Information for First Year Students

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This page contains common questions that new students have about computing at Pomona College. If you have any questions beyond these, please contact us by e-mailing supers@pomona.edu or calling the student helpdesk at 909.621.8062.

General Questions

How do I access my Pomona e-mail account? What is my password? When do I get my password? What is my user ID?

Over the summer, you should receive an information packet in the mail containing your Pomona username and a temporary password as well as lots of fun non-technology stuff. Once you have the packet, you will then be able to go to https://mypassword.pomona.edu and change your password to something you like (that meets the password complexity requirements). Once this is all set up, you can access your e-mail one of two ways:

1. Through the web site http://mymail.pomona.edu (use your username -- i.e. ces02005@mymail.pomona.edu). You can use this site to access your e-mail from any computer with an internet connection.
2. Use an e-mail program such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird. These programs provide more functionality than the webmail interface and allow better management for lots of e-mail. Thunderbird is free for download from the Mozilla website. Outlook, which comes as a part of Microsoft Office, is available for free from ITS, but only once you've arrived on-campus. Visit our e-mail setup page for instructions on setting up these programs.

Please note that we cannot provide you with your login information before you receive this packet.

Does the college have any special deals on computers?

No, Pomona College does not have any special deals for students. We also do not sell computer hardware or software directly. However, most computer manufacturers offer special prices to students through an educational portion of their website or by calling them directly - it never hurts to ask! You can also check the website for Huntley Book Store, the 5-College bookstore, to see some computers they recommend which already have the educational prices listed. If you plan to purchase a computer, especially if it is older or used, please also see the section on requirements to connect to our network.

Does ITS offer students any free or discounted software?

ITS has licenses with certain software developers that allow us to distribute their programs to students for free. These include Microsoft Windows XP (computer must have some version of Windows already), Microsoft Office (for PCs and Macs), and McAfee Anti-virus (including Virex for Macs). (More information on the software we provide)

If we don't have the specific program you want or you'd prefer to own a personal copy, many companies offer special student discounts on their software (Microsoft, Adobe, and Macromedia among them). The best place to find this out is probably from the companies themselves or through the Huntley Book Store, which usually carries discounts of its own. Keep in mind that most of the software you'll need for academic purposes will be available in either the general computer labs or the more specialized labs maintained by some of the departments.

Does ITS offer web hosting?

ITS provides 4 GB of network space for each student. Students can use this space to host personal web pages or store important files. (More information on web hosting)

What about USB thumb drives?

USB thumb drives (also known as USB keys, flash drives, jump drives, and a few other names) are small devices, usually about the size of a key, that can be used to store data. All students are given a 1GB thumbdrive at new student orientation. These drives can be plugged into a computer with a USB port to allow you to store data and easily move it from computer to computer.

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What to Bring

Do I need to bring a computer?

No, Pomona does not require that students bring any form of computer with them to college. In fact, some students prefer not to deal with the hassle of having their own computer. There are multiple large computer labs on campus, each of which is capable of handling whatever your classes can throw at you. For most classes, the only time you'll really need a computer is when you need to write a paper (probably using Microsoft Word). Certain other classes require special software (e.g. SPSS for statistics) that is available in the computer labs.

Does my computer have to conform to any specifications?

ITS only requires that your computer be capable of running Windows XP w/ Service Pack 2 (PC) or OS X 10.4 (Mac). However, we recommend that your computer meet the minimum requirements for Windows Vista or OS X 10.5. This will make it more likely that you will still be able to connect your computer to the network towards the end of your time at Pomona.

Do I need to bring a printer? No. While it may be more convenient to have your own personal printer, it is not necessary. Students can print documents at any of the multiple computer labs if they don't own a printer of their own.

Each student at Pomona has a print quota which can be used at any of the multiple computer labs or on any other network printer. Students receive $10 (about 500 black-and-white pages or 40 color pages) each semester, and unused print quota rolls over at the end of the semester. If you should run out of print quota, you can purchase more from the Pomona Business Office.

