• Introduction
• What's ITD
• Computer and Network Acceptable Use
• Computing Accounts
• Training
• Frank
• Getting Connected to Frank
• Your Frank Password
• Commonly Used UNIX Commands
• NetMenu
• Administrative Systems
• Getting Connected To Your Administrative Account
• Your Bonnie Password
• E-mail, Internet & the Web
• Bulletin Boards
• E-mail
• Internet Basics
• The Web
• Instructional Technology
• Master Classrooms
• Faculty Instructional Technology Center
• Other Instructional Technology Resources
• Facilities & Services
• University Computer Labs
• The Walker Library
• PipelineMT
• Telephone & Telecommunication Services
• Your MTSU ID Card
• Other ITD Services
• Student Technology Access Fee
• Additional Help & Information

Introduction

Welcome to computing and information technology at MTSU!

MTSU's academic computing system is a Hewlett-Packard (HP) 9000 V2500. We call it "frank." Frank runs the UNIX operating system. With a computing account on frank, you can send electronic mail to other users on campus or around the world, search libraries and databases, and use software packages on MTSU's computing system.

The types of frank accounts available include individual accounts for students, faculty, and staff; class accounts that faculty may request for particular courses; and accounts for departments and student organizations.

MTSU's administrative system consists of two Compaq GS60 Alpha servers with the OpenVMS operating system housing "bonnie." These computers are the host of all administrative computing needs.

This handbook provides information to get you started with your computing accounts and to introduce you to campus resources. Please contact ITD if you need any help: phone ext. 5345 or email help@mtsu.edu.

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What's ITD?

The MTSU Information Technology Division (ITD) supports computing and information technology on campus. We're here to help you take advantage of all the information technology resources available to you at MTSU.

ITD manages the campus network and MTSU's primary academic and administrative computing systems, provides telecommunications services for the campus, promotes and supports instructional technology, provides academic computing support, provides technical support and training for the use of microcomputer hardware and software, supports MTSU's primary administrative applications (such as student information and human resources), provides maintenance support for all master classrooms, and oversees the campus ID system and the MTSU Web page.

Our office is in the basement of Cope Administration Building, and our Help Desk is available by phone at ext. 5345 and by email at help@mtsu.edu. Faculty and staff may submit help requests via the Web at www.mtsu.edu/itdworkorder. Information and resources are also available at ITD's Web page, www.mtsu.edu/itd.

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Computer and Network Acceptable Use

Your use of the computing and network resources at MTSU is governed by the MTSU Computer and Network Acceptable Use Policy. The essence of the policy can be summarized as follows:

• Do use the computer and network resources to support education enhancement in the academic fields offered by MTSU.
• Don't abuse other users, the equipment, or computing resources. Don't do anything that would deprive other users or interfere with others' efforts to obtain a proper university education. Using the computer for entertainment in ways that consume large amounts of resources is an example of activity that could impair or deprive others' use for educational purposes. Don't violate any laws. Don't, for example, harass or impersonate other users. Don't copy the work of another and claim it as your own. Don't violate copyright laws.

For the full text of the policy - as well as a list of DOs and DON'Ts based on the policy - refer to "Computing Policies and Procedures" on ITD's Web pages at www.mtsu.edu/itd; click on Policies. Users can also access the policy by clicking on Terms of Use/Policies at the bottom of many of MTSU's major pages.

Note that violation of the acceptable use policy can result in loss of all computing privileges at MTSU plus additional disciplinary action.

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Computing Accounts

Accounts for Faculty and Staff

The types of frank accounts available include individual accounts for students, faculty, and staff; class accounts that faculty may request for particular courses; and accounts for departments and student organizations.

To receive your frank account, you may download and print a computer account application at www.mtsu.edu/forms_itd.shtml and clicking on the Students, Faculty, Staff and Student Organizations link under the Email/Computing (Frank) account application. Fill out the application and send it to Cope Administration Building room 003. You may also stop by the Information Technology Division office located in the basement of the Cope Administration Building or call ext. 5345.

In addition to a computing account on frank, MTSU faculty and staff may get accounts as needed on one of MTSU's administrative systems. The main administrative systems include:

• PipelineMT/WebMT
• Student Information System (SIS)
• Alumni/Development System (ADS)
• Financial Records System (FRS)
• Human Resource System (HRS)
• Loans Management System (LMS)

Other administrative systems include:

• FOCUS report writing
• Bookstore systems
• Budget systems
• Cash receipts
• Cost study
• Enrollment certification
• Facilities system
• Housing
• Key inventory system
• Recap timekeeping system
• Subsidiary system
• Academic inventory
• Resource 25/Schedule 25 event scheduling software

Access is restricted to departments on a need-to-know basis.

Student Computing Accounts

New and returning students will automatically have a computer account generated on the academic server. This account will serve as the student's email account while at MTSU.

