Columbia Law School : Information Technology Admitted Students 2014 Information Technology Welcome Packet Columbia Law School Information Technology Helpdesk M- F (9-5) 05/01/14 v1
Information Technology at Columbia Law School Dear Incoming Columbia Law School Student: Congratulations on your acceptance to Columbia Law School. The Information Technology Department looks forward to working with you. Many factors will contribute to your technology experience at Columbia Law School, including the computer labs, notebook computers, computer training sessions, legal and Internet research, word processing, and email. Information regarding some of these resources is included in this packet. We suggest you study this material before you arrive in August. Of utmost importance are the following three topics. Please be sure to take care of these. Email Account Creation Your respective deans and professors are eager to communicate with you it is imperative that you activate your email account ASAP, in order to receive important academic-related information. Your Columbia email account is separate from your Law School network account. Email accounts are administered by the computing services provider for the greater University. The Law School network, administered by the Law School Information Technology Department, is a distinct network. While your access to the Law School network is granted only after passing an online exam, your email account can be activated and used beforehand. Also note, the Law School IT Department provides support for your email account; however, there may be occasions when you must contact Columbia University Information Technology (CUIT) for email support (e.g., if you forget your email password). We urge you to activate your email account on the web before your arrival in early August. Detailed email account creation instructions can be found on our Orientation website at web.law.columbia.edu/information-technology/new-student-guide. If you do not have Internet access this summer, stop by 216i Jerome Greene Hall when you arrive at Columbia for assistance in setting up the account. (Those of you coming directly from other Columbia schools will use your existing UNI email account and do not need to create a new one.) Mandatory Computer Training You are required to complete a computer-based training (CBT) session and pass a brief online exam before using the Law School s computing resources. The training will familiarize you with the various resources unique to our network. The CBT is available on our website at web.law.columbia.edu/information-technology/new-student-guide. In addition, CBT walk-in sessions (no registration is necessary) will be made available starting August 11 th, during library hours, in the 2 nd floor of the Law Library in Jerome Greene Hall. Please note that the Law School s computing resources cannot be accessed without a valid username and password. Notebook Computer Purchasing and Support Notebook computers are highly recommended. Please note that Columbia University has negotiated with Apple and Dell, to provide personal discounts on computers, peripherals, and software to incoming and current students. The program is available at http://cuit.columbia.edu/computer-discounts. The Law School Information Technology Department will be providing instructions on configuring your notebook for use on the Law School network. It is important that you familiarize yourself with our notebook support policies. Detailed purchasing recommendations and notebook connectivity support policies are included in this mailing and can also be found on our Orientation website at web.law.columbia.edu/information-technology/new-student-guide. We urge you to use a notebook conforming to our guidelines (unless you are able to operate a preferred platform independently); it will make your computing experience much easier. Please note that the Law School offers notebook support for CLS network connectivity only. For all other technical issues, you are advised to contact your vendor for computer support. Be sure to visit our Orientation 2014 website regularly throughout the summer, particularly in July and August, at web.law.columbia.edu/information-technology/new-student-guide, where you can create your email account, learn about our support policies, get purchasing advice, and more. If you have questions, they can most likely be answered on the website, but if not, please contact the IT-Helpdesk at 212-854-1370 or helpdesk@law.columbia.edu. Enjoy your summer and we look forward to meeting you! Frantz Merine Chief Information Officer/Information Technology Columbia Law School
Information Technology @ Columbia Law School Orientation 2014 Email Account Creation Your Columbia email account is separate from your Law School network account. Email accounts are administered by CUIT, the computing services provider for the greater University. The Law School network, administered by the Law School Information Technology Department, is a distinct network complete with its own unique resources. While your access to the Law School network is granted only after passing the online exam, your email account can be created and used beforehand. Detailed email account creation instructions can be found on the Orientation website at web.law.columbia.edu/information-technology/new-student-guide. Visit the IT Orientation website (see above) for instructions, or see an IT staff member in the 2nd floor computer lab, inside the Law Library in Greene Hall. Those of you coming directly from other Columbia schools will use your existing UNI email account and do not need to create a new one. Be sure to visit the Orientation 2014 website at: web.law.columbia.edu/information-technology/new-student-guide, where you can create your email account, learn about our support policies; get purchasing advice, and more. If you have questions, they can most likely be answered on the website, but if not, please contact: IT-Helpdesk Walk-In Support Location: Jerome Greene Hall, room 731 and 216i Regular Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Telephone Support 212-854-1370 (computer helpdesk) 212-854-8811 (lab consultant on duty during library hours) Email Support helpdesk@law.columbia.edu
