Online Courses at UMass Lowel

• Log in to ISIS to view, change, course selections, grades, transcripts, etc. You may look up your ISIS User ID. Also, see the instructions on logging into ISIS Student Self-Service at Click on the link for “First Time ISIS Users”

• Retrieve online course username and password. Wait 1-2 business days after registration before completing this step. Click on the "Get Your Online Course Username & Password" link to do this.

• Learn how to access UML Webmail . Wait 3-5 days after submitting your registration to complete step. The University will automatically assign you a student.uml.edu email account upon registration and this is the address where all official University communication will be sent. Enter email address in the User Account field and self-chosen password in the Password field.

• Get textbook via online bookstore. Additionally, the on-campus bookstores carry limited supply of books for online courses.

• Log into online course. Click on the "Online Student Login". You will need the username and password that you created in earlier step.

• Access Unix account MSDNAA Online Software System after 9/11

• Review UNIX and Information Technology Certificate requirements. The former lists "90.267 C Programming" as a requirement, the latter as an elective. See also Certificate program for Web Design.

• Apply for Yale tuition reimbursement

Earlier post:

• Online computer-related courses, e.g., Intro to Unix, Spring 2008: Jan 28 to May 22, or start with the stable search page. First-time students need to submit registration form along with $30.

• And here's a link to the ViM manual and description of the 30-minute tutorial./li>

Ultra-Low-Cost Laptops

I saw a few of these $400 flash-powered Linux-running Asus 3epc's at C4L 2008.

Compare with Via NanoBook, Palm Foleo, Intel ClassmatePC, Lemot Fulong, and OLPC (One Laptop per Child).

Top Free Software

The Feb. 8 issue of PC Magazine recommends 157 free software tools.

A Brief History of Slashdot

Last week, in honor of its 10th annniversay, Part I recounted Slashdot's origin in 1997 when it was called Chips & Dips (CnD) using flat text files and Perl. Part II, CmdrTaco picks up thread in 1998 with conversion to SQL database.

Earlham Professor Charlie Peck wins Ultimate Geek Award

From Earlham Public Relations: Peck demonstrated his technical prowess at the SuperComputing '06 conference in Tampa, Fla. His prize was a $40,000 computer cluster which he donated to the college.

Apple Boot Camp

Windows XP (2001) not eligible for Apple Boot Camp. Needs to be SP2 (2004). Per Setup Guide [pdf]: "You must use a single full-install Windows installation disc (Service Pack 2 is required for Windows XP installations). Do not use an upgrade version of Windows and do not install an earlier version of Windows XP and attempt to update it later to SP2. Use only 32-bit versions of Windows."

Wireless Networking

[2007-08-17]

Attempt to link wirelessly new Mac Powerbook to Linksys WRT54GS router (hardware version 6; firmware v1.50.6) so far unsuccessful. Even though I enter correct password when prompted, the Mac says there is a "problem joining the selected network". New 1.52.2 firmware available as of 7/2/2007. Tried to install, but formatted as .bin file, which I don't seem able to open or execute. Someone named Larry_Kahan on Linksys forum thread, says "Do not expand the .bin file. Just start the update routine and point the router at the downloaded .bin file." and provides specific steps.

One suggestion offered on linksys forum is to insert $ before one of the alternate WEP key (i.e., as alternative to entering password?).

Apple Discussions has a similar thread.

Personal install disk designed for Windows O.S. only. Able to patch to router with physical cable. Also, O.S. X recognizes suzukinet signal, but not correct password. Trying to diagnose problem at local unit address, i.e., http://192.168.1.1.

If all else fails, install Bootcamp, and access the router via Windows XP.


[2005-12-13]
Motorola Surfboard FAQs

Online rebate form

www.rebatestatus.com - Results

Comcast New Haven service packages

New Haven Service Center:
630 Chapel Street
M - T 8:00-5:00; F - 8:00-6:00 PM;
SAT - 8:00 - 12:00

[2005-12-03]
Per Zoom Tech Support: Windows 2000 and XP Users: You must install the software before installing the PC Card. Software not yet tested with Windows XP logo, according to installer/OS. And then: "Unable to initiate HotSync operation because the port is in use by another application".

Unable to get Model 4312 Zoom Bluetooth PC Card Adapter to talk with Tungsten E2. Purchased card through Amazon for $54.99 on Dec. 23, Order #: 103-0127648-1186243 .

