Student Computing Guide 2010 – 2011
Please click here for a printing version of this guide
Using IT Facilities at UWE
Using IT Facilities requires a bit of pre-reading and this is the computing guide which we recommend that you read in its entirety. Its aim is to give students an overview on how to use the Computing and Information Technology facilities at UWE.
It has been designed for students coming for the first time to UWE Bristol, and can be a reference guide throughout the academic year for both new and existing students.
After reading the guide, you should be able to take full advantage of the facilities we have on campuses. You will either find the technical answers you are looking for or be pointed in the right direction to find the guidance and support you require.
This guide is updated and published every year.
If you wish to let us know how useful this guide is, please feel free to e-mail us at its.webpages@uwe.ac.uk
Enjoy this new academic year at UWE!
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Contents
Student Computing Guide 2010 - 2011
1 Introduction to computing at UWE
3 Tips on using a computer comfortably
4.1 Application software provided by IT Services
4.2.1 What you will find in the 24-hour PC lab?
6 Essential IT Services Maintenance Weekends for 2010/2011
7 What you need to access the computing services
7.3.1 Prerequisite - Setting up a questions & answers profile and changing your password
7.3.2. UWE Password Manager Interface
7.3.3 How to change your password
7.6 Choosing complex passwords
7.8 Log in (and out) the UWE Network to access computing services
9.2 Options on saving your work
9.2.1 Personal drive (H: drive)
9.2.4 Blackboard Content System
12 How to use the ITS Web Pages
15.3 How to access UWE Live Mail
15.4 Finding information about UWE Live Mail
15.5 Using Office Web Apps in Windows Live
15.6 Microsoft offers to work with UWE Live Mail
16.1 Introduction to Printing with Pharos
16.2 How To Open Your Pharos Print Account
16.5 Printing is a Two Step Event
16.5.1 Step One – sending your print job from the PC
16.5.2 Step Two – Releasing the print job
16.6 What if the printer chews up the Print paper or the print is faint?
17 ResNet (UWE Student Residential Network)
17.2 Where is ResNet available?
17.3 What services are available through ResNet?
17.4 What do I need to connect?
18 Wireless connectivity and Net Plus
19 Access the internet and UWE from home
24 Useful information about software and security
24.1 Software available – UWE student license
24.2 Recommended free software
26 Purchasing schemes for students
1 Introduction to computing at UWE
The University of the West of England provides via IT Services a number of computing facilities including a 24-hour PC lab, the IT Support Centre, a student portal, a printing system, a residential network service, wireless connections, a virtual learning environment, access to e-mail and the Internet, and many other services to support the IT infrastructure for students and staff of the University.
Faculties also provide Computing labs with specialised software that is specific to the faculty.
All PCs run Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2007.
For more information on the location of the 24-hour PC lab, printing facilities, the IT Support Centre and the other services, please see the relevant sections in this booklet and also visit the IT Services Web Pages
2 Policies and regulations
All students and staff need to read and abide by the IT policies and regulations which you can find on the ITS Web Pages.
Policies are important as they define what you can or cannot do for the benefit and the protection of systems but also individual users.
For this reason, students should pay particular attention to The Acceptable Use Policy for students (relating to IT).
3 Tips on using a computer comfortably
Here are some tips to help you to use a computer comfortably:
Sitting comfortably |
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Keyboard and mouse |
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Screen position |
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Software |
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Laptops |
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Breaks |
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If you see anything in a PC lab that you think is unsafe please report it to the IT Support Centre or the Faculty that provides the lab. | |
4 The computing facilities
4.1 Application software provided by IT Services
IT Services provide and manage the following Core Applications:
- Microsoft Office 2007 (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Sharepoint Designer, Picture Manager, Publisher, InfoPath).
- myUWE (portal)
- Blackboard (accessed via myUWE)
- UWE Live Mail
- Internet Explorer
- Adobe Reader
- Windows Media Player
- Minitab
- SPSS
- QSR N6 (Nvivo)
- UWE Diary and Info
The myUWE portal, Blackboard, UWE e-mail services, etc. are available via the internet and via ResNet.
RefWorks and eLibrary (Athens) are also available (please see www.uwe.ac.uk/library/info/research/), but supported by the Library.
The Core Applications are made available by IT Services. However, IT Services DO NOT provide support in the use of the above software except for myUWE and Blackboard (where support is provided via web pages and e-mail). Please refer to sections 13 and 14.
All other specialist software is supplied and supported by your faculty and will only be available in faculty specific labs.
4.2 The 24-hour PC lab
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4.2.1 What you will find in the 24-hour PC lab?
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- Colour and Black & White printers for student Pharos printing
- Pharos Print Station terminal. This is used to print documents.
- A Pharos Pay Kiosk enables you to credit your printing account via self-service online kiosk.
4.3 Computing Labs provided by Faculties
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4.4 The IT Support Centre
4.4.1 Location
• The IT Support Centre is located on the 3rd level of the Frenchay Library D Block, Room number 3D028A.
• Opening hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 09:00 to 16:50
- Friday: 09:00 to 16:20
• Please bring your student ID card to gain access to the IT Support Centre
4.4.2 How can you get help from the IT Support Centre?
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5 Getting IT Support
Need Help? Contact
General enquiries |
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Out of hours support |
Please check the IT Support Centre contact details |
Interruption of service notifications |
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E-mail, Xternal Access and other enquiries |
Please check with the IT Support Centre |
ResNet |
Please visit the ResNet web pages or e-mail resnet@uwe.ac.uk |
NetPlus |
Please visit the NetPlus web pages or contact the IT Support Centre |
myUWE and Blackboard enquiries |
and |
6 Essential IT Services Maintenance Weekends for 2010/2011
IT Services need to ensure that systems are regularly maintained. Maintenance weekends are scheduled to take place in the course of the year. IT Systems will therefore be unavailable during these weekends. Please take note of the list of published maintenance weekends below:
* all systems down from 16:30 on the Friday until 08:30 on the Monday
Maintenance weekends are published on the ITS Web Pages under ‘Interruptions’.
