From campus computer labs to free, easy-to-use Internet connections, it’s clear why the University remains one of the top ten “most wired” colleges in the nation according to YAHOO Internet Life magazine. Whether one is a new or returning student, campus computer services offer a variety of information.
Computing labs provide alternatives for students who don’t have personal computers, or are merely looking for a faster Internet connection and printing services. There are six public campus labs: The Knight Library ITC, Information Technology Center, EMU Lab, Millrace Lab, Social Science Instructional Lab and Grayson Lab.
The Knight Library ITC, one of the most popular labs on campus, offers a full range of computing software, from word processing to digital video editing.
Senior history major Peter Breaden said he goes to the ITC because of the information he can find through the library’s databases and resources.
“Being on the network lets me subscribe to full text articles and other materials I wouldn’t be able to get from home,” he said.
The ITCs also support Blackboard, the Web site for many classes on campus, and offer short classes — all in addition to the hardware and software that students, staff and faculty can use.
“Combined with our in-house book and CD collections, not to mention the whole library, the ITC is a great place to go for your computing needs,” said Andrew Howell, Knight Library ITC Manager. “You can always get help when you need it here.”
One can find a fast, simple way to browse the Web and check e-mail both on and off campus with Duckware, an informational CD-ROM that includes step-by-step instructions on how to get connected. Area desks in each residence hall will have Duckware CD’s available, or they can also be picked up at Microcomputer Services in 151 Grayson Hall. However, Duckware is not needed to connect to UONet.
“A new student living in the residence halls can simply plug in their ethernet cable and start browsing the web immediately,” said Dan Albrich, University microcomputer network specialist. “They don’t need to request a jack activation since all jacks are pre-activated.”
Students can also get help getting connected in their room through ResNet, the residence hall local computer staff. During Week of Welcome, ResNet will also be selling ethernet cards and cable and providing card installation and computer configuration for residents.
Dial-in modem directions can also be found on the Duckware CD-ROM.
There are also some changes and updates the University is continuing to make this year with computer security. Telnet, the popular program used to check campus e-mail, will no longer work after December of this year. Instead, students are encouraged to use SSH, a secure (encrypted) replacement for Telnet that eliminates the possibility of a student’s user name and password being peeked at by hackers.
“Computer security is a major concern,” Albrich said. “While some users say that they have nothing in their account or e-mail, they may not realize that a perpetrator can use their account as a lever to gain unauthorized access to other University systems and Internet connected systems.”
If students who currently use Telnet want the secure shell network, replacements can be found on the 2000 or 2001 Duckware CD. Alternative e-mail access can still be found in the form of secure web mail on email.uoregeon.edu, the new secured web-based password changer, password.uoregon.edu and additional alternatives, which will exist prior to January.
“The fall is an exciting time and we’re looking forward to assisting new and returning students, faculty and staff,” Albrich said.