You can even print to network printers (e.g. those in the computer labs) from your room. (Instructions here) However, it is more convenient to have a personal printer, and many students do bring their own to college. Also, many printers nowadays also function as scanners/copiers, which can be very useful. Just keep in mind that you have to supply your own paper and ink cartridges.

Do I need to buy an antivirus program for my computer?

• No. However, if you own a PC, Pomona DOES require that you have one of these three programs installed and running:
  • AVG Anti-Virus
  • McAfee Antivirus
  • Norton AntiVirus

• Pomona distributes a version of McAfee with unlimited updates for free. If you're more comfortable with Norton, which sells for $49.95, or AVG, which can be downloaded and used for free, these programs are fully compatible with our requirements.

• If you are using a Mac, Pomona requires that you have some anti-virus software installed on your computer. We can provide you with a copy of McAfee VirusScan for OS X for free. Other programs are acceptable as long as they are updated frequently (at least every two weeks).

• Unfortunately, Pomona ITS does not support other anti-virus packages such as Panda Platinum, Trend Micro PC-cillin, or Sophos. In order to register your computer for use on the network, you will need to uninstall any such programs and install one of the three options above. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please DO NOT attempt to install a new anti-virus program along with an old one, as this may cause serious damage to your computer.

• If you receive a free trial version of Norton or McAfee, these are acceptable until your subscription to updates runs out. At that time you will need to either purchase more updates for your current program or use one of the free options listed above. Using Pomona's version of McAfee often requires you to uninstall and reinstall the program using our copy. Please DO NOT attempt to install a new anti-virus program along with an old one, as this may cause serious damage to your computer.

• Please note that Pomona's copy of McAfee only includes the anti-virus software and does NOT include the extra features availble in some versions of the program such as a firewall, anti-spam software, and anti-spyware software. However, free software for all of these features is available to Pomona students. We have found that the firewall in Windows XP is adequate for most students, and other free alternatives are available for other operating systems. Pomona e-mail accounts automatically use Postini for spam filtering, and free anti-spyware programs are available at http://spyware.pomona.edu.

I've decided I want to buy a new computer. What kind do you suggest I get?

This is a pretty lengthy discussion (as it should be). Please take a look at our computer buying guide for more information.

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Getting Online

How do I get connected to the network?

For more information on connecting to the Pomona College network see our residential networking setup guide.

Will someone be available to help me get connected to the network?

YES! The ResNet 2006 Team will be staffing the freshman dorms during Freshman Orientation to help students connect their computers to the network, troubleshoot problems, and answer questions. There is no charge for this service! We do ask that students bring all installation and configuration disks associated with their computer to school. It is also a good idea to have copies of the warranty and technical support phone numbers on hand. Beginning later in the summer, you can find out the locations and hours of the ResNet fairs.

Where does the wireless network cover?

For a complete and up to date listing, check http://wireless.pomona.edu. The wireless network at Pomona is part of a 5-College network that also covers the libraries. Generally, busy open spaces on campus, several large classrooms, the computer labs, the libraries, some dorm lounges, and of course the pool are covered. However, due to the earthquake-proof construction of buildings here, the wireless signal may not travel very far outside of the designated areas. (You may notice problems with cellular or cordless phones as well.) You should not count on the wireless network to be your primary internet connection in the dorms, and should buy an ethernet cable to use the wired connection instead (which is faster and more secure anyway.)

How do I register for wireless?

Go to http://wirelessreg.pomona.edu. You will be asked for your username, password, and MAC address.

If you don't register your wireless card you will be able to connect to anything hosted on campus (www.pomona.edu, its.pomona.edu/faq, moodle.pomona.edu) but nothing outside of the 5Cs.

What hardware do I need to connect to the wireless network?

In order to connect to the Pomona wireless network you will need a 802.11b compatible card. (Note: 802.11g and 802.11n are both compatible with 802.11b.) Most new laptops come with wireless cards these days. If you have a laptop that contains Centrino technology, WiFi, AirPort, AirPort Extreme, or wireless, you most likely have the necessary hardware to connect to the wireless network.

