Getting help and reporting problems.

Return to computing resources.

Be advised, however, that, in general, it is the user's responsibility to know the software. The School is not in a position to offer endless help about every problem that might arise with every software package. Using software that you do not know is risky, at best, and irresponsible at worst.

In Room 310, there is problem sheet posted near the studio door. List the problem next to the machine name, in the most succinct terms possible. Stating "This machine doesn't work" is not helpful!

You may also report such problems to Andy Molloy, email awmolloy@syr.edu, or phone 443-3095. Again, be sure that the machine is clearly identified and problem clearly stated.

KNOW YOUR SOFTWARE!
It is the users responsibility to know the software they are using.

If you have learned or been introduced to a software package in a course, see the course instructor.

There is much information available in books and on-line. Using a sophisticated software package without have a good instruction book is not wise. Most of the answers to the questions can be found there. The SUB carries an extensive selection of books on computing.

The following are links to manufacturers or tutorials of several of the software packages we have installed:

Web tutorials

Strictly for beginners.

A simple guide to designing web pages.

1. Not paying attention to where the file was saved.
There are many places a file may be saved, including on a local diskette, on a local ZIP disk, on a local hard drive (on the specific machine you are using) and a remote hard drive (on the server). When saving a file ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS pay careful attention to the location of the file.

In the above example the Microsoft Word file named "ThesisV5.doc" is about to be saved into a directory named "bcoleman". Take careful note of the folder name. If this were not the desired folder, the down arrow to the right of the proposed folder name would reveal other folders available at the same level in the folder tree. Using the folder with the up arrow would move up one level in the folder tree. You may have to do some navigating to get to the folder you seek.

1. Click on the Start button at the bottom left corner
2. Select Find.
3. Select Files or Folders

Fill in the name of the file. The full name is not necessary. The program will look for directories (folders) and files that contain the string of characters that you type. Thus hous might return house, houses, boathouse, houseboat and housing. Be sure to select an appropriate value for "Look in..". Clicking on the down arrow at the right will list all the possibilities.

2. The system is full.

This means the disk on which you are attempting to save the file does not have sufficient capacity to store the file. You have three choices:

1. Select another drive on the local hard drive or another disk such as a floppy disk or ZIP disk. WARNING! The local hard drive is susceptible to being erased by others. If you store a file there, assume that it is only temporary, very temporary. Move it as quickly as possible to another storage device.
2. Remove other files in your folder to make room.
3. Beg, complain, cajole, and implore your fellow computer-mates to remove files from the server to provide room. There will never be enough room for everyone to save everything. Do your own part and store only files that you truly need and remove files that you no longer need. Storing any amount over 300mb is considered excessive and an abuse of computer privileges. Continuing  to do so may result in having your computer account suspended.

Your email account is with the University. This account gives you access to the general university Unix computing systems with a considerable range of software. It also provides disk space, web page space and other services for students.

You may have an account on the CHD or SOA server, accessible in Slocum Rooms 107 and 109. Typically these accounts are established for ARC256 or for special purposes. Your instructor has responsibility for authorizing and establishing these accounts.

You may have an account on the NT server in Slocum Room 310. These accounts give access to the machines in the CAD Cluster, Slocum Room 310 and the plotters in 310A.

To obtain an account on the NT server, email Prof. Bruce Coleman, list your full name and year. See About Your Account for additional information

For RoadRunner (Time Warner's high speed cable connection) see their web page.