Latest Technology News Monthly
April 2026
Gmail Now Lets Users Change Their Email Address
Google is rolling out a new feature allowing users in the U.S. to change their Gmail address without creating a new account. This long-requested update could make it easier for users to update outdated or unprofessional email names while keeping their data intact.
Hidden Tech Features You Probably Didn’t Know About
A roundup of clever tech tips and hidden features—from smartphones to everyday gadgets—has gone viral online. These small but useful tricks can help users get more out of the tools they already use daily.
Good to Know
Google's website legitimacy checker
How to report spam
Contract employees - Free while you are under contract
Microsoft Office Suite
via MMA
MMA MacOS - Changing your password
Printing from your personal computer
Archived Tech Tips
Spring 2026
For all of the following tech tips:
If you have any questions or would like assistance, please contact the IT Service Desk.
IT Service Desk
servicedesk@maritime.edu
508-830-5308
April 20, 2026
If you use Google Chrome on more than one device, you can sync your bookmarks so they stay the same everywhere you sign in. When bookmark syncing is enabled, websites you save on one computer will automatically appear on your other devices when you’re logged into Chrome.
To keep bookmarks syncing properly, make sure you’re signed into Chrome and that sync is turned on. If bookmarks aren’t appearing as expected, signing out and back into Chrome often resolves the issue. If you continue to have trouble, IT can help check your settings.
If you’ve found these tech tips helpful check out our previous archived tech tips found on the IT Service Desk home page, Under Quick Links. Watch for our, "Did you know?" tech tips every Monday morning.
April 14, 2026
Did you know your brain needs time to refresh? Unplugging from your electronics is important for your mental and physical health.
College, work, life in general is constantly full of electronics and noise. You should plan to take some time and unplug from all electronics.
The library also offers some fun unplugging events. Check out the list of events in programs at: https://www.maritime.edu/academic-resources/library-services/staff/events
Here are some benefits to unplugging:
· Improves learning ability
· Enhance mood and emotion
· Better sleep
· Less distraction reduces stress levels
· Help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety
And much more…
There are so many ways to unplug. Here are some ideas and places to start:
· Meditation or Yoga
· Drawing, painting, coloring
· Cross-stitching, crocheting, knitting, sewing…
· Puzzles, Crosswords, Sudoku
· Play cards or a board game
· Read a book or do some journaling
· Get out in the fresh air and go for a walk, hike or bike ride
· Go to the Zoo or Museum
· Gardening
Whatever activity you choose, enjoy your time.
If you’ve found these tech tips helpful check out our previous archived tech tips found on the IT Service Desk home page, Under Quick Links. Watch for our, "Did you know?" tech tips every Monday morning.
April 7, 2026
Did you know too many browser tabs can slow your computer?
Each browser tab you have open uses a portion of your computer’s memory and processing power. When too many tabs are open at once, it can slow things down and may even cause your browser or computer to freeze or crash.
To keep things running smoothly, close tabs you’re not actively using and bookmark pages you want to come back to later. Restarting your browser occasionally can also help clear out built-up memory use and improve performance.
If you’ve found these tech tips helpful check out our previous archived tech tips found on the IT Service Desk home page, Under Quick Links. Watch for our, "Did you know?" tech tips every Monday morning.
March 30, 2026
Did you know most audio and camera issues are easy to fix?
If your microphone or camera doesn’t work during a meeting, it’s often due to a simple setting. The most common causes are the wrong microphone or camera being selected, or another app already using them. A quick first step is to check the mute and camera icons and confirm the correct device is chosen in the meeting settings.
· Find the speaker icon on the right side of your bottom toolbar. Click on the small image to the right of the volume button.
If that doesn’t solve it, try leaving and rejoining the meeting, or restarting the meeting app. These steps resolve most audio and video issues. If the problem keeps happening in multiple meetings, contact IT so we can help investigate further.
The IT Service Desk staff are offering Gmail and Google Workspace training. Please join
us, all are welcome!
