Computer FAQs - Moravian College

Center for Information Technology
1200 Main Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018-6650
CIT HELP
610 861-1500
FAX
610 625-7926
WEB
cithelp.moravian.edu
Computer FAQs Detailed information regarding Center for Information Technology’s (CIT) services can be
found at http://cithelp.moravian.edu.
Do I need to bring a computer? This depends upon your graduation year. All incoming freshmen students will receive a
MacBook Pro laptop and iPad as part of their enrollment at Moravian. Transfers as part of
the upper classes may desire to bring their own computer. While the choice of the type of
computer is a personal decision, most resident students do bring their own computer.
Moravian College maintains Windows and Macintosh public computer labs on Main (North)
and Hurd (South) campuses. Before bringing a computer on campus, you may want to
assess your situation. Residence Hall rooms have both hard-wired and wireless network
connections for access to Moravian’s network and Internet. There is an extensive wireless
network throughout campus.
Can I buy a computer through the College? No. Moravian does not sell computers. However, there are a few vendors that offer
discount prices for future and current Moravian students. There are links on
http://cithelp.moravian.edu and AMOS, http://amos.moravian.edu to purchase a computer
through these vendors. Incoming freshmen will receive a MacBook Pro and iPad.
Is there a discount purchase plan for buying a computer? Apple, Dell, Lenovo (formerly IBM), and HP provide an educational discount to Moravian
College students. Participation in these programs is at the discretion of the student and the
purchase contract is between the student and the manufacturer. The link for these discounts
can be found at the links identified above.
Am I permitted to use a laptop in class? Some faculty do permit laptop use in class. You should check with your faculty instructor.
Should I buy a Laptop or a Desktop? All incoming freshmen students will receive a MacBook Pro laptop and iPad as part of their
enrollment at Moravian. Transfers as part of the three upper classes may desire to
purchase their own computer with the choice of desktop or laptop being a personal
preference. Some advantages and disadvantages are listed below. There are public
computers available on Main and Hurd campuses. Most students bring laptop computers.
Laptop - Advantages
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- Easy to transport to and from school.
- Takes up little dorm space or desk space.
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Laptop - Disadvantages
Desktop - Advantages
Desktop - Disadvantages
- Can be carried to class or library for note-taking, study, etc.
- Have built-in wireless networking ability.
- Can be brought home during weekend or holiday visits.
- Can be shipped to manufacturer or taken to dealer for service.
- Much more easily stolen, particularly if carried around campus.
- More easily dropped or broken.
- Somewhat more prone to failure than desktop computers of
comparable quality.
- More expensive for comparable speed & capacity.
- Limited expansion and add-on capabilities.
- Best value: typically, more speed, memory, and storage for a
lower price.
- Relatively difficult to steal.
- Lower probability of failure for comparable quality machine vs.
notebook.
- Relatively easy to expand or modify as needs change.
- Less costly expansion products such as large hard drives &
additional memory.
- Flat screen LCD monitors are now reasonably priced, reducing
desk space requirements and making storage/shipping easier.
- Space-consuming and awkward to move to and from school.
- Takes up valuable real estate in cramped dorm rooms.
- Cannot be carried to library or classes.
- Difficult to ship if repair/replacement is needed.
How do I secure my laptop and its data? To physically secure your laptop, check to see if your laptop can accept a lock and cable.
This will permit you to lock your laptop to furniture, thus making it more difficult to steal.
You should always lock your lock when the laptop is unattended, to include while in your
residence hall room. Also lock your room door when you leave the room. To secure your
data, set a screen saver that requires a password to use the laptop or encrypt your laptop’s
hard-drive.
What kind of computer should I buy? Again this is a personal preference. Students bring Macintosh, Windows, and Linux
computers to campus. As this is a personal preference, there are no specific
recommendations. Your academic major may influence what type of computer may best fit
your need. Departments of Art, Music, Education, and Computer Science use Macintosh
computers. Remember that all freshmen receive the MacBook laptop and iPad.
