Computer, Networking, and Telephone Guide

This page is designed to be a comprehensive index to computer, networking, and phone information that you need as a student. Links to more detailed information are provided as needed. Please read this information thoroughly and use it as a reference, even while you're on campus.

If, after reading through this section, you have any questions, feel free to contact B.J. McKinney, Director of IT Infrastructure and Customer Support by phone at 813.899.0529 or email mckinneyb@floridacollege.edu.

Section Index:

• Logging On
• Policies
• What You Should Bring
• Do NOT Bring
• Residence Hall Room Telephones
• Residence Hall Room DSL
• Wireless Access
• Computer Labs
• Where To Get Help
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I. Logging On

Your Falcon Link ID will be used for student portal access, checking webmail, logging in to the wireless system, and logging on to lab PCs on campus.

• Username. Your Falcon Link ID will be your username (typically in the form lastnamefirstnameentranceyear, i.e. smithjohn07) and has already been emailed to you when you were classified as an applicant by the admissions department.
• Password. When you activated your Falcon Link ID, you were able to choose your own password.  If you have forgotten this password, visit the Falcon Link home page and click the "Reset password" link under the login box. 
• Domain. STU (used for webmail, lab computers, and wireless)
• NOTE: If a "Domain" box is not listed on the login page for webmail or wireless, you should use the domain along with your username in the form STU\username (notice the backwards slash "\" not a forward slash "/")

II. Policies

• Computer Use
• Peer to Peer (P2P)
• Wireless

III. What You Should Bring

• Your PC or Mac with a network card
  PCs should be running Windows XP Home or Professional or Windows Vista, and Macs should be running the latest version of OS X. Virtually all new systems include network cards built-in, but if you have an older machine, make sure it has one installed.
• Cat5 cable
  This is the network cable you will use to connect your computer to the DSL line in the room of your residence hall. We recommend a 25’ cable. We will have these available for sale when you arrive on campus.
• Anti-virus software
  If you’ve recently purchased a new computer, you probably have at least a trial version already installed. But, make sure you have a full purchased copy installed so the virus definition updates will last through the end of the school year. A very good FREE program is available called AVG. To download it, go to http://free.grisoft.com. Norton (not recommended), McAfee, Computer Associates EZAntivirus, AVG, Panda, TrendMicro, and Sophos are a few other options. Whatever you choose, make sure it is set to stay up to date!
• Anti-spyware software
  Spyware and malware have become huge problems in the past few years. We have seen it literally render student’s computers inoperable. To help combat this, install Microsoft Defender, Spybot, or Ad-Aware.  A simple Google search will lead you to these free programs.
• Automatic software updates
  If you run a Windows operating system, make sure you have enabled the automatic updates feature through the Control Panel. Automatic Updates are critical to the proper functioning of your machine, and your anti-virus software!
• Microsoft Office Suite is highly recommended
  Florida College has partnered with E-Academy to bring you a terrific deal on the latest Microsoft software, including Windows upgrade packages (if you still have an older version like Windows 98) and the Office suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.). The link to purchase software is http://floridacollege.e-academy.com and you will need to register with your FC email address (falconlinkid@floridacollege.edu).

IV. Do NOT Bring

• Wireless routers or access points (see policy)
• Hubs or switches
• Peer to Peer software (KaZaa, etc.) (see policy)

V. Residence Hall Room Telephones

Residence hall telephone services are available. You can sign-up for phone and voicemail services when you arrive on campus.

VI. Residence Hall Room DSL

• Become acquainted with the DSL hardware you will find in your room (note: Hinely Hall provides a direct Cat 5 network jack, so this page does not pertain to residents of Hinely Hall)
• Windows XP configuration instructions

IT staff will be on hand during move-in day to assist with connection problems you may encounter and to provide common hardware you may need to purchase (network cards, cables, battery backup/surge protectors, etc.)

VII. Wireless Access

Wireless access is provided to students and employees on campus in the following locations:

• Student Center
• Library
• Akin classroom building
• Cafeteria
• South Annex
• McCarty/CTC area

The wireless SSID name is Aquila, and once configured from one hot-spot, you can roam to any of the hot-spots without needing to change any configurations. NOTE: Aquila is the only student SSID in use on this campus. Students are strongly cautioned against connecting to any other SSID that may be broadcast in the area. It could be a rogue system attempting to capture information, or it may be a neighboring business or residence in which case it is both illegal and against school policy to use the signal.

Aquila is a secure network, protected using WPA TKIP encryption and requiring 802.1x authentication over Protected EAP (PEAP) (using your credentials as outlined in the "Logging On" section above). All wireless access points are policy controlled and currently are only accessible during non-curfew hours (7am-11pm M-F, 7am-midnight weekends). Only internet access is allowed over the wireless. There are no services or printing stations available as there are when using a computer lab PC.

Wireless Setup Instructions for Windows XP and Mac Wireless Setup Instructions for Windows Vista

VIII. Computer Labs

There are about 80 lab computers available to students around campus, so it is easy to find an open spot when you have work to do. All computer lab machines have the full Microsoft Office suite installed and have network printers available for printing (charges apply). A few stations also have a scanner and/or color inkjet printer available.

Locations include:

• CTC1 - 32 machines
• CTC2 - 24 machines (this lab is often used for classes)
• Library - 20 machines

IX. Where To Get Help

If you are experiencing problems with your Internet connection in your room, the first thing to do is use a friend's PC or a lab PC and submit a help ticket via the Current Students area of the website. These tickets will be processed by the IT department using the same system as our employees use. You can also check the status of your help ticket at any time.

Help with your PC (viruses, spyware, general slowness, hardware problems, etc.) is not within the general pervue of support provided by the college. For these types of problems, we recommend that you consult friends on campus or take your PC to a local computer store. We do not endorse any particular store, but can provide some suggestions if you need help in locating one.

Should you need to visit our offices, all IT offices are located in the Breezeway, adjacent to McCarty auditorium. Ken Kearley is the Director of IT, B.J. McKinney is the Director of IT Infrastructure and Customer Support, and Jon Rae is our Systems Support Specialist. Any of the three of us would be happy to assist you with computer and telephone issues.

X. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: We are planning to buy a new PC for our student, do you have any recommendations on what kind to get?

A: While we do not promote any one brand or type of computer, we can speak from what we see year to year. Most students are bringing laptops to campus now with built-in wireless. Though the residence halls only offer wired connections, the wireless feature is useful when the student chooses to connect in any of our hot-spot areas (listed above). Dell and Toshiba are brands we've seen hold up well. Sony and Gateway are brands we have seen problems with. Average cost for a Dell laptop is now about $800 for an entry-level machine.

Q: What software does my student need on his/her PC?

A: As outlined above in the "What to Bring" section, you should have a full version of anti-virus and anti-spyware software, along with some productivity suite (word processor, spreadsheet, etc), preferably Microsoft Office (as all faculty use this product, so life will be easier if you don't have to convert everything from some other format).

Q: I can't check my email, what do I need to do?

A: Your email account is not created at the same time as your Falcon Link ID.  You receive your ID when you are officially classified as an applicant, so that you can access the student portal.  Your email account is assigned when you are officially accepted to Florida College.  An email will be sent to your off campus email address with instructions for checking your FC email. Once your account is active, go to https://webmail.floridacollege.edu and follow the instructions in section 1, Logging On. If you are still having problems, contact the IT department at 813.899.0529 or email mckinneyb@floridacollege.edu