ACS/Computer Repair and Installation (CRI) (cri.ucsd.edu; 858-534-4057) performs warranty repairs and upgrades as an Authorized Service Provider for Apple, Dell, Gateway, and Xerox. Covered warranty repairs are free. CRI also services most out-of-warranty computer equipment, including printers on a fee-for-service basis. In-shop and on-site service is available for convenience. CRI offers OEM Microsoft licensed OS software that includes an installation CD and documentation. OEM sales are restricted to UCSD affiliates only. In addition, CRI provides computer network installation and cable management on a fee-for-service basis. CRI can clean up, install, or troubleshoot and repair network cabling from the wall jack to the distribution closet.

Electronic Mail

There are two steps to getting set-up for email at UCSD: obtaining an email account and acquiring a network username and email address (e.g., username@ucsd.edu).

Obtaining an Email Account

First ask your MSO/DBO if this process is handled within the department. Many departments maintain a mail server or handle the administration of accounts.

If your department cannot create an email account for you, ACS/Networks Operations can provide one. ACS/Network Operations currently offers a free account that supports POP and IMAP protocols that are used by most popular mail programs including Eudora, Outlook, Netscape Main, and Web-based mail readers. To sign up for the free POP/IMAP account, take your UCSD ID card to the ACS/Network Operations office (Room 2113) in the Applied Physics and Mathematics (AP&M) building, Monday-Friday, 10 A.M.-3:30 P.M. ACS/Network Operations also offers a fee-based Microsoft Exchange 2000 service (www-no.ucsd.edu/exchange2k).

Acquiring a Network Username

Registering for a network username serves many purposes at UCSD, including providing access to the wireless network; UCSD proxy services, fee-based UCSD dial-in service, and certain library services. A typical username begins with the first letter of the user's first name, followed by the user's surname (e.g., jsmith).

Registering for a network username also ensures that the central UCSD mail systems will accept mail addressed to your username@ucsd.edu address and deliver it to your account. You can direct your @ucsd.edu email address to any valid email account, including an account set-up by your department, the account set-up by ACS/Network Operations, or an account outside the UCSD system. Once you know your network username and password, you can change the destination of this special @ucsd.edu address at any time using the Web (www-no.ucsd.edu/services/mboxchange.html).

If you obtain a departmental email account, your local systems administrator should register you for a network username and provide you with a password. If you obtain an ACS/Network Operations POP/IMAP or Microsoft Exchange account, your network username and password will be created at the same time, and that password will be the same one used for your email account.

Webmail

ACS offers a Web-based email tool called ACS-Webmail (acs-webmail.ucsd.edu). ACS-Webmail is particularly valuable for casual use when you are traveling and do not have access to your own computer. For day-to-day use, personally configured email programs such as Eudora and Outlook Express are more efficient.

Connecting Your Home Computer to the Campus Network

You may obtain dial-in modem service from ACS/Network Operations (www-no.ucsd.edu following the link "From off campus"). UCSD will be your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and you will be charged monthly fees for the service. One advantage of using UCSD as your ISP is that your home computer will automatically be recognized as belonging to the ucsd.edu network which simplifies access to electronic journals and other resources that are restricted by license to the UCSD community.

You also have the option of using an off-campus ISP (e.g., America Online, Roadrunner, or Cox@Home). However, to access campus services that are restricted to UCSD users only, you will either need to use the campus Web Proxy/Cache with your Web browser or install software and use the campus Virtual Private Network (VPN). The Web Proxy/Cache (www-no/documentation/proxy) is simple to configure but will only allow access to Web-based services. The VPN (www-no.ucsd.edu/documentation/vpn) requires you to install free software and gives you a UCSD IP address and permits access to all restricted services on campus, including Microsoft file sharing.

Connecting Your Wireless Device to the Campus Network

(www-no.ucsd.edu/wireless/index.html)

If you have a laptop computer with wireless (802.11b) capability, you may use it to conduct research, search the library's catalog, databases, and full-text journals, send electronic mail, etc., from many public areas of campus, including the Price Center, Libraries, Dining Services facilities, and the Student Center, as well as most classrooms and academic buildings. The Wireless Service Web site has documentation about connecting to the wireless network as well as up-to-date information about locations where wireless service is available.

The UCSD Bookstore Computer Center (bookstore.ucsd.edu/computers/) carries wireless Ethernet adapters (802.11b) for most laptop computers. Department and individual purchases can be made online, by telephone, or in person. If you have wireless compatibility questions, contact the bookstore.

The UCSD Web Site

(www.ucsd.edu)

The official UCSD Web site links you to the campus directory, campus departments, the Libraries, news and events, student information, maps, and computing help. The Faculty section (www.ucsd.edu/faculty.html) has links to offices that provide instructional support services, as well as links to academic units, the Academic Senate, the Academic Personnel Manual, UC systemwide information, Contracts and Grants, and the Community of Science database.

Research Computing Facilities

While this publication focuses on available instructional computing resources, there are also research computing resources available. Most faculty research computing at UCSD is done on systems within academic departments or at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) (www.sdsc.edu), located on the northern part of campus. Student research computing is conducted in those same venues, as well as on systems managed by ACS. The SDSC Academic Associates Program (AAP) (www.sdsc.edu/us/aap/) gives UC researchers free access to the range of computational resources at SDSC. AAP Is designed to allow UC research staff to become familiar with these resources and gain experience working with them.