Emergency Alerts on Your CSUMB Computer (Rave Notifier)

Overview

Rave notification option is the latest addition to the CSUMB's emergency notification system. When the university issues an emergency alert (OTTERalert), all CSUMB owned/managed computer workstations and laptops running the Rave Notifier software (formerly we used Alertus) will display a full-screen pop-up alert providing messaging about the emergency on campus and what actions to take. The pop-up alert option is being added in addition to the notifications those on campus already receive and are not meant to replace them.

Table of Contents

  1. Is Rave Notifier mandatory for all Cal State Monterey Bay computers?
  2. How does Rave Notifier work?
  3. What sort of messages will be displayed in a pop-up?
  4. What will the pop-up look like?
  5. Will I get the “pop-up” on my CSUMB computer if I am off-campus, and not on the CSUMB's wired or wireless network?
  6. Will I get the “pop-up” on my CSUMB computer if I'm not logged into my computer or my computer is in sleep mode?
  7. What will Rave Notifier look like on my university computer?
  8. What do I do if I am using a CSUMB-issued computer and RAVE Notifier is not installed?
  9. What should an instructor do if a OTTERalert comes up on the screen during class?
  10. What do I do if I'm having an issue with Rave Notifier?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: Is Rave Notifier mandatory for all CSUMB computers?

Yes. Rave Notifier desktop is installed on all CSUMB owned and managed Windows and MacOS university, end-user, and classroom computers.

2. Q: How does Rave Notifier work?

When the university issues an emergency alert, the service will issue a “pop-up” OTTERalert message on your computer.

3. Q: What sort of messages will be displayed in a “pop-up”?

Only situations that rise to the level of an OTTERalert will use the pop-up method of communication. For more information on OTTERalert, see: https://csumb.edu/otteralerts/

4. Q: What will the pop-up look like?

The Rave Notifier pop-up will always specify it is a CSUMB OTTERalert and take up the majority of the screen. See image below as an example.

TEST of OTTERalert desktop Otteralert: This is a desk of the desktop notification feature. This is only a test.

5. Q: Will I get the “pop-up” on my CSUMB computer if I am off-campus, and not on the CSUMB's wired or wireless network?

Yes. OTTERalert “pop-up” messages will be delivered to a CSUMB computer while it is connected to the internet on or off-campus.

6. Q: Will I get the “pop-up” on my CSUMB computer if I'm not logged into my computer or my computer is in sleep mode?

No. To receive OTTERalert “pop-up” messages, you must be logged in and not be in sleep mode.

7. Q: What will Rave Notifier look like on my university computer?

Windows:

On Windows computers, the Rave Notifier icon will be displayed in the system tray on the bottom of the screen near the clock.

System tray screenshot with Rave Notifier R icon pointed out by an arrow.

On the Windows computer, you can right-click on the R icon and you will get a pop up menu allowing you to view the Alert History, About and Quit.

Screenshot of pop-up menu from Rave Notifier showing Alert History, About and Quit

If you click on About you will see the Rave Notifier screen: 

Screenshot of Rave Notifier About screen

Apple

On MacOS computers, the Rave Notifier icon will be displayed in the menu bar at the top of the screen.

Screenshot of top menu of mac with an arrow pointing to the R icon for Rave Notifer.

If you click on it, it will give you a drop down menu allowing you to view the Alert History, About and Quit.

Screenshot of Rave Notifer Pull Down menu

If you click on About you will see the Rave Notifier screen: 

Rave Notifier About Screen.

8. Q: What do I do if I am using a CSUMB-issued computer and RAVE Notifier is not installed?

If you are on a Windows-based computer, go to your start menu and search for Manage Engine Self Service Portal. In the portal you will find RAVE listed in availabe software. Click the Install button to the right:

Screenshot of Manage Engine Self Service Portal with Rave Notifier highlighted in list of available software.

If you are on a MacOS computer, go to your Applications folder and launch Self Service. Search for Rave and click Install or Reinstall: 

Screenshot of Self Service with Rave in the search box and Rave Notifier in the results pane.

9. Q: What should an instructor do if a OTTERalert comes up on the screen during class?

When the computer user receives an actual emergency alert (OTTERalert) on Rave Notifier, the user should follow the action steps that are provided in the message related to the emergency. These could include “seek shelter,” “evacuate,” “avoid the area,” etc. 

10. Q: What do I do if I am having issues with Rave Notifier?

Put in a Software Problem ticket as soon as possible or call the Technology Help Desk at 831-582-4357.