We apologise in advance for any inconvenience that these interruptions of services may cause.
7 What you need to access the computing services
7.1 Your username
Your username will be sent to your personal e-mail address from 1st August 2010. However, for many students, this may be after the confirmation of your examination results in mid-August.
Please print this e-mail at home (if you have a computer) before bringing it to UWE for registration. If you do not have a computer at home or if you have not provided us with your personal e-mail address, you will be able to pick your username and password from your school office, when you first attend for registration.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Your username and password must never be passed on to another person regardless of who that person is. The only exception being where you have logged a support call with the IT Support Centre, and in order to resolve your problem, you may be asked for your login credentials after all other avenues have been explored. In such an event, you should change your password immediately afterwards.
Please read and follow the Acceptable Use Policy for Students
7.2 Your password
As mentioned above, before starting your studies at UWE, an e-mail is issued to you. The e-mail contains a username and directs you to the password request system where you can follow the instruction on screen to receive your initial password to log in to the PCs and terminals, but to also log into facilities such as the myUWE portal, Blackboard, UWE Live Mail, and other UWE systems.
In addition to your password, you may be provided with usernames and passwords by your faculty to access faculty developed resources. These credentials will be managed by the faculty and you will need to contact your faculty for support in these cases.
7.3 Managing your password
7.3.1 Prerequisite - Setting up a questions & answers profile and changing your password
Q & A Profile
There is a system called UWE Password Manager that you can use to reset your password, should you forget it. The first time you log in to the UWE network, it is recommended that you set up your Password Manager Q&A profile. You can then use it to change your password. Without setting up this profile, you will need to contact the IT Support Centre to ask them to help you reset your password, if you forget it.
How to set up the Q & A Profile
Please set up your profile by double-clicking on the ‘Change Your Password’ icon which may be placed on your desktop or within the Start Menu. This will bring up the UWE Password Manager web interface. Alternatively, you can go straight to the interface by typing password.uwe.ac.uk into a web browser’s address bar. To set up your Q & A Profile, please choose the option ‘My Questions and
Answers Profile’.
7.3.2. UWE Password Manager Interface
• When you get to the Password Manager interface, type in your username and click OK.
• Choose the option “My Questions and Answers Profile”.
• Type in your current password and click the Next button.
• You will then be able to choose from a list of questions and provide personal answers to them.
• Should you forget your password in future and need to use the UWE Password Manager to reset your password, you will be asked two of these questions. So, please use sensible answers that you will remember!
• The third question must be specified by you. You can enter pretty much anything you like, as long as you remember what the answer is. Finally, click the Finish button. If successful, you will see a screen saying you have finished setting up your profile.
7.3.3 How to change your password
• At this stage, you can change your password, if you wish, by clicking on “Home” (in the right hand corner) to return to the login screen.
• Please log in again and use the software to change your password via the “Manage My Passwords” section.
• Here, you will be asked for your current password, and then asked to enter a new password twice.
• Enter your choice of password and click the Finish button.
• Please see section 7.6 in this guide for help about choosing a complex password.
• After you have successfully changed your password through UWE Password Manager, the change will immediately take effect in Windows, myUWE portal, Blackboard, UWE Live Mail and other UWE systems.
7.3.4 Reset your password
Resetting your password when you have forgotten it is now something all users can easily do themselves, thanks to our Password Manager system.
7.3.4.1 Reset your password with UWE Password Manager
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To reset your password, you must previously have registered on the UWE Password Manager website and have chosen three personalised questions and answers. These questions will be asked by the software when you try to reset your password.
• To reset your password, first try to log in on a computer by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del.
• Below the log-in dialog, you should see a bar with a button that says “Forgotten Password”.
• Click that button and wait for the Password Manager site to open.
• When asked, type in your username and click the OK button.
• Once at the Welcome page, choose “Forgot My Password”. (If you do not see this section of the software, you have not set up your Q&A profile and will have to visit the IT Support Centre to continue.)
• You will be asked to answer two of the three questions that you set up when you registered with the software. Enter your answers and click the Next button. If you answer successfully, you will then be allowed to set a new password.
• Set the password of your choice, click Finish, and close the page.
• You should then be permitted to log in with your new password.
7.3.4.2 Reset your password at the IT Support Centre
Alternatively, visit the IT Support Centre on the 3rd level of the Bolland Library on Frenchay Campus with your student ID card and the password can be reset for you.
7.3.5 Use of a Resetcode
Alternatively, IT Support may give you a “Resetcode” which you can use to reset your password via the UWE Password Manager process. To do this, you would click the “I Have A Resetcode” box instead when you access the site. Please note that your Resetcode will only be valid for 4 hours from the time of issue.
7.4 UWE Live Mail Password
For privacy and security reasons, your UWE Live Mail password is independent from your UWE system password. It is therefore important that you understand the following to avoid password issues:
- When we first create your UWE Live Mail account, we use the same password as your UWE system password.
- The first time you use UWE Live Mail you will be asked to complete a few profile questions, which will include changing your password. At this stage, your passwords will be different.
- If you change your password using UWE Password Manager, your UWE Live Mail and UWE system passwords will then be the same.
7.5 Other passwords
The IT Support Centre can only reset your “system” password. Other passwords may have to be reset by your faculty.
NOTE: Password security depends on creating strong passwords and protecting them. For more information, see Related Topics below: Choosing Complex Passwords and Protecting your Password.
7.6 Choosing complex passwords
The choice of computer passwords is becoming increasingly essential to protect the IT environment in which we study and/or work.
Users must be vigilant when choosing passwords so that unauthorised people do not misuse the network resources, and compromise the security of the UWE network and personal data.
