Introduction¶

This document lists Frequently Asked Questions about computing in the Division of Archaeology. Some of them are answered. Otherwise, pointers to resources that may answer the question are provided. You can always obtain the latest version of this document from: http://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/comp/docs/

Getting started¶

How do I get access to the computers?

To gain access to the Division of Archaeology’s Computing Room (B9, Courtyard Building), also known as the Archaeology PWF Cluster:

1. Obtain the permission of the Convenor of the Computing Sub-committee. This is usually Cameron Petrie, but to ensure that you reach the right person use the email address: convener-csc@arch.cam.ac.uk
2. Obtain the necessary keys and access codes from the Technician responsible for keys. Make an appointment using email: keymaster@arch.cam.ac.uk You will require a key to B9 and a key to the Courtyard Building. You will have to provide a ?20 returnable deposit PER KEY.
3. You will require a Computing Service PWF account in order to actually use the computers. The details of this were delivered to your college when you started at the University. If you have forgotten your password report to the Computing Service Reception on the New Museums Site, with some form of identification, and request that your PWF password is reset.
4. Your print quota is allocated when you collect your keys—whoever issues them sends the Computing Officer mail and he does the business. You should be able to print no later than the next working day.

How do I get a Hermes mail account?

If you are a student you have been automatically registered. You can find out what your email address will be before you arrive in Cambridge here: http://www.cam.ac.uk/cs/new-students/n11/services.html

Once you have arrived in Cambridge you can obtain your passwords for Hermes and the PWF using this web page: https://jackdaw.cam.ac.uk/signup/

There is more information for new arrivals here: http://www.cam.ac.uk/cs/new-students/

How do I get physical access to the Department’s computing facilities?

See How to gain access to the Department’s computing facilities

I’m not a member of the Division of Archaeology. Can I use your computers?

If you are a member of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, yes. Otherwise, no. Well, it depends. If you are a final-year undergraduate in Archaeology and you need computing facilities that are not available elsewhere (e.g. CAD, GIS) then you can request permission to use the facilities by contacting the Convener of the Computing Sub-committee. If you are a student or member of staff in another Department and require facilities that are only available here, you can request permission to use the facilities by contacting the Convener of the Computing Sub-committee. However, you should be aware that we cannot provide you with support of any kind, and that you will be right at the bottom of our list of priorities if anything needs to be set up, tweaked, or otherwise nudged. If you are not currently a member of the University, you cannot have access to our computing facilities. Please also note that the only member of staff in a position to authorise your use of the facilities is the Convener of the Computing Sub-committee.

Who is the Convener of the Computing Sub-committee?

It depends. Usually it is Cameron Petrie, but sometimes it isn’t. If you use the email address convener-csc@arch.cam.ac.uk your message should get through to whoever holds the post at present.

What is my CRSID?

A unique identifer issued to you by the University Computing Service. It is composed of your initials followed by a number, and is used as your UserID on all computing systems in Cambridge. Simply put, it is the letters and numbers to the left of the @ sign in your email address.

What is the PWF?

The Public Workstation Facility or PWF is those computers (Macs and PCs) owned and managed by the University Computing Service, connected to Novell Netware servers, and available to all members of the University. In addition, University Computing Service-Managed PWF Clusters exist in some Departments and Colleges. These are connected together in the same way, managed by the University Computing Service, but the machines and rooms belong to the Department or College in question. The Division of Archaeology has one of these. You can find more information at: http://www.cam.ac.uk/LocalUsersOnly/CS/PWF/

What is Hermes?

The University Computing Service provides email to all members of the University through Hermes, the Central Message Store. You can find more information at: http://www.cam.ac.uk/CS/Email/

What is Magpie?

The University Computing Service’s dial-up service. You can find more details at: http://www.cam.ac.uk/CS/NetDiv/Magpie.html

What is the CUDN?

The Cambridge University Data Network. Gory details at: http://www.cam.ac.uk/cs/netdiv/#CUDN

What is the ArchAnth subnet?

The archaeologists’ bit of the CUDN.

Can I have my own web page?

Yes. You have a number of options. See The World Wide Web.

Can I buy discs, etc., from you?

No. Sorry. Running a shop is not what we signed up for. If you want service with a smile, and reasonably sensible prices, Robert Sayles and Maplins both sell a wide range of computing-related consumables. Misco and MacWarehouse will sell them to you via the Web. This in no way constitutes a recommendation or endorsement of these companies. http://www.misco.co.uk http://www.macwarehouse.co.uk

How can I find out about interruptions to the PWF service and JANET?

Point your browser at: http://www.cam.ac.uk/cgibin/WWWnews?grp-ucam.comp-serv.announce Messages about PWF downtime are copied to a mail list pwf-status@arch. Details of how to subscribe are here: http://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/comp/ac014/

Where can I find useful tips and tricks to help me solve problems myself?

Point your browser at: http://www-tus.csx.cam.ac.uk/tips/

I’ve just received an email warning me of a virus that is the worst ever yet. Before I forward this mail to everybody I know (and many others that I don’t), is there anything I should do?

Yes. Make sure that you have read and understood this document: http://www-tus.csx.cam.ac.uk/tips/Netw/210798.html In particular, you must ensure that you have checked your `warning’ against the information at: http://vil.nai.com/vil/hoaxes.asp

I’m concerned about the spread of viruses via email. What can I do?

Read and follow absolutely at all times the advice given here: http://ntbugtraq.ntadvice.com/default.asp?sid-1&pid-47&aid-46

Software Availability¶

I have a piece of software. Can I get it installed on one of the computers ...?

No.

Can I have a copy of that piece of software ...?

No. If its licensed software, you have to buy a copy. If its freely available, for example distributed under the GNU GPL, you can get it yourself. Some software is available from the University Computing Service. Point your browser at the online searchable catalogue: http://sales-web-server.csx.cam.ac.uk/ Note that if a piece of software is not marked as being available for personal purchase, you can’t have it. If it isn’t available for personal purchase, it has to be installed on a Department-owned and managed machine, and paid for by the Department. We can’t give you a Departmental Purchase Order to conceal the fact that you are making a personal purchase. Please don’t waste our time by trying this one on. You may consider this to be absurd/unreasonable/intolerable/unfair. We don’t care. Licensing arrangements are negotiated by the University Computing Service. It’s nothing to do with us. In particular, Microsoft products are not available for personal purchase through the University Computing Service. Details of Microsoft’s Student Licensing can be found at: http://www.eu.microsoft.com/uk/education/studentlicence/

I’d like some advice pertaining to unlicensed or stolen software ...?

We can’t help you break the law.

Email¶

I am concerned that I should be following proper email ettiquette. What can I do?

Take a look at Email etiquette rules for effective email.

I’ve just received Unsolicited Commercial Email (otherwise known as SPAM). What do I do?

Delete it and forget about it. If you haven’t configured SPAM filtering on Hermes, do so by following the instructions at: http://www.cam.ac.uk/cs/email/spamfiltering.html

I’ve received this attachment by email, and I can’t read it. What should I do?

Return to sender, stating that you can’t read the attachment and that he or she needs to make the document available to you in a form that you can cope with. If you are using Pine and are having difficulty retrieving the attachment, you might find `How do I view or save a mail message attachment in Pine?’ by the University Computing Service useful: http://www-tus.csx.cam.ac.uk/tips/CUS/031295.html `File transfer methods and FTP’, also by the University Computing Service, will help you to transfer the attachment from CUS or Hermes to your local machine: http://www.cam.ac.uk/CS/Docs/Leaflets/G72/

Computers not owned and managed by the Division of Archaeology¶

Can I have my own computer connected to the Internet via the CUDN?

Maybe. You’ll need a desk in the right part of the Department, and a reasonably modern operating system. Details can be found at: http://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/comp/ac070/ . Otherwise you can use EduRoam or as a last resort Lapwing.

My laptop has crashed and burned horribly. Can you help me?

Bring it in. We’ll have a look. We’re not making any promises, mind you.

I think I’ve got a virus on my home computer. What can I do?

Whilst you are a member of the University, you are entitled to use Virex or VirusScan on your home machine. The details of how to obtain and install the software can be found at: http://www-tus.csx.cam.ac.uk/virus/who.html

Oooh. I’ve just got home and realised that I’ve left a really important file on my PWF file store. I want to work on it at home. Do I really have to walk all the way back in to get it?

Consider purchasing a bicycle. If you have internet access at home, you can grab a copy of your file via FTP. The instructions are here: http://www.cam.ac.uk/LocalUsersOnly/CS/PWF/filetrans.html If you don’t know what FTP is, `File transfer methods and FTP’, also by the University Computing Service may be useful: http://www.cam.ac.uk/CS/Docs/Leaflets/G72/

Miscellaneous¶

When does the heating in B9 get switched on?

The heating is switched on on the first day of Michaelmas Term. There is no heating at the weekends. If you think that the heating should be on but is not, contact Colin Lomas, the administrator in the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research.

How do I contribute to this FAQ?

Ask questions frequently. Alternatively, if you think that a question (and answer) should be in this FAQ, mail the question (and for best results, the answer) to dir21@cam.ac.uk

Support¶

Computing support is provided by David Redhouse and Ian Hitchman. Requests for support and fault-reports should in the first instance be sent by email to: computer-support@arch.cam.ac.uk

Documentation¶

Such locally prepared documentation as exists is available from: http://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/comp/docs/

Computing Service documentation is available at: http://www.cam.ac.uk/CS/Docs/fulllist.html