UVM Orientation Computing Questions and Answers
Thank you for attending our UVM Orientation session, and for leaving us
a question or two on behalf of your students. We've combined several questions
into this one message, and we hope you'll find all of the answers helpful.
Please share this information with your students -- we'd enjoy hearing
from them if there's any way we can help further!
Q: Can a computer I buy through UVM be used after leaving UVM?
A: Definitely -- it's your computer and your software.
Q: I need a computer at home, too. Is there a discount for two?
A: UVM's contracts with Apple and Dell allow us to sell a student a second
computer, as long as it's purchased for educational uses. UVM is passing
quantity discounts along to students, but there isn't an additional discount
for a student buying more than one.
Q: I understand I'll need to start out with a "wired" Ethernet network
connection, but will I need wireless eventually? What wireless hardware
should I get?
A: You'll be able to use wired networking in your residence hall room and
lounge, and at the library, even when widespread wireless access becomes
a reality. Wireless standards should be announced by the end of 2001, and
hardware you purchase before we set standards might not be compatible with
the UVM network. If you're a Business Administration student, wireless
is highly recommended -- check the School of Business requirements at http://www.bsad.uvm.edu/.
Wireless issues will be covered in the Back-to-School mailing you'll receive
from UVM Microcomputer Services in July.
Q: Do I need a printer, or can I use school printers?
A: Having your own printer may be convenient at times, as long as you don't
mind changing ink or toner, clearing paper jams, and troubleshooting problems.
Lots of students print in the Bailey/Howe Library and in the computing
labs. Laser printing is 10 cents a page; color for 25¢.
Q: What are the minimum computer requirements?
A: A computer is a program requirement only for Business Administration
students, who should check http://bsad.uvm.edu/ for specifications. For
other students, any computer purchased through UVM will meet minimum requirements
for networking and for support. If you bring a computer with you, here
are the minimum specifications: PC o Intel Pentium¨ 233 MHz or compatible
processor o Windows 98 or 2000 (Windows ME is not supported) o 100 MB of
free hard disk space o 64 MB of RAM o CD-ROM drive o 10/100 Ethernet network
adapter installed and tested o RJ-45 Ethernet cable (category 5, min. length
40 ft.) Macintosh o PowerPC Processor o Mac OS 8.1 or higher o 64 MB of
RAM o 100 MB of free hard disk space o CD-ROM drive o 10/100 Ethernet network
adapter installed and tested o RJ-45 Ethernet cable (category 5, min. length
40 ft.) In order to be networked, computers *must* have a specified Ethernet
adapter installed and tested prior to arrival on campus.
Q: I have an IBM computer with 233 MHz, 48 MB RAM, 5 GB hard drive, CD-ROM
drive, and a modem -- but no Ethernet. It runs Windows 98 and Office 97.
Should I invest in an Ethernet adapter for it? Can I get support for any
problems?
A: Before you come to campus, add an Ethernet adapter and some RAM -- memory
is really cheap these days -- and that computer should be fine (see minimum
specifications above). UVM can provide software support at no cost. UVM
is authorized to do hardware repair on some IBM models (excluding the Aptiva
line).
Q: Can I use a computer with Windows Me?
A: Yes, but we aren't training our computing support team to help with
Windows Me questions and problems, so the help we'd be able to offer you
would be very limited. Microsoft, Dell, and other computer manufacturers
actually recommend *against* use of Windows Me in a networked higher education
setting like UVM, preferring Windows 2000 instead. Windows Me was a stop-gap,
dead-end product, and won't even be available for purchase by the time
the fall semester begins. For those reasons, and because Microsoft will
provide an upgrade path from Windows 2000 to Windows XP (expected to be
released this fall), UVM is recommending Windows 2000. For systems not
capable of running Windows 2000, UVM recommends Windows 98.
Q: What security software is available?
A: The most important step you can take to ensure the security of your
computer is to install, and keep up-to-date, good virus protection software.
UVM has licensed Norton Enterprise Antivirus, and installs it on all computers
purchased through the University. If you bring a computer with you, be
sure to download and install it once you get here (using instructions provided
at your residence hall's main desk). The UVM email service scans messages
for viruses -- a great reason to use your free UVM email account. To aid
in recovery of lost or stolen computers, UVM Police Services offers an
identification program and security devices. UVM is implementing firewall-based
security protection over the summer, but it's still your responsibility
to ensure that your computer is not vulnerable to malicious attacks that
could affect other computer users.