For this reason, UWE have adopted a policy of complex passwords for which students and staff have to choose passwords which cannot easily be guessed or copied.
Requirements
Students and staff must therefore meet the following requirements when creating a new password or changing their existing password:
- Passwords must be at least eight characters long:
- Passwords must contain at least one character from all three of the following categories:
- English uppercase characters (eg A to Z)
- English lowercase characters (eg a to z)
- Numbers (eg 0 to 9)
- Passwords must not contain five or more characters from a dictionary word.
- Passwords cannot contain the Pound Sign £ or other unusual regional characters such as ¿,Ø, etc…
- Passwords must not contain three or more repeating characters
Tip
Random combinations of letters and numbers can be difficult to remember. To simplify this, you may wish to use a memorable word and replace key letters with numbers to meet the password complexity requirements; eg reMem63r, chAr4cter5, a5tron0My etc…
Warning – Do Not Use Special Characters!
Some users may be aware that they can use special characters such as ¢¥ ©®_μ® and so on.
However, the use of special characters is not advised, as some systems, that UWE Password Manager synchronises passwords with, cannot accept these characters in passwords. They will reject your request to change your password. Please ensure that your password consists only of characters from the following set of characters (note that £ is deliberately missing from this list):
!#$%&()*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?@
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{|}~
If you manage to use a character not in this list for your password, please reset your password at the earliest opportunity using only characters in the list above.
7.7 Protecting your passwords
To ensure security, passwords must be used carefully. The following will help protect your passwords:
- Never write down your password.
- Never share passwords with anyone.
- Never use your password for another purpose.
- Change your password every 60 to 90 days.
- Change your password immediately if you think it has been compromised.
- And set your UWE Password Manager Q&A profile to allow you to reset your password.
You should also be careful about where you save your password on your computer. Some dialog boxes, such as those for remote access and other telephone connections, present an option to save or remember your password. Do not select that option.
7.8 Log in (and out) the UWE Network to access computing services
7.8.1 To log on
You may log into a PC with Windows XP or log into a Terminal with Windows Server 2003
Log in to Windows XP
Log in to a terminal (Windows Server 2003)
• Type in your student username in the user name section (eg a-student)
• Move to the password section by pressing the TAB key or by clicking into the field. DO NOT PRESS ENTER/RETURN at this point.
• Type your password in the password section.
• Click OK or press ENTER.
• You will now be logged on to the system.
• Please wait for the logon process to finish before attempting to use any applications.
7.8.2 To log off the PC
In order to preserve the security of your files and to prevent malicious use of your account, it is absolutely vital that you log out of the PC once you have finished using it. You are responsible for the security of your own account. If you leave a computer unattended whilst it is logged in with your account, then you are responsible for the consequences. These could include having all your work deleted or having abusive e-mail sent from your account to other people.
Additionally, with the current printing system, your account could be charged for prints that you have not made, but that have been made using your logged on account.
7.8.3 To log out of the PC
From the Start Menu select the Log Off option
Select ‘Yes’ when you are ready to log off.
8 Your Desktop
When you have successfully logged into the PC, you will be presented with a desktop as shown:
8.1 Desktop Icons
8.1.1 My Documents
Clicking on this icon will provide access to your files in your Personal folder on your home drive H:\.
8.1.2 My Computer
By double clicking on the drives shown, you can see what files you have within each drive.
By clicking on the EDIT menu option shown at the top of the screen on the grey menu bar, you will be able to select all the files within a particular drive.
By clicking on the VIEW menu option, you will be able to adjust how this window is displayed. Help is available via the HELP menu option.
The drives that will be available to you are as follows:
- D = a local scratch pad (DO NOT save files here – you will lose them on logoff).
- H = secure personal file storage area backed up by IT Services.
- P = public directory, I.T. Services controlled, read only.
- S = shared area for faculty use. Further details about this will be available from your faculty.
- U = USB drive
8.1.3 Internet Explorer
Clicking on this icon will provide a browser you can use to access the web.
Internet Explorer can be used to access the UWE services such as the myUWE portal, Blackboard, UWE Live Mail etc…
8.1.4 Recycle Bin
This is an icon on Windows computers where files can be placed to be deleted. Files in the recycle bin are not however deleted until the recycle bin is emptied which makes it easier to recover accidentally deleted files. The Recycle Bin is not available on Windows Terminals.
8.1.5 UWE Diary and Info
This diary replaces the Student Handbook and provides initial information to students at UWE.
8.1.6 Change your password
See section 7.3 on Managing your Password.
8.1.7 myUWE
Clicking on this icon takes you to the personalised student and staff web portal.
The portal gives you access to a range of services, and is where you access the Blackboard virtual learning environment.
8.1.8 UWE Live Mail
Clicking on this icon will give you access to the students’ e-mail system, calledUWE Live Mail. See section 15 on E-mail system at UWE.
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8.1.9 Welcome to UWE or Welcome back to UWE
This will provide some guidance at the start of the academic year.
There are 2 options possible showing on your desktop:
8.2 The Start Menu
If you click on the Start Menu, which is located at the bottom left of the screen you will see a popup menu, which will give you access to the applications that you require.
When you are in a faculty room, there will be faculty specific software available, but if you are using a general room only the core set of applications will be present.
- Change your password gives you access to UWE Password Manager to change your password
- Internet Explorer is the most widely used World Wide Web browser
- myUWE is the UWE student and staff portal
- Programs will show a list of applications.
- Documents will show a list of the most recently saved files you worked on.
- Settings takes you to Security Settings.
- Log off will log you out of the computer.
8.2.1 Launching Applications
To start up an application, having clicked on the start button, simply slide the mouse up to the application you require. If the menu entry has a left arrow next to it, submenus will appear when the pointer is resting over the application.
Continue to move your mouse until you locate the application that you require.
Click with the left button of the mouse and the application will start.
