Get Ready for Computing at Goshen College
Table of Contents
- What if I don't have a computer?
- What kind of computer should I bring to campus?
- What kinds of computer networking and wireless are available?
- Are there prerequisites for connecting to Resnet?
- How can I prepare my computer ahead of time?
- I'll definitely need help getting hooked up to Resnet. What should I do?
- Do I need to bring a printer or scanner to campus?
- What software do I need?
- I have a game console or a wireless router. Can I connect it to Resnet?
Will you be coming to the Goshen College campus for the first time? If so here are some answers to common computing questions.
- What is ITS?
- Goshen College's Information Technology Services
- What is Resnet?
- Goshen College's Residential Campus Network
Do you have other questions? Feel free to email or call the ITS HelpDesk at helpdesk@goshen.edu or 574-535-7700 (M-F 8-5).
What if I don't have a computer?
Computers are available to all students in the following ITS lab locations:
- Admin 21: 16 PCs
- Library 102: 24 PCs; Library Stacks: 8 PCs, Scanners
- Union 002: 24 PCs, 2 Macs, Scanners, Color Printing
- Union 004: 26 Dual-Boot Macs (Windows or MacOSX), Scanners
- Science 105: 2 PCs
- Science 303: 2 PCs
- KMY Dorm Connector 2nd Floor Lounge: 3 PCs
- KMY Dorm Connector 4th Floor Lounge: 3 PCs
All PCs & Macs have DVD-Burners & Printer Access.
What kind of computer should I bring to campus?
Macintosh and PC computers are supported on campus. Below is a chart outlining minimum and recommended supported computers for use on campus in Fall 2008.
| Minimum PC | Recommended PC | Minimum Mac | Recommended Mac | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 2000 | Dual Core 2.5 GHz (Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Dual Core) |
Processor that can run the minimum Mac OS | Intel Core 2 Duoprocessor |
| RAM | 512 MB | 2 GB | 512 MB | 2 GB |
| Disk | 40 GB | 250 GB | 40 GB | 250 GB |
| OS | Windows XP Home | Windows Vista Home Premium | Mac OS X v10.4.11 (Tiger) | Mac OS X v10.5.3 (Leopard) |
| Network Interfaces | 100 MB ethernet 802.11b wireless |
1 GB ethernet 802.11g wireless (802.11n if available) |
1 GB ethernet Laptops should have Airport card for wireless use. |
1 GB ethernet Laptops should have Airport card for wireless use. |
| Display | XGA-2 (1024 pixels wide and 24 bit color) |
WSXGA or WSXGA+ (1280 pixels wide or 1440 pixels wide) |
Capable of 1024 x 768 pixels | Capable of 1280 x 1024 pixels |
For Graphic Design Students using Macs we recommend additional RAM (2GB), additional hard drive storage (250 GB) and a personal copy of Adobe Creative Suite (available at sizable discount through our purchasing consortium).
For Video Communications Students using Macs we recommend a display capable of 1680x1050, additional RAM (2GB or more), additional hard drive storage (250 GB or more), external Firewire Drive, and a personal copy of Final Cut Studio (substantial software discount available through Apple Online Store for Education).
Vendor Educational Pricing
We encourage every student buying a Mac to use the "Apple Online Store for Education" so you get Apple's educational discount. Likewise for Dell or HP equipment, we encourage you to at least consider the pricing at either Dell's University Store or HP's Educational Store.
Whats kind of computer networking and wireless are available?
Each dorm room has a 100 MB ethernet jack for each student. Wireless (802.11g) is available in dorm lounges and the surrounding areas. Wireless (802.11b with some 802.11g) is available in all academic buildings and over most of the open space in the center of campus.
Are there prerequisites for connecting to Resnet?
Yes. All computers must go through a network registration and activation process to get full access to Resnet and the Internet. In addition all Windows PCs must:
- Be using Windows XP or Windows Vista (Windows 95, 98, ME, NT and 2000 are no longer allowed)
- Have all available critical Windows updates installed
- Have ITS approved anti-virus and anti-spyware software installed and up to date
- Go through a CAT scan (client assessment tool) to verify the above
Sophos Antivirus/Antispyware is recommended by ITS and is available free of charge to all Goshen College students.
Other ITS approved anti-virus software are: Symantec/Norton, McAffee, AVG
Other ITS approved anti-spyware software are: Symantec/Norton, McAffee, Windows Defender
How can I prepare my computer ahead of time?
This is not necessary for Macs or Linux PCs. For Windows PCs, if you have a fast Internet connection, you can do the following:
-
Run Windows Update until all critical and important updates and all service packs are downloaded and installed. You may have to run it again when you get to campus but it won't take nearly as long.
Download and install Sophos anti-virus/anti-spyware (free to all students). To get instructions and begin the download go to: https://gconline.goshen.edu/its/prod/sophos/bin/sav.php You will need to log in with your GC username and password.
I'll definitely need help getting hooked up to Resnet. What should I do?
ITS student staff will be available to do dorm room visits on arrival Saturday from 1-5pm. To request a visit call the ITS Helpdesk at 574-535-7700 (or just 7700 from an on campus phone) when you arrive on campus. Leave a message stating your name, dorm room, phone number and when you or someone will be in your room for a dorm room visit.
After classes start, you can call ITS to make an appointment to bring your computer to the Schertz Computing Center. ITS staff will install the necessary components to get your computer on Resnet. On Windows PCs this includes installing all critical Windows patches and installing Sophos anti-virus/anti-spyware.
Do I need to bring a printer or scanner to campus?
The choice is yours. ITS laser printers are located in all computing labs and also in the Kratz-Miller-Yoder Dorm Connector. A color laser printer and flatbed scanners are located in the Schertz Computing Center. The printers can be used from ITS lab computers or from your personal computer. Students receive a $25 print credit each semester. Black & White printing costs 10 cents per page and color printing costs 25 cents per page. Additional pages may be purchased. Scanning is free.
What software do I need?
ITS supplies Sophos anti-virus/anti-spyware software to all students free of charge. Curricular software will be available as arranged for by your professors. ITS recommends a good office productivity suite like Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office is available in all labs and offices. Students can also use the free OpenOffice software as long as they know how to save documents in Microsoft Office compatible formats. Note: Goshen College students can purchase Microsoft and Adobe software at significantly reduced prices! For more information go to: https://www.goshen.edu/its/Help_Desk/FAQ/Software/SoftwarePurchaseE-Academy
I have a game console or a wireless router. Can I connect it to Resnet?
When you get to campus just email its 12 digit Ethernet address (Mac or Physical address) and its description to “helpdesk@goshen.edu”. You will be connected in 1 business day. Need help finding your Ethernet address? Go to: https://www.goshen.edu/its/files/ethernet.html