Welcome to PC Computing
at Central Washington University
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Table of Contents
Introduction
- Log on to the CWU network.
- View/save files network and/or local drives.
- Log on to GroupWise.
- Send/receive e-mail via GroupWise.
Here at Central, we are all connected to the CWU network, or “Tree”.
Everyone with network access is given a full context log in name. This log in name generally starts with a period (.).It is not necessary to use this full context log in name when logging onto a campus computer but it is a good idea to know what it is for things like adding a network printer, host registering a new computer and a variety of other networking tasks. For the most part though, you will just need the first part of the name Username.
.Username.Department.Area.CWU
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Campus Computing
After turning your computer on, the first screen you'll encounter is similar to the following:
The Novell Client for Windows is the networking software used to access the CWU network.
- Type in your Wildcat username in the Username field.
- Click to the Password field or press the tab key.
- Type in your Wildcat password.
Note: Your username is not case sensitive but your password is.
At the time of hire (or enrollment for students) everyone at Central is given a Wildcat username and password. This password can access many things such as logging on with the Novell Client, GroupWise, Safari, Self Service, Wildcat Connection, and more.
If you forget your password, you'll need to contact the HelpDesk at x2001 so they can issue you a new one.
The most important thing you need to consider about passwords is: DON”T GIVE THEM OUT!
Your password is your responsibility. Even if you trust someone else to not use your account maliciously, do you trust them to keep your password secret?
When choosing a password (and you'll have to come up with a new one every 90 days), it has to be at least 8 characters long and cannot contain any blanks or special characters. You can, however, pick a mixture of upper and lower case letters as well as numbers.
Every PC logged into the network has access to the Network Applications folder  . This folder is on your desktop and provides access to various installer programs (e.g. GroupWise) and fixes. What you have access to will depend on your network access rights. If you have any questions on the contents of the Network Applications folder, please contact the HelpDesk at x2001 and talk to one of the technicians.
All CWU tagged PCs are loaded with GroupWise (email), the Microsoft Office Suite (Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat Reader and Internet Explorer. Other specialized software is available but may cost extra. Please contact your department secretary for more information.
There should be a shortcut for GroupWise on the desktop but if not, all programs can be accessed through the Start menu.
You have access to drives on your local machine as well as those on the network server.
Local drives may include:
C:\ First hard drive in your computer. If you store files here, make sure you have a back-up copy. Never store any files in the root directory of C:\
D:\ Usually the CD-ROM drive in your computer. In some computers, it may be a second hard drive. If so, the CD-ROM drive may be Drive E:\.
You can also plug in removable drives such as jump drives (most popular). If you run into trouble using a jump drive, check out http://www.cwu.edu/~itstraining/TechTips/files/flashdrive.doc.
Network drives may include:
G:\ Data drive for shared folders and your personal folder. Your access is based on your job. See also N: drive.
I:\ Web pages are stored in the Public folder in this drive. Access at http://www.cwu.edu/~username.
N:\ Data drive; your personal drive. All files and folders here are duplicated in your personal folder on the G:\ drive. You are allotted 30MB of space on this drive.
S:\ Data drive for shared departmental folders. Your access is based on your job.
Other network drives are used for programs and utilities.
Note: All network drives are backed up every night! If you feel you must save files on your local drives, make sure to back them up regularly! See also what you can and can't save to the network below.
To access a file via Windows Explorer on a campus computer,
- Click on Start, All Programs, Accessories, Windows Explorer.
- Expand the My Computer folder by clicking on the plus sign next to it in the left pane of the window.
- Click on the plus sign next to one of the network drives in the left pane to expand it.
- Keep clicking on any plus signs next to the folders in the left pane until you “winnow” down to the one with your file in it.
- Click on the folder in the left pane to display its contents in the right pane.
- Double-click on the file in the right pane to open it.
Tip: Make a shortcut to your shared data drive on your desktop for quick access.
