Useful Technology Information
This page contains a wide variety of information about various technology used on campus by students. Be sure to review it and get a leg up on what's going on in computing at UW-L!
Wireless Network
UW-L students with mobile computers that have wireless network cards (802.11b/g) can work online in many locations around the UW-L campus. Below are instructions for setting up your wireless connection and a link to a map of where wireless connectivity is available.
- Setting up Wireless in Windows XP
- Setting up Wireless in Windows Vista
- Setting up Wireless in Mac OSX
- Online Map of Wireless Connectivity Locations
Desire2Learn
Odds are at least one of your courses will use Desire2Learn (D2L). This is a tool that allows professors to post materials on the Internet for you to download. You may also participate in discussions, take quizzes and submit assignments in D2L. You will login to D2L using your 8.4 (see the Email information) and your email password.
Check out these documents (require Adobe Reader) and links on D2L:
- Getting Started with Desire2Learn
- Desire2Learn Quizzes for Students
- Desire2Learn Discussions for Students
- Desire2Learn Dropbox for Students
- Problems opening Word and PowerPoint in Desire2Learn (Require Internet Connection)
- Online Help for D2L (requires Internet Connection)
- D2L Help for Instructors (requires Internet Connection)
U:\Drive Online File Storage
Students have 200mb of online file storage that they can use to store files. Staff and Faculty members have 1gig of online file storage that they can use to store files. The U:\ drive is available on or off campus, in the labs, on classroom computers, or at your own personal computer. This can be very useful for storing files quickly and working from home or other locations. Be sure to backup your files periodically to prevent accidental deletion, etc. These documents require Adobe Reader.
- Using U:\ Drive in the GCA Labs
- Connecting to the U:\ Drive from your Personal Computer (Requires Internet Connection)
Computer Recommendations
If you are buying a new computer to bring to campus, check out our web page on Hardware Recommendations.
Buy Microsoft, Adobe and Macromedia Software
UW-L students can purchase software from WISC at great prices. Microsoft Office 2007 Enterprise Edition is only $72 and SharePoint (web design software) is only $59. Great prices are also available on Macromedia and Adobe software although these products are not supported on campus. Purchases are made directly through WISC in Madison and include shipping. You will need your 8.4 username and password to make a purchase at http://www.wisc.edu/wisc.
Faculty and Staff members can get similar discounts at http://www.wisc.edu/wisc, whether it be for a department purchase, personal purchase, or a work-at-home purchase. As for Microsoft Office and SharePoint Designer, UW-L has a license for that to be installed on all University owned computers. If your University owned computer needs either installed, please contact the ITS Support Center (608-785-8774). For personal computers, you will have to purchase the software off of http://www.wisc.edu/wisc.
GCA Labs
If you don't have your own computer or just need to access one around campus, there are four GCA labs available to you. Check out the locations and hours at http://www.uwlax.edu/gca.
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