Basic Computing Needs for Applied Linguistics Students

Lynn Santelmann (http://www.web.pdx.edu/~dbls)

For general information, you can always visit the website of the Office of Information Technologies (OIT) at: http://www.oit.pdx.edu

All students need:

1. An ODIN account.

An "Odin" account will allow you to access almost all campus computing resources (on campus and at home), including,

Email (WebMail, IMAP, POP3)

Dial-up Internet access

Campus computer labs

Disk space for personal files and web pages

            Access to WebCT (teaching software connected to a number of your courses)

2. How do I get an ODIN account?

            Go to Smith 18

            At one of the computers, log-in to the following web page: https://www.account.pdx.edu/

            Fill out the online form. 

            Show someone at the help desk your ID to verify your account.

3. Access to WebCT

            Go to: http://psuonline.pdx.edu/ and enter your username and password.

            Your user name is the same as your ODIN ID.

            Your password is the last 4 digits of your ID # ( NOT the same as your ODIN password).

If you have an ODIN account, you will automatically see the courses that you are registered for that use WebCT. If you just created your ODIN account, you will need to wait 24-48 hours before you can access your WebCT courses

4. Access to the Departmental Listserve

The department maintains a "listserve" for announcement, communicating info, requests for/from students, job ads, etc. You can get on the listserve by filling out the form at the orientation. If you somehow miss that, you can sign up for it during the first week of class, when every class will pass around a student information sheet. Just follow the directions.

If you want to stop getting e-mail from the listserve or change your e-mail address, please contact the current Ling TA (05-06 it's Francesca Monga: fmonga@pdx.edu) to do this. Please do not send a snarky e-mail to the whole listserve to do this. Note the listserve is for professional and academic information.

Other useful things

5. Anti Virus Software

If you have any connection to the internet, you need anti-virus software. If you do not have up to date anti-virus software, you are at risk of infecting your own computer, and the computer of everyone in your address book. Most viruses these days are intended to "take over" your machine and use them as a vehicle for sending spam. A few are still malicious and do damage to your files and/or your system.

You can get anti-virus software free through OIT to use on your home computer or laptop. There are 3 ways (taken directly from: http://www.oit.pdx.edu/news/antivirus.php)

 

1. Bring a blank CD or ZIP disk and make your own copy of the software. Visit one of PSU's general access labs that have CD writeable computers. (first floor Millar library lab and the university Studies labs in Cramer Hall)

2. If you have broadband DSL or Cable modem connections at home/dorm or while on the campus wireless network. You can download the installer of choice from PSU's Webmail system.

A. Login to your PSU email system at http://webmail.pdx.edu

B. Click on "My account" at the bottom

C. Select downloads and click on "Symantec Antivirus"

D. Select your option, and click on Save

3. For $1 you can purchase this software on a ready to go CD. Visit the University Market in Smith Memorial Student Union (SMSU) for a copy .

How can I install the software? Please visit http://www.uss.pdx.edu/bin/article.php?article=558 for complete instructions..As long as you are a current PSU student you may use this software on your home computer or laptop.

Once the software is installed, you must still regularly update it. New viruses are released every day. Personally, I recommend using the "Live Update" or "Automatic Update" (depending on the program) features which will do it for you. If not, update it every Sunday (or Monday, or whatever day you choose, just do it!)

 

6. Spyware filters

If your computer is slowing to a crawl, if you keep getting random pop up windows when you open a web browser, of if you've ever had anyone under the age of 25 use your computer, you probably are infected with spyware.

Spyware is software that is installed on your computer without your knowledge (often by clicking on links for free stuff or "you've won!" type pop-ups. It permits access to a computer, allowing someone else to observe the user, read data, or even control the computer (and so send spam or viruses).

Almost every computer has some spyware on it. You can and should check your computer regularly for spyware. There are several programs including, Ad-aware, Spy-bot and Microsoft's own Anti-spyware. Several useful sites to download the necessary software are:

Ad-aware: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Spybot: http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html

Mircosoft: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx