Computing Services: Getting Started
Our Technical Support Staff maintains the Department's desktop machines, servers and CSPP lab, all located in Ryerson Hall. They also support the Linux machines in the Undergraduate Instructional Laboratories in the A-Level of Regenstein Library. These machines run a variety of operating systems, including Unix, Linux, Mac OSX, and Windows. If you have questions, problems, or suggestions, you are welcome to contact us by sending email to techstaff@cs.uchicago.edu, phoning 702-1031, or visiting our offices in Ryerson 254.
The following is provided to help acquaint newcomers with computing at the University of Chicago.
Introduction
University-wide computing services are managed by Networking Services and Information Technologies, or, as they are commonly known, NSIT. NSIT arranges for everything from the network and telephone wiring in the walls to licensing of software to students and departments.
Among other things, NSIT is responsible for managing a computer called harper (named after the University's first president). This computer functions as an entry point to the University's network. Maintaining an account on harper allows you to access university computer resources including email services, the modem pool, etc.
What You Need To Do First
In order for you to start computing on campus and in the Computer Science Department, you will need to claim your harper account.
Requesting Your CS Account
Make sure you can log in to your harper account. This will ensure that you are using the right password, and the the account is active. Then you can request a CS account. (Note on site certificate)
Accessing Your CS Account
When your account becomes active, you will be notified by email sent to your harper account. Please read these succinct instructions for accessing your account.