Directory Services Update

by Sally Hritz

Since last summer, the Office of Information Technology has been phasing in new directory services for the campus. The directory responds to online queries to provide e-mail addresses, office addresses, phone numbers and other information for faculty, staff and students. The electronic directory went live in early November 2001. Listed below are some helpful hints to make best use of the system.

• The primary way to access the electronic directory is on the Web.
• Searches require a period between first and last names, as shown in the search options below.
• Search options
  1. By full name; for example: henry.artmeyer
  2. By OSU Internet Username; for example, artmeyer.999
  3. By using the asterisk as a wild card; for example, h*.artmeyer or artm*

  4. More search options will be added and publicized at a later date

• When searching on common names such as Smith and Lee using client programs, you may need to refine the search by including more information, if known, to obtain the desired results.
• You can set up Eudora Pro, Outlook and Outlook Express e-mail programs and the Netscape Web browser for directory searches by configuring the "Finger" server to: directory.service.ohio-state.edu. Searches through client software require the placement of an equal sign (=) before the name to obtain full information. See online instructions.
• Additional features will be added to the directory in upcoming months and will be announced as they are ready.

The directory processes e-mail by "resolving" or converting the Published e-mail address (name.n format) to the Forwarding e-mail address (actual server). Published addresses are standardized, easy to remember, and ensure continuity whether you change to a different e-mail system or use an outside Internet Service Provider. Just notify OIT of your new Forwarding address using the online form.

For more details on the new directory services and updates, please check the InfoPage.