Date: March 19, 2026 & April 1, 2026
Time: 1200
Place: ABSIC - 1st floor
If you’ve found these tech tips helpful check out our previous archived tech tips found on the IT
Service Desk home page, Under Quick Links. Watch for our, "Did you know?" tech tips every
Monday morning.
March 23, 2026
Did you know MMA has new email filtering software when using Phish Alarm?
If you get an email that is Phishing, use the Phish Alarm button to report an email. If it’s registered as malicious or spam, it will remove the email from everyone’s email automatically.
If you’ve found these tech tips helpful check out our previous archived tech tips found on the IT Service Desk home page, Under Quick Links. Watch for our, "Did you know?" tech tips every Monday morning.
The IT Service Desk staff are offering Gmail and Google Workspace training. Please join
us, all are welcome!
Date: March 19, 2026 & April 1, 2026
Time: 1200
Place: ABSIC - 1st floor
If you’ve found these tech tips helpful check out our previous archived tech tips found on the IT
Service Desk home page, Under Quick Links. Watch for our, "Did you know?" tech tips every
Monday morning.
March 16, 2026
Did you know Google Drive keeps your files in sync across devices?
MMA uses Google Drive to help keep your files consistent and accessible wherever you sign in.
When you save files to Google Drive, they’re stored securely online—not just on your computer,
which means they’re backed up and can be accessed from multiple devices.
To keep everything working properly, make sure you stay signed in to your Google account and
allow files time to finish uploading or syncing before logging out or shutting down. One thing to
keep in mind: deleting a file from Google Drive removes it everywhere it’s synced. Saving
important work to Google Drive and confirming files have uploaded helps ensure your
documents are always where you expect them to be.
The IT Service Desk staff are offering Gmail and Google Workspace training. Please join
us, all are welcome!
Date: March 19, 2026 & April 1, 2026
Time: 1200
Place: ABSIC - 1st floor
If you’ve found these tech tips helpful check out our previous archived tech tips found on the IT
Service Desk home page, Under Quick Links. Watch for our, "Did you know?" tech tips every
Monday morning.
March 9, 2026
Did you know when you step away from your computer, the option you choose matters more than you might think? Sleep simply pauses your work and uses very little power, making it ideal for short breaks. Shutdown turns the computer completely off and is best when you’re done for the day. Restart, however, fully refreshes the system and clears out temporary issues.
If your computer is running slow, acting strangely, or updates don’t seem to finish, a restart is
often the fastest fix. Sleep can sometimes allow small problems to linger, while restarting gives
your computer a clean slate. When in doubt, restart—and if problems continue, IT is happy to
help.
If you’ve found these tech tips helpful check out our previous archived tech tips found on the IT
Service Desk home page, Under Quick Links. Watch for our, "Did you know?" tech tips every
Monday morning.
Archived Technology News Monthly
March
Claude Opus 4.6 Passes “Vending Machine Test,” Raises AI Safety Questions
Anthropic’s latest model, Claude Opus 4.6, outperformed rivals in a simulated vending machine business challenge designed to test long-term strategy and profit maximization. However, the AI reportedly achieved its success through deceptive and rule-bending tactics, sparking renewed debate about goal alignment and AI safety.
Discord Introduces Age Verification Requirements
Discord is rolling out new age verification measures aimed at improving user safety and complying with evolving online child protection regulations. The update may require some users to verify their age through official identification, raising questions about privacy, platform access, and how other online services may follow suit.
2025 Tech News Monthly
September
Spotify Just Gave Free Users a Major Upgrade
Spotify gives free users a feature that was previously available only to paid subscribers.
Zoom Adds AI-Powered Meeting Summaries
Zoom now includes AI-generated meeting summaries and smart chaptering in recordings.
June
Windows Update
Windows wants to be the all-in-one solution for updates.
Trackable 3D Printer
3D Printers leave a unique “fingerprint” on prints.
April
Windows Update Causes Scammers to Target Mac Users
New update in Windows stops 90% of browser phishing scams.
ChatGPT Disables New Feature After a Day
Studio Ghibli trend from AI image creations
March
Windows Updates Task Manager
Getting real results from Windows' feature.
Goodbye Skype
Skype is shutting down after 20 years.
Coursedog (Room Scheduling)
Massachusetts Maritime Academy uses Coursedog to schedule rooms and spaces for meetings and events. All staff and faculty are invited to use this scheduling software to ensure that room and space usage is properly accounted for. Use "My Maritime" credentials to log into Coursedog. Conference rooms are on a first come first serve basis.
Employee New & Returning Accounts Setup
All new hires need to be on-boarded through the New Hire On-boarding ticket. This ticket creates all necessary child tickets for having all of the appropriate accounts' setup including email, IDs and other MMA accounts that you may have.
A new hire ticket should be put in at least 10-14 days before the new employee's start date by the new hire's supervisor.
The first day the employee starts, they will need to come to the Service Desk to get their ID and register it for printing, set up their accounts and set up their laptop, where applicable.
Please reach out to the Service Desk with any questions or concerns.
servicedesk@maritime.edu
508-830-5308.
Employee Off-Boarding Accounts Deactivation
All employees who leave the Academy must be off-boarded through the Off-Boarding ticket. This ticket creates all the needed tickets for account closures, accesses as well as record updates. This includes contract employees who are not coming back the following semester and employees that are only here 1 semester a year. Tickets need to be created for each individual, separately.
Please reach out to The IT Service Desk with any questions or concerns.
servicedesk@maritime.edu
508-830-5308
Equipment Borrowing
Equipment Available for Borrowing
Visit the IT Service Desk located on the 1st floor of the ABSIC building to loan equipment.
A variety of equipment is available for Maritime Faculty, Staff, and students. You will be asked to sign an Electronic Equipment Borrowing Agreement to check out the equipment and you are expected to return the equipment by the due date. If you need to use the equipment longer than the due date, you need to reach out to a Service Desk staff member and ask to renew/extend the equipment agreement.
Students - Overdue equipment may result in a Class II.
Our equipment for check-out includes:
Non-semester loans
Laptops
5-day checkout
- Lenovo laptops with Windows OS
- MacBook Pro laptops with Mac OS
Calculators
7-day checkout
- Non-programmable
- TI-83 Plus
- TI-84 Plus
- TI-84 Plus Silver Edition
Presentation Equipment
2-day checkouts
- Adapters for Macs and/or PCs
- Apple USB Type-C to Multiport/HDMI/USB/USBC
- USB Type-C to Multiport/HDMI/USB/USB-C
- USB Type-C to Ethernet
- USB Type-C to HDMI
- USB Type-C to multi-USB ports
- Portable projectors
- Portable projector screen with stand
- Presentation Remotes
- USB Document cameras
- Video recorder & Tripod
Semester Loan
Semester loan, 1st come 1st serve basis
- I-clicker
Overdue equipment is subject to replacement costs.
Ethernet Cables
Need an Ethernet cord for your dorm room? Come to the Service Desk and ask. We have 6' and 10' cables and longer if needed.
Google Workspace and Email
The Academy uses Google Workspace for productivity and collaboration tools.
As a Maritime faculty or staff member, your email address will be your first initial + your last name + @maritime.edu. Your password is linked with My Maritime. If you have not yet enrolled, please enroll at My Maritime.
We support Gmail as the standard email service. Please refer to Google Help Docs for support.
ID Replacement
If your ID stopped working or you need a replacement ID, stop by the Service Desk and we will check your account and fix or replace it if needed.
If you have lost your ID and need to replace it, there is a $25. - $28, depending on how you pay, fee. To receive a new ID, go to Self Service and under finances, find the ID card button and pay. Show the receipt to an employee at the desk and we will replace your ID.
New IDs need to be set up at the printer.
Lecture Capture with Panopto
MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) Setup
Note: If you have already set up your MFA but have since gotten a new phone, your new phone will need to be set up. Please reach out to the IT Service Desk for assistance.
Follow these instructions to set up your MFA. You need 2 forms of security setup. You will need to sign in with your maritime.edu email and password.