If you don't have this hardware built in, fear not! You can buy an external wireless card at stores such as CompUSA, Best Buy, or Fry's Electronics. A very basic card can be purchased for as little as $20, while top-of-the-line cards are in the vicinity of $100. A quality card from a reputable manufacturer such as Linksys, D-Link, NETGEAR, Belkin, or SMC will probably cost around $30 or $40. These cards plug in to PC slots on the side of your laptop, and provide all the same functionality as built-in wireless cards.

An external wireless card

Other Security Information

In order to keep your computer secure, you MUST perform regular updates to your operating system and anti-virus software. This will ensure your computer has the latest service packs and critical security patches to protect your computer and keep it running smoothly. Updates for recent Microsoft software can be found at http://update.microsoft.com or may be accessed from the Start Menu on your computer. Updates on an Apple computer can be found by selecting Software Update from the Apple Menu on your Mac.

Failure to keep your computer up to date with critical security patches may result in its removal from the network.

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Getting Help

Where can I go for help?

At the beginning of each semester, student consultants are stationed throughout the dorms to help you with tech move-in problems. Drop by and we'll help you out!

Like all Helpdesk support, ResNet is completely free.

What to bring

• If you have a laptop, bring it with you (and don't forget your power cable!); if you have a desktop, a consultant will go back to your room with you and help you out there.
• Installation and configuration CDs if you have them
• Warranty information if you think you may have a hardware problem

Fall 2008 Schedule

• August 24, 2008 - Freshmen move-in
  • Consultants will have help stations in the lounges of Mudd-Blaisdell, Harwood, Lyon, and Wig from 9 am to 6 pm.
• August 31, 2008 - General move-in
  • Consultants will have help stations in the lounges of Walker and Mudd-Blaisdell from 2 pm to 6 pm.
• September 1, 2008 - General move-in
  • Consultants will have help stations in the lounges of Walker and Mudd-Blaisdell from 10 am to 4 pm.

If you need help on one of the days when we do not have help stations in the dorms, the normal ITS Helpdesk located in the J.C. Cowart Information Technology Building will also be open.

If you need help locating one of the dorms or ITB, check out the campus map

What happens if I have computer problems after Freshman Orientation is over?

ITS offers free tech support to all students through the student-staffed ITS Helpdesk. Students have a few options available to them for technical assistance:

• If you call the ITB Helpdesk (x18062), a student consultant will be able to help you over the phone. If you call when the desk isn't staffed, leave a detailed voicemail message (including your full name, phone number, and a description of the problem) and we'll call you back when we return to the desk.
• If the problem is too complex to be handled over the phone or if you would simply prefer to let an ITS consultant deal with it, you have two options:
  • If you have a laptop, you can simply show up at any time during our helpdesk hours and a consultant will assist you. Due to staffing limitations, we are unable to schedule room calls for students with laptops (unless the problems are specific to your room, like a broken ethernet jack in your room). Please bring the power cable for your laptop!
  • If you have a desktop (or a problem with something in your room), you should call the Helpdesk (x18062) and schedule a time for a consultant to make a room visit. Please make sure that you will be in your room for your appointment!

Contact information and directions to the Helpdesk

Will ITS help me with hardware problems?

For liability reasons, ITS can try to diagnose but cannot fix most hardware problems. The one exception is that we can remove hard drives that are easily accessible from laptops in order to perform data recovery. Getting warranty service from your computer manufacturer is a viable alternative in all other situations.

I still have questions, who can I contact for assistance?

You are welcome to call the ITS Student Helpdesk at 909.621.8062, send an e-mail to supers@pomona.edu, or instant message AIM screenname Pomona ITS. The Helpdesk summer hours are 9 AM - 5 PM, Monday through Friday except for a lunch break from 12 PM - 1 PM (though we're happy to return voicemails).