Right is an illustration of the Microsoft Office Suite being started.
Should you wish some help using Microsoft Office 2007, please visit office.microsoft.com/en-gb/help (Click on ‘All Products’), or use the Help function within the Microsoft products.
8.2.2 Windows Explorer
Windows Explorer can be launched from the Start Menu by clicking Programs, Accessories and Windows Explorer.
The window that you see is split into 2 sections. In the Folders section on the left hand side is a hierarchical list of drives, folders and subfolders available to this computer. In the right hand section, you can list folders and subfolders present in each area and see the file names attached.
Depending on the view that you have chosen, this may be presented as large icons, small icons, lists or detailed lists. The view may be adjusted in exactly the same way as with My Computer, ie using the menu options at the top of the explorer screen.
The view shown here is in Tiles mode (see under the View menu).
Files can be copied or moved to other folders or drives by dragging and dropping them from their source to their new destination.
If you use the right mouse button, you will see a menu of operations that could be performed on the object you have selected.
8.2.3 Help
If you are having problems, you can use the online Help option. This may be accessed from the Help Menu within most applications, or by pressing F1.
9 Saving Your Work
9.1 Storage space at UWE
UWE provides you with centralised personal file storage.
Each student is assigned 1GB of storage space, accessible from PCs on campuses, or through ResNet, Net Plus and XA (Xternal Access). Your personal drive is available to you as H:\ and can be seen using the Windows Explorer as described in section 8.2.2.
If new files make the total of the data go over 1GB, they will not be saved or copied, and warning messages will appear. For more information, please visit Student Storage Facilities.
Students have additional storage space with Microsoft SkyDrive (up to 25GB!).
Further information can be found in section 9.2.3. However, please be aware that with SkyDrive, your files are backed up by Microsoft and not UWE.
9.2 Options on saving your work
9.2.1 Personal drive (H: drive)
Known as the H:\ drive, which is your own personal storage space allocated by the university.
- It can be accessed from all UWE computers on campus.
- If you are in a UWE Hall of residence, you can access it via ResNet (the Student Residential Network).
- If you are at home, you can access it via XA (Xternal Access) system.
- If you are on campus with your laptop, you can connect wirelessly to the UWE network via NetPlus.
It is recommended that you always save your work to this H: drive.
To see how much space you have left on your H: drive, go to My Computer. Under the section Network Drives, right hand mouse click on home (H:).
Choose the Properties option. You will see a gauge showing the used and free home drive space.
9.2.2 Removable Medias
eg CD Roms, USB Memory sticks
Which of these are available to you will depend on the type of PC you are using.
Blank CDs and memory sticks can be purchased from the Student Shop near Nat West Bank on the Frenchay Campus.
9.2.2.1 CD Roms
CDs are a cheap and relatively reliable way to make backups of your work.
There are 2 main options available: CD-R and CD-RW. The difference between the two is that you can only write/save once on a CD-R. You can erase and rewrite up to about 1000 times with a CD-RW. If you use your CD for daily backups, it should last about 3 years.
However, you need to ensure that you do not misplace the CD. For ease of retrieving your work, it may be useful to label the CD with the date of your backup, and store it in a safe and cool place.
Not all UWE computers have a CD Rom drive. Look out for Disk Stations in the libraries. They are used to transfer your work from the computer, which you are working on, to a CD.
9.2.2.1 USB memory sticks
Most USB memory sticks work on UWE computers. However, a few don’t, as IT Services cannot install drivers for every type of USB devices.
USB memory sticks are particularly useful for transporting documents between computers.
Nevertheless, it is not recommended as the primary working area for saving your work. If not removed properly from a computer, its content may become unusable.
Please use the ‘Eject Hardware’ icon from your computer’s notification area in the bottom right, if you are using a USB memory stick. On Windows Terminals, the memory stick is normally found under the U: drive.
9.2.3 UWE Live Mail SkyDrive
A good place for storing large documents and backing up your work is UWE Live Mail SkyDrive, provided by the Microsoft Live @EDU project.
All students with accounts in UWE Live Mail can use SkyDrive.
How to use SkyDrive?
1. use your web browser to go to skydrive.live.com
2. log in with your UWE Live Mail account
What does SkyDrive offer?
SkyDrive is part of UWE Live Mail.
The service currently offers 25GB of free online storage. You can access this storage from anywhere online. The maximum file size limit is currently 50MB.
SkyDrive can also be used to share documents with other people or the public, as well as storing personal files such as photos, videos and music.
Office Web Apps on SkyDrive are now available to everyone in the UK.
9.2.4 Blackboard Content System
Blackboard provides a personal storage area accessible from the Blackboard Content Collection tab. All students have an allocation of 40Mb of storage space for the purpose of storing assignments and GDP materials for use in Blackboard. However, it is not intended for long term general data storage. Guidance for students is available on the Blackboard support web site
9.3 Best practices for saving your work
9.3.1 Do’s
- Save your work as you work on it. Don’t wait until you have finished the document. Typically, if you are working on a document or spreadsheet for a long time you should save your work at least every 15 minutes or so.
- Use the Save As function (File/Save As) every time you save your work so that you save to the correct location with your chosen file name eg your H: drive. Don’t just use the Save icon.
- Save a copy of your important files (eg your assignments) to more than one location. In IT jargon, this is called backing up. We recommend that you save to your H: drive AND backup your work to another location (a reliable CD, a memory stick or SkyDrive).
- Files becoming corrupt, CD-Rs or memory sticks being damaged on the day of a hand-in, is not unknown. It’s your assignment, your file and your responsibility. Having a copy in another location is a simple way to protect your files and prevent you from the trauma of having to start your assignment all over again.
- If you are using a memory stick, we recommend that you ‘cut’ and ‘paste’ within Windows Explorer.