Open My Maritime > choose Security Info from the link on the left > + Add sign-in method. Follow instructions to complete setting up your Multifactor.
- Phone > Have your phone with you if you are going to use your phone.
- Application > Download 1 of the following apps and follow the instructions on the app.
- Microsoft Authenticator application
- Authy
- Alternatively, an authentication application of your choice.
- EMAIL > Open the application if you are using the Authy or Microsoft application.
You will need to verify between My Maritime account and the application/phone, texting or calling.
If you would like further assistance, stop by or reach out to the IT Service Desk.
servicedesk@maritime.edu
508-830-5308
Microsoft Office Download
Free Microsoft Office Suite:
- Students - while you are a student at MMA.
- Contract employees - while you are under contract.
Monitor Online Tests with LockDown Browser
My Maritime
Your My Maritime username and password will allow you to access most of the computing services that Massachusetts Maritime Academy offers. My Maritime is built on a cloud-based service provided by Microsoft that allows you to manage your password and security settings. It is a self-service password portal and requires additional information to enroll and secure your account. Please follow the instructions below to enroll or manage your My Maritime. The following systems that you can access with your My Maritime credentials are:
- Gmail
- Academy-owned computers
- FollowMe printing service
- On-line printing
- Self Service
- Blackboard
- Wifi (Maritime Wifi is best)
- Coursedog
- Library resources
- Rave emergency notification
1. Go to My Maritime. You will see the Microsoft Sign-in screen.
2. Enter your username and password. Your username is your Massachusetts Maritime Academy email address and if you are a student this will be first.lastname@maritime.edu. (e.g. John Doe as a student is john.doe@maritime.edu). If you are a faculty or staff member, this will be firstinitial+lastname@maritime.edu. (e.g. John Doe as a staff member would be jdoe@maritime.edu).
3. Click Next. You will see the My Maritime “Enter password” screen.
4. If this is the first time logging in as a new user (i.e. incoming freshman), you should have received an email from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Service Desk. If you did not receive this email please contact the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Service Desk. Upon first login you will be prompted to change your password. You cannot use an old password. This new password will need to:
- must consist of at least 8 characters
- must have at least 3 of the following: lowercase letters, uppercase letters, digits, or special characters (~!@#$%^&**(){}?)
- cannot contain your first or last name
- cannot use an old password
5. Enter your password and click the “Sign in” button.
6. If you have never logged into "My Maritime" (new or current user), you will need to add the security settings, (MFA, Multi Factor Authentication) to your account to be able reset your password.
7. To secure your account, you will need to set up at least two of the four options shown below:
- Office Phone (Faculty & Staff)
- Mobile Phone (text or call)
- Personal Email
- Security Questions
8. Click on the "Set it up now" link for the two options of your choice and follow the instructions for each option. For example, if you choose mobile phone, the system will send a text or call and ask you to verify your account. Once your security settings are complete, you will be logged into your My Maritime account page. From your account page, you can update your security settings or change your password, whenever needed.
9. Your password will need to be reset every 6 months.
Network, Wifi and Why
Maritime Wifi:
If you cannot access your Maritime Wifi with your password and get a note that you need to change your password, go to: My Maritime and reset your password. If you need assistance, please stop by or call the Service Desk.
- Maritime Wifi should be used by students, faculty and staff who want to print from their personal laptop using PrinterOn
- Using certain MMA programs will not work if you are not using Maritime Wifi.
Important note: If you change your password, update your phone & Ipad Wifi password also to avoid getting locked out of your accounts.
Guest Wifi:
Should be used for MMA visitors.
Personal email must be used to access the Wifi
Ethernet Plug:
For MMA issued laptops, if you have changed your password off campus, you will need to be plugged in for the first login with your new password.
Phone Voicemail Set up
New Telephone System
Our campus telephone system was migrated to the cloud over Sea Term 2025. One change to note is that you no longer need to dial a 7 for an outgoing call.
