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These are some frequently asked questions and their answers. If you have a question that isn't answered here, or would like more information, please contact us.
Do I need a computer while I am at Trinity? In their report to the Dean of the Faculty, Trinity's Information Technology in Education Committee reported that, "ownership of an appropriately configured personal computer capable of accessing networked resources is essential for students to make the best use of the scholarly resources available at Trinity." Students are expected to own a computer, preferably a laptop. Ownership rate for students is currently over 99%.
When should I purchase my computer? With the rapid turnover of new technologies, particularly with computer hardware, it is suggested that students hold off purchasing their computer until the summer months, to reap the most benefits on their purchase. Most major computer companies lower their prices on a regular basis, sometimes within a period of weeks. It is important, however, to give yourself a chance to set it up and make sure it is in working order before arriving to campus.
Should I bring a Windows or Mac computer? The Information Technology Center supports both Microsoft Windows computers and Mac OS computers on our campus network and both are able to meet the typical student’s computing needs (word processing, Web browsing, e-mail, etc.). We recommend that you purchase the system you feel most comfortable with. Certain soft-ware programs used by the faculty may only be available to the PC platform but students still have the option of using the public computing labs to run this software if they own a Macintosh. Last year, approximately 45% of students chose Windows and 55% of students chose Macintosh. The Computing Center strongly recommends that you bring a computer that meets or exceeds our recommended configuration outlined at http://www.trincoll.edu/RaetherCtr/ComputingCenter/Students/Purchasing. We expect that a computer that meets these recommendations will be sufficient for four years at Trinity. If you have a Windows or Macintosh computer that meets our minimum requirements, we will make sure that you can be a member of the campus network.
In general, laptop computers are recommended because they take up less space in dorm rooms where real estate is valuable and they are portable, allowing you to take them to class, the library, or a place to study. With the introduction of wireless networking, having a portable computer provides even more advantages than a desktop. If you want to take your computer with you during breaks, it will be far easier to pack up a laptop than a desktop computer. Also, laptops facilitate the use of projection for any in-class presentation you may give. If you plan to bring a laptop to campus, particularly a Macintosh, make sure to bring all monitor adapters that come with the unit to hook up to the college’s in-class projection systems. It also should be noted that, without the proper precautions, laptops are more likely to be stolen or damaged than desktops. You should check your parents’ homeowners insurance policy to find out whether your equipment is covered while at school. We also encourage you to purchase a security lock for your laptop. All dorms have furniture equipped with anchors that allow you to secure your laptop to your desk with these security devices. If you are thinking about bringing a desktop computer, please be advised that the larger the monitor, the more likely it is that you will end up having space issues in your dorm room.
Although most computers can be used to write papers, not al computers are capable of fully utilizing the network. In order for your computer to be connected and supported on Trinity's network, it must meet certain requirements. Please pay careful attention to the following: We have included a minimum configuration list for both Windows and Mac computers you may already own and wish to bring to campus. At http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/cc/StudentHelpDesk/Purchase, there is also a recommended configuration list for new purchases. A computer with the minimum configuration will be able to access the network, but may not be able to take full advantage of all the networked resources. We cannot guarantee full support for these computers. The recommended configuration represents what we think of as a "4-year" computer that will serve you well for your college career with minimal or no upgrades. If you are buying a new computer, you should make sure that it meets or exceeds our recommended configuration. As most computers come "network ready" you will probably not have to purchase additional Ethernet hardware in order for your computer to access the network. Most manufacturers allow you to include an Ethernet card when you purchase your computer. If you must purchase an Ethernet card separately, please make sure it is 100Mbps compatible.
Windows XP Pro (not Home) and Windows Vista are the recommended Windows operating systems at Trinity. The Information Technology Center offers free copies of XP Pro and Vista Ultimate (upgrade) to all students free of charge in case they have earlier versions of Windows and would like to upgrade.
What word processing software should I buy? Trinity provides Microsoft Office (for Windows and Macintosh) for all student-owned computers. This means that students do not need to purchase their own software for word processing. Instead, Microsoft Office can be signed out and installed upon arrival on campus.
