Computing Services for UNT Students:
An Update

By Dr. Elizabeth Hinkle-Turner, Student Computing Services Manager

As I prepared my talk for spring semester graduate orientation about the many computing services available to UNT students, I was suddenly inspired to contribute a Benchmarks Online article reviewing this also (actually my mother calls this "killing two birds with one stone"). So I am taking a break from the regular Lab-of-the-Month feature to bring you this update. Several new options and services have been added or changed recently.

We have a lot to offer

Services for students offered by the Computing Center and other campus computing resources can be initially divided into five categories:

1. Internet and E-mail Services

2. General Access Computer Lab Services

3. Remote Internet Access

4. Helpdesk Services

5. Training Opportunities

EagleMail

Of these, the first services most students utilize are the E-mail services. All students are required to activate their EagleMail accounts and check these accounts regularly for important official university business. These accounts become especially useful once classes begin because many professors use their ability to send "bulk" mail to their students with EagleMail to communicate more efficiently and effectively about classroom business. Students also now need to know their password in order to access online registration services. As a Web-based E-mail system, EagleMail boasts the same convenience as popular providers such as Hotmail and Yahoo in that mail can be accessed anytime and anywhere regardless of computing platform. EagleMail currently sports a new interface which students are encouraged to try out as soon as possible.

General Access Labs

One of the greatest services offered to students at UNT is the outstanding General Access Lab system. Currently registered students need only present their ID card to gain access to one of the fourteen labs on campus for general use. These labs feature the latest in hardware and software and also have specialized equipment such as CD burners and scanners. Printing in the labs is free and many labs also carry expensive area-specific software (such as Finale notation software in the College of Music lab) which a typical student may not be able to afford for his or her home use. Some of the labs also have digital cameras and digital audio recorders available for creative projects.

If you are a commuter student from Dallas and dislike the thought of driving to Denton in the evenings or on the weekends to use the computer labs, the new System Center Dallas lab location may save you time, gas, and headaches. Open to all registered UNT students, commuters from the area are encouraged to use this resource which may be closer to where they live. A more detailed account of each of the labs and their hardware and software resources can be found in the Benchmarks archives.

Internet Access

Both the Computing Center and Housing offer remote Internet access for students. Remote dialup service can be had for free from the Computing Center or students can opt to purchase Premium Service to avoid busy signals and other delays.

Dorm residents can utilize Resnet, sponsored by the Department of Housing and Resident Life. Featuring 100Mps Ethernet access, students simply plug their network cards into the system, do some configuration and have the same type of high bandwidth connection currently offered by cable modem, ISDN, and DSL services. Students who live in the University Courtyard Apartments also have access to Resnet. To learn more about Resnet, check out their site at http://resnet.hsl.unt.edu.

The Helpdesk

One of UNT's strongest area of computer services for students is its Helpdesk which has recently expanded its call-in hours to better serve the university community. Students can now call [940-565-2324] or send E-mail (helpdesk@unt.edu) for software and digital service support from 8:00 a.m. to midnight on Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1:00 p.m. to midnight on Sundays. Walk-in help is also available during the regular business day with some extended evening and Saturday hours. The Helpdesk also has a great new informative Website at www.unt.edu/helpdesk" and is also now the official help center for students taking WebCT courses.

Training and Advising Opportunities

Finally, any student wishing to further advance their computing skills and enhance their research can take advantage of the training and advising opportunities offered by the Computing Center in its Academic Computing Services area. Students needing to do statistical research have two full-time advisors (both with doctorates) and one part-time advisor to help with survey design, project planning, and the SPlus, SPSS and SAS statistic computing applications. Statistical services have recently expanded with the acquisition of a server specifically for the housing of research projects and software and the purchase of more specialized applications such as Eviews and Lisrel. More information about Research and Statistical Support Services can be found at their Website.

Short courses are offered every semester in Academic Computing Services and feature classes in statistics applications, Webpage design, database design and other more highly specialized topics. Anyone visiting the Helpdesk located in ISB 119 will also find a variety of handouts on basic computing skills. Additionally, all registered students have access to comprehensive online training via Smartforce CBT. Running on the Windows platform and using all versions of Netscape and Internet Explorer through version 5.0, Smartforce courses are available for Novell, Microsoft, and Cisco training; UNIX skills training; and Oracle training among other topics. All General Access Labs have the Smartforce Player Plugin installed for their browsers and students can also install the plugin at home. For all information about Smartforce CBT check out the Smartforce CBT Website.

Part-time Jobs!

Qualified students should also always be on the lookout for part-time jobs in all computing areas on campus. Anything from lab monitor to tech support might be available. Students should see lab managers, helpdesk managers, and tech staff managers in the various colleges and support areas on campus for job possibilities in addition to checking out the Student Employment Office.

A word about computer security . . .

Finally, a word about computer security and the information available to students about this important issue. The Computing Center and the Standards and Policy Planning Group have prepared an online security manual with helpful hints, important URLs, and other useful information about keeping your computer system virus-free and secure. All students are strongly encouraged to check out this manual as soon as possible.

That was easy!

So, preparing my orientation talk and this article was an easy task as there are so many computing support services for students on campus and so many new features to discuss. These services are almost exclusively supported with student technology fees so everyone is encouraged to get their money's worth! Further information about all of these services is easily accessible via the UNT Helpdesk Website.