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Erskine College
has an excellent campus-wide, fiber-optic network called ECnet. Each dormitory
room has an ECnet network connection for each student.
Wireless network access is available in dormitories and many other campus locations.
A personal computer connected to ECnet has high-speed access to on-campus (intranet)
information servers as well as broadband access to the
Internet. Each student will receive a personal Erskine e-mail
account.
Students who wish to utilize ECnet, but who do not have a personal
computer, can do so in McCain Library or other locations on campus.
Students who are
bringing personal computers to campus and are expecting to use ECnet successfully
must do the following:
- Make sure your computer
has an Ethernet
adapter (wired) and/or a wireless (WiFi)
Ethernet card. Wireless network access is available in dormitories and many other places on the Erskine Campus. (Note: All late model name-brand desktop and laptop computers will have Ethernet adapters built-in. Laptops will have WiFi capability as well.)
- Provide a Category 5(e) Ethernet
cable that will reach from your computer’s position in your dorm
room to the ECnet port in your dorm room. A telephone cable is NOT suitable
for this application. Typical cable lengths are five to 14 feet or
perhaps longer. The Information Technology department sells low cost standard length and
custom length cables.
Buying a Computer
There are no specific computer hardware requirements for student computers at Erskine. ECnet supports
Windows-based personal computers running Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7. Apple Macintosh computers running Mac OS X are also supported. The Erskine Information Technology
department can provide hardware and software support during the manufacturer's warranty
period for the following brands of computers only:
As a current or incoming student, you may purchase a computer from one of the above vendors and receive educational pricing and warranty support from Erskine as stated above.
Please note that you if you already own a Dell or Apple computer OR you purchased a Dell or Apple computer from another source, you will still be eligible for Erskine IT support during the manufacturer warranty period.
Limited software support may be available for other brands and for computers no longer covered by the manufacturer warranty.
Laptop or Desktop
We strongly recommend
portable (notebook) computers. Portable computers offer students the flexibility to use
their computer in their dorm rooms, on the road, in class, in the library,
or other places such as outside in the sunshine on the patio at Snapper’s. If you are planning to purchase a new portable computer to bring to Erskine, we strongly recommend purchasing a 4-year warranty which includes accidental damage coverage.
Printer
Many students find having a printer
in their dormitory room to be convenient. However, fee-based public printing is available in McCain Library.
Other Software
Microsoft Office
is the Erskine software standard for word processing, spreadsheet, and
presentation software. Microsoft Office 2010 is the currently recommended version. The Pro version is available from www.varsitybuys.com at a very deep educational discount.
Security
software is strongly recommended on all computers which connect to the Erskine network (ECnet).
Symantec Endppoint Protection is available for free to all students. This provides an effective guard against viruses, spyware, and other malware spread through the Internet.
Contact Erskine Information Technology personnel for further information.
Questions?
Bobby Clarke
clarke@erskine.edu(864) 379-8775
Director of
Information Technology
Michael Armstrong
armstrong@erskine.edu(864)
379-6670
Associate Director
of Information Technology
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