What computer accounts and/or services are provided for me as a Fresno Pacific University student?

All FPU students are given a Campus Cruiser email account when they register for classes. Since email is a standard way that instructors and classmates communicate with one another, students are expected to check their email regularly and may do so in the following ways:

1. Students who live on campus and have a computer have Ethernet network access
   available at no cost in their dorm rooms.
2. Students who live off-campus and have a computer can dial-in to the campus network at no cost (other than the cost of the phone call--traditional UG students only). Stop by the IT Services Office in the basement of Kriegbaum Hall to sign up for dialup access.
3. Students who do not have a computer can use the academic computing labs in Hiebert Library, the basement of Kriegbaum Hall or AIMS Hall to check their email or access the Internet.

Basic instructions for setting up network configurations and dial-up access are available under the "Network Support" section of the IT services department student webpage. Paper copies of these instructions are also available in the stacking boxes in front of the Information Technology Services Office in the Kriegbaum Hall basement.

Where are the computer labs and when can I use them?

Two academic computing labs are available for student use. Their hours are as follows:

What do I need to know about the FPU policy regarding student network use?

The information technology services staff provide the following services to students:

• Ethernet Internet service to all dorm rooms,
• Campus Cruiser email accounts,
• Dial-up access for students living off-campus (traditional UG only), and
• Basic instructions for setting up network configurations (available in the stacking boxes in front of the IT services department in the Kreigbaum Hall basement or via the IT services website).

FPU's current student support policy includes confirming Ethernet access is available to each dorm room, but does not include extended trouble-shooting services.

Follow this link to view the complete FPU Student Network Policy, including DOs and DON'Ts related to network use.

Follow this link to view the Responsible Use of Technology Policy.

I am unfamiliar with some software. Are there tutorials or training materials available to me?

Yes! Many software companies offer online tutorials on their company webpages. We also provide a number of self-paced training materials for popular software applications at the following link: Documentation and Self-Paced Training Materials.

Do I need to own a computer and a printer?

In most cases, no. While having a computer and printer in your room or at home may be more convenient, our academic computing labs have both PC and Mac type computers equipped with Internet access, printing capabilities and a variety of software applications. Some FPU academic programs/majors do require that students own or have regular access to a computer. See your program director for specific details.

How should I save my work (for example, I composed a document on my personal computer, and now I want to print from one of the lab computers)?

Above all else, 3 1/2 inch floppy diskettes are NOT intended as permanent storage and are prone to frequent failure. Make sure your work is not saved only on a USB flash drive. Rather, follow these simple steps:

First, save your document to your hard drive.
Second, save a copy to another media (e.g. CDR, CDRW, or USB Flash drive).
Next, bring your media to one of the student labs and print.

...But I composed my entire document in one of the student labs and am not able to save to a lab hard drive; where should I save my file?

In the student labs, you can save to a 3 1/2 inch floppy diskette (remember, floppies damage easily so make more than one copy) or to a USB flash drive. At this time the lab computers have DVD drives (read only), but not CDR/CDRW.

If I bring a computer, what should I get? ...and what software should I have?

We recommend you bring a windows-based computer, whether laptop or desktop, with the following minimum hardware (more is often better, but you wouldn't want any less than these minimums):

• 60 GB hard drive
• 2.8 GHz P4 processor
• 512 megabites of RAM
• 15 inch LCD monitor (we recommend this size and type of monitor because space is limited in student housing)

If you intend to save work on removable storage and print in the student labs you will need a USB drive (flash/thumb drive, CDR/CDRW, etc.)

Once you are enrolled as an FPU student, you can purchase software via Collegesoftware.org and at the Academic Superstore website for significantly reduced cost. Here is a list of software we recommend:

• Windows XP Home, Professional or Media Center Edition
• Microsoft Office XP or newer (includes Excel, Word, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint)
• McAffee Virus Protection Software, Enterprise Edition version 7.0, supplied FREE of charge to FPU students (required in order to connect to the Internet via FPU's student network)
• Firewall protection software (Windows XP comes with firewall software built in)

Is a laptop better than a desktop computer?

This is really a personal choice. However, you can take a laptop with you to class or to sit under a tree, plus it allows for increased desk space. And, if you have to take it in for repairs, the laptop is going to be easier to transport.

Generally a good laptop is more costly than a similarly equipped desktop.

Can I get any special deals as a Fresno Pacific University student?

While our staff are not aware of local vendors offering student discounts on technology equipment, software is available to FPU students at significantly reduced cost via Collegesoftware.org or at the Academic Superstore.