Students—Computers, software, and other technology recommendations
Getting yourself connected with campus technology is an important piece in your educational experiences at CU-Boulder. The university recommends that all students have a computer if financially feasible. Sometimes it's not that easy to figure out exactly what you'll need, and that's why ITS has devised this recommended shopping list of everything you might need for computing at CU-Boulder.
Computer - new or existing
ITS has devised a set of minimum configuration recommendations for student computer ownership. Go to www.colorado.edu/its/recommendations to make sure your computer is properly equipped for the academic ride you're about to take. Please remember that the wireless network on campus is available in many locations for students who have a laptop computer.
The Buffalo Chip (owned and operated by the CU Book Store) has special academic pricing arrangements with Apple, Dell, and HP. The computer you purchase through the Buffalo Chip will meet the minimum configuration recommendations and is designed for academic use. To simplify your computer purchase, ITS recommends you purchase your computer through the Buffalo Chip's web site at www.cubookstore.com/computers.
Computers can also be purchased at any computer retailer, just be sure to check with our minimum configuration recommendations before purchasing a computer at www.colorado.edu/its/recommendations.
Connecting to the Internet
Internet connectivity is important for your education. It allows you to send and receive e-mail, log into CUConnect, and conduct research for classes. Students living in the residence halls and university apartments (family housing and Bear Creek) have access to the university's high-speed Ethernet connection. To connect, each residence hall and university apartment student must have:
√ A CAT5/6 cable - A 25-foot cable is strongly recommended for easy connection to the ResNet Ethernet jack in the residence hall rooms and family housing residences.
√ A 10/100 Ethernet card - Many computers have integrated Ethernet capability, however if yours does not, you can purchase one at the Buffalo Chip.
Both the Ethernet cable and the Ethernet card can be purchased at the Buffalo Chip.
Wireless for laptops
As a CU-Boulder student, you will have access to UCB Wireless access to connect to the Internet. UCB Wireless can be found in most university buildings on main campus and residence halls (except Smith Hall). One-time registration with your IdentiKey is required to use wireless on campus. In addition, students are prohibited from using their own wireless access points in the residence halls or university apartments (family housing and Bear Creek). Please go to www.colorado.edu/its/wireless for information about connecting to UCB Wireless, as well as using a secure connection with wireless networking. If you are looking to buy a wireless card, it is recommended that you buy a Wi-Fi certified 802.11g/n wireless card. But know that 802.11b cards are still compatible with CU's wireless network. Whether the card is a "G", "N", or "B" card, the most important requirement is that the card be Wi-Fi certified.
Printing
Black and white and color printing is available in various computer labs around campus to all students at CU-Boulder. In addition, you can also print to these labs remotely from your residence hall room or university apartment (family housing and Bear Creek) and through wireless connections on campus. For information on remote printing go to www.colorado.edu/cpi/remote. Through the Campus Printing Initiative (CPI), after a set quota of prints at no charge has been exceeded, there is a fee assessed, paid with your Buff OneCard. Depending on the printing needs of each student, the cost to print on campus through the labs is often significantly less than purchasing a printer and the consumables for that printer. However, bringing your own printer is an option.
Clickers
Clickers are handheld devices that allow students to respond to in-class concept questions, and are an increasingly popular teaching tool at CU-Boulder. Clickers are becoming more standardized on-campus, but it is highly recommended that you wait to buy any clicker before attending your classes and getting direction from your instructor. For information about CUClickers, ITS's supported clicker solution and the solution most used on campus, go to www.colorado.edu/its/cuclickers.
Surge protection
Surge protectors not only provide extra outlets for you to plug your computer, monitor, and printer into, they protect your technology from the consequences of a power surge. Surge protectors, which are relatively inexpensive, can be purchased at the Buffalo Chip and at many other computer retailers.
Connecting cable for cable TV
If you are bringing a TV to campus for your residence hall room or university apartment (family housing and Bear Creek), make sure you bring or purchase a coax (TV) cable, because these are not provided for you. You can purchase the recommended 25-foot coax cables at the Buffalo Chip as well as at other retailers.
Security
Remember, when your computer is connected to the Internet it is vulnerable to Internet attacks, worms, and viruses. It is essential that you've installed all the updates to your operating system and that you have a current antivirus program loaded on your computer before connecting to the campus network. CU-Boulder offers antivirus software at no charge. Once you have an IdentiKey or your computer is connected to the CU-Boulder network, you can download this software for no charge at www.colorado.edu/its/security/antivirus. Please protect yourself by keeping your computer's antivirus software up-to-date with any needed patches and disabling file sharing. CU-Boulder reserves the right to deny or revoke network access if your computer is compromised or found to be vulnerable.
It is also important to have one or more pieces of anti-spyware software installed on your computer. There are a number of free anti-spyware solutions on the market and you can learn more about them at www.colorado.edu/its/security/antispyware. For more information on computer security and security enhancing software and tips, go to www.colorado.edu/its/security.
Buffalo Chip
The Buffalo Chip offers computer hardware, software and accessories, a wide range of calculators, and electronic goods at affordable prices. Macintosh and Windows/PC-computers and products are available, many at educational prices for students. Software licenses for Microsoft and Adobe products are also available to CU-Boulder students through the Buffalo Chip at significant savings over the box version. To purchase software licenses, please logon to CU Connect (https://cuconnect.colorado.edu) and select the "Student Life" tab then find the "Discounted Software for CU-Boulder" heading under the "Software Resources" bar. Located conveniently in the CU Book Store, the Buffalo Chip is partnered with Apple and Dell. Also, the Buffalo Chip sells ITS approved products. For purchasing information, location, and hours of operation, visit the Buffalo Chip website at www.cubookstore.com/computers.
IT Service Center
Throughout your entire educational experience at CU-Boulder, the IT Service Center is your one-start contact point for help with computing and on-campus phone services. Along with a well equipped walk-in center open Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., the IT Service Center provides over the phone support at 303-735-HELP (4357) Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., as well as help via e-mail at help@colorado.edu. The IT Service Center is located on the first floor of the Telecommunication Center.
Look for ITS during Orientation
Representatives from ITS will be present at Orientation to answer any questions you might have about purchasing computers, connecting to the Internet, telephones for on-campus residents, e-mail accounts, and getting support for everything technology related.
Get Help
IT Service Center
303-735-4357 (5-HELP)
help@colorado.edu