You should bring the system and drivers CDs that came included with your computer. If your operating system media is missing, contact the manufacturer of your computer before you arrive at school. This is extremely helpful should the need arise for a system repair. You should also have a virus protection application on your computer. If you do not have one, the Information Technology Center provides McAfee VirusScan.
Does Trinity support wireless networking? Wireless networking is available in public areas such as Mather Hall, classrooms, and the Library and Information Technology Center. But since wireless networking is a supplement to the existing traditional wired network, we will continue to maintain the standard Ethernet modular jacks (RJ-45) in all dorm rooms and current public access areas. However, please note that DORM ROOMS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH WIRELESS ACCESS. You must use an Ethernet cable to access the network in your dorm, which is faster, more secure and more reliable. Wireless routers are not permitted in residence halls, as they can be a security threat on our network and will be shut down by the network administrator if detected. If you do plan to take advantage of the wireless net-working on campus, please ensure that your wireless card (built-in or otherwise) conforms to the IEEE 802.11n/b/g standard and have the WECA (Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance) "Wi-Fi" stamp of approval. Cards that fail to meet these standards WILL NOT work at Trinity. More information can be found at http://www.trincoll.edu/RaetherCtr/ComputingCenter/AcctsAndNetworking/Trinair.htm.
Students find it beneficial to have their own printers in their rooms. We recommend color inkjet printers as they generally meet most students’ needs. They produce high-quality output that’s very similar to a laser printer, but at a fraction of the cost. If you choose not to purchase a personal printer, there are pay-for-print stations in every computer lab. Add money to your Trinity ID card and use it to retrieve your print jobs at any print station. You can also configure your personal computer and send a print job from your dorm room over the network to a public print station. The print job will be waiting in the queue until you come down and swipe your ID card to print it out. Documentation for public printing is available at http://www.trincoll.eduRaetherCtr/ComputingCenter/GeneralServices/Printing.htm.
It is strongly recommended that you regularly backup your files using a USB flash drive, writeable DVDs and CDs, or external hard drive. Flash drives range in size, from 512MB to 4GB of storage and they are convenient in that you can carry them around in your pocket and have quick access to your backups. Most DVDs have a storage capacity of 4.7GB while CDs only have a storage space of 700MB. External hard drives have the largest storage capacity, ranging anywhere between 60GB to 500GB, making it possible to backup your entire computer.
There are many popular brands available for purchase and their equipment is often very similar. However, we suggest that you purchase a name-brand computer as they have national customer support services available should you need them. We also suggest a product with a good warranty. Whatever computer you decide to purchase, refer to the Recommended Computer Specifications checklist to make sure your computer is compatible with our network.
Not all computers are created equal. The computer you have may be sufficient for use at home, but it might not be supportable on Trinity’s network. Even a brand new computer may not be able to connect properly on the network. If you have questions, we recommend that you contact the manufacturer.
Yes, yes, and again, yes. Because of the high volume of network traffic, the Internet is very fertile ground for the spread of viruses and it is very easy for your computer to get infected. While there are some harmless viruses, most are programmed to do harm to your system, often destroying data. Because of this risk, it is in your best interest to have anti-virus protection. If you have ever known any-one who lost their thesis because of a virus, you know that it is well worth the attention to keep your computer updated and protected. Computer security is a high priority at Trinity. For more information about viruses and computer security, visit our Web site at http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/cc/documentation/security. If your computer currently has a trial version of a virus protection application, it will eventually expire and the computer will become vulnerable to virus attacks. The Information Technology Center offers free virus protection for both Windows and Macintosh computers, so you don't have to pay!
First, find out if your computer is still under warranty. If you don’t know, simply call the technical support line of your computer’s manufacturer. If it is still under warranty, then the manufacturer will usually repair or re-place the damaged hardware at not cost to you. Contact the manufacturer for the specific details of the warranty about what is covered and what steps you should take to get your computer fixed. If your warranty has expired, then contact the Help Desk and a consultant will advise you on how to handle the problem. The Help Desk will offer its services to determine for you whether it is a software or hardware problem. If it is a software related, we will try to restore your computer by running diagnostics and system re-pairs. Please remember to bring with you the system and drivers CDs that came included with the computer. We may not be able to repair your computer without these CDs. If it is a hardware problem, meaning a physical component of the computer is damaged or defective, we cannot provide any technical assistance. We can, however, recommend several repair facilities in the area that you can bring your computer to for service.
