Computing and Technology

Computer availability-Duluth campus
Wireless access
Student computer standards - minimum requirements
Software standards
Internet service standards
Purchasing hardware and software
Email
UMD technology help
Lexi-comp instructions
Pocket PC
Lexi-comp technical support

Computer availability - Duluth campus:

Pharmacy facilities, Kirby Plaza:
For student use there are 30 desktop computers in the Pharmacy area (in Kirby Plaza 315, 359, and 383).

UMD:
All students at UMD pay a mandatory basic computer lab access fee of $4.50/credit/semester, and have the option of purchasing full computer lab access for an additional $64.25/semester. Basic access is to the computers in the Library, Solon Campus Center, and computers in the SBE Atrium and Kirby Student Center. Full lab access gives students access to more campus computer labs and software, scanners, a CD burner, etc. For more information on basic and full lab access, visit www.d.umn.edu/itss/students.  The basic access fee is assessed on the tuition and fees statement. Students who want full lab access can purchase a $64.25 card at the cashier’s window in Darland Administration Building or at the Computer Corner, 175 Kirby Student Center.

Wireless access:
Wireless access is available on the entire 3^rd floor of Kirby Plaza. New wireless hubs are being added all the time across the UMD campus. For a list of wireless areas and instructions for setting up your device for wireless access, visit http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/computing/wireless.

Student computer standards - minimum requirements:
Updated 02/16/2006

Purpose of Computer Standards:  Throughout the 4-year curriculum of the College of Pharmacy, students need access to computers to complete course requirements. The College currently has computers available that allow students to complete course requirements.  However, due to 1) convenience, 2) personal computer needs unrelated to the College, and 3) 4th year off-campus clerkship rotations, students often choose to have or have access to non-College computers.  The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to students regarding the minimum requirements of computers for activities related to their studies at the College.  Do not interpret this document to say that all students must have their own computer meeting the minimum requirements, as the computers at the College meet these minimum requirements.  However, if a student was considering purchasing a computer, this document outlines hardware and software standards that would be highly recommended and are needed to complete activities related to their studies.

(Note: A computer is outdated the moment it is bought and taken out of the store.  For College applications, the ‘top of the line’ computer is not necessary.  The table below shows MINIMUM standards to meet when purchasing a computer.  One may choose to buy a computer far better than the minimum standards shown below depending on other non-College needs.)

Type: PC
Processor: Pentium 4 3.2 GHz (Pentium III 800)
Operating system: Window XP Professional
Hard drive size: >40Gigabytes (any size)
RAM: 512 MB (256 MB)
Additional drives: DVD + CDRW (CD)
Internet Connection: CableModem connection (56 K modem )
Printer: Any kind

Type: Mac*
Processor: Any G5 (G4 866 or higher)
Operating system: OSX 1.3 or higher (OSX)
Hard