Q: Is Ethernet good anywhere besides UVM?
A: Ethernet is the standard in most networked organizations, and it's how
you would network your home if you were to subscribe to cable modem or
DSL high-speed Internet access.
Q: Can I use Ethernet with AOL?
A: You can use your AOL account over the UVM Ethernet network, since both
UVM and AOL are connected to the Internet. Contact AOL technical support
for help configuring AOL for Ethernet.
Q: I'm minoring in Business Administration. Am I required to have a laptop?
Wireless?
A: No, Business minors aren't required to own laptops, but you may find
it inconvenient to be without one. For example, when the majority of students
in your Business course are using laptops in class, you'll need to use
one of the computing labs outside of class time.
Q: During "crunch" time, how is the network response?
A: Many factors influence apparent network response, from the load on the
class registration server when hundreds of students are creating their
spring schedules, to general Internet congestion beyond UVM when an important
news event is in progress. UVM networks and servers generally hold up pretty
well; the main point of congestion is our link to the Internet, which is
much more expensive than the network on campus. Networked games and downloading
of music are two of the biggest problems for that Internet link, and responsible
use of bandwidth is the responsibility of each of us.
Q: I get space on UVM's Zoo server to store my academic work and other
files, don't I? Is there a limitation as to the amount of space I can consume?
A: Not really. We expect students' use to go up and down as they work on
various academic projects, so we don't set hard quotas. We don't look at
content, but if someone has hundreds of megabytes with a lot of .mp3 extensions,
or a bunch of downloaded software installers, we would seek their cooperation
in moving files to a more appropriate location. We also provide a scratch
area, separate from one's home directory, for temporary storage of large
files.
Q: I've heard that there are many different ways to check my UVM e-mail.
Which one should I use?
A: We encourage you to use a mail client that is configured in IMAP mode,
rather than POP mode. IMAP is great for students, because you can get at
your email anywhere in the world. In fact, we'll likely make IMAP the default
configuration on the computers we set up for students. You can check your
mail using IMAP with any of the following UVM supported programs: http://webmail.uvm.edu/
Pine (telnet to zoo.uvm.edu) Outlook Express Eudora 5 Netscape Messenger
Q: If I use IMAP so that I can access my e-mail from anywhere, is there
a limit to how much e-mail I can keep on the server?
A: We aren't currently placing any quota on IMAP space. Basic IMAP setup
instructions, which apply to Netscape Messenger and apply, with some interpretation,
for other email programs, are online at: http://cit.uvm.edu/email/imap_config_nsm.html
The Help Line can help you if you have questions while setting up your
e-mail software.
Q: Will the software be updated as the semester rolls by? Cost?
A: UVM-provided software for virus protection and Internet access will
be updated as new releases become available. On campus, you can download
and install updated software from http://cit.uvm.edu/software/. UVM doesn't
provide updates for software you purchase, including Microsoft Office.
If your major is in the School of Business Administration or the College
of Medicine, you're eligible to obtain selected Microsoft software upgrades
covered under in the Microsoft Campus Agreement. Contact the School or
College for more information.
Q: When is computing support provided? Where?
A: When you can't solve a computing problem on your own, and you can't
find the information you need in the manuals or built-in help pages that
came with your computer or your software, you'll be able to call UVM's
computer Help Line. If they can't resolve your problem over the phone,
they can designate a specialist to work with you in person. In addition,
we can provide hardware service for computers sold through the University.
Call 6-2604, email helpline@uvm.edu, or go to http://cit.uvm.edu/helpline/.
The Help Line is staffed Monday - Thursday 8:00 am until 9:00 pm; Friday
until 5:00 pm. For the first six weekends of the fall semester, there are
weekend hours, as well. Be sure to leave a message with your name and phone
number if you get voicemail when you call the Help Line, and be sure to
use your UVM-provided voicemail so we can get back to you.
In-room and phone help is available during August move-in for students
picking up new computers purchased through UVM, and there are help fairs
during the first week of classes. Check the move-in brochure, which you'll
receive in August, for details.
Some of the computing labs, such as the one at 113 Waterman, have consultants
on duty to help as you work.
Sincerely,
Andy Gingras,
Steve Cavrak,
Dean Williams,