| CIRCA Services
This handout can be found online at:
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Student Guide to Computing
August 5, 1999 |
UF students receive computing support through their colleges and through central computing services. The central services are administered by CIRCA and NERDC. CIRCA is the Center for Instructional and Research Computing Activities. Part of the Office of Instructional Resources, CIRCA manages computer classrooms, provides computer accounts and consulting support, and distributes software. Reception is in 520 CSE. NERDC is the Northeast Regional Data Center. NERDC provides large-scale data processors, servers, and Internet connectivity services to UF and other state universities. Reception is in112 SSRB.
UF students are expected to meet the computer and software requirements specified by their college and degree program. A brochure describing the requirement is available in 520 CSE. Minimum requirements and a link to your college's web page can be found at: http://www.circa.ufl.edu/computers/
"Gator-Ready" IBM compatible computers that meet UF Computer Requirement minimum configurations, can be purchased from Compaq, Dell and Gateway. The PCSERVICenter (Compaq) is located on campus in the Reitz Student Union, Room G80, 372-8616. Call Dell at 1-888-973-3355. Call Gateway at 1-800-846-2754. Lease and "buy with option to trade" programs are available. Apple, Dell and Gateway computers can also be ordered through kiosks available in the UF Bookstore Technology Hub.The PCSERVICenter also provides warranty service for Compaq, and fee-for-service offerings to install, configure and upgrade hardware and software on most major brands of PCs.
The UF Software CD contains standard campus networking and communications software, some site-licensed programs and computer-based training. Configuration instructions for use of the Division of Housing Network (DHNet) and GatorLink dialups are included. UF Housing residents can request a CD. The CD is also sold for distribution costs at the UF Bookstore Technology Hub. Details are at: http://www.circa.ufl.edu/cd-rom/Popular software products are available from the UF Bookstore Technology Hub and campus PC SERVICenter. A deferment program for Financial Aid recipients to purchase books and computer supplies is available through the Technology Hub (392-0193).
The SODA Shoppe (SOftware Distribution and Acquisition) offers a web-based catalog and download site for UF discounted or site-licensed software, public domain and shareware software at http://www.software.ufl.edu. Email software@ufl.edu or call 392-SOFT for more information.
Most computer software is the intellectual property of individuals or corporations. Unauthorized copying of software is a violation of U.S. copyright law and can violate specific UF contracts. Please acquire software legally.
All UF students should obtain a GatorLink computer account. GatorLink offers free baseline services, including a mailbox or email routing, a quota of free Internet dialup per month and campus lab access. Additional charged services include extra monthly dialup and laser/color print. GatorLink also offers UNIX (Grove) computer services with web space, programming and file storage. Grove is free for graduate students, a minimal charge per semester for undergraduates. A GatorLink brochure is available in 520 CSE. You can create your account online at: http://www.gatorlink.ufl.edu or in 214 or 520 CSE.Other computer accounts may be available to you. Check the handout UF Computer Accounts available online or in CSE 520.
If you live on campus, you may be able to use a direct Internet connection in your residence hall through the Division of Housing. This connection uses the faster campus network rather than modem lines. See http://www.housing.ufl.edu/dhnet.htm or call 392-2161.You may access the Internet from home if you have a computer, modem, an Internet dialup account and dialup software. GatorLink services, available to all students, provide dialup Internet connections (PPP/SLIP). Students can authorize extra charged dialup beyond the free quota on GatorLink or subscribe to the IBM Internet Connection for Education or other Internet Service Provider (ISP). Detailed instructions to configure DHNet or campus dialups are on the UF Software CD.
You may use your computer, modem and a phone line to dial campus computer services which have their own dialup modem pool. Check with the department that issued the account to you to determine available dialup service.
Division of Housing residence halls that do not have per-room direct wiring, have network taps available in residence access labs. Many colleges support computer labs for their students. Check in your residence hall and college office for lab availability. A Student Government sponsored computer lab is available to students on the 3rd floor of the Reitz Union.CIRCA provides computer labs in CSE 211, Architecture 118, Weil Hall 408, Bryan Hall 232 and Norman Hall G514. You must have a GatorLink account to use the computers in the labs. IBM compatible and Apple Macintosh computers, dot matrix printers, and pay-per-page laser printers are available at each computer facility. Special equipment in some locations includes scanners, plotters, CD-ROM drives, and removable hard drives. Internet connections and software are available. Many popular word processing programs and other commercial software can be used from the lab network. For current CIRCA lab hours call 392-9321 or refer to: http://www.circa.ufl.edu/circa/labs/labs.html
New students may attend a free JumpStart! UF computing orientation session. See details at: http://www.circa.ufl.edu/circa/classes/jumpstart.htmlUF has entered into an alliance with the Gartner Group to provide learning and research services to students, faculty and staff. Online courses are accessible from campus sites with a GatorLink account at: http://ufgartner.ufl.edu/. Some courses are also available on the UF Software CD.
CIRCA offers a training program and computer literacy testing through the Reitz Union Leisure courses. Course topics cover Internet and desktop applications. See course descriptions and schedules at: http://www.circa.ufl.edu/circa/classes/classes.html
The UF Libraries (392-0361) offer free workshops on computer-related topics including Introduction to the Internet, Using Netscape and Using LUIS.
Any University of Florida student, staff or faculty member can call 392-HELP, stop by CSE 214 for account services or CSE 520 for consulting, fax 392-3760, or email helpdesk@ufl.edu to speak to a consultant about their computer problems. The UF Computing Help Desk is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays. Hours may be reduced during term breaks. Phone-only hours are available from 6 p.m. through 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday evenings. The consultants are experienced problem-solvers with campus computers and services. If referral is needed, they will route you to the appropriate campus resources. See http://www.circa.ufl.edu/circa/helpdesk/helpdesk.html
ISIS - The Integrated Student Information System includes web-based course schedules and registration, degree tracking, financial status and other student information. Access ISIS through any Internet Service Provider at http://www.isis.ufl.edu. Free dialup to ISIS is available. See the Telegator and ISIS Computer Access handout available in 520 CSE.LUIS - The UF Library Online Catalog plus reference databases and web-based full text articles. LEXIS NEXIS - Full text online newspapers and journals. See http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/
THESIS and DISSERTATION - Graduate students have electronic options for preparation and delivery of their thesis. Contact the Resource Lab at 392-3025. Details at http://www.ortge.ufl.edu/education/etd/
UF DIRECTORY - Online "phonebook" directory of UF students, faculty and staff. GatorLink email or email forwarding is registered in this directory. Click on the Phonebook link at the top of the UF Home Page: http://www.ufl.edu
Access to computer systems and networks owned or operated by the University of Florida imposes certain responsibilities and obligations and is granted subject to university policies, and local, state, and federal laws. Refer to the university’s Policy on Acceptable Use of University Computing Resources and the CIRCA handout Policies for use of GatorLink Services available online and in 520 CSE.
UF Home Page http://www.ufl.edu
Computing and Networking: http://www.circa.ufl.edu/comp.net
CIRCA: http://www.circa.ufl.edu
NERDC: http://www.nerdc.ufl.edu