Telephone: (561) 997-9686
Fax: (561) 997-2163
E-mail: Personal Assistance
(8:30 AM - 11:00 PM ET, Monday-Friday)
(9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET, Saturday)

[2004-01-04]
Walking through WEP steps with Linksys tech support.
At first, new setting worked with intermittent disconnects, but after disabling IEEE 802.1x authentication, it seemed to be all right. Earlier, I had been trying to set up the WPA (Wireless Protected Access) to my Linksys WRT54G wireless router. I found what appears to be a set of instructions for this procedure on the 10 most frequently asked questions on the Linksys Support Page. I'm also waiting on the phone for a tech support person, since I'm finding the instruction a bit vague.

Laptops

My Dell Inspiron 5100 keeps overheating and shutting itself down, especially when I copy CDs to the hard drive. Need to force air through the vents, or buy one of these Laptop Desks or Notebook Cooler, or, if that doesn't work, buy a new laptop. A Thinkpad maybe? Or a MacBook?

Motorola H700

Motorola H700 bluetooth pairing instructions [7/31/07]

Yale Workstation

2006-06-07
Software available through ITS

2006-04-27
Today began using ITS's Central Backup service. Followed instructions for Scheduler. Leave computer on overnight, and confirm tomorrow that backup took place.

Horde PHP-based Unicode-compliant IMPv4 (Internet Messaging Program) the new guts of Yale Webmail. Use account mangement tool for activiting email auto-replies.

[2005 07 25]
View Yale Library Calendars to find out what's happening at Mudd SCML, CCL electronic classroom, etc.

[2005-04-21]
SAC-FAST on mailman.yale.edu.

[2004-10-28]
meetingmaker (Java client); MM system status



[2004-11-04]
Windows 2000 Keyboard Shortcuts Reference See also Microsoft's own support page. Neither of these discuss how to switch field orientation. Also try this site, which includes specific key combinations for invoking language support features.

[2004 10 17]
Staff Center for Multimedia Learning (SCML) online calendar
ALCTS/SAC-PCC/SCT Joint Initiative on Subject Training Materials


[2004 08 13]
Endeavor Knowledge Base. See QuickWord for User ID/Password

[2004 10 28]

Computer seems to have died. Workstation Support Group keeps changing its name, so I have trouble finding their website on Google. I think they're now called "Web, Worksation & Digitial Consulting Services"(WWS). In any case, here's a link to their
Software & Hardware documentation.

Yale Computer Store

Visit Computer Equipment & Supplies, and select "Role: Staff--Personal" in upper left corner. Log-on to GovConnection.

RAM Upgrade

Wikipedia: "DDR2 SDRAM or Double-Data-Rate [2] Synchronous Dynamic [RAM] is a computer memory technology. It is a part of the SDRAM family of random access memory technologies, which is one of many DRAM implementations." The Kinston Technology site seems to recommend a special path for Dell Inspiron 5100: namely: KTD-INSP8200/512 x 2, but (see below) I'm deciding to go with the "Kingston Value RAM" (i.e., generic) chips.

I've been struggling with infernally slow booting, skipping playback of music, etc. Maybe it's the RAM. Currently I have 384 MB.

Boosted RAM to 768 MB. Misinformed by supercilious Circuit City salesman that KGT KVR333SO512R costs $100. In fact only $34.99 (i.e., $64.99 - $30.00 rebate). This is the 512 MB 333MHz Kingston chip, not the 512MB 533 MHz. New module definitely made the Inspiron 5100 run more smoothly. Second module: accidentally picked up the KVR400SO512R, i.e., 400 MHz version, 5/9/06. Will this cause compatability problems with other 333 MHz module?

IMAP vs. POP email protocol

U. of London Computing Services has chart comparing IMAP with POP. IMAP would seem better for those who access mail from multiple computers, since client and server directory structure are kept in synch. Note that Eurdora-->Options-->Incoming Mail requires "IMAP Mailbox Location Prefix". Check Email FAQs from Medical ITS. Also see document: Eudora Setting for Yale, the latter says to leave IMAP Mailbox Location blank. Also "Minimal" for downloading new mail; "Mark it deleted" for deleting messages; and "Passwords (or Kerberos)" for Authentication style.

Computer Security

[2005-03-20]
Webroot Spy Sweeper picked up MoM Web monitor, now in quarantine. Apparently a commercial application for monitoring surfing habits of children and employees, but not freely distributed, so I'm not sure how it got on my machine.