measures for copy protection. IN SUCH EVENT, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE PRODUCT IF YOU DO NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH THE PRODUCT ACTIVATION PROCEDURES. Product activation procedures and Microsoft’s privacy policy will be detailed during initial launch of the product, or upon certain reinstallations of the software product(s) or reconfigurations of the computer, and may be completed by Internet or telephone (toll charges may apply). Leasing opportunities are offered by independent leasing companies to qualified commercial customers for minimum acquisitions of $750 (before shipping and taxes) in Gateway products. Lease payment (if shown) is based on an 'FMV lease' (purchase option equal to 'fair market value' at lease end). Lease rate dependant on credit qualifications. Additional terms and options may be available. Documentation fees, security deposits, or advance payments may be required of lessees. All lease payments, terms, and credit qualifications are subject to change without notice or obligation. © 2001 Gateway, Inc. All rights reserved.

Just for Fun !

1. How many VW Beetles were sold in the United States in 1949, the first year they were introduced here?

1. 2
2. 20,000
3. 200,000
4. 2,000,000

2. What does the term Kung Fu mean in Chinese?

1. Skill
2. Kill
3. Bean curd
4. No Fear

3. Dyspepsia is:

1. The medical term for indigestion
2. Secret flavor formula for Pepsi Cola
3. Over the counter energy pill
4. Small province in the southern tip of Albania

1. Effective Emergency Communications Management, MCI
2. Year 8 E-Rate funding, Avaya
3. Collaborative Conferencing, AGT
4. eLearning, Desire2Learn

(The other 3 were previous webinars)

PREVIOUS MICTA ALERTS

• October 2004

• September 2004

• July 2004

• June 2004

• May 2004

• April 2004

• March 2004

• February 2004

• January 2004

• November 2003

• October 2003

• September 2003

• August 2003

• June 2003

• May 2003

• April 2003