Direct Line Phones - Phone is Assigned to You
Setting up your pin & unlocking your account. (Same process for both)
You will need to set up your voicemail on the cloud system.
- Go to https://user.webex.com/webappng/hub/welcome
- Go to "Settings" - "Calling" - "Voicemail".
- Click the "Reset voicemail PIN" button on the second line. You can use the same voicemail PIN you had with the on campus telephone system or create a new PIN.
- Once your voicemail PIN is reset, you can record a greeting on your phone by pressing the Voicemail Button and the system will walk you through the process.
application that does a number of things. We will be using it mainly for calling and messaging. To learn more about WebEx and how to use it, click HERE.
Workspace Phone Setup - Shared Phones
How to set up a workspace phone for the first time:
- Press the voicemail button
- When prompted, enter 025320 and press #
- Follow setup instructions to set a personal PIN and other information.
If a workspace phone becomes locked, email: servicedesk@maritime.edu to get it unlocked.
Laptop Application
If you have an Academy laptop, Webex phones are automatically installed on them.
Webex Meeting is automatically installed.
Learn more about WebEx
Printing and Copying
Printers in the ABS
1st floor - Color or B & W, Kiosk
2nd floor - B & W
3rd floor - Color or B & W, Kiosk
To print in Color, use a Kiosk
Printing From Your Personal Computer OR a MMA Student Computer
Workstation in the ABS, use GoPrint
-
GoPrint:
- Only black and white
- Can only print using our Maritime Wifi or plugged into internet with an Ethernet cord
- Document you are printing must be closed
Logging into GoPrint:
Print virtually any document or web page from your internet connected device.
- Press the Upload a Document button on the left side of this page
- Enter your user ID without @maritime.edu, click "Continue"
- Upload a document or enter a URL
- Submit Print job
- Scan your ID at the printer
Students = first.last name
Faculty & Staff = first initial + last name
Bookmark the GoPrint page to easily find it for future printing.
For further assistance, speak to someone at the Library & IT Service Desk.
Submit a print job electronically here
Printing from your MMA laptop
1. Print a document from your computer > Select File >> Print >> FollowBW for B & W or FollowColor for color printing.
2. Select your print job from a Ricoh Printer > Go to a Ricoh printer. Tap your MMA ID card on the card reader located on the top of the printer OR login manually with your My Maritime credentials. If this is your first time using your ID at a printer, you will need to enter your My Maritime credentials and click "Login". After the initial set-up, you will only need to tap your card and your account will be displayed. If you need help with this initial set up, please see a Service Desk staff member in the ABSIC building.
Select the “Follow" printer and choose the document(s) you want to print. Once you select print at the printer, your jobs deletes from the queue. Note: Any documents left in your queue, will be automatically deleted after 24 hours.
3. To scan a document to your email:
Place the document you want to scan in the printer. Tap your MMA ID card on the card reader located on the top of the printer OR login manually with your My Maritime credentials. Select the Scan-to-Me button.
4. To make copies:
Place your document(s) in the feeder or on the glass of the printer. Tap your MMA ID card on the card reader located on the top of the printer OR login manually with your My Maritime credentials. Select the Copier button on the printer.
Self Service
Self-Service is Massachusetts Maritime Academy's interface used for
- Academic Planning
- Advising
- Financial Aid
- Payments
- Undergraduate Course Registration
Explore the pages listed below to learn how to use Self-Service.
System Links
Live Instances
Colleague UI (internal access only)
Informer 5 (internal access only)
Self Service
Event Booking CourseDog
Test Instances
Colleague (internal access only)
Colleague2 internal access only)
Self Service TEST (correlates to Colleague Test)
Event Booking CourseDog (Test)
Wifi / Connecting your Personal Devices
Do you have a device you need to connect to the Wifi?
To connect your device to Wifi, you will need to fill out a Service Desk ticket and add the following information to it:
- MAC address off of the equipment.
- The type of equipment, smart tv, gaming console...
Filling out the ticket > New Incident > Category = Hardware > Subcategory = Student Device or email servicedesk@maritime.edu