- The habit of backing up should scale with the importance of the work you are carrying out. If you modify your work file once a day, then you should backup every 2 to 3 days. If you are working constantly on an assignment for 5 to 6 hours a day, you should backup every day.
When saving personal or confidential data, please do take into consideration the Data Protection Act and the UWE Data Security Policy
9.3.2 Don’ts
- Do not use floppy disks or ZIP disks. They can be damaged by strong magnetic fields such as speakers, mobile phones, magnets in handbags etc…
- Do not work directly on an attachment in any e-mail. First, save the attachment to your h: drive and then work on the saved file.
10 Archiving your work
Archiving System
Unlike previous years we will no longer be moving your H drive data to an archive area over the summer.
It is now your responsibility to remove any old data from your H drive at the end of the academic year to make room for work required in the new academic year. See section 9.2.2 and section 9.2.3 for details of where you can transfer your old data, should you wish to keep it.
11 Data Retention
Please be aware that 42 days after the completion of your course, your username and any data held on the UWE systems will be deleted. IT Services is unable to retrieve data after this time. The exception to this is UWE Live Mail, which will keep working indefinitely provided that you log in at least once every six months.
Therefore, please ensure that you backup all your work and correspondence on on CD-ROMS, memory sticks and Microsoft SkyDrive, at the end of your course at UWE. If you have any credit balance remaining on your Pharos printing account, please contact the cash office for a refund within the 42 days mentioned above.
Note: access to your module materials in Blackboard ends when the module run ends. You are therefore strongly advised to download any materials you may wish to refer to in the future before you complete a module.
If you use UWE Live Mail or Windows Live Services such as SkyDrive to transfer your materials at the end of your course or store your data and files whilst at UWE, you will not have to worry about storing your data elsewhere. Windows Live offers services for life which are stored and backed up by Microsoft.
12 How to use the ITS Web Pages
Please see the Guidance on how to use the ITS Home Page
13 myUWE portal
myUWE is the University’s web portal, and is a good place to start if you want to use the University’s personalised web services. myUWE is where you go to register online. You only need to log in once to access:
- Blackboard, the University’s Virtual Learning Environment
- Online registration
- Your academic record, including Results and Notification of Credit and Assessment Marks
- Provisional coursework marks
- Online coursework submission and coversheets (if set up by faculty)
- Maintenance pages for your personal information
You may also find announcements posted for you in the myUWE portal, perhaps advising of important faculty or course information. Most students can also access their timetable via myUWE, and other services are being added.
myUWE can be reached from any computer with an internet connection and web browser. To log in:
- From inside UWE, either follow the link on the UWE intranet page (www.uwe.ac.uk), or type the word myuwe in the address field in your web browser.
- From outside UWE, follow the ‘Login’ link on the UWE public home page at www.uwe.ac.uk and then select the myUWE option, or type my.uwe.ac.uk into the address field for your web browser.
In each case you will be taken to the myLogin page, where you can log in with your username and password.
For security reasons, and because myUWE displays personal information about you, we recommend that you always log out of myUWE when you have finished.
This is especially important on computers that may be used by other people. Use the Logout link in the top right corner of the screen. This will take you to a screen asking you to confirm logout. Selecting Yes completes the logout process.
Further information can be found on the myUWE Support Site
14 Blackboard
UWE supports online learning and teaching with resources on the web. The University’s online learning system is called Blackboard. It can be accessed from almost any computer with web access.
This guide is intended to answer basic questions about Blackboard:
14.1 What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). If you are advised that course materials are available on Blackboard, visit myUWE and follow the relevant Blackboard links.
In addition to the presentations and documents you may find on Blackboard, the Discussion Board and Virtual Classroom facilities may be used for online communication with your tutor or other students. Some tutors may set online assessment exercises. Many modules are supported in Blackboard, but not necessarily all. Please consult your tutor if in doubt.
14.2 How to find Blackboard
Follow the links to myUWE to log in to the University’s portal. Once logged in, you will be able to access Blackboard resources from the Courses tab and the Blackboard announcements area on the Home tab of myUWE.
If you cannot reach the myUWE home page or Blackboard resources are unavailable, the University may be experiencing technical difficulties so please try again later. Notices are usually posted on the University home page if there are problems with availability, and these may include advice on alternative arrangements for reaching Blackboard resources.
14.3 Who can use it?
All UWE students with an appropriate enrolment have access to Blackboard. However, you will only have access to learning and teaching materials your tutor has chosen to make available through Blackboard.
In some instances, your tutor may not regard Blackboard as appropriate to a particular area of studies. For example, some tutors make resources available only for limited periods.
Your tutors will advise when your studies are supported in Blackboard. If a course has not been made available by your tutor, it will be listed in the myUWE Blackboard Courses tab under the heading ‘Blackboard Courses not currently in use by the tutor’.
14.4 What will you find in it?
If you are participating in a module run or other activity that is supported in Blackboard, you will be able to access its course site. Within the course site, you might find reading lists, lecture notes, details of assignments and other learning resources. This information may be in the form of web pages or downloads (eg word-processed documents or PowerPoint presentations). You might also find communication tools such as course discussion boards. The exact content of any particular Blackboard course site is controlled by the appropriate tutor or tutors.
14.5 Logging out of Blackboard
It is imperative you log out at the end of your session. Simply closing your browser will not be enough. If you do not log out when you have finished, the next user of the computer may be able to access your account and possibly misuse it. To log out always click the logout button at the top of the page.
14.6 Further information
Further information and advice is available on the Blackboard Support website, which can be reached via the ‘Help’ button at the top of the page in Blackboard.
15 E-mail system at UWE
Student e-mail is provided by UWE Live Mail.
15.1 What is UWE Live Mail?
- UWE adopted Windows Live services
to provide students with e-mail and online communication tools. - The key element of Windows Live services is UWE Live Mail. It is co-branded and the result of a partnership between Microsoft and UWE.
- With the UWE Live Mail ID (= your UWE e-mail address), not only you are able to use the e-mail system, UWE Live Mail, but you can access online services hosted by Windows Live.
- These online services include Windows Live Essentials (Messenger, Photo Gallery, Writer, Family Safety and Toolbar), SkyDrive, Spaces etc… For the list of services, please visit home.live.com/allservices.aspx
- It is a pre-requisite to set your profile and reset your password in the UWE Password Manager after completing your profile in UWE Live Mail or Windows Live Services. In this way, your UWE password and UWE Live Mail password will be synchronised at all times. This will avoid a lot of confusion at a later stage. Please refer to section 7.3.
15.2 Why UWE Live Mail?
- It is a free service for students and you can keep your account for life.
- It provides an ever increasing storage limit.
- Microsoft provides a 24/7 service of the system and support.
- Students with their UWE Live Mail ID have access to a suite of integrated web-based communication tools
- UWE Live Mail can provide additional storage with SkyDrive and now free online Office web applications called Microsoft® Office Web Apps. Please refer to section 15.5
- UWE Live Mail is a good way to keep in touch with what is going on at UWE.
- E-mails relating to your student life and courses will be sent to your UWE e-mail account. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you check your UWE account regularly. Your e-mail account will look like this: eg john2.smith@live.uwe.ac.uk
15.3 How to access UWE Live Mail
Best method when you are studying at UWE
- To access your UWE Live Mail e-mail account, please go to the myUWE portal. (You can access the myUWE portal by clicking on myUWE (UWE portal) on the Intranet: www.uwe.ac.uk)
- Once in myUWE, you will find an icon entitled “UWE Live Mail” which will take you to UWE Live Mail for subscription to the service (the first time you access UWE Live Mail) or for subsequently using the service.
Method if you are no longer a student at UWE
- To access UWE Live Mail again, you can type mail.live.com into your web browser (eg Internet Explorer).
Please do not forget to synchronise your passwords using the UWE Password Manager. Refer to section 15.1 (last bullet point) and section 7.3.
15.4 Finding information about UWE Live Mail
Information in the form of FAQs and Help documents about UWE Live Mail can be found at www.uwe.ac.uk/its/uwelive
Alternatively, you can visit the Microsoft web pages:
Search under the section Windows Live eg www.windowslive.com/explore or search the Help Central (it will give you the list of Windows Live Standard Services).
15.5 Using Office Web Apps in UWE Live Mail
In UWE Live Mail, Microsoft Office Web Apps give you browser-based viewing and editing of Office documents from anywhere you have a connection to the Web.
With Office Web Apps, the Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote files you store in SkyDrive can be viewed and edited in the browser by anyone you permit to do so.
In short, whilst SkyDrive stores the documents, Office Web Apps opens them.
To upload documents:
1. Go to office.live.com and sign in with your UWE Live Mail ID.
2. At the top of the browser window point to Office, and then click Your documents.
3. Click Add Files, and then click a folder or create a new folder. Keep in mind that you can make folders available to different groups of people; consider creating folders based on who you want to share documents with.
4. For each document you want to upload, click Browse and locate the file.
To create documents:
1. Go to office.live.com and sign in with your Windows Live ID. If you don’t yet have a Windows Live ID click Sign up to get one.
2. Click New, and then click the type of document you want to create: Word document, Excel workbook, PowerPoint presentation, or OneNote notebook.
3. Type a name for the document, and then click Save. The document opens for editing in the appropriate Web App.
For additional information, please see this article on Office Web Apps
15.6 Microsoft offers to work with UWE Live Mail
15.6.1 Microsoft Office Professional Academic 2010
Students who are enrolled at UWE Bristol in an undergraduate or postgraduate level course can purchase Microsoft Office Professional Academic 2010.
Alternatively, students wanting to buy Microsoft products, can contact one of the Student partners such as:-
- Software4Students www.software4students.co.uk
- The RM Basement www.rm.com/shops/hebasement
- Pugh Student Shop students.pugh.co.uk
15.6.2 Microsoft DreamSpark
DreamSpark is a program set up by Microsoft to allow students to download free of charge software design and development tools. For additional information, please feel free to visit www.dreamspark.com
16 Printing With Pharos
16.1 Introduction to Printing with Pharos
We offer a student printing system called Pharos. The main advantages of the Pharos system is that it gives students full flexibility for printing.
Print stations can be found in the 24 hour PC Room and at various locations throughout the University. A list of the print station locations is available on the ITS Web pages.
Each location has a Pharos print station with a black and white printer.
Some stations also provide colour and A3 output. See the ITS web pages for the locations.
16.2 How To Open Your Pharos Print Account
A Pharos account will already have been created for you. It will have a zero balance. Before you start printing, you must credit your account either via the Pharos Pay Kiosk, at the Library Issue Desk or via the Online Pharos Crediting facility.
Using the Online Pharos crediting facility, you can credit your printing account using a Debit/Credit card. Please check the myUWE portal for crediting your account. Information on how to use on the Pharos system will be available on the ITS web pages.
The Pharos Pay Kiosks are currently located in the 24-hour lab (room 2B017 – Frenchay), the Project Room in 2Q30 (Frenchay) and the Libraries:-
- Frenchay Library - 2nd level of the Library opposite the Issue Desk
- Glenside Library
- Hartpury Library
- St Matthias Library
- Bower Ashton Library
Minimum credit amounts of one pound coin or one five pound note apply. Not all Pay Kiosks accept notes, but they all accept coins.
Any cash balance left outstanding on your Pharos account at the end of your course (not at the end of term or at the end of an academic year) will be refunded on request at the Cash Office. Please refer to section 11.
16.3 Cost of Printing
Additionally, some faculties provide specialised printing facilities through Pharos. Please contact your faculty for information about these. IT Services do not provide duplex printing.
As you print, the amount charged for your printing is automatically debited from your account.
