Navigating Technology at UNC-CH
For You
- Get an onyen. The Only Name You'll Ever Need is your login into nearly every resource available; you must change your password every 90 days! onyen.unc.edu allows you to customize quite a few features: email details, changing your name shell, and checking how much space you are using.
- Download AFS client. AFS client allows you to access your H:// drive, the web server space you automatically receive as a registered UNC-CH student. This H://drive includes file space that you can use to upload your files so that you can access them from any computer (hint! hint!) and public_html space that you can use to create a webpage.
- Configuring your 2000 laptop for wireless. This somewhat complicated process will make your life easier in the long run IF you have the "right" wireless card—Cisco Aironet 340/350 Series PC Card.
- Configuring a proxy server to work from home at the library. The proxy server allows you to access MOST databases from home; the library only has a limited number of "copies" of the database, and users on the proxy server are the first to get disconnected. The library webpages prefer Netscape.
For Your Classroom
- Setting up technology for your classroom. Though Blackboard is set-up automatically, you may want additional webspace for your course: request it from CIT. This page also has helpful links to web tools for web authoring, multimedia, and presentations.
- Getting access to a computer lab. GL 316 is the only computer lab controlled by the ENGL dept., and it is usually booked every period. However, there are computer labs in Davis Library, in House Undergraduate Library, and a really small (but very sophisticated) lab in The Johnston Center for Undergraduate Excellence. You can request access to these labs and specify whether you want a library/lab instructor or whether you want to conduct the class yourself.
- Use the Red Phone. The Classroom Hotline folks assist you with the installed projector cart (usually includes a VCR and laptop connection to a mounted projector). Just pick up the phone, tell who and where you are, and try to describe your problem in as few technical terms as possible. They will come to you if you can't resolve it over the phone. [If you have check out SITES equipment, ask the SITES intern on duty for help.]
Getting Help
- If you have a laptop from the University (one you own or one you borrowed), use help.unc.edu (chatting, email, and search-the-website tools) or go the basement of House Undergraduate Library to meet with a consultant.
- The computer in your office is serviced by oasis.unc.edu. You can make a service request by following the link.
- The SITES lab consultant on duty in GL 314 is usually knowledgable or, at least, knows who is knowledgeable about your problem.
Tips
- Fill out a green card at Davis Library requesting that all of your circulation notices (late books, recall notices, library loan requests) come to your university email account. The alternative is that it comes in the mail, which means more fines if your books are late.
- Not all areas in Davis Library are wireless, so be prepared to use an ethernet cable. Also, you must be registered on the campus network (complete step one).
- When in doubt, check help.unc.edu. They have a handout and/or training course for nearly everything.