What resources should I have on my computer?
Recommended:
Processor: Intel-core i5 or larger
RAM - 4 GB or higher
Hard drive - 160 GB or larger
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Video card – standard onboard video
CD-RW/DVD-RW combo drive
Universal Serial Bus (USB) port(s)
Wireless if bringing a laptop/netbook
What software (operating systems) will I need? Recommended:
Windows 7 or higher
Macintosh OS X version 10.7 or higher
A suite of applications which includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database, and
presentation software is recommended, such as Microsoft Office (recommended Office
2010/2011).
Virus scanner (provided free via antivirus.moravian.edu)
Spyware scanner (provided free via antivirus.moravian.edu)
Where can I purchase software required for Music study (and other software packages)? Software may be purchased at a discount through a program with Journey Ed,
http://www.journeyed.com. The link for this can also be found at
http://cithelp.moravian.edu and http://amos.moravian.edu
Where can I find out what specific software will be required for the Music and Art Departments? You should speak with representatives from those academic departments.
What about virus protection? Up-to-date virus protection software is required for any computer that attaches to any
Moravian network. Moravian provides free antivirus software, Sophos, for your Windows and
Macintosh computers. If you require antivirus, you can download the software from
http://antivirus.moravian.edu/ (This link is only available on Campus) Installing and
maintaining virus protection is the responsibility of the student. Keeping the virus
definitions current and keeping computers free of viruses are maintenance procedures that
students are required to perform themselves. CIT may block access to the Internet for
student computers that have not applied recent Microsoft Windows or Macintosh operating
system updates or do not have virus scanning with up-to-date virus definition file.
What are the policies for virus removal from student computers? Computer viruses are a continually growing area of concern. Virus protection, to include
keep virus definitions up-to-date and scanning of hard drives, is the responsibility of the
user. Moravian has purchased a licensing agreement with Sophos, which includes all
updates. Use of this software is provided free of charge to Moravian students for their
Windows or Macintosh computers. You may use another virus scanning software application
currently loaded and active on your computer, but must be kept up-to-date as well. Often
the original computer manufacture loaded a time-limited version of the virus protection
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software, which will expire and require you to pay for the renewal of the license. You may
wish to consider moving to Sophos once the lifespan of the original virus scanning software
runs its course, since this program is provided for free.
What anti-­‐virus, anti-­‐spyware, and anti-­‐spam protection must I use? Students must have active, updated antivirus and antispyware software on their computers.
You may use Sophos provided by the College or other commercially produced programs.
Although the College has defenses at the network level, it is a student’s responsibility to
protect their computer from malware.
Is Internet connectivity included in room and board? No. Internet connectivity is included in the technology fee, so there is no additional charge
for students to access the Internet. Refer to the Student Handbook for a list of other
services provided by the technology fee.
Do the residence halls have network connectivity? Yes. All residence halls have wireless and wired connectivity. Residence hall rooms have
one network jack per student, while common areas have an additional network jack. You
will need an Ethernet network cable to establish a wired connection between your computer
and the network.
Do I need to bring an Ethernet cable? No, you do not require an Ethernet cable if you are using a laptop as the residence halls,
academic buildings, library, HUB, etc. have wireless coverage. However, you may want to
consider bringing an Ethernet cable since the network throughput is faster on a hard-wired
connection versus a wireless connection. Each residence hall room student desk has a
network data jack that you can you plug into when you are working at your desk and easily
unplug when you leave your desk.
How do I connect my computer to the network? You can find the instructions at http://cithelp.moravian.edu or for printed instructions stop
by CIT Help Desk in Memorial Hall, Room 102. There are different handouts for different
operating systems.
What happens if I can’t get my computer connected? Contact CIT Help at 610-861-1500 or stop by Memorial Hall, Room 102, Monday- Friday
7:30am-7:00pm Monday – Thursday and 7:30am – 4:30pm on Friday.
