|
These Webpages are designed to answer the
most common questions new students and their parents ask about
computers and computing at the University of Oregon.
- Should I buy a computer?
- If so, what should I buy?
- Where can I buy a computer on campus?
- Where can I use computers on campus?
- Is it safe to have a computer in my dorm room?
- Do I need to worry about computer viruses?
- What if my computer breaks down?
- Is it okay to use illegally-copied software?
- How will I know what software to buy?
- Do I need to buy a printer?
- Where can I find computer magazines, books,
or instructional videos and CDs?
- Can I access the Internet from my home or
dorm?
- How do I get my email address and initial
password?
- Where can I learn more about computing and
using the network?
Should I buy a computer?
Personal computers have become an extremely valuable tool in the university
environment. Many courses use the Internet as a regular
part of their course content. Whether you own a computer or use
one in a campus computing lab, you’ll find personal computers essential
for preparing term papers, doing research, and staying in touch
via email. Even if you’re
not thinking about buying a computer soon, you should be aware
that educational discounts are available on a number of popular
computer products through many sources—direct, retail, and mail
order. See Question
3 for information about buying a computer on campus.
What kind of computer should I buy?
Some departments emphasize Apple Macintosh computers; others use Microsoft
Windows. Check with your department before you make a decision.
Here are some links to a few departments with specific hardware requirements:
Where can I buy a computer on campus?
If you’re unsure which computer system will work best for you,
consider visiting the The Duck Store or
your local computer store. This is one of the easiest ways to sample a
variety of computers before buying one.
Before purchasing your computer, check with your
major's recommendations as to operating system (Macintosh or Windows),
minimum hardware and required software that your department or major
advises. If you have not yet determined your major, you may want to
use this information as a guideline in your purchasing to facilitate
your future success.
You may wish to generate price quotes online prior to shopping locally.
In some cases, stores will match the online quote. For Apple
equipment, visit their online
education store. For Dell
equipment, visit their online education store, Dell
University.
You'll sometimes find better pricing on their Home & Home
Office or Small Business websites.
Oregon has no sales tax. You can save up to ten percent off
the purchase price if you buy equipment and have it shipped
to an Oregon address.
You will usually need more RAM and disk space than the minimum requirements
listed on software packages. Most modern laptops include integrated
wireless Internet capability. We do recommend that you purchase
a model with this capability. For full access to network resources
from off-campus, you should consider subscribing to high-speed
cable modem or DSL service. Aside from email and casual web browsing,
a traditional modem is unlikely to be fully satisfactory for
network-intensive work at home. Those living in campus residence
halls or family housing have Ethernet access to the campus network
and the Internet. For additional guidelines on computing purchases, see
the Buyer’s
Guide.
Where can I find computers to use on campus?
You’ll find several types of public computing facilities on campus,
or see our Campus Labs
map:
1. Open-Access Computer Labs (for students, faculty, and staff):
2. For DuckWeb access only:
- DuckWeb Center, Oregon Hall, second floor
- Academic Advising, Oregon Hall, first floor
3. Instructional Labs (for class use only) :
Some academic departments maintain instructional labs that are restricted
to use within their respective areas. Check the IT
website to
find departmental IT resources.
4. Laptop Checkout (requires current UO student
ID)
For details, see the Laptop
Checkout for UO Students page or call (541)
346-1807.
If I buy a computer, will it be safe in my dorm room?
Protect your computer much as you’d protect an expensive bicycle
or stereo—engrave or stamp your ID number on major components of
your system, investigate insurance coverage, and lock
your property down with a cable when you’re not using it.
Our experience has been that the majority of computer thefts on campus
are crimes of opportunity. If you leave your computer on your desk, unlocked,
and your room open and unlocked as well, there are individuals who will
take advantage of that opportunity. Keep your door closed and locked,
your computer equipment secured, and you'll reduce your risk of theft
dramatically.
You should also consider purchasing a surge suppressor or an uninterrupted
power supply (UPS) device. Residence hall power circuits are often shared
by students using a variety of appliances (such as popcorn poppers and
refrigerators) that may impact your system’s power. Spilled liquids
pose another common threat to your computer. Avoid eating and drinking
around your computer, and consider protecting it with a waterproof cover
when it isn’t being used.
Do I need to worry about computer viruses and spyware?
Computer virus and spyware infections can cause you grief and often
require several hours of work to remove. Depending on the severity of
the viral incursion, a complete re-install of your operating system may
be required.
The University of Oregon has a site license for McAfee VirusScan for
both Windows and Macintosh. This software is free to all currently
enrolled students. VirusScan is available on the Duckware
CD and via download.
By using current virus protection software and avoiding
software, email attachments, and links of suspicious origin,
you can substantially control the risks you face. Other essential precautions
include routinely running Windows Update if you use a PC, and using a
firewall product.
For help with McAfee VirusScan, contact the Information Services Help
Desk at (541) 346-HELP or visit them in 151 McKenzie Hall.
Also remember to routinely back up your important files. Frequent backups
will allow you to recover from any software or hardware problems
that may arise. External USB- or Firewire-connected drives are relatively
inexpensive, and the first time they allow you to recover your computer's
files from a hard drive crash they will have paid for themselves.
What if my computer breaks down? Is repair service available?
Information Services Help Desk has
factory-certified hardware technicians who work on many brands
of computers and peripherals, including Apple and Dell machines.
These technicians can also offer advice regarding upgrades. For
more information, call (541)
346-3548, visit them in 151 McKenzie Hall, or check their website.
For assistance with software problems, call the Information Services Help
Desk at (541)
346-HELP, visit 151 McKenzie Hall, or email helpdesk@uoregon.edu .
