This is an on-line version of the printed handbook which describes how to use the workstations in the computer suites.
Use of Computer Suite Workstations
All users are bound by the College & University rules. Only the designated user may use the account. You must not share your account with anyone else.
Your storage space on the server is
- limited to 150 Mb
- intended only as temporary storage area
- not backed up
Students must copy their work to removable media after each session - you may not assume your files will be available the next time you log in.
Use of all computing facilities is free except for printing. Printing is charged at 5p per page. College pays for the first £1 of printing per term. The cost is scaled to actual consumable use each term so is generally less than 5p per page, and will not exceed that. In 2008/9 the scaled page charge was approx. 2p per page.
For Frequently Asked Questions on the College System see here. If you have problems with your Balliol account contact the Computing Dept. computing@balliol.ox.ac.uk Contact OUCS for Email problems
Do not use public computers for Internet banking or credit card transactions. It is impossible to guarantee that your details will not be captured.
The computer rooms are public work areas. Please remember the following:
- Please be quiet! Conversation is a distraction for workers.
- Switch off mobile phones.
- Do not take food and drink items into the computer rooms.
- Do not deprive anyone the use of a workstation by leaving one unattended.
- Remove everything that you take in with you. Many disks, books, and papers are left in the computer rooms each term. This debris is anti-social and creates extra work for staff.
Quick Guide to Computer Suite Workstations
LOGON by holding CTRL and ALT then pressing DELETE. Enter your username and password in the boxes.
USERNAMES and PASSWORDS are the same as your University email logon, e.g. ball1234 + password
TEMPORARY SPACE ON THE SERVER is provided for your convenience and is restricted to 150 MB. This is accessed from 'My Documents' and the Windows desktop. Make a copy of everything to removable media, as availability is NOT guaranteed.
TEMPORARY SPACE ON THE LOCAL MACHINE is provided for manipulation of large or numerous files (e.g. for making CD images). This is accessed via the T: drive from 'Explorer' or 'My Computer'. The only restriction on space is the capacity of the local hard disk BUT note that any files left here are DELETED when you log out.
PRINTING is accessed from most programs via 'Print' on the 'File' menu. Make use of 'Print preview' functions to ensure your work looks as you intend. You will be charged for printed pages. Check your account balance by clicking the '£' icon in the system tray (bottom right of desktop).
PROGRAMS are access from the 'Start' button in the bottom left corner of the Windows desktop. You will find a number of popular software programs for word processing, spreadsheets, database, graphics, file manipulation and storage, media playback, and Internet browsing. See programs later in this guide.
LOGOFF when you have finished by clicking the 'LOG OUT' icon on the Windows desktop. If you leave an unattended workstation others may use your account, print at your expense, and have access to files in your server storage area.
PROBLEMS? Send an Email to: computing@balliol.ox.ac.uk.
Printing from Workstations
Check where printing is being sent otherwise your treasured essay may end up in Holywell or Balliol, far from where you are working.
AVOID using the printer icon on tool bars - you cannot tell where the job is going.
Select 'Print' from the 'File' menu. This will open a window similar to those below.
Select the printer from the 'Name' list (only those in your location should be available):
- Balliol Computer Room = Laser printers in Balliol Computer Room
- Holywell Computer Room = Laser printer in Holywell Computer Room
CHECK that you have selected A4 paper for your documents. In most programs use 'Page Setup' on the 'File' menu and set 'Paper Size' to A4. The printer may refuse to print the wrong size.
Print on both sides (duplex)
Printing is set to Dpulex (double-sided) by default. To print onesides:
- Click 'Print' from the 'File' menu.
- Click 'Properties' (or 'Preferences') button near printers list.
- In the 'Document Properties' box that opens click 'Finishing' tab.
- Untick 'Print On Both Sides' option in the 'Document Options' pane.
As a shortcut there is a 'Print both sides' preset in the 'Print Task Quick Sets' list.
Paper and toner replacement
In Balliol contact the Computing Rep in the first instance, then the Computing Department. Out of hours paper can be signed out from the Balliol Lodge
In Holywell paper can be obtained from the Lodge. If the toner has expired take the empty cartridge to the Lodge to swap for a new one. Holywell handles the ordering of toner and paper. The Computing Department does not hold spare toner cartridges. Installation instructions are in the box - primarily note that there is a tape you have to pull out before installation!
Please ignore 'Toner Low' messages on printers. Only replace cartridges when physically faint printing occurs.
See Printing in the main computing section.
Using CD writers
You can burn CDs and DVDs disks using the CDBurnerXP.
How to..
Start \ Programs \ CDBurnerXP \ CDBurnerXP. On the flash screen select your option ... normally burn data disk A new window opens showing a file browser in the top panes. Drag folders and files from the top windows into the lower pane - those files will be written to the CD or DVD. Once you have assembled your data click the burn icon. You will be prompted to put a blank CD/DVD into the drive. At the end of the process you are asked if you want to save the selection for subsequent burning - normally the answer is no.
Using USB sticks
You can use most USB disks (including some on digital cameras and PDA's) on the workstations. Just plug your device into an available USB port (usually on the front of the computer) and it should be automatically recognised and given a drive letter. It will normally be labelled 'Removable Disk' in Explorer.
To remove your device click the 'Add/Remove' icon next to the clock then click 'Safely remove...'
USB devices requiring the installation of special drivers or software cannot be accommodated.
Programs available on the Computer Suite Workstations
|
Microsoft Office |
|
| Word | Word processing |
| Excel | Spreadsheet |
| Access | Database |
| PowerPoint | Presentations |
|
Utilities |
|
| 7Zip | File compression and archiving |
| CDBurnerXP | Make CDs / DVDs |
|
Remote access |
|
| Citrix ICA Client | Connect to Citrix servers |
| Hummingbird Exceed | Run UNIX applications |
| Remote Desktop Connection | Login to Windows Servers |
|
Media players / readers |
|
| Acrobat Reader | Read Acrobat files (PDF) |
| QuickTime player | View Quicktime media (MOV, QT) |
| Ghostgum GS View | Open postscript files (PS, EPS, PRN) |
| Windows Media Player | Most popular audio & video file types supported |
|
Other |
|
| Internet Explorer | Browse the internet |
| Endnote | Reference and citation manager |
| Paint.NET | Manipulation of graphics files |
| Scientific Word | Edit LaTex documents |
| SPSS | Analyse statistics data |