Information Technology @ Columbia Law School Orientation 2014 Mandatory Computer Training You are required to complete a Computer Based Training (CBT) session and pass a brief online exam before using the Law School s computing resources. The training will familiarize you with the various resources unique to our network. The Computer Based Training (CBT) sessions will be available as follows: Online at web.law.columbia.edu/information-technology/new-student-guide. (preferred). CBT walk-in sessions (no registration is necessary) will be made available starting August 11th, during library hours, in the 2nd floor of the Law Library in Jerome Greene Hall. Please note that the Law School s computing resources cannot be fully accessed without a valid username and password. Please be sure to visit the Orientation 2014 website at web.law.columbia.edu/information-technology/new-student-guide, where you can create your email account, learn about our support policies, get purchasing advice, and more. If you have questions, they can most likely be answered on the website (see our FAQ section), but if not, please contact: IT-Helpdesk Walk-In Support Location: Jerome Greene Hall, room 731 and 216i Regular Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Telephone Support 212-854-1370 (computer helpdesk) 212-854-8811 (lab consultant on duty during library hours) Email Support helpdesk@law.columbia.edu
TECH BRIEFS Courtesy of the Information Technology Department CLS Exams on Notebook Computers Columbia Law School (CLS) offers students the option of using a notebook computer to take in-class proctored exams (essay-type only). In order to use a notebook computer to take exams, students will be asked to download and install a software application called SofTest. SofTest is offered and supported by ExamSoft and was carefully selected by the law school s Registration Services department as the official exam software at CLS. You may not use any other software to take CLS exams during the 2014/2015 academic year. SofTest is available for IBM-compatible notebook computers running English versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Apple Macintosh. SofTest is available for Intel-based Macs running English versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8, via Boot Camp. SofTest does NOT run on software emulators such as Virtual PC, Parallels, or VMware Fusion. SofTest does NOT support non-english versions of Windows. Students who fail to meet any of the aforementioned requirement(s) must handwrite their exams. The current version of SofTest does not require floppy disks. Students download the exam file(s) and submit their answer file(s) via the Internet. You will need an Internet connection to download the exam file(s) (prior to arriving in the exam room) and to upload your answer file(s) at the end of the exam in the exam room. In order to connect to the Internet in the exam room, you are required to register your Ethernet card in LawNet (law.columbia.edu/lawnet) prior to the exam (please see reverse side). If your computer becomes infected at any point, you may lose access to the Internet until you clean up your laptop. This can take days, endanger your personal documents; or require you to reformat your hard-drive and re-install your operating system and all your applications from scratch. Please make sure to take the necessary precautions to secure your computer (please see reverse side). There are some steps you must take to ensure that your notebook computer will be ready for exams: 1. Your notebook computer must meet or exceed the hardware and software requirements 2. You must take the necessary steps to secure your computer 3. You must perform each and every one of the steps listed in the exam checklist SEE REVERSE SIDE = STEPS YOU MUST TAKE TO ENSURE YOUR COMPUTER WILL BE READY FOR EXAMS 1
CLS Exams on Notebook Computers Students who are not prepared to take the exam on a notebook computer will have to handwrite their exam. Hardware requirements and recommendations Manufacturer CPU Memory Hard Drive Floppy Drive Battery Wired/Wireless Ethernet Card Ethernet Cable Any IBM compatible 1 or Apple notebook 2 computer 1.3 GHz or higher processor recommended 8 GB or more recommended 80 GB or more recommended (the more the better) Optional (not necessary) 3 hours or more recommended (the more the better) Must have at least one and it must be registered in Lawnet Please bring your own Software requirements Operating System English version of Windows XP Pro, Win7, Win8 Vista or Mac OS X 3 Software SofTest 4 Other requirements Screen Resolution Must be 1024x768 or higher Secure Your Computer 5 Turn on the built-in Firewall Turn on the automatic software updates This will help protect your computer from viruses and other malicious programs This makes it easier to keep up with critical updates that are released to protect your machine from viruses and other malicious programs Select a secure password Protect all local accounts