Computer Labs
At first you may feel rather overwhelmed with the variety of applications that you have to use. If you want to make good use of any application, e.g. a word processor, you will need to find some extra time to practise your skills. We have worksheets available to allow you to do this.
Computer lab bookings are displayed on the digital display screen on the ground floor and on the screen before you enter the computer labs. If a room is not booked for a class, you may use any available machine during opening hours.
Help and support for students
Technical Assistance:
Availability : 0930 to 1630 Mon-Thurs, 0930 -1600 Fri
Location : Room 2D16
Contact : Telephone: (0117 32) 88858 Email: glenhelp@uwe.ac.uk
For IT help and advice the 2011 Student Computing Guide can be viewed online.
Technical assistance is available in 2D16 and can help you with topics such as using e-mail, accessing the Internet, file management in Windows (very important!), using presentation software, as well as supporting word processing. All our worksheets are available online and are fully compatible with the ECDL.
Students are bound by the Acceptable Use Policy at UWE. It is important that you read this and it is available with other advice for new students from here and you may wish to work through the New Student Guide section of this website.
Opening hours the computer labs
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Campus
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Opening times
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Frenchay
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24-hour access is available in some labs so please ask at the Frenchay Campus
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Glenside
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0800 - 1930 Mon - Thursday
0800 - 1730 Friday 'main' term time only
Closed Saturday and Sunday, use Library facilities
0900 - 1645 Mon - Fri, during vacation times
Please note that the door to the labs automatically locks at the above closing times. Please allow yourself plenty of time to save and log out.
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Alexandra Warehouse
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0830 - 1800 Mon - Fri, 'main' term-time only
Limited help available Mon - Thurs, 0900 - 1700 Fri 0900-1630
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St Matthias
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0900 - 2100 Mon - Fri, 'main' term-time only
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Bath
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Student computers are situated in the Academy Library.
Staffed opening hours are:
Mon – Thurs 0830 to 1700
Fri 0830 to 1630
The library is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a Trust swipe card.
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Swindon
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The Computer suite is situated in the library and will be open during normal library opening hours. If you have a Trust swipe card then you can use the facilities when the library is closed.
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Printing
The PHAROS printing system is in use in the computer labs at UWE. You must put sufficient funds into your printing account before your job will print. Collect your work from the nearest print station.
Account crediting can be done in the libraries at Glenside, St.Matts and at the Frenchay campus, using the self crediting machines. Alexandra Warehouse does not have a self crediting machine but you can use the computers to credit on line. Payments can be made online via this link. Make sure you allow plenty of time for final printing of your assignments.
Use the 'print preview' command to check the layout of your work on pages before committing it to paper.
Check compatibility with home computers well before any deadlines!
Workshops
Workshops specific to modules will be timetabled within the module programme where possible, but separate arrangements may be negotiated, particularly at sites other than Glenside.
Software
For general purposes, the Faculty standard is Microsoft (MS) Office 2007, working in Windows XP. The Internet browser is Internet Explorer v8 (IE8).
Among other available packages are some for qualitative data analysis.
If you are working with other versions of software (eg using Lotus, MS Works or MS Word 2003) at home find out about their compatibility in case you need to use the computers and software on the University sites.
A FREE compatibility add-on available from Microsoft will allow you to open and edit documents, created in Word 2007, in earlier version of Word e.g. Word 2003. Click here for the compatibility add-on.
Working with computers
When working on your projects, you may find yourself sitting for a long time at a computer.
DO:
- make sure you are sitting in a comfortable position by making any necessary adjustments to the work area
- take regular breaks
- make use of the help that is available to you.
Saving Files
Use your space allocation on the student network (h:\ drive). You can then access your files on any student computer at UWE. You may like to have a memory stick to keep 'backups' of your files.
SkyDrive is part of UWE Live Mail. The service currently offers 25GB of free online storage. You can access this storage from anywhere online. The maximum file size limit is currently 50MB. SkyDrive can also be used to share documents with other people or the public, as well as storing personal files such as photos, videos and music. http://skydrive.live.com
Viruses
Be aware of the nuisance of computer viruses. This could be a problem if you are putting your memory stick into different machines, particularly outside the Computer Suite (eg at other campuses, at home, at work, etc). Viruses can also be carried in attachments in email messages and in files downloaded from the Internet.
No eating or drinking in the Computer Labs! Turn off your mobile phone