16.4 Username and Password
To access the printing system, use your username and password (as provided at the start of your course) to login to the print stations to release your prints to the printer.
16.5 Printing is a Two Step Event
It is good practice, and it will save you money, to “Print Preview” your document prior to sending it to a printer. If you use the Print Preview facility, you can see what your document will look like once printed.
If you are unsure about what you see in Print Preview mode, don’t print, but check with the IT Support Centre. It is your responsibility to double check that your document is as you want it. IT Services will not be able to give you a reprint or a refund for pages which are incorrectly printed.
However, IT Services is willing to reprint any pages which have been chewed up by the printer or have been printed with low toner levels.
16.5.1 Step One – sending your print job from the PC
In your application, to open the printer window: - Select <File>.<Print>
Click on the drop down selection box and change the printer name to: eg
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BW-A4 – Black & White A4 BW–A3 – Black & White A3 COL-A4 – Colour A4 COL-A3 – Colour A3 |
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Click <OK> to print file.
The file will now be waiting for you at the Pharos Print Station. You will now have to release this print job.
16.5.2 Step Two – Releasing the print job
Your print job can now be released to the printer by using the Pharos Print Station that is nearest to your PC room. (Instructions for their use are provided via posters next to the printers.) Print Stations can take one of three forms: a dedicated PC, a touch screen device next to the printer, or embedded into the printer’s display panel.
When you print, your Pharos account will be deducted by the cost of the number of pages printed. (For costs see section 16.3).
16.6 What if the printer chews up the Print paper or the print is faint?
DO NOT RE-PRINT THE JOB!!! First, call at the IT Support Centre with the printout. Let them know which printer station has the problem so it can be fixed.
The IT Support Centre will ask you to re-print the job but NOT release it via a Pharos Station. The IT Support Centre will print this job for you free of charge.
17 ResNet (UWE Student Residential Network)
17.1 What is ResNet?
ResNet is the UWE Residential Network service. If you live in one of the halls of residence listed below, you will be able to connect your computer to the University residential network (ResNet) from your room.
Full instructions are available on the ITS Web Pages www.uwe.ac.uk/resnet
You can also e-mail the ResNet team at resnet@uwe.ac.uk
To access these web pages, you may need to use a computer in any of the computer rooms on the UWE Campuses or any machine already connected to ResNet.
17.2 Where is ResNet available?
University Owned |
University Leased / Managed |
University Allocated Unite Managed |
Frenchay campus student village |
Drake House |
Market Gate |
Carroll Court |
The Hollies |
|
St Matthias campus |
Nelson House |
|
Glenside campus |
17.3 What services are available through ResNet?
- Access to the myUWE portal
- Access to your UWE e-mail account (UWE Live Mail)
- Access to the UWE web pages, the JANET and the www (World Wide Web)
- Access to personal file space on the UWE file store
17.4 What do I need to connect?
- A PC or laptop running Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7. You may use other operating systems such as Mac or Linux. However, support will be more limited than the Windows operating systems’.
- Antivirus software. Please ensure it is running and up-to-date.
For example:
§ Microsoft Security Essentials
§ AVG Free Edition, available at free.avg.com
§ Avast Free Antivirus, available at www.avast.com
- Latest hyperlink windowsupdate.microsoft.com for Windows service packs and security updates.
- Windows firewall enabled
- A working Network card, standard 10/100 ethernet adapter (not a modem)
- A web browser. We recommend Internet Explorer 8.0 or above. NB. You will need to change the proxy settings. Further details will be available on the hyperlink www.uwe.ac.uk/resnet
- Your username and password will be sent to your personal e-mail address from 1st August 2010. However, for many students, this may be after the confirmation of your examination results in mid-August. If you have not provided us with your personal e-mail address, you will be able to pick these up from your school office, when you first attend for registration.
Details are also available at www.uwe.ac.uk/resnet.
Please read the Acceptable Use Policy and the ResNet Terms and Conditions carefully at the IT Policies section before starting ResNet or any UWE IT connection or equipment.
Please refer to section 2 of this guide.
17.5 What is not allowed with ResNet?
- Use Peer to Peer software
- Download pornographic or offensive material
- Share copyrighted files
- Use MSN video/voice messaging
- Connect network devices
- Run your own server
- Use ResNet for any commercial activities and financial gain
- Gaming is not supported on ResNet e.g. PS3 does not work on ResNet
17.6 Laptop Support
The IT Support Centre provides some support for laptop problems, such as help with virus removal. We do not provide any hardware support, but are happy to offer any advice. Please call in at the IT Support Centre with your laptop or e-mail resnet@uwe.ac.uk to arrange a time.
NB. We are not licensed to install any Microsoft products. Therefore, if Windows needs reinstalling, you will need to provide your own recovery disks.
18 Wireless connectivity and Net Plus
Net Plus is a facility run by IT Services which allows students to connect their own laptops to the UWE network utilising both wired (Net Plus Docking) and wireless (Net Plus Wireless) technologies. |
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18.1 Where can I use the service?
For the full list of the locations where NetPlus wireless connection can be used, please visit www.uwe.ac.uk/netplus
18.2 Connecting…
Before you are able to connect to NetPlus, please ensure that you have anti-virus software installed and updated. You should also make sure that your windows firewall is switched on. If you are unsure, please contact the IT Support Centre before you connect.
If a virus is detected on your machine, it will be blocked from NetPlus immediately. You will then need to visit the IT Support Centre to have it virus scanned before we will allow you to reconnect.
NB. To access web pages that you need to sign in to, such as hotmail or Facebook, you need to set a proxy address in your web browser to http://www.uwe.ac.uk/proxy.pac
Full instructions can be found on Netplus at www.uwe.ac.uk/netplus
19 Access the internet and UWE from home
How do I connect to the internet and UWE from home?
