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Computer Technology Tips for Students
Jump to any of the following categories: Assistance, Safety Tips, Software, Hardware Locations , Utilities, Laptop Users, and Macintosh Users.

Assistance:

Ray Smyer
Computer Lab Manager
Phone: (510) 780-4599 x 2980
Email: rsmyer@lifewest.edu
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday.
For an appointment, sign up at his office, Room 117MM.

Safety Tips:

Back up your data in more than one location.  USB memory sticks are generally reliable, but are easily misplaced and can wear out.   If you still use 3-1/4 in. diskettes or CDs, they also can wear out. RECOMMENDATION:    Back-up important files to an additional location.  External media are preferred so that files will not be affected by any virus or crash that would damage the hard drive or your desktop or laptop.  Also maintain a retirement program for your storage media.  A consistent file naming system for college work enables easy recognition and retrieval of documents.

Use anti-virus software. Norton Antivirus™ protects computers in the lab. RECOMMENDATION: Invest in some kind of antivirus program for your home system, and learn to update it. If you decide to use Norton, updates to the program's databases are available online, or from the lab manager.

Software:

The computer lab is a PC, Windows environment. Mac users should plan ahead for compatibility.  

Available software on campus -- Prevent incompatibility:

Compatibility of software versions between home and college can be an issue.  Student access computers run Microsoft Office 2003 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2003) Professional Edition and Internet Explorer, operating in an XP™ environment.

Students who have different versions at home should save documents in a format compatible with the campus computers, if they want to work on their document on campus.  In Word, saving a copy of a document in RTF format is good insurance.

Prevent problems with file transfer when using CD-R, or USB memory stick:

Storage media may also be incompatible with campus computers.  It is wise to test the storage medium used to transfer files from home to campus well in advance.  USB memory sticks and e-mail attachments are the preferred media for file transfer to a campus computer.  Occasionally, campus computers require the driver on a USB memory stick to be loaded at each use.  See Computer Lab manager for assistance.

Even though campus computers have CD-drives, they may not be able to read CD-RW.  Rewritable CD-RW works well on a single computer used to both save and open the files. It is better to use CD-R if the files are likely to be opened on a different computer. 

Instructional software:

Access to instructional software programs varies.  Some programs are restricted to use in the computer lab due to licensing, and many others circulate overnight or for one week. 

Hardware locations:

Library computer lab: Room 117G has more than 25 PCs. 

• The XP™ machines LAB 1-15 have read-only CD drives and also USB ports for memory sticks or other USB-compatible storage media.  External floppy drives with USB cable are available at the circulation desk.

• The XP™ machines LAB 16 - LAB 25 are equipped with combination CD / DVD-ROM drives.

All computers print at the networked laser printers.  Laptop users can connect to either parallel or USB cables located next to the printer.  It is important to follow the information on the yellow card attached to the cables.

Health Center: Room 201S has several PCs. These machines are used for word processing and Internet. They also serve a clinical purpose, since the library's research databases are accessed via the Web. 

Library imaging computers: In the media viewing cubicles, "Imaging 1" has radiology teaching files automatically running from a videodisc player, and is also set up for other programs about diagnostic imaging.  "Imaging 2" is a back-up unit, and the videodiscs are available at the circulation desk.

Library reference computers: Located near the reference desk, these PCs are dedicated to database searching and research problem-solving. No "web-surfing" or e-mail, please!

Utilities and other programs:

See the computer lab manager for assistance with:

• E-mail address password changes

• E-mail forwarding from campus account at [login name]@college.lifewest.edu to a different personal mailbox

• Submitting a paper to Turn It In! the online plagiarism checker.  See also the "Quick Tips" step-by-step guide in the computer lab.

• Formatting brochures and newsletters

• Creating a digital slide show using PowerPoint

Laptop Users:

See the computer lab manager for assistance with:

• Printing from a laptop using either the USB or the parallel printer cable at the laser printer in the computer lab. Additional driver software is available, but generally is not needed.

• Optimizing computer equipped with a wireless network card or internal wireless circuitry for Internet access.  Sometimes wireless Internet access appears not to work for minor reasons.  Check to see if the wireless Internet button was inadvertently pressed off.  Carefully follow operating instructions that come with the laptop or external wireless card.  See computer lab manager for assistance with compatibility.

• Using the library's laptop for a class presentation. During regular class hours, students can use a laptop for presentations. Advance reservation is necessary. Signing an agreement and receiving operating instructions are required.

Mac Users:

Compatibility between home and college for owners of Macs can be a challenge. Fortunately, advance preparation is worthwhile, as long as the application software is the same type. Please experiment with a test file before an emergency arises.

• Test compatibility early. For example, Microsoft Word for Mac is generally compatible with the college's supported version of Word.  Saving a document written using Word for Mac as an RTF file before transferring it to a campus computer is another option. 

• Purchase a VGA adapter if you plan to use your Apple laptop with the classroom projection system.  The library has only a few types of VGA adapters. Test early!

• Use appropriate storage media.  For anyone still using diskettes, PCs will not read Mac-formatted diskettes. However, Apple computers usually can read PC diskettes.