Library & Technology

FAQ — Computing/Networking/Wireless Quick List

Computer Requirement:
The Mandatory Laptop Policy and Minimum recommended laptop specifications may be found in the College of Law web pages. From our home page at http://www.law.ufl.edu choose the quick-link “Technology, or you may enter the direct address http://www.law.ufl.edu/services. Links to vendors providing a discount to UF Law students are provided on the minimum recommendations page. The UF Computer Use policy, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and information about technology in our classrooms may also be found at the same location.

General computer assistance:
The UF Computing Help Desk provides GatorLink, computer hardware, software, networking and wireless networking support to students via walk-up, telephone and web-based support. Walk-up assistance is available at the UF Hub on main campus; the first 1/2 hour of support is free. Please see http://helpdesk.circa.ufl.edu for location and times, answers to FAQs and a link for creating an electronic ticket for call-back assistance.

GatorLink:
Your Gatorlink (GL) account provides access and support for UF computing activities:

  • Your GL username and password is required to use (or “authenticate to”) wired or wireless network services anywhere on the UF campus
  • Your GL username defines and is part of your UF email address. We suggest you consider choosing a professional-appearing username as you may likely be in correspondence with prospective employers via email. The UF College of Law uses your GL email address to convey important communications. We will not accept or send email to any other email address. You are responsible for regularly checking your GL email account for important announcements. UF GL administrators have blocked the forwarding of GL email because AOL, HotMail and MSN occasionally block email. UF has an optional Junk Mail filter available for you to use. GL WebMail may be accessed here: http://webmail.ufl.edu and GL Junk Mail setup instructions may be found here: http://www.cns.ufl.edu/spam/index.html
  • Dial-up service. UF provides 60 hours of local dial-up access to the internet for $5 per month via your GL account. The GatorLink DialUp page at http://help.gatorlink.ufl.edu/dialup.html provides more information.
    Automatic dial-up configuration is available on the UF Software CD; see the UF Software CD section below.
    GL is provided by UF; assistance is available from the UF Computing Help Desk (see above). GL info, account creation and maintenance information may be found at http://www.gatorlink.ufl.edu You will need to provide the following in order to set up a new GL account:
  • Your last name
  • Your UFID (You can look up your UFID here by entering your SSN & DOB.)
  • Your date of birth

Wireless networking:
Wireless networking access is provided by UF Network Services and is supported by the UF Computing Help Desk, see references above. UF uses industry-standard wireless specifications. Equipment purchased bearing the “Wi-Fi” logo or stated as meeting the 802.11g (54Mbps) or 802.11b (11Mbps) standards should be compatible anywhere on the UF campus. Although Cisco Aironet adapters work best and have the highest power output, students are successfully using Linksys, D-link, NetGear and other well-known brands on campus. Wireless access should be available anywhere on the College of Law campus. Wireless Information: http://net-services.ufl.edu/provided_services/wireless

Virtual Private Network (VPN):
The UF VPN Service allows University Faculty, Staff, and Students to securely "tunnel" into the UF network to access services and is ideal for use over campus wireless networks. You only need an internet connection, the VPN software (available on the UF VPN site) and a valid GL account. You'll need to use the VPN service to download free UF Software (www.software.ufl.edu) and to gain access to UF Law library electronic resources. UF VPN site: http://net-services.ufl.edu/provided_services/vpn

Printing:
Unlimited charged black and white printing is available through CIRCA-provided print release stations at 10 cents per page. Printing from the Lexis and Westlaw sites is automatically directed to the respective free printers, but may be redirected to personal or pay printers. CIRCA charged, Lexis and Westlaw printers are available in the internet café and also on the first floor of the LIC. Wireless printing from a laptop is supported by CIRCA and the UF Computing Help Desk at http://labs.circa.ufl.edu. Hard-copy handouts for setting up wireless charged printing are available in the College of Law’s IT department at 323 Holland Hall. NOTE: regardless of where a print job originated (wireless or wired networking, local or remote), all print jobs must be individually and manually released at the printer release stations. Charging only occurs after jobs are manually released using your GL password. Unreleased print jobs are purged from the print queue after 6 hours.

Public Computers:
There are currently four (4) computers and two (2) walk-up wired networking ports for laptops in separate carrels. Carrel access is available on a first-come, first serve basis in the Internet Café located in the Bruton-Geer Hall cafeteria. These computers have Word, Word Perfect, Internet Explorer and Firefox; they have USB ports to accommodate USB memory sticks (flash memory). There are an additional three (3) stand-up computers available first-come, first-serve in the LIC Lobby (first floor of the Library).

Examsoft:
The College of Law uses Examsoft for computerized exams. Not all professors choose to give exams on computers, though. Currently, this is voluntary by professor and student. Should the professor choose to use the examination software, s/he will inform their students. The cost is $25 per student per academic year and covers all computerized exams. The Technology Services group will provide an orientation several weeks prior to the final exams in order to allow students to sign up, pay, register, and help ensure the software will work with their computer. Note that although Examsoft will work with Intel-based Macintosh Pro computers running Bootcamp beta software and Windows XP, the College does not support beta software nor this configuration. Until bootcamp is no longer beta software, support for Examsoft on Macintosh computers is only available through ExamSoft.

UF Software CD:
UF creates and distributes a CD loaded with useful software approximately twice a year at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. The software is licensed to UF Faculty, Staff and Students for home or office use for no charge other than for the CD itself. All software contained on the UF Software CD is supported by the UF Computing Help Desk. The CD is available in the UF Campus bookstores. CD contents typically include:

  • McAfee VirusScan with free updates (you should enable automatic, scheduled updating)
  • Web Browsers and Email programs
  • File Compression (Zip) and Transfer (FTP) programs
  • Auto configuration utility for GatorLink dialup to UF from home
  • Tutorial programs for MS Word, Excel, Access and others and access to an online library of software tutorials covering popular commercial software, all at no charge.

Please note: the UF Software CD and all programs contained within are supported by the UF Computing Help Desk. Most UF-provided software is available for download from http://www.software.ufl.edu.

OIT (Office of information Technology):
http://www.it.ufl.edu/services/students (Note: Use the drop down “Services” menu for services specific to faculty and staff). Provides various computer related services including:

  • ISIS: Admission, Financial and Registrar services, class information, transfers, transcripts, etc.
  • UF Library card catalog system
  • Software Licensing Services (educationally priced and UF-Licensed commercial software)
  • Web-based searchable UF phonebook with e-mail addresses. Lists faculty, staff and students.

Last update: 08/15/07 by M. Bergeron, Computing Services, 352.273.0750

 

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