Computing and Communications

You will need access to networked computing. Electronic mail is used for everything from official registrar communications and informal interactions with faculty members to late-night pizza conspiracies. Many assignments will require you to use library materials available online. Some may even require you to use Chicago's computer clusters, the advanced-visualization workstations, or even one of the virtual-reality environments. The results almost always will take written form, for which you'll use word-processing software.

Meanwhile, you'll be corresponding with your friends here and around the world, joining in online discussion groups, and on and on.

Here are answers to some questions you may have about computing and communications. More answers, plus advice and documentation, can be found in NSIT Resources, published by Networking Services and Information Technologies (NSIT), the central computing and telecommunications organization on campus. It's available online at nsit.uchicago.edu/nsit-resources/.

Do I need my own computer? If so, what kind?

Most students have their own computers, but the University of Chicago doesn't require that. Roommates often share computers, and there are public computer labs in several locations on campus and in most residence halls. The University does recommend that computers on campus, including student computers, meet certain basic standards. Computers that meet these standards (which include both Mac OS and Windows versions) are available at very attractive prices through NSIT's Campus Computer Stores (CCS). If you bring your own computer to campus, it should come as close as possible to the recommended standards, or full support may not be available.

The University also has a license to distribute a select list of Microsoft products and other security products to users on campus. For students, the license includes campus versions of Microsoft Office (both Mac and Windows), the latest Windows operating system, and other software packages. Media for these software packages is available at a low cost from the Campus Computer Stores.

Campus Computer Stores
Web: ccs.uchicago.edu
E-mail: ccs-sales@uchicago.edu
Address: Bookstore building, 3rd floor
Phone: 2-6086, 800-227-6632

Where are the public labs; when are they open?

The USITE clusters (located in the Crerar, Harper, and Regenstein Libraries and in the Biological Sciences Learning Center) are the principal computer labs on campus. In general, these facilities are open during library hours. The computer science department also operates a large quasi-public lab. Changes in lab hours are common, especially during quarter breaks, renovations, and expansions.

For more information, check the USITE Web site at nsit.uchicago.edu/academic/usite/computingclusters.shtml.

Computer cluster locations:
Web: nsit.uchicago.edu/academic/usite/computingclusters.shtml

How do I connect to the network?

If you live in a residence hall, your room will be equipped with an Ethernet jack to connect your computer to the network. To use the jack, you will need a network card in your computer, a cable, and connectivity software. The network card is your responsibility (Campus Computer Stores sells them), but the University provides the rest when you first register.

The University also provides wireless access to the network in most public spaces on campus. In order to access the wireless network, you will need to authenticate with your University network ID (CNet ID). Visit wireless.uchicago.edu for more information on wireless access point locations.

If you live off campus, you can connect your computer to the network through the campus dial-up modem pool. To do this you need a modem, which is your responsibility, and connectivity software, which the University provides you.

If you live far from campus or travel a great deal, the University's AT&T-provided supplementary dial-up service may serve your needs. Unlike the campus modem pool, the AT&T service costs you money.

NSIT Connectivity Package
Distributed at Orientation, the NSIT Connectivity Package (on CD) is also available from the Campus Computer Stores and the account administrator's office on the first floor of Regenstein Library.

How do I get an e-mail address?

All new users claim their account services online. This means that you will have the opportunity to claim your own account name (Chicago Network ID or CNetID) and establish your CNet password. Your CNetID and CNet password give you access to your e-mail, your directory listing, the modem pool, and the proxy server, as well as personal access to cMore, the registrar's Web site,and the wireless network, among other things. You send and read e-mail through software installed on your own computer that is included in the NSIT Connectivity Package at no cost to you, or by accessing a Web-based e-mail client at cmail.uchicago.edu. There are advantages and disadvantages to each (and in fact you can simultaneously use all methods to check e-mail); support.uchicago.edu/docs/email provides more information.

If you want to keep a separate e-mail account, please forward your e-mail from the University server to your separate account by visiting cnet.uchicago.edu.

ID and Privileges Office
Web: nsit.uchicago.edu/accounts/
E-mail: accounts@uchicago.edu
Address: Regenstein Library, Room 100F
Phone: 2-3344

Where do I get help?

Networking Services and Information Technologies (NSIT) offers introductory seminars and classes on computing. Some departments provide additional courses, and there are some online materials as well.

If you're having trouble with your own computer or campus network services, you can call NSIT technical support (4-TECH) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If technical support is closed, try to find another computer to use; there is no 24-hour computer support on campus (except for networking and telephone emergencies).

In light of this, here's some obvious advice: Make sure you always have a backup of your data, your papers, and so forth. Your backup can be on a portable hard drive, USB key or flash drive), or wherever—provided that it's not on or near your primary computer. If you have backup, getting around a dead computer is easy. If you don't, it's very painful.

If you believe the problem with your computer is hardware-related, call or visit the Campus Computer Stores service department.

If you're having trouble with (or have questions about) your dorm phone service or network jack, call student services.

NSIT Student Services
Web: nsit.uchicago.edu/vdn/connect/
E-mail: studentservices@uchicago.edu
Address: 1307 East 60th Street, 1st floor, west entrance
Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.
Phone: 4-6000

NSIT Support Line
Web: support.uchicago.edu
E-mail: support@uchicago.edu
Address: 1307 East 60th Street
Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.—6:00 p.m.
Phone: 4-TECH (4-8324)

Campus Computer Stores Service
Web: ccs.uchicago.edu
E-mail: ccs-sales@uchicago.edu
Address: 970 East 58th Street (Bookstore, 3rd floor)
Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m.
Phone: 2-7171

Can I do anything I want with my computer?

No. If your computer is connected to the University network, it is subject to University information technology policies (the eligibility and acceptable use policy). In general, these policies provide that University information technology (any equipment owned by the University or connected to any University network) is intended for University purposes, such as education and research, and may not be used in ways that interfere with those purposes. The policies also provide that access to University network resources is restricted to active faculty members, students, and staff members, and that no information technology may be used in ways that are illegal, that threaten the University's status, or that interfere with use of those resources by other eligible users.

Policies
Web: nsit.uchicago.edu/policies/

For further details on information technology policies, visit nsit.uchicago.edu/nsit-resources.

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