Is there wireless on campus? Yes. It is available in academic and administrative buildings, all residence halls, and green
spaces. Moravian is currently completely a major upgrade to its wireless infrastructure.
What type of wireless does Moravian use? 802.11 B/G, N, and A/C
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Do I need to insure my computer? Freshmen MacBooks come with a four-year warranty that covers hardware and software.
Upper classmen should also insure their computer systems. Many homeowners’ policies will
cover a computer for use at school so check with your insurance carrier for specifics. You
should also consider an extended warranty since many warranties expire at different terms.
Another consideration is spill damage protection if you drink while working at your
computer.
Do I get a network account and email address? All students receive a network, email, AMOS, and Blackboard accounts. Through the
campus network, you will have Internet access, web portal, learning management system,
black and white and color printing, and access to course-related software. You can access
network resources from your personal computer in your residence hall room and around
campus or from any lab or classroom computer connected to the network. When offcampus, you may directly access email, storage, AMOS, and Blackboard.
What e-­‐mail service does Moravian use? Moravian uses G-mail as part of Google Apps for Education. Google Apps for Education also
provides data storage, collaboration, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, and
other software tools.
Where do I pick up the network account information? Incoming freshmen will receive their network logon letters during May Registration, which
includes your login and password to access AMOS and Blackboard. The packet will also
include your Google Apps for Education password, which is different from your network
password. You must bring this logon letter with you when you arrive on campus in August.
Where can I get my computer repaired or serviced during the semester? Incoming freshmen should bring their MacBook or iPad to the CIT Help Desk as it will be
under warranty. For upperclassmen, since your new computer may still be under warranty,
your first call should be to the manufacturer. CIT Help Desk technicians can help
triage/troubleshoot your computer problem, but since it is under warranty, they cannot
physically repair the computer. Moravian has partnered with IntegraOne for additional
computer support; more information is below.
Is Moravian College an authorized repair and service center? Not at this time, but is working to become an authorized Apple Repair Center.
If after troubleshooting with the CIT Help Desk, I still have a computer problem, where can I get help? For incoming freshmen, if CIT Help Desk can not correct the problem, they will elevate the
problem to the Apple Repair Center. For upper classes, first contact from whom you
purchased the computer. Moravian has partnered with IntegraOne from Allentown to
provide on-campus student and employee computer support. IntegraOne’s on-campus
computer support offers a service enhancement to provide full support beyond the
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troubleshooting that CIT currently provides to students. CIT can help diagnose a problem
and provide recommended solutions, but cannot provide direct hardware and software
support. This expansion of computer support with IntegraOne now covers software,
hardware, and malware on any manufacture of computer. IntegraOne is an authorized
repair and warranty center for HP, Lenovo, IBM, and Apple so that service may be free of
charge depending on the issue and warranty on the computer. If not covered by warranty or
service agreement, this service is offered at the reduced rate of $75/hour.
What kinds of computer problems do students encounter? The vast majority of student computer problems are virus and spyware related. If you
maintain active and up-to-date antivirus and antispyware on your computer and are vigilant
of the websites you visit, you will greatly minimize your chance of having a computer
problem.
Does the College offer student computer classes? The College does not offer dedicated student computer classes during the academic year,
but CIT technicians will assist students with computer questions and work with students
while triaging (troubleshooting) computer problems. All incoming freshmen receive a
hands-on training class, Computing at Moravian College, during Freshmen Orientation
weekend. The Economics Department offers a for credit class on Microsoft Office: Word,
Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
How much of the curriculum is technology based? This depends upon the individual faculty instructor and varies between classes.
Do I need a printer? While it is convenient to have a printer in your residence hall room, there are public printers
available in classrooms, computer labs, some study rooms, and library.