with secure passwords (a combination of letters and numbers something that you can remember, but is virtually impossible for anyone else to figure out) Update your operating system It is critical that you update your OS regularly. Step 2 above will take care of most but not all updates. You must update your OS manually every once in a while Install/update/configure Norton 4 AntiVirus (Automatic updates + auto-protect) It will help protect your computer from viruses and other malicious programs IMPORTANT: If you arrive with an infected computer, or if your computer becomes infected at any point, you may lose access to the Internet until you clean it up. This can take days, endanger your personal documents, or require you to reformat your hard-drive and re-install your operating system and all your applications from scratch. Please take the necessary precautions to secure your computer. Exam Checklist Register 4 your Ethernet card in Lawnet Download/update Softest prior to your exam(s) Download your exam files prior to your exam(s) Take the Mock exam and be familiar with SofTest 1 Only Intel-based Macs running BootCamp or Mac OS X Mountain Lion (v. 10.8, Mac OS X Lion (v. 10.7), Mac OS X Snow Leopard (v. 10.6), Mac OS X Leopard (v. 10.5) are supported at this time. 2 English version of Windows XP or Vista required. XP Professional and Vista Business highly recommended. Software emulation (such as Virtual PC or Parallels) not supported. Only Intel-based Macs running BootCamp or MAC OS X (v.10.5.8) or higher. 3 English version of Windows XP or Vista required. XP Professional and Vista Business highly recommended. Software emulation (such as Virtual PC or Parallels) not supported. Only Intel-based Macs running BootCamp or MAC OS X v.10.5.8) or higher. 4 Registration Services will email you at the appropriate time w/ detailed info on how /when to download SofTest at no charge. 5 Refer to our Notebook Support Policy TechBrief or contact our It-Helpdesk support center in Jerome Green Hall, room 731 anytime between 9:00am and 5:00pm from Monday through Friday we will be happy to assist you. 2
Information Technology @ Columbia Law School Orientation 2014 Notebook Configuration Sessions If you own a notebook computer, stop by one of our walk-in notebook configuration sessions. We will be providing instructions for configuring your notebook for use on the Law School network. Arrive at the session with your Ethernet card and/or modem drivers already installed. Consult the documentation accompanying your Ethernet card for instructions on installing the card and drivers. Also bring an Ethernet cable if you have an Ethernet card (recommended length: 6 feet). We service English-language Operating Systems only. Win 7/ Win 8/ Vista Business / Mac OSX (Intel-based) Dates Times Location W-F, Aug 13 to Aug 15 09:30 am to 3:00 pm Jerome Greene 107 M-R, Aug 18 to Aug 21 09:30 am to 3:00 pm Jerome Greene 107 Please note that the Law School offers notebook support for CLS network connectivity only. For all other technical issues, you are advised to contact your vendor for computer support. You are NOT required to attend one of the sessions. You can perform the installation on your own with our instruction manual. The configuration sessions provide an opportunity for you to perform the installation with IT staff on hand, so we can troubleshoot any problems on the spot. Normally, you would have to make an appointment for troubleshooting, which may take days or weeks. Be sure to visit the Orientation 2014 website at: web.law.columbia.edu/information-technology/new-student-guide, where you can create your email account, learn about our support policies; get purchasing advice, and more. If you have questions, they can most likely be answered on the website, but if not, please contact: IT-Helpdesk Walk-In Support Location: Jerome Greene Hall, room 731 and 216i Regular Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Telephone Support 212-854-1370 (computer helpdesk) 212-854-8811 (lab consultant on duty during library hours) Email Support helpdesk@law.columbia.edu
Notebook Support Policy The Information Technology Helpdesk at Columbia Law School maintains the Notebook Support Policy outlined below. In brief, we provide: Support for problematic connections between notebook computers and the Law School network Detection and removal of viruses, worms, and dangerous spyware that attempt to get into your system Within this framework, we support a core set of hardware and software. For purchasing advice, please see the TechBrief titled Computer Purchasing Advice for Students. The Helpdesk will make every effort to support network connectivity for computers meeting ALL of the following requirements: Supported notebook computers: Any notebook computers (such as Dell and Apple) Supported Ethernet adapters: Any make or model Supported Wireless adapter: Any make or model that supports the 802.11b/g/n wireless networking standard Supported Operating Systems (English versions only): Windows 7, Windows 8, VISTA Business and Mac OSX TECH BRIEFS Courtesy of the Information Technology Department Unsupported Operating Systems: All Operating Systems other than Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows VISTA Business and Mac OSX are not supported. In addition, all non-english Operating Systems are not supported. Students are required to configure their computers themselves, using the Columbia Law School Notebook Configuration Manual for Windows 7, Windows Vista Business, and/or Mac OSX. For students experiencing problems with connectivity and/or computer virus infection, a Helpdesk