17 August 16

I'm wearing my "blackboard" tie today in hopes that its karma might help us with our currently desperate situation regarding the Blackboard® learning management system. We are trying to install upgraded software during a short break between summer and fall classes, and the upgrade process is resisting the best efforts of our network engineers and database administrators. I am a believer in the power of prayer, and a miracle would be nice, but we're talking about resolving very ordinary issues in telecommunications and computer programming, and we already have all of the right people "laying their hands on the equipment." Over the next few days I will have to deal with quite a few upset/angry faculty . . . Classes begin on Monday!