Your e-mail address will be in the format Firstname.Lastname@trincoll.edu. For example, if your name were John Doe, your e-mail address would be John.Doe@trincoll.edu. You can find information about activating email accounts at http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/cc/documentation/email/firstyearemail.htm. All students are required to use their Trinity e-mail address for correspondence during their entire tenure at Trinity. However, students can forward their Trinity e-mail to another address. More information on e-mail can be found at http://www.trincoll.edu/RaetherCtr/ComputingCenter/GeneralServices/E-mail.
All dorm rooms at Trinity are equipped to provide high-speed connection to Trinity’s network and access to the Internet. In order to make use of this connection, however, appropriate network hardware must be installed in your computer. Most computers are "network ready". But if yours is not, you will need to purchase and install a 100Mbps Ethernet card to allow your computer to access the network. To take advantage of our wireless network so you can be online in classrooms, the library, and other public spaces, indoors and outdoors, ensure that your wireless card con-forms to the IEEE 802.11n/b/g standard and that it has the WECA (Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance) "Wi-Fi" stamp of approval. Wireless cards that fail to meet these standards WILL NOT work at Trinity. Please note that, as mentioned earlier, wireless networking is not available in residence halls.
Students who are living off campus can get Internet service from an Internet Service Provider (ISP) which can provide the speed of DSL or a cable modem. You should investigate what your local providers can offer.
No. Modems are not needed or useful on campus to connect to our network as these types of network connections are no longer supported. If you live off campus, it is recommended that you choose a DSL or cable modem provider for Internet service.
Students connecting from off-campus access the same network services that computers on-campus do. More information on connecting to the network from an off-campus location is available at http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/cc/documentation/comm-dialin/DSL_cable.
Are there rules for using the Trinity Network? Yes. Trinity has a policy governing the acceptable use of computing, communications, and video systems. The policy is found in the Handbook of Student Computing given to each student. It is also available at http://www.trincoll.edu/RaetherCtr/ComputingCenter/Students/Handbook.htm. Become familiar with these rules and regulations as students are expected to know and adhere to them. Ignorance of the rules is not an acceptable defense and any violations are subject to legal and/or college discipline.
While we will not reveal your identity to the copyright holder's representative on the basis of a complaint, there are legal means, such as a subpoena, which could compel us to disclose what we know. In recent years, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has taken action to subpoena the names and addresses of individuals at Trinity as well as across the United States who have violated copyright laws by illegally downloading unauthorized content, which includes music, movies, and software applications. In past cases these subpoenas have led to lawsuits and substantial financial penalties. The consequences of illegally sharing copyrighted material over the Internet are serious and we strongly recommend that you do not install any software that may put you at risk or cease operation of any current software that you may have. Further, using Trinity College facilities, such as your network connection, to engage in copyright violation is expressly forbidden by the College's acceptable use policy and is subject to college discipline. Please remember that ignorance of the rules is not an acceptable defense.
Instructions on how to set up your computer to access the network, including details on software you may have to install, will be available both on the first day of school during registration and any time of day at the Help Desk in the Library and Information Technology Center. Information is also available online at http://www.trincoll.edu/RaetherCtr/ComputingCenter/AcctsAndNetworking.
Contact the Financial Aid Office for information. You can also find information from certain computer manufacturers that offer leasing or loan programs to qualified students. Inquire about it when shopping for computers. If you do look into a computer loan or lease program, make sure you calculate the total cost of the purchase - the cost of the computer plus the interest or finance charge. You might find it advantageous to save your money until you can purchase the computer outright.
What should I do if I still have questions? If you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to answer them. If you want to reach us by phone, feel free to give us a call. You are also welcome to send us e-mail.
Last Updated 04/04/08 | Page maintained by: consultants@trincoll.edu |