When you are ready to save your work,
- Click on the File menu of whatever program you have running and select Save As,
- Use the drop-down list at the top to display the list of available drives.
- Select the drive and folder (if applicable) you want to save your file in.
- Click Save.
The following types of files should NOT be on the network drives unless used specifically for learning, teaching, research or University business.
QuickTime Movies
Real Audio/Real Video
MP3 Audio (iTunes, Internet music, etc.)
Windows Media Audio/Video files
MPG files
AVI files
copies of programs
These types of files can get very large and if they are infrequently needed, please burn them to CD/DVD or move them to your hard drive.
Huge ZIP files
Powerpoint Presentations (ppt)
Backup files
Copies of databases
Pictures/slide shows
Everyone should know that the Acceptable and Ethical Use of University Information Technology Resources Policy is at http://www.cwu.edu/~terilee/aup.html and should be reviewed periodically to stay in compliance.
All campus PC's should be set up with the Sophos Antivirus program and a special application that keeps the anti-virus definitions up to date. Also, you don't need to update Windows or Office either as updates to these are also pushed out through the network. You will receive a notification that updates are available with corresponding instructions on what to do.
If you suspect your computer is not keeping up to date, or if you have any questions on the update process, please contact the Help Desk at x2001.
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Computing From Home
You can use CWU as an internet service provider if you don't already have one although it's limited to dial-up access. You just need a modem and to set your internet connection to dial into 963-8002. For more instructions in setting up this connection, go to:
http://www.resnet.cwu.edu/dial_up.php
Although these instructions were written for students, the same can be applied to staff as well. This will be one of those instances where you will need to know your full context login name.
You can access your network drives from home as long as you have Internet access. See above if you don't already have an Internet Service Provider. The Wildcat Connection also has many other useful services.
- Go to the CWU Home page at www.cwu.edu/
- Click on the Wildcat Connection
 icon towards the bottom of the page.
- Log in with your Wildcat username and password.
The links along the side vary depending on your job access. You may see some or more of the following:
IntraNet: This displays the CWU Intranet as seen in the main GroupWise window for on campus PC users.
Safari: Safari is the primary source of information for students and faculty including class schedules, registration, grades, and financial need.
Employee Link: This opens a separate site where employees can see their payroll items, benefit information, and more.
Financial Management System (FMS): The Financial Management System (FMS) is the system-of-record for financial transactions at Central Washington University.
GroupWise Email: This opens a separate site for GroupWise on the web. See the GroupWise Web section of this handout for more information.
SPAM Gateway: Login here to adjust your personal spam settings such as allow/block lists and tolerance levels.
Blackboard: A course management system with tools that enable instructors to provide their students with course materials, discussion boards, virtual chat, online assessments, and other features/tools for online courses or as supplements to face-to-face courses
CWU at iTunes University: if you have iTunes installed on your computer, click here to get faculty podcasts, hear sports broadcasts and more.
NetStorage: This displays your network drives in the right pane. See below for more information.
Accessing CWU Services from the Internet: Links and instructions for downloading and installing the VPN, GroupWise, Messenger, and file transfer options.
Update eDir & GW Info: Update your personal information as it is seen in GroupWise.
My Favorite Shortcuts: Customize your Wildcat Connection experience.
Change Password: This changes your Wildcat password.
Portal Help: If you get stuck.
Connection Card Balance: Find out if you have enough money for B&G on Friday.
Sponsor Guest Account: Create temporary accounts for official CWU guests.
NetStorage is where you can transfer files back and forth between your home computer and the network.
- Use the File menu to Download a file from the network to your local computer to work on it.
- Use the File menu to Upload a file from your home computer to the network.
For more information on using NetStorage, please visit:
http://www.cwu.edu/~itstraining/TechTips/wintelecommute.html and click on the NetStorage section.
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The GroupWise E-mail and Calendar Program
There are two different ways you can log on to GroupWise
- Using the client version.
