Students
Guide Contents
A guide for prospective students
Information technology is an increasingly important part of our everyday life. It is no different at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. If you learn with technology, you’ll be at home at UW-Madison.
UW-Madison
provides you with the technology resources you need to be successful:
- a personalized Web portal, providing Web-based email, a calendar, and access to campus and student information
- Internet access via a variety of network connection options, including wireless network access points distributed around campus
- 1,000 general-access computers available in labs across campus
- 24-hour help desk
- free training
- a retail store providing computing hardware, software, peripherals and supplies, advice and repair.
With these tools, you can communicate via email with faculty and other students outside the classroom. Learn from other students in free training sessions. Use word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and Internet tools for class assignments and research. Buy the latest hardware and software at great prices. Schedule appointments and campus events with your personalized calendar.
At UW-Madison, you’re never far from the Internet. Every University residence hall room has a network connection ready for your computer, and dial access is available to those living elsewhere. DSL and cable modem services from private vendors offer additional options for network connections in private dorms and other residences. If you own a laptop with a wireless network card, use the campus wireless network to connect to the Internet without cables and wall jacks. When you’re out and about on campus, stop at a general-access computing lab, computer kiosk, or checkout a laptop with wireless networking.
My UW-Madison Web portal
My UW-Madison is your personal entry point to student and campus information at UW-Madison. It is an easy-to-use Web tool that you can “personalize” for quick access to the resources you need to meet your educational goals. It includes Web-based email and calendaring and access to the campus library catalog. You can view your course schedule and grades, add or drop classes, update your personal information and more.
My UW-Madison content is spread across eight tabs:
My Front Page
Customize your front page to include Web-based email (you can read and send mail from anywhere), announcements, UW-Madison headlines, weather, the campus phone book and more. It also contains an academic calendar and a personal, interactive scheduling function that shows your class schedule and enables you to add appointments and events.Resources
Help Online (a Web-based information service on computing problems and solutions), the Electronic Shelf (free campus software) and the DoIT Tech Store are accessible from this tab.Academic
Class lists, advising information and course information are included here.Library
The campus online library catalogs and related resources can be accessed from this tab.Campus Life
Campus news, events and other information are included.Financial
Up-to-date information on your account balances and financial aid status is available.Student Record
Your course grid, grades, preferred email address, information on fines and holds and other important details can be accessed here.Enrollment
Add or drop classes and sign up for next semester’s classes when eligible from this tab.
You gain access to My UW-Madison when you activate your unique NetID. When you log on, My UW-Madison recognizes who you are and presents your personalized information. You get secure access to content based on your NetID.
Computer labs, laptops and kiosks
More than 1,000 computers are available in the 14 general-access labs located on campus. Even if you have your own computer, you can use the printers, scanners, CD burning and digital editing resources available in the labs; see www.doit.wisc.edu/computerlabs/. Wireless laptop computers are available for short-term checkout at several of the labs; see www.doit.wisc.edu/laptops/. Campus computer kiosks also provide Internet access in many campus locations; see www.doit.wisc.edu/kiosks/.
Internet connections
With your own computer, you have several Internet connection options that vary in speed, convenience and cost. You can connect using a modem (56K recommended) and phone line, Ethernet (ResNet in University Residence Halls), the Wireless Network (connect without cables at many locations around campus) or a commercial service like DSL (digital subscriber line) or cable modem. If you use a dial connection, you pay the cost of a phone call to UW-Madison’s modem pool.
ResNet (Ethernet) is included in UW Residence Halls and two private dorms (Towers and Regent). ResNet, DSL and cable modem require a computer with an Ethernet card. To access the Wireless Network, your laptop must have a wireless network card. The Tech Store Showroom has additional information about each of these Internet connection options.
Should I buy a computer?
You are not required to own your own computer, though more than 90% of UW-Madison students do. If you’re thinking about buying a new computer, first talk to your major department and the DoIT Tech Store Showroom. Your major department might have specific technology recommendations, and the Tech Store Showroom provides free expert consultation and product information to help you decide what you need. Contact the Showroom by phone (608-265-7469) or email (showroom@doit.wisc.edu) or stop in at 1210 W. Dayton St.
Should I buy a PC or a Mac? Laptop or desktop?
The DoIT Tech Store Showroom and your major department can provide valuable information to help you decide which computer is better for you. Consider the software you plan to use, any recommendations/preferences from your major field of study, and your personal preference and past experience.
Buy the computer that best suits your needs. Macintoshes and PCs have their advantages. Both are popular on campus, both are found in the computer labs, and both can be serviced on campus. Most software that a typical college student uses will run on either a Mac or a PC.
When deciding between a laptop or desktop, first consider what is most important to you.
Mobility
Consider a laptop if you think you will make use of the
campus wireless network that allows you to connect to the Internet
with your laptop, a wireless card and your activated NetID.
Screen size
If portability isn’t a priority for you, a desktop computer
might be a better option. Desktop computers usually have a bigger
screen and broader keyboard.
Price
Desktop computers are generally less expensive to purchase,
repair and upgrade than a similarly configured laptop.
You
can purchase Dell, Gateway and Apple desktop and laptop computers
at educational discounts available through each of these vendor’s
web sites. You can buy computer supplies, documentation, software,
peripherals, and parts at academic discounts at the DoIT Tech Store.
Before you buy anything, contact the Tech Store Showroom for product
information and assistance in identifying your computing needs.
Help
The University provides full Help Desk services, accessible 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week. You can visit the Walk-in Help Desk at 1210 W. Dayton Street, Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., send an email message to help@doit.wisc.edu, or call (608) 264-HELP (4357) anytime.
You can also access Help Online, a computing-related knowledge base, at helpdesk.doit.wisc.edu. At Help Online, you can search for solutions, follow the progress of your Help Desk inquiries, or email questions to the Help Desk mailbox.
Free training
As a registered UW-Madison student, you can take advantage of free training through the Software Training for Students program. Classes vary from basic desktop applications to advanced Web design. No registration is required, but seating is usually limited and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. See the Web site at www.doit.wisc.edu/training/sts for more information.
Tech Store
A campus retail facility, called the Tech Store, sells hardware and software at substantial educational discounts. Part of UW-Madison’s Division of Information Technology (DoIT), the Tech Store includes a Showroom that provides information, advice, and demonstrations on supported products. Contact the Tech Store Showroom at (608) 265-7469 or showroom@doit.wisc.edu. At the Online Tech Store, you can find DoIT-recommended products, comparisons, information concerning compatibility and other advice. Check out the Online Tech Store at techstore.doit.wisc.edu.
Repair
DoIT has an authorized service department that offers installation and repair services for computers, monitors, printers, and other equipment. Take advantage of reasonable rates or subscribe to one of several service-plan options to keep your computing system up and running.
Security and appropriate use of campus network
UW-Madison works to minimize risks to information and computing resources on campus. Appropriate use guidelines include:
• Be smart, do not swap copyrighted music or video.
• Do not SPAM. It’s annoying, and it slows down the network.
• Protect your computer – free Norton AntiVirus is available to all UW students.
• Your NetID and password are very important. Do not lose or share them.
Location and more information
DoIT is located at 1210 W. Dayton Street, and is open 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about computing resources available to UW-Madison students, see www.doit.wisc.edu/students/ or contact the Tech Store Showroom at (608) 265-7469 or showroom@doit.wisc.edu.