Support Specialist will be available during Helpdesk walk-in office hours. Helpdesk walk-in office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Helpdesk Support Specialist troubleshoots failed installation routines. The Helpdesk Support Specialist does not perform initial installations (students must perform PC Card installations themselves using instructions supplied by the PC Card vendor). The Helpdesk Support Specialist supports connectivity and computer virus infection only. This includes connecting to the Law School network or dialing into the University. The Notebook Support Specialist does not provide support for applications, operating systems, hardware, or other issues. The Helpdesk Support Specialist will make every effort to support connectivity for any English version of Windows XP Pro and Mac OSX. For further technical assistance, contact your notebook vendor. SEE REVERSE SIDE TO DETERMINE THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT IT CAN PROVIDE FOR YOUR NOTEBOOK
TECH BRIEFS Courtesy of the Information Technology Department Obtaining Notebook Support The Information Technology Department has identified two explicit categories of technical support into which all student-owned computers fit. The following will help you determine which category your notebook falls into. Full Connectivity Support + Full Antiviral Support If you have: Any IBM compatible notebook computer or any Mac notebook computer AND English Windows Vista or Windows 7, Windows 8, or English Mac OSX AND Problems connecting to the Law School Network (Ethernet) or CUNIX (modem) AND Any Ethernet adapter make or model AND/OR Any Wireless adapter make or model that supports the 802.11b/g/n wireless networking standard Then the IT Department will do everything it can to ensure your connection. For notebook connectivity support, please visit the Helpdesk during walk-in office hours (Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm). Vendor Support If you have: Non-English Windows or Non-English Max OSX OR An unsupported Operating System such as Linux, Unix, Windows NT, Windows Vista Basic, Windows 3.1, DOS, etc OR A non-configured computer (i.e., your Ethernet card is not fully installed) OR A computer problem other than CLS network connectivity Then the IT Department CANNOT provide technical support. You are encouraged to contact your vendor or manufacturer for all technical support. If you are having problems with your hardware, operating system, software, or non-columbia ISP (Internet Service Provider) you are advised to contact your vendor, manufacturer, and/or ISP for all technical support.
TECH BRIEFS Courtesy of the Information Technology Department Student Computing Resources The Columbia Law School Information Technology Department regularly upgrades its technologies and services. The following resources are available to incoming students for the 2014-15 academic year. For more information, visit http://web.law.columbia.edu/information-technology/new-student-guide. A 100Mbps Fast Ethernet network connected directly to the University s high-speed Internet connection. Approximately 1000 Ethernet jacks placed strategically throughout the CLS buildings for notebook access. Wireless Ethernet access in classrooms and public areas in Jerome Greene Hall. LawNet, a web portal for Law School services, provides easy access to course registration, class schedules, grades, Ethernet card registration, address changes, and more at www.law.columbia.edu/lawnet. A network account on a Windows server with 50MB personal storage space is created for each student. Files located in student accounts on the file server are remotely accessible via a web browser or FTP program. An email account on the university email system with 30GB of space is created for each student, administered by the Columbia University Information Technology (CUIT) Department and supported by the Columbia Law School Information Technology (CLS-IT) Department. Dial-up modem Internet access is provided to all University affiliates by CUIT. Computer labs, located on the 2 nd and 3 rd floor of Jerome Greene Hall, furnished with desktop computers running Windows, Corel WordPerfect, Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Westlaw, LexisNexis, Adobe Acrobat, and more. Email terminals placed throughout the main Law School buildings allow easy access to email and LawNet. High-speed, networked Hewlett Packard LaserJet printers are placed in the 2 nd and 3 rd floor computer labs and on the 4 th floor Library. Each student has a 4000 page annual printing allowance. Additional pages can be purchased at the Library Circulation desk on the 3 rd floor of Greene Hall for five cents apiece. An instruction manual for connecting an English-language Windows XP-Professional, Windows Vista Business, Windows 7, and English-language Mac OSX notebook computers to the Law School Network. The Information Technology Helpdesk, consisting of the Helpdesk Manager, several Helpdesk Support Specialists, and a group of part-time Helpdesk Consultants all offering quality student computing support at the Law School. A Lab Consultant is available to assist students in the labs during Library hours. The Helpdesk also holds walk-in office hours for more in-depth support. Helpdesk walk-in office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. In addition to the services provided by the Law School, a number of other technology services are provided by CUIT, the University s Information Technology Department. Please visit www.columbia.edu/cuit for information on the services and training classes offered by CUIT.