- Using the web version
The client version is installed locally on your computer and is generally what people use when on campus.
If you are off campus, or anywhere in the world for that matter, you can log into https://gwweb.cwu.edu and check your mail. See more details below.
Once your computer is logged into the network, you may be prompted to enter a password for GroupWise and another password for the GroupWise Messenger program. Both use the same password you entered to log onto the network (i.e. the Wildcat password).
- Enter both passwords as necessary and click OK.
- When GroupWise opens, the first screen to display will be the CWU Intranet.
- Click on the Mailbox icon in the left pane to display your mail.
All new mail will appear as an unopened envelope with bolded text next to it.
- Double-click on the bolded text to open the mail.
To send an e-mail,
- Click on File, New, Mail.
- Fill in the fields as necessary and click Send.
The GroupWise calendar keeps track of all your appointments, notes, and tasks. You can view your calendar several different ways but the most common are Day, Week, and Month.
- Click on the view
 buttons to switch between the different views.
- Use the left and right black arrows to navigate ahead or behind a day (if in Day view), a week (if in Week view), a month (if in Month view), and so on. You can always come back to the current day with the Today button.
To post an appointment to your calendar,
- Navigate to the appropriate date in Day or Week view.
- Double-click on the appointment grid.
- Fill out the fields as necessary and click Post.
You can also send an appointment (meeting request) to others.
- Click on File, New, Appointment.
The screen is similar to the Posted Appointment dialog box but also includes To:, CC:, and BC: fields like an e-mail.
For more information on using the GroupWise calendar go to:
http://www.cwu.edu/~itstraining/GWHelpPages/pcgwc.html
- If you have an Internet connection set up, open up a browser (I.E., Netscape, Mozilla Firefox) and go to https://gwweb.cwu.edu
- Log in with your Wildcat username and password.
Most of the functions available on the client version are available here as well.
- Double-clickon a message to open and read.
- Click on the New button to compose mail, tasks, notes, and appointments.
- Click on the Address Book button to look up addresses, add contacts and groups.
- Click the Manage Folders button to add/edit/delete folders.
There's also a Proxy access button if you have access to another account.
When you are done with GroupWise web, make sure you click on Logout in the upper right corner to log out properly.
For more information on using GroupWise on the web, check out :
http://www.cwu.edu/~itstraining/GWHelpPages/gwweb.html
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Leaving your Workstation
In order to maintain security, it's a good idea to lock your workstation if you need to leave your desk for a few minutes.
To lock your workstation,
- Press the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys on your keyboard.
- Click on Lock Workstation.
When you return to your desk,
- Type in your password (the one you used to log into the computer at start up) to unlock your workstation.
To turn your computer off for the day,
- Click on Start, Shut Down.
The drop-down list provides other options such as Shutdown, Log off, and Restart.
- Select Shut downand click OK.
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Where To Get Help
Network issues, passwords, Safari issues, hardware problems (CWU tagged machines only), etc.
Call 509-963-2001.
www.cwu.edu/~helpdesk/
helpdesk@cwu.edu
Assistance and training for faculty, staff, and student employees on office software applications, including spreadsheets, databases, word processors, operating systems, e-mail, etc.
Call 509-963-2392.
www.cwu.edu/~itstraining/
training@cwu.edu
Assistance and training on the CWU PeopleSoft administrative systems, Safari, FMS and rapid-time entry.
Call 509-963-2407.
www.cwu.edu/~pmits/
lonowsda@cwu.edu
Assistance and training for faculty, staff, and student employees relating to departmental, unit, and individual web pages, using tools such as Adobe Photoshop and HTML editors.
Call 509-963-2810.
www.cwu.edu/~web/
daysj@cwu.edu
Other departments have their own training resources. Technology training is also available from Multimedia Technology and Instructional Support and the Ed Tech Center.
The Human Resources department lists training from all departments at
www.cwu.edu/~training/
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Page last updated 10/02/09. Send questions or comments to ITS Training.
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