Is it okay to use illegally-copied software?
Generally the answer
is “No.” The university respects copyright laws and insists
that its students, faculty, and staff do likewise. Copying proprietary
software is theft, just like stealing a TV or someone’s wallet,
and won’t
be tolerated on campus. Information Services will not be able
to assist you in installing, configuring or troubleshooting
software that has been copied or stolen.
Illegally-copied software subjects the university to risk of litigation
and denies software authors the compensation they deserve. Help
desk consultants will not help you with problems you’re having with
illegal software. Moreover, using such software could result in your suspension
from the university and either criminal prosecution or a civil suit for
copyright infringement, or both.
Play it safe: factor in the cost of
software when you buy a computer system.
How will I know what software to buy?
It’s best to wait to buy until you see what you need and what
you like. Some software may be bundled and pre-installed as part
of the overall price of a system you purchase, although it may
not necessarily be the best combination of packages for your
needs. The
Duck Store, TechHead and
other outlets also sell selected software products at educational
discounts to qualified students, faculty, and staff.
When you do buy software, you’ll want a word processing package
for term papers and the like. One popular word processing package
on campus is Microsoft Word. Selecting one program over another
is largely a matter of personal preference. However, less popular
programs may make it difficult for you to share files with others.
Some specific disciplines may require additional software. Check with
your department to see if they have any specific requirements or recommendations.
Before buying, make sure you have enough RAM and disk space to handle
the software you’re getting. See what other people are using, talk
to your instructors, and look through computer magazine software reviews
for a sense of what might work for you.
Do I need to buy a printer?
A printer is one of the most valuable of all the peripheral devices
you can add to your personal computer system. However, if your
budget is tight and your printing needs modest, one option is
to print your documents in one
of the public computer labs on campus.
Be sure the lab has the software you need for printing your document.
(Note that most labs charge for printing. For instructions on
how to print to the lab printers, and pay for your printing,
see the CampusCash web site.
A&AA also has printing services available, with wide-format
inkjet printers capable of printing up to 44 inches wide. The
A&AA Output Room accepts CampusCash and their own printing punchcards.
For more information, see the Output
Room web page.
Where can I find computer magazines and books or instructional
CDs and videos on campus?
For one of the most complete collections of popular computing magazines,
books, and other related resources, visit the Collaboration
Center in 175 McKenzie Hall. Here the most recent editions
of periodicals such as Wired and Linux
Journal are available for reference, and books, manuals, instructional
CDs and videos, and back issues of magazines may be checked out
for various periods. You can also find computer-related books
and magazines in the Knight Library and in the Science Library.
Can I access the Internet from my dorm room or apartment?
On campus: Most university housing has high-speed
Ethernet connections to UOnet, the UO’s campuswide computing network.
Nearly all computers come equipped with an Ethernet port, and
connecting to UOnet is usually simple. For assistance, contact
ResNet in 101 Douglass Hall. Call (541) 346-4223,
email reshelp@resnet.uoregon.edu or
see the ResNet web site.
Wireless access is also available throughout
most buildings on campus. For more information about using
wireless, see Get
Connected.
Off-campus: Modem service provides access to UOnet
from home or any remote location where a telephone line is available.
The UO modem number is 225-2200. DSL and cable modem subscribers
can connect via the UO’s Virtual Private Network (VPN). See
VPN
Overview. Information
on how to configure your computer to connect to the UO modem
pool is available on the Duckware CD or athttp://it.uoregon.edu/help/getconnected/ .
After you register for classes, a UOregon email account (Duck ID) is
provided for you. Your Duck ID gives you access to Blackboard, wireless,
modem, VPN and your email, including AlphaMail, the UO web email program.
For information on how to capture your DuckID, see
Question 13.
How do I get my email address and initial password?
New to the UO? If you're new to the university, you
can claim your account by visiting the Duck
ID page.
Enter your UO ID number and PAC to log in the first time. Any
letters in your PAC should be IN UPPERCASE for this form. Also,
if your PAC is longer than 6 characters in length, only use the
first 6 characters of your PAC as the password.
Already have a UO email address? If you already have
a UO email address, you already have a Duck ID. Your Duck ID will be your
username—the part of the address to the left of the @ sign—and
your current password.
For tips on creating a valid password, changing or resetting your password,
and other information about Duck ID, see http://it.uoregon.edu .
Where can I learn more about computing and using the network?
1. Workshops on Demand. The University Libraries’ Workshops
on Demand program provides free customized technology training
to faculty, staff, and students.
2. Workshops on video and CD/DVD. In addition to a
good selection of books on a wide variety of computer topics,
the Collaboration Center stocks an assortment of recorded workshops
on VHS tape, CD-ROM, and DVD. Sets usually include modules for
beginner, intermediate, and advanced users and cover all Microsoft
Office products, Adobe products, and various multimedia and web
development topics such as Dreamweaver, Flash, and HTML. Students,
faculty, and staff can borrow the workshops for a one-week period and
renew them twice.
3. The University of Oregon's IT
website. This website
has links to information technology
services offered at the university, as well as software documentation,
consulting resources, and help for common computing problems.
Help Resources is a good resource for students, faculty, or staff who have questions
about accessing their email, changing their passwords, connecting
via modem, using wireless networking, implementing antiviral
protection, and many other common questions and problems.
If you still have some computing-related questions, feel free to contact
one of the following:
• For account information and help with password changes,
visit the Help Desk in 151 McKenzie Hall.
• For Mac or PC questions and problems , contact
the Help Desk in 151 McKenzie Hall:
• For DuckWeb questions and problems, contact the Registrar’s
Office:
- Telephone: (541) 346-2935
- Email: registrar@uoregon.edu
|