Must I pay for printing? Students are given $35/academic year for printing at a rate of $.05/black and white page
and $.50/color page. This equates to 700 black and white pages. If you exceed the $35
allocation, you can add additional money to your printing account in the Bursar’s Office
during normal business hours. Art students are allotted more as part of their lab fees.
Students may track their printing balance using PaperCut.
What are the quotas for personal file space and email?
Email and data storage: 1TB with Goggle Apps for Education.
Can I play on-­‐line games? Gaming is available, but sluggish performance and increased lag time may occur during the
academic day as priority is given to academic resources first. At the conclusion of the
academic day, students have free run of the 1Gb Internet bandwidth.
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Can I forward my College e-­‐mail to my personal e-­‐mail account? Yes. You may find the instructions on http://cithelp.moravian.edu.
Is file sharing allowed? Any act of file sharing that violates copyright laws is prohibited by the college. The college
must cooperate with proper authorities if an inquiry is made into a user’s activities. File
sharing has its uses, if it is limited to public domain materials or to materials for which a
user possesses a license or express permission from the owner.
Is there help for student-­‐athletes who arrive early? Yes. CIT Help Desk is open throughout the year and is available to assist early arrivals.
Can I get a work study student job in CIT? Yes. Within CIT, both the Help Desk and Media Services Teams have openings for work
study student technicians.
What is the best cellular telephone carrier for use on campus? There is no one cellular carrier that performs better than other carriers or a particular
carrier that performs poorly as compared to other carriers.
Does Moravian support e-­‐book readers? With the plethora of e-book readers and other mobile devices, CIT strives to assist with the
network connection between these devices and the College’s wireless network in order to
access Moravian’s on-line resources and resources outside the College. Reeves Library
offers many e-books.
Is there Guest Wireless access? Yes. Moravian College and Theological Seminary Guest Wireless network is a service that
allows guests, those users who do not have a Moravian College login/network ID, to access
to the Internet during a visit to Moravian College. Moravian faculty, staff, and students
should not use the Guest Wireless Network due to its limited-access capabilities.
Is there an additional charge for the MacBook laptop and iPad? There is no additional charge as students will receive the MacBook and iPad as part of their
tuition.
Can students take the MacBook and iPad when they graduate? Students will take the MacBook and iPad with them when they graduate.
When do incoming freshmen receive their MacBooks and iPad? Incoming Freshmen will receive their MacBooks and iPads during May registration.
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Who do I contact if I have additional questions? Contact CIT Help: call at 610-861-1500, e-mail at cithelp@moravian.edu, stop by Memorial
Hall, Room 102, Monday-Thursday, 7:30am – 7:00pm, Monday – Thursday and Friday
7:30am-4:30pm, or visit http://cithelp.moravian.edu.
Can I decline the MacBook and iPad? No. The MacBook and iPad are required class material much like textbooks.
How do students print? Students may print on any of the many public printers throughout Main and Hurd Campuses.
Moravian is currently developing web (wireless) printing for student printing.
Do students “turn in” their devices over the summer? No. Students keep their devices over the summer.
How do students transfer files to their new computer from their current computer? Students may use Google drive to transfer or store their files.
Does course specific software come pre-­‐loaded on the MacBook and iPad? No. Course specific software is loaded at the start of each course requiring this software.
What is the replacement plan/warranty coverage if the MacBook or iPad is lost, stolen, or dropped? Apple Warranty does not cover the MacBook or iPad if it is lost, stolen, or dropped.
What are the replacement costs for the devices for insurance coverage? These costs vary each year. Please check you College statement to determine the replacement
costs.
Can I purchase the MacBook and iPad from a store instead of Moravian? Models, versions of the model, hardware specifications, and operating system will vary between
store and College MacBook and iPad. Purchasing through the College standardizes the device so
that all students in that year group have the same equipment, which facilitates their use in and out
of the classroom from loading selected programs and applications to device support.
Additionally, devices purchased through Moravian are part of the Device Enrollment Program
(DEP) that enrolls MacBooks and iPads into the Moravian computing environment.
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