MICHIGAN WING
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Frequently Asked Questions

IT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below are frequently asked questions we receive through the Wing IT Help Desk. If you don't find what you're looking for here please contact your local IT officer or itsupport@miwg.cap.gov for a wing-related IT issue.

 

Google Suite

Q: How do I get access to my Google Suite Account?

A: Follow the link provided: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17fGmQdIahTHW03P8iZD1sWdHuilejocMOx6pPhSEAEU/edit?usp=sharing

 

Q: I used to have an @miwg.cap.gov email address on Dreamhost. Will I be able to access my account after the Go Live date?

A: Yes. We will not be removing any email addresses from Dreamhost for a period of time after the Go Live date. You will just not be able to receive new emails to Dreamhost.

 

Q: Will emails sent to the distribution lists be sent to both the members' personal and wing email address?

A: No, they will be sent to the email address the member has listed as the primary contact method in eServices. If a member wishes to change their primary contact method, they can do so in eServices in the contacts section.

 

Q: Some cadets don't get our emails because their school blocks emailDodo (our previous system), will that change when we switch to Google?

A: Yes, but the cadet will need to use their MIWG email address to receive emails rather than their school email. They can update their contact method via the contacts section in eServices.

 

Q: Why are we leaving Dreamhost and emailDodo?

A: We are leaving Dreamhost and emailDodo because G Suite provides us far more flexibility and resources than both of those services provide. G Suite is also provided to us for no cost to the wing, allowing us to allocate those reoccuring payments elsewhere. IT has far more control and flexibility to make the email experience better utilizing Google than it does with both of our previous services and allows us better security. Also the end user experience of Google and Gmail is better than what users have reported when using Dreamhost. This also includes the ease of configuring your email to work with a third party email client such as Outlook.

 

Q: What will happen to our other applications?

A: Applications such as the wing alerting system, WebEx, Virtual ICP, etc will still operate as they currently are. Applications currently utilized at the unit / group level are also not impacted.

 

Q: I utilize an email address such as jsmith@hc.cap.gov or jsmith@cap.gov. Am I affected by email changes?

A: No. Those are NHQ managed systems and we have no control over them. The only email addresses we have any control over are @miwg.cap.gov addresses.

Distribution Lists

Q: Can we make an email distribution list for <X>?

A: Probably. We've designed it so we can easily create and manage groups going forward. Send the IT staff an email (itsupport@miwg.cap.gov) with your request and we'll work with you to see if we can accommodate it.

 

Q: Can we make an email distribution list for external marketing purposes?

A: No, this has the potential for getting our domain blacklisted by Google and other service providers if enough people mark our emails as spam. Wing IT can assist you into looking into a third party service like Constant Contact if you wish to go that route.

 

Q: How do I transfer my data from my personal account to the new wing account?

A: Contact wing IT (itsupport@miwg.cap.gov) and we'll assist you in the process.

 

Security

Q: I received an email saying someone has my Google password and I need to change it. Do I click the link in the email and follow the instructions?

A: No. Contact wing IT and report the email. MIWG IT will never ask you for your password and we will not send you emails saying that someone has your password. If you suspect your account has been compromised, change your password and contact MIWG IT (itsupport@miwg.cap.gov) immediately.

 

Q: I do not trust Google and do not want to use G Suite. Am I being forced to utilize G Suite?

A: No. This service is provided as a convenience to our members. If you do not wish to utilize this service then you do not have to.

 

Q: As a parent, I do not feel comfortable allowing my cadet to have a Google account. What should I do?

A: Please contact MIWG IT (itsupport@miwg.cap.gov) and we will see how we can assist you.

 

CAP Issued Laptops

Q: My squadron's laptop is SLOW. Can we get new equipment?

A: There is a long waiting list for units to receive new out of the box equipment. If you are having equipment failure / technical issues, please contact your unit's IT officer. If they are not able to help then contact your group's IT officer. If they are not able to help please contact itsupport@miwg.cap.gov. We are limited to what we can and can't do with CAP assets. Removing unused programs and utilizing cloud storage instead of storing files / videos / pictures on the laptop does help it's speed and performance. If your equipment dies then please follow the appropriate logistic process for damaged / dead equipment.

 

Q: My squadron's laptop still utilizes Windows 7 or below. How can we upgrade it to Windows 10?

A: Currently we are only able to upgrade laptops that were purchased during FY 2014 and FY 2015. Contact lrondeau@cap.gov to see if your computer is eligible for the upgrade.

 

Q: My unit does not have a laptop. What do we do?

A: Please contact up your logistics chain of command to request equipment to be assigned to your unit. We cannot guarantee that you will receive brand new equipment. It is all based on availability.

Other Information

Q: I have an idea / suggestion / complaint about <X> system that IT operates. Who do I contact?

A: We invite all ideas, suggestions and constructive complaints about our systems. The need for G Suite actually came out of members informing IT about the issues they had with our previous email host and distribution lists. Please contact itsupport@miwg.cap.gov and we will process it and see what we can do. PLEASE NOTE: Comments such as "this is horrible" or "I can't believe we did <X>" or any comments that are rude, disrespectful, threatening or vulgar will be disregarded and forwarded to the appropriate commander. Our IT staff are all volunteers and do the best we can with what we have available. Please remember when providing constructive feedback and complaints to be respectful and offer solutions, not just complaints.

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