To activate the account, go to a Web browser, type in www.mtsu.edu/changepw, and follow the instructions. You will be asked to enter your student ID number and date of birth. After submitting this information you will be asked to read and accept or deny the Computer and Network Acceptable Use Policy.

The student's login name will appear along with instructions for setting a password. The password must be entered twice for verification purposes. The account will be ready in a matter of minutes. Creation of a student account means that the student is aware of and accepts MTSU's published policies and procedures. For more information, contact ITD at ext. 5345.

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Training

Workshops from ITD

For Faculty and Staff

Each semester, the Information Technology Division offers many hands-on, computer-based workshops for faculty, staff, and graduate assistants.

A list of workshops is available on the ITD Web page at www.mtsu.edu/itd; click on Workshops to register online.

Other Training Resources

Use these resources to learn about various programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Training materials are available at ITD's Web site to learn about various programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Go to www.mtsu.edu/itd; click on News & Publications, scroll to Workshop Materials, and then click on Training Materials.

For more information, call the ITD Help Desk at ext. 5345.

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Frank

Getting Connected to Frank

1. Connect to frank using telnet

If you are using a computer on the campus-wide network (such as computers in campus labs and offices), look for the Internet Applications folder. To connect to frank, click on the telnet icon (for IBM-compatible users) or the frank icon (for Macintosh users) in the Internet Applications folder.

If you're using a computer at a campus lab, you may instead need to press the return key until you get the Local> prompt. A Local> prompt on your computer screen indicates that you've connected to the MTSU terminal server. At the Local> prompt, type telnet frank <enter>.

Once you have connected to the MTSU terminal server, you will see the Local> prompt. (You may need to press <enter> once or twice to get the prompt.) To connect to frank, at the Local> prompt type telnet frank <enter>.

2. Log in to frank

At the login: prompt, type the username that was assigned to you.

At the Password: prompt, type your frank password. Note that you will not see the password as you type it in. (Use the correct uppercase and lowercase letters; frank is case sensitive.)

After your first login, you can change your password. Use the passwd command at the frank $ prompt as described below in the section "Changing Your Frank Password."

You may see the prompt for terminal type, e.g. TERM=(VT100). This prompts you to set the terminal type for your session.

For most users, vt100 is an acceptable terminal type. This is normally the default (as indicated in the parentheses after TERM=), so just press < enter> at the TERM prompt to accept the default. (If the prompt is TERM=(hp), then type vt100 <enter>.)

If you accidentally type something invalid at the TERM=(vt100) prompt, you may not be able to run programs such as Pine or Lynx. If you get an unknown terminal type error, type in export TERM=vt100 (or whatever terminal type you are using).

Once you're connected to frank, you'll see the system prompt ( frank $). Now you can access software available on frank. For example, type lynx at the frank $ prompt to start the Lynx Web browser.

3. Disconnect from frank

To disconnect from frank:

1. Properly exit from the program you are using.
2. At the system prompt (frank $), type exit <enter>.
3. If you used a modem to connect, when you get a Local> prompt type LOGOUT or LO <enter>. This will close the session and disconnect the phone line.

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Your Frank Password

Changing Your Frank Password

If you want to change your password, at the system prompt type passwd and press <enter>.

frank $ passwd

The computer will prompt you for the old password.

Current password: your_current_password <enter>

You will then be asked for the new password.

New password: your_new_password <enter>.

You'll be asked to enter the new password a second time for verification.

New password (again): your_new_password <enter>.

Creating a Password

Your frank password should contain six to eight characters with at least two alphabetic characters and at least one non-alphabetic character. It is also important that you try to choose a secure password.

A weak password provides an easy way for hackers to get into computing systems. You can help keep the MTSU computing system safe from hackers and other n'er-do-wells by choosing your password wisely.

Weak passwords include the following:

• part or all of any name, even if spelled backwards or combined with numbers
• any dates
• social security or drivers license numbers
• any word that can be found in a dictionary (English or other), even if it is combined with a few numbers
• any simple string, such as "abc123"
• passwords written on paper and stuck on your computer equipment, on your desk, or in a drawer
• passwords entered while someone is watching you type

To create a good password, you need to devise a system for combining letters and numbers according to some rule that you can remember but that would not likely be discovered by someone else.

A secure password is nonsensical and may combine uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numerical characters, or punctuation. One method is to think of a sentence that you can remember and then use the first letter or two from each word. For example, the sentence "Elvis ate 32 hot dogs yesterday!" would produce the password "Ea32hdy!"

If You Forget Your Password

ITD can reset your password if you forget it. Come by the ITD office in the basement of Cope Administration Building and be sure to bring a valid photo ID such as your MTSU ID card. If you are also a student, you can reset your password at www.mtsu.edu/changepw.

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Commonly used UNIX commands

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Netmenu

Netmenu provides easy, menu-driven access to Internet tools. To access netmenu, type netmenu at the frank $ prompt: frank $ netmenu

Access the following network tools and resources with netmenu:

• Pine Pine is an email facility used to transfer simple documents and letters between Internet users. (Also from the frank prompt: frank $ pine)
• Lynx Lynx allows the user to search for and display information found on the Web. Lynx is a text-based (non graphical) Web browser. (Also from the frank prompt: frank $ lynx)
• University Library's Voyager Online Card Catalog
• Library Databases Connect to library databases such as InfoTrac and Lexis-Nexis.
• View Directory of Files Used to list the files of the current UNIX directory and display their attributes.
• Browse File Displays the contents of a file. Use "q" to exit.
• Delete File Delete a user-specified file.
• Print File Print a file, selecting a printer from a list of several, or specifying a different one.
• Edit File Edit a file using the Pico editor.
• Finger This function is used to display information about users on a system, including their addresses. (Also from the frank prompt: frank $ finger username@nodename.domain Note that if the username you are checking is on the same system as your own account, it is sufficient to type only finger username.)
• Whois The Whois program searches the Whois database at the Internet Information Center (INTERNIC) to identify information about an Internet site. The program can be used to display the complete description of a site domain or to identify those individuals who are registered contacts at a given site. (Also from the frank prompt: frank $ whois nodename.domain)
• FTP File Transfer Protocol is the primary method of transferring files over the Internet. (Also from the frank prompt: frank $ ftp nodename.domain)
• Telnet This is the primary method for establishing an interactive connection with another computer system via the Internet. (Also from the frank prompt: frank $ telnet nodename.domain)
• Kermit The Kermit server provides a method of doing file transfers between a microcomputer and a remote host (such as frank). The three most common commands are Get, Put, and Finish. The Get command causes a file to be downloaded from the remote host to the microcomputer using Kermit File Transfer Protocol. The Put command causes a file to be uploaded from the microcomputer to the host using Kermit ftp. The Finish command ends Kermit server and releases control back to netmenu.

Netmenu also provides options for managing your files on frank: view directory of files, browse file, delete file, print file, and edit file.

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Administrative Systems

Getting Connected to Your Administrative Account

1. Connect to bonnie using telnet
If you are using a personal computer that is on the campus-wide network (such as computers in campus labs and offices), you will need a terminal emulation software package such as Kermit, Reflection, QVT, or HyperTerminal to telnet to bonnie. From the Windows desktop, you may have a bonnie icon already set up to start the software and connect to bonnie. Click on this icon to connect.

Once you have connected to the MTSU terminal server, you will see the Local> prompt. (You may need to press <enter> once or twice to get the prompt.) To connect to bonnie, at the Local> prompt type connect bonnie or just c bonnie then <enter>.

2. Log in to bonnie

At the Username: prompt, type the username that was assigned to you.

At the Password: prompt, type your bonnie password. Note that you will not see the password as you type it in.

After your first login, you can change your password. Read the section below entitled "Changing Your Bonnie Password" for more details.

Once you're connected to bonnie, you'll see the Administrative System Main Menu. Now you can access software available on bonnie. For example, type 3 or SIS at the ?> prompt to go to the SIS menu to access SIS applications.

Note: To connect to bonnie from off campus through an ISP, you need to have off-campus access enabled for your account. You will need authorization from your supervisor before this access can be granted. Call the ITD Help Desk at ext. 5345 for more details.

3. Disconnect from bonnie

To disconnect from bonnie:

1. Properly exit from the program you are using.
2. At the ?> prompt on any of the administrative system menus, type Leave or LO then <enter>.
3. If you used a modem to connect, when you get a Local> prompt type LOGOUT or LO <enter>. This will close the session and disconnect the phone line.

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Your Bonnie Password

Changing Your Bonnie Password

To change your password: at the prompt for the Administrative system main menu, type 4 <enter>, then type 3 <enter>.

The computer will prompt you for the old password.

Old password: your_current_password <enter>

You will then be asked for the new password.

New password: your_new_password <enter>

You'll be asked to enter the new password a second time for verification.

Verification: your_new_password <enter>

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Email, Internet, and the Web

Bulletin Boards

Three bulletin boards can be accessed within campus email: Staff News, Student News, and Server News. Contact ITD for instructions on subscribing to these bulletin boards from your email program.

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Email

Five email programs are supported on campus: WebMail, Cyrusoft Mulberry, Netscape Messenger, MS Outlook Express, and Pine.

Email Discussion Groups

When a subscriber to an email discussion list sends a message to that list, all other subscribers to the list receive the message. This provides a convenient way to exchange ideas with others having like interests.

Currently MTSU uses the CREN ListProc software to host 71 different discussion groups. The MTSU discussion groups include secure departmental lists used for internal communications, open discussion groups on a number of different topics, and class discussion lists to aid in communicating and exploring course topics and materials.

If you would like to discover more about the MTSU ListProc services available to faculty and staff, check out the listadm Web page at www.mtsu.edu/~listadm. To get more information or to see about setting up a ListProc list, contact the list administrator by email at listadm@mtsu.edu.

subscriber@mtsu.edu

The email distribution list "subscriber@mtsu.edu" enables subscribers to send and receive email on topics such as campus news and events, personnel changes, etc. For more information, contact ITD at (615) 898-5345.

Email: Basics of PipelineMT Email

PipelineMT is available from any computer (on or off campus) with an Internet connection. You can access PipelineMT at www.mtsu.edu/pipelinemt. After logging into PipelineMT, click on the email icon at the top. (See page 25 for more information about PipelineMT.)

Reading Email

When you enter PipelineMT email, three windows will respectively display a list of your folders, a list of email message headers currently in your inbox, and an area for reading the selected email's contents. Clicking on the message subject in the inbox will display the email message contents

Sending Email

To send an email message, click on the Compose link. This will open a new window where you can enter the addresses of recipients, a subject, and the text of the message. At the bottom of the Compose window are check boxes for saving a copy to the SENT folder, adding a virtual signature card, and requesting a read receipt. Each of these may also be set permanently via the Options tab. At the bottom are buttons for attaching a file, saving the email as a draft, and performing spell checking

Receiving Email

When you first enter PipelineMT email, it will check for new messages. You can check for additional new email by clicking on the Get Mail link at the top. This will reload the page and check for new messages on the server.

Start-up

When you start Mulberry, you will see a window that lists your mail folder(s). Double clicking on a folder will bring up another window that will list your messages with columns like From/To, Date Sent, and Thread. The Thread column is the subject of the message.

Sending Email

To send an email message, choose New message from the File menu. A Draft window will appear where you may enter the recipient(s) of the message, a subject, and the text of the message. There is also an Attach button for file attachments.

Receiving Email

When you first bring up Mulberry, it will check for new messages. To check for new messages on the server after starting Mulberry, choose Check Mail from the Mailboxes menu. This will query the server and update the messages listed in your folder window. The Inbox folder is the default window used to list your messages.

Reading Email

To read a message, double click on it from a folder window's list of messages. This will bring up a window where you may read the message.

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Internet Basics

The Internet is a network that ties together computer networks. The protocol called TCP/IP enables all these computers to communicate with each other by specifying how information will be broken up and passed along the networks and how it will be reassembled once it reaches its destination.

By connecting different networks together, the Internet allows users on one network to communicate with users on another network, to access the resources of other computer systems, to transfer files, and to search indexes and databases. The basic components of the Internet are electronic mail, telnet for remote connection, and FTP for file transfers.

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The Web

What Is the Web?

Accessing the Web

Text-Based Access

Your computing account on frank provides only text-based access to the Internet (i.e., you can get information but you can not view images, see video, or listen to audio).

Use the Web browser Lynx to surf the Internet using your frank account. Because Lynx does not have to download graphics, it tends to run faster than a graphical browser. Type lynx at the frank $ prompt to start Lynx.

Graphical Access

For graphical access on campus, you'll need a computer that's directly connected to the campus network. This includes an office, library, or lab computer that is connected to the network and has Web browser software such as Netscape or Internet Explorer installed.

For graphical Internet access from outside the campus network - e.g., if you're using a modem to access the Internet, you'll need to sign up with a commercial Internet service provider (for example America Online, AT&T WorldNet, Concentric Network, IBM Internet Connection, MCI Internet, or MindSpring). Note that ITD does not provide assistance with SLIP/PPP emulation software.

Web Browsers

A Web browser is a program such as Lynx, Netscape, or Microsoft Internet Explorer that helps users work with the Web by displaying documents and making links between computing sites.

Example 1: Basic Web Navigation Using Lynx

Type lynx at the frank $ prompt to launch Lynx.

Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate the Web using Lynx: up and down arrows to move through menu selections, right arrow to follow a link, left arrow to go back to the previous menu item.

Within a document, scroll through the pages using the space bar to scroll forward and the hyphen key to move back.

Lynx lists commands at the bottom of the screen for your convenience. For example, type G to go to a specific Web page. At the prompt URL to open, type in the address of the desired Web page. (The URL, or Uniform Resource Locator, is a way of specifying where something is on the Internet. For example, the URL for MTSU's Web page is http://www.mtsu.edu.)

Bookmarks

Use the Bookmark feature if you find a Web site that you really like and you want to save its address so you can easily return to it. With the desired site highlighted, type A to add bookmark, then type L to save that link.

The site's address will be added to your bookmark list. View your bookmark list by typing V. To go to one of the sites on the list, arrow down to the desired site, then press the right arrow key.

Type q to quit Lynx.

Example 2: Basic Web Navigation Using Netscape 4.x

On a Web page, use your mouse to click on links. A link might be a highlighted word, an image, or icon. Your mouse pointer becomes a pointing hand when you are pointing to a link on a Web page.

If you have the address (URL) of a specific Web site that you want to visit, go to that site using the site address box located toward the top of the Netscape window.

Place the mouse pointer in the address box and click to set an insertion point where you'll start typing. Type the full address in the box and press <enter> to go to that site.

You can also use standard Windows or Macintosh copy and paste commands to copy a Web URL from a document such as a word processing document or email message and paste it into the address box.

Use the Back and Forward buttons at the top of the browser window to move backward and forward among Web pages that you've viewed during a browsing session.

Pull down the Go menu to select any of the Web sites that you've visited during that browsing session.

Bookmarks

If you find a Web site that you really like and you want to save its address so that you can easily return to it, pull down the Bookmarks menu and select Add Bookmark. That site will be added to your Bookmark list. Then, whenever you want to go to that site, you can pull down the Bookmark menu, select that site, and the browser will connect to the site.

Searching the Web

Many search tools are available on the Web to help you find information. Tools include Alta Vista, Excite, Infoseek, Lycos, WebCrawler, and Yahoo.

Your Web browser provides a Web search option that links you to these search engines. (In Netscape 4.x, for example, click on the Search icon along the top menu bar; or from the Edit menu, select Search the Internet.) You can also type the URL of the search engine in the browser's site location box or use the G command in Lynx.

Different search engines sometimes expect different syntax and have different options. Before searching for a topic, look around the site for tips or help that will tell you how to optimize your results with the appropriate search criteria.

Regardless of the engine you are using, you should be as specific as possible because searches on general topics typically yield an unmanageably high number of results. Most search engines will list the results in order of relevancy, based on the number of hits on the specified search terms within the document.

Creating a Home Page

The Homepage Generator allows an MTSU frank account holder to select from a variety of initial layouts, enter contact information, and choose additional pages including personal information, professional activities, resume, courses, and interesting links pages. A sample page is displayed and may be adjusted until the user has the desired layout.

Take a look at the MTSU Computer and Network Acceptable Use Policy to be sure your Web page content is not in violation.

For example, no obscene material may be posted on an MTSU Web page. Be careful not to post copyrighted material on your Web page without permission from the copyright holder. In addition, you cannot use your MTSU Web page to advertise products, books, or services for which you'd like to receive money.

If you wish to place advertisements on the network, you will need to obtain an account from a commercial Internet service provider.

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Instructional Technology

Master Classrooms

Students and faculty at MTSU are exploring new ways of learning and teaching in master classrooms located throughout campus. These classrooms are specially equipped with computer, media, projection, communication, and control capabilities as well as connection to the campus network.

Typically the master classroom contains one computer that can be used by instructors and students for presentations, simulations, online access, and multimedia. Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/itd; click Master Classrooms.

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ITD Faculty Instructional Technology Center

ITD Faculty Instructional Technology Center (FITC), located in Room 214 of the Telecommunications Building, supports the needs of the MTSU faculty as they strive to enhance teaching and learning through technology. The center provides:

• Equipment and resources for creating and editing multimedia presentations. The ITD FITC also provides facilities for transferring files, browsing the Web, and creating home pages. The center has two digital still/MPEG and one digital video camcorder available for faculty checkout. The ITD FITC maintains Web-based resources, which include FAQs, software support pages, and downloadable software.
• Instructional design/instructional technology consultation. The ITD FITC's instructional technology specialists provide consultation to faculty designing courses or course materials integrating technology.
• Technology training. The ITD FITC staff provides workshops on a variety of instructional technology applications.
• Instructional technology development grants. The ITD FITC oversees the work of the Instructional Technology Development Committee in determining recipients of ITD release time and summer pay faculty instructional technology development grants and the Outstanding Use of Instructional Technology MTSU Foundation Award.

Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/itdacad/itc/.

Instructional Technology Support Center

The Instructional Technology Support Center (ITSC), operated by the College of Education and Behavioral Science and located in the McWherter Learning Resources Center, provides training and support for the use of instructional technology by pre-service teachers in the MTSU teacher preparation programs, MTSU faculty and graduate students, and in-service teachers in Tennessee's public school system. The ITSC houses one of three university-wide computer centers on campus. Macintosh and PCs are available at the ITSC for use by any MTSU student with a valid MTSU ID. Also available at the ITSC are multimedia development stations where graduate students and faculty can create multimedia projects with the assistance of ITSC staff. The Instructional Media Resources unit of the ITSC houses videotapes, computer software, CD-ROMs, and DVDs for student use on-site and for faculty checkout. A large collection of audiotapes, including popular books on tape, is available for checkout by faculty and students. The Audio-Visual Services unit has audio-visual equipment for classroom use, and a videoconferencing facility provides educational programming for rural K-12 schools. The Philip C. Howard Music Library is also located in the ITSC. The music library houses audio and video recordings, scores, and reference items. Scores may be checked out by anyone with a valid MTSU ID. Learn more about the ITSC on the Web at www.mtsu.edu/~itsc, or call 898?5191. Information on the music library is available at www.mtsumusic.com (click on "Library") or by calling ext. 2751.

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Other Instructional Technology Resources

On the Web

• Check out http://www.mtsu.edu/itd/opps_itd.shtml for instructional technology resources in areas such as online teaching, conferences, facilities, grants and awards, organizations and committees, publications, theory and research, and training opportunities.
• At http://www.mtsu.edu/~facshow, see highlights of the instructional technology achievements of MTSU faculty who have received instructional technologies development grants from ITD.

WebCT at MTSU

For developing and managing Web-enhanced or Web-based courses, faculty may wish to use WebCT, an integrated online course management system. With WebCT, faculty can place course materials online, manage synchronous and asynchronous communication, transfer files, conduct online assessments/testing, and provide student access to grades. Learn more about WebCT at MTSU at www.mtsu.edu/d2lsupport.

PipelineMT

Faculty who wish to post Web addresses as course references for their students can do so through PipelineMT. Each faculty member has access to the My Courses section of PipelineMT. My Courses provides entry into resources for each course the faculty member is teaching. Within each course listed for the faculty member is an area where Web links can be added or edited, students in the class can be emailed, a chat room for the course can be accessed, and message board and calendar features can be used. Learn more about PipelineMT at www.mtsu.edu/pipelinemt. Information and tutorials are available on the PipelineMT login page and via the Help! links at the bottom of the login page.

TLTR at MTSU

In 1995, MTSU began participating in the American Association for Higher Education (AAHE) Teaching, Learning, and Technology Roundtable (TLTR) program.

The TLTR seeks to develop a campus-wide planning and support system to help improve the quality and accessibility of higher education through the selective use of information technology and information resources in teaching and learning. Learn more about the TLTR at the Web page: http://www.mtsu.edu/~tltr.

Instructional Technology Discussion List

Interested faculty are encouraged to sign up for MTSU_IT-L list serve, a forum for discussion of instructional technology topics. To subscribe, go to www.mtsu.edu/~listadm, click on subscribe/unsubscribe to lists, enter your name and email address, select SUB, select MTSU IT-L, and send email. As a subscriber, you will receive via your email address messages posted by other subscribers. You can post messages to the list serve.

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Facilities and Services

University Computer Labs

Students, faculty, and staff with a current MTSU ID may use computers in university computer labs located in Business and Aerospace Building S137, Kirksey Old Main 350/351, and at the Instructional Technology Support Center (ITSC) in McWherter Learning Resources Center, rooms 101, 101A, and 101B. (Get information about the labs on the MTSU Web page; click on Raider Data.)

In addition to the university computer labs, many departments have labs for classes, research, and general use. Computer labs are also provided for those who live in student housing in Corlew, Lyon, Smith, and Wood-Felder residence halls and Womack Lane Apartments.

For more information:

• Jennings A. Jones
  College of Business University Computer Lab
  Business and Aerospace Building S137
  www.businesslab.mtsu.edu
  or call ext. 5515
• Computer Science Department University Computer Lab
  KOM 350/351
  www.mtsu.edu/~csdept/csci_lab.html
  or call ext. 2144
  
• McWherter Learning Resources Center
  University Computer Lab
  LRC 101 (Instructional Media Resources Computer Center),
  LRC 101A (PC Lab), and LRC 101B (PC Lab)
  www.mtsu.edu/~itsc
  or check the monitor in the lobby of
  McWherter LRC, or call ext. 5191

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The Walker Library

Walker Library provides access to an online catalog (Voyager), numerous electronic databases, and Internet resources. These and other services are offered at the library's Web site ( www.mtsu.edu/~library). In addition to online library resources, the library provides access to scanners, printers, the Microsoft Office Suite, and adaptive technology.

Via the library's catalog, Voyager (voyager.mtsu.edu), you may find books, periodicals, and other materials that are in the Walker Library as well as collections in the Center for Popular Music, Instructional Media Resources, and the Music Library. The Course Reserves section of Voyager allows you to find materials that have been placed on reserve by your professors and, in some cases, to obtain a copy of the class readings online. To check out materials from Walker Library, you must use your MTSU ID card.

Librarians have organized collections of discipline-specific electronic resources on the Research Gateway ( www.mtsu.edu/~library/gateway.html). Types of sources included are electronic journals, full-text databases, citation databases, and suggested Web sites as well as recommended print resources. Examples include InfoTrac OneFile and LexisNexis Academic. InfoTrac OneFile covers all subjects in more than 8,000 periodical titles and includes over a million full-text periodical articles. LexisNexis Academic contains the full text of thousands of newspapers from all over the world plus many legal, government, and business and industry sources.

More than 300 computers are located within the library for student use. Access to most of the library's electronic resources is provided via the on-campus network and by remote login. When you are accessing the databases from off-campus, you will be prompted for your student email username and password (not Pipeline password) that will be used to verify that you are an MTSU student.

Laptop computers are available for use in the library at any of some 800 additional data connections in the library building. Students who own laptop computers and 10BaseT network cards may also connect to the network via these data connections. Instructions are available at www.mtsu.edu/~library/computing.html.

For immediate assistance regarding library resources when the library is open, please contact the librarians at the reference desk (ext. 2817, press 3). To submit questions online, see the Online Library Services section of the library's Web page and choose the Ask A Librarian Reference Service. A member of the library faculty will answer questions within 24 hours during the week, and by the next workday on weekends and holidays.

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PipelineMT

PipelineMT is a portal that gives students, faculty, and employees single, secure login access to Internet and MTSU resources, personal data, and email. It allows faculty to email their entire class without having to maintain manual distribution lists.

For students and faculty, it offers virtual chat capability among members of each academic course. Announcements can be targeted to groups of people on campus (students, faculty, and/or employees), students in a specific major(s), or students in particular courses.

PipelineMT is the only avenue by which students, faculty, and employees can access WebMT services. See pages 28-29 for details on WebMT services. PipelineMT is accessible from the main MTSU home page. Online tutorials are available from the PipelineMT login page.

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Telephone / Telecommunication Services

The Telecommunication Services area of ITD is responsible for all matters relating to MTSU's telephone service and is committed to providing and maintaining a quality service. Contact Telecommunication Services at ext. 2991 or visit the Web site at www.mtsu.edu/itdtele.

Placing Calls

On-campus calls may be made from campus phones by dialing the MTSU four-digit extension number. From off campus, include the appropriate prefix, 898, 494, or 904.

Local calls may be made from campus phones by dialing 9 and the desired seven-digit local number. Some courtesy phones are restricted to campus calls only.

Operator Assistance

Dial 0 for campus directory service from any campus phone. For campus operator assistance from outside campus, dial 898-2300. Operator assistance is provided 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a speech recognition directory for after hours and holidays. For the speech recognition directory during regular operator hours, dial ext. 5000 on campus or 898-5000 off campus. Courtesy phones are located in the lobbies of main buildings across campus. MTSU operators are also available during regular business hours to assist with setting up conference calls. Up to six parties can be connected on a conference line. Please call Telecommunication Services at ext. 2991 to schedule an operator assisted conference call.

Prepaid Calling Cards

Prepaid calling cards for students, faculty, and staff can be purchased from a vending machine near the Post Office in Keathley University Center. The prepaid calling card allows pre-purchase of $5-$20 worth of long distance calls.

Basic Telephone Service

Contact Telecommunications at (615) 898-2991 for:

• New service or a change in existing service.
• Telephone problems or requests for repairs.

Voice Mail

Voice mail - a computer system for recording, storing, retrieving, and forwarding phone messages-is available to all MTSU faculty and staff by request. (Voice mail is offered to MTSU students by subscription.)

If you are interested in establishing voice mail on your MTSU phone, please contact the voice mail coordinator at ext. 2206 or submit an online request at www.mtsu.edu/itdtele. Once voice mail is established, follow the steps provided below to access your voice mailbox.

• Accessing Your Voice Mailbox: First Time Users
• 
  Dial 8080. You will be prompted to enter your login, which is your extension or mailbox number, and your password, which is defaulted as the # key. Upon accessing your voice mailbox for the first time, you will be guided through recording your name, changing your password, and recording your greeting.
• Accessing Voice Mail From an On-Campus Telephone
• 
  Dial 8080. The Audix voice mail system will prompt you with the following: "Please enter your extension or mailbox number and the # key." After entering your extension or mailbox number and the # key, Audix will prompt you with the following: "Enter your password and #." At this point, enter your personal password and #. (Please note: The initial password is #.)
• Accessing Voice Mail From an Off-Campus Telephone
• 
  Dial 904-8080. The Audix voice mail system will prompt you with the following: "Please enter your extension or mailbox number and the # key." After entering your extension or mailbox number and the # key, Audix will prompt you with the following: "Enter your password and #." At this point, enter your personal password and #. (Please note: the initial password is #.)
• Call Forwarding
• 
  Upon initial setup, Telecommunications has programmed your voice mailbox to answer an incoming call after the third ring. If you would like your phone to ring more times before voice mail answers, please contact the voice mail coordinator at ext. 2206.

Cellular Phone Service

Cellular phone service is available to all departments at a government rate.

Phone Instruments

Instruments available from Telecommunications include digital cordless phones, cordless headsets, and multiple line desk sets.

Rental Service for Phone Equipment

Rental service is available for phone equipment such as cellular phones and audio conferencing equipment.

Videoconferencing

Telecommunication Services has a PictureTel videoconferencing system available for rent in the Telecommunications Building Conference Room 202. Any on-campus user may contact Telecommunication Services at ext. 2991 to schedule a time in the conference room for a videoconference. A technician will be available to start and assist with the conference.

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Your MTSU ID Card

The MTSU ID card identifies faculty, staff, and students for access to campus services and privileges. With the ID card, you can check out books at the University Library, be admitted to the Recreation Center and campus computer labs, cash checks, and buy tickets to campus events.

In addition, students can use the card to receive student health services, vote in student government elections, use student meal plans, and be admitted to residence hall computer labs. Note that students need the MTSU ID card to pick up any financial aid checks.

When you deposit money into a RAIDER FUND$ account, the ID becomes a debit card for use across campus. Use RAIDER FUND$ for purchases at Phillips Bookstore, as a library copy card, to buy a snack or soft drink at most campus vending machines, or purchase meals at any of the food service locations on campus. Students may use RAIDER FUND$ to pay registration fees, and campus residents may use RAIDER FUND$ for residence hall laundry facilities.

There are two ways to activate a RAIDER FUND$ account and to add money to the account. Go to the cashier windows in Cope Administration Building or use a self-service terminal in Walker Library's Copy Center or the basement lobby of KUC. Contact the Business Office at ext. 5443 with questions about RAIDER FUND$.

The ID office is located at Murphy Center, track level, northwest corner. Hours at the ID office during non-registration times are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.­4:30 p.m. (For evening students, ID cards are made in Peck Hall room 101D. Call (615) 898-5611 for office hours.)

If you lose your ID card, it will be invalidated as soon as the loss is reported. Call the ID office at ext. 5523, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. After hours, report a loss to MTSU Public Safety, ext. 2424. Go to the ID office during regular office hours to have a replacement card made. There is a $10 fee for replacement of lost or stolen IDs. If the card breaks, bring the damaged card to the ID office. Call ext. 5523 with questions about the MTSU ID.

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Wireless Connectivity

Wireless Internet access is available at many locations on campus, including outdoor areas, lounges, dining facilities, and classroom buildings.

To access the wireless network, university students and employees must have a laptop computer and a "WiFi" 802.11b compatible PC card. Wireless service on campus is limited to university students and employees who register for wireless service with the MTSU Information Technology Division's Network Services.

Go to www.mtsu.edu/~wireless to register and find links to a coverage area map and additional information on plans for the wireless network.

Student Technology Access Fee

The Student Technology Access Fee (TAF) is used for direct student benefit, including new and improved high technology laboratories and classrooms, appropriate network and software, computer and other equipment, and technological improvements in instruction.

TAF helps students gain hands-on experience with the latest computer-based and discipline-specific technologies. For example, the funds may go toward computer lab upgrades, new computer labs, new computer equipment and software, multimedia and master classrooms, recording and production equipment, and library resources.

Learn more at http://www.mtsu.edu/~pvpaa/techacc.

The Life of MTSU Student Technology Access Fee Dollars

MTSU students pay the student Technology Access Fee (TAF) along with their other fees.

In past years, the Academic Computing Committee and the Technology Task Force made recommendations for allocations of (TAF) funds. In 2001-2002, the two committees were combined into a standing committee appointed by the university's president. The new committee is called the Instructional Technology Committee and includes students, faculty, and staff representatives.

TAF expenditure recommendations from the Instructional Technology Committee are approved by the MTSU president and are submitted to the TBR vice chancellor for finance for approval.

As soon as the proposal receives Board approval, the purchases begin. The goal is to get the technology to students as soon as possible.

See Where Your Money Is Going

Equipment purchased using funds from the student Technology Access Fee is tracked to be sure it is being used as intended. Look for the special label on each piece of equipment that shows it is a result of technology fees at work.

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Additional Help and Information

Online

Man Pages on Frank

The man (short for manual) pages are the primary source of online information for HP (frank) users. To learn how to use a command, type man followed by the name of that command. Example: frank $ man passwd. Another useful option for man is man -k keyword to search the man pages for a keyword.

Help with Software

Most software packages include online help. If you're working with a software package and you need help, check the menu bars across the top of the screen.

Help on the Web

Information is available on MTSU's Web site at www.mtsu.edu and ITD's site at www.mtsu.edu/itd. (or connect to Information Technology from MTSU's home page). Faculty and staff may also submit help requests to ITD's Help Desk on the Web at www.mtsu.edu/itdcommunications/helpdesk.

Via Email

Send an email message to ITD's Help Desk at help@mtsu.edu.

Via Phone

Call ITD's Help Desk at ext. 5345.

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