You first need to connect to the Internet using your preferred Internet Service Provider (ISP). For the list of internet providers, you can visit www.ispreview.co.uk, either dial-up or broadband.
Once connected, you can access a wide range of public and secured UWE resources including the UWE website www.uwe.ac.uk, myUWE (the Student portal) and Blackboard, UWE Live Mail for e-mailing, and myXA (Xternal Access) for accessing your files saved on the UWE network.
20 UWE External Access System
What is myXA (Xternal Access)?
myXA is the external access system for home/external users with dial-up or broadband ISP’s. It allows you to retrieve your files on the UWE network from home (eg files from your h:/ drive or the s:/ drive) with the Remote File Transfer Utility (RFT).
Internal UWE web pages are also available for access via Student Intranet.
When you start the setup process, your computer will automatically download and install the necessary software to connect and use the Remote File Transfer system.
Please note a couple of points:
- Any link from UWE intranet to external websites may not work because the connection with myXA (Xternal Access) is secure.
- XA is working on Apple Macs.
If you are a member of the NHS Academy, it allows you to connect to a student desktop from an external internet connection.
Please see the External Access for NHS Academies information.
For external access information in general, please visit myXA (Xternal Access)
21 Web filtering
Web content filtering is the term given to application software that controls access to web pages and their content. This has been implemented at UWE to block access to websites that are classified as illegal, that promote spyware, proxy avoidance and sites where the promotion of student academic submissions are copied or provided.
22 Cyberspace
(Internet and e-mail access in the Street Café in S Block and the entrance of the Bolland Library level 2 on the Frenchay Campus)
Students are able to log into the internet access units using their normal Username and Password to go on the Internet, access the Student portal and check their e-mails via UWE Live Mail. You may want to refer to section 7 in this booklet on ‘Your username’.
For UWE Live Mail information, please refer to section 15 or the ITS Web Pages.
23 SMS texting at UWE
Students may receive important information regarding their studies via SMS texting.
If students do not want to receive texts from UWE and wish to opt-out of this service, they can do so via myUWE. For further details on the conditions of texting, please visit the SMS Texting policy.
24 Useful information about software and security
24.1 Software available – UWE student license
The following software packages are free to all UWE students for the duration of their studies at
UWE:
The software must be uninstalled when the student leaves the university.
- SPSS version 15, 16 17 and 18
- Minitab 15
- Nudist 6
- Nvivo 2
- Nvivo 7
- Nvivo 8
- ViewletBuilder 4
To obtain a copy of one of these packages, simply bring a blank CDR to the IT Support Centre in room 3D028A in the Frenchay Library. Please note: you will require one CDR for each individual package. For SPSS version 18, we require a blank DVD.
The Student will be required to sign an undertaking for all software borrowed.
Please note that Microsoft products are not available to Students under the terms of the UWE Licence Agreement.
24.2 Recommended free software
- Microsoft Security Essentials – protection from viruses and spyware from www.microsoft.com/security_essentials
- AVG Anti-Virus – anti-virus software available from free.avg.com
- Avast Free Antivirus – anti-virus software available from www.avast.com
- Sygate Personal Firewall – firewall package
- ZoneAlarm Free Firewall– firewall package
- Open Office – office suite available from www.openoffice.org.
24.3 The importance of Anti-virus software
It is compulsory to have anti-virus software installed at all times on your personal computer, if you want to connect to the UWE network, whether you connect through ResNet, NetPlus (Wireless) or XA (Xternal Access). Your anti-virus software will protect your computer from worms, trojans and viruses. It must be running and up-to-date.
24.4 The importance of a firewall
A firewall is a software program or piece of hardware that helps screen out hackers, viruses, and worms that try to reach your computer over the Internet.
Therefore, it is essential that your computer is firewall enabled at all times.
24.5 The importance of Security Updates
Even if you have a firewall and up-to-date anti-virus software installed, your PC can be infected with malicious software. It is important to make sure you keep your machine up to date with all the latest security updates. For Microsoft Windows operating systems, there is a built-in utility to do this, you should configure it to automatically download and install updates. See Microsoft Online Safety for help. Other major operating systems also provide regular updates, and you are advised to keep these systems up to date too.
25 Assistive Technology
Please visit the following website for information on available Assistive Technologies within the University http://www.uwe.ac.uk/advice/disability/assistive-technology
26 Purchasing schemes for students
Hewlett Packard and Dell Laptops and desktops at discount prices.
Please visit the purchasing offers.
27 Other Initiatives
In the course of the new academic year 2010/2011, IT Services may introduce new initiatives and services.
We strongly recommend that you visit the IT Services web pages (www.uwe.ac.uk/its) on a regular basis in order to keep informed of any new developments.
28 Useful links
Looking for….:
ITS website for information on shutdowns etc |
The myUWE portal |
UWE Live Mail (via the portal) |
UWE Live Mail (via Windows Live) You can type mail.live.com into your web browser (eg Internet Explorer) |
IT Services glossary of computing terms |
Library (for searching the catalogue) |
|
You will find Training courses and presentations, User Interface Guides and Demos. You can also use the Help function within the Microsoft products, A-Z support documents or our knowledge base available from the ITS web pages. |
29 Contacting IT Services
Via ITS website |
|
Via E-mail |
its.helpdesk@uwe.ac.uk (or fill in the ITS Online Support Form) |
By calling in |
IT Support Centre. Room 3D028A on the 3rd level of the Frenchay Library. Please bring your student ID card to gain access to the IT Support Centre. |
By telephone |
+44 (0) 117 32 83612 (or internally, extension 123) |
Address
IT Services
The Gardens
Bristol Business Park
Frenchay
Bristol
BS16 1EJ
For further information
Please visit the ITS website www.uwe.ac.uk/its.
Alternatively, you can visit the IT Support Centre on the Frenchay Campus, Room 3D028A (3rd level of the Library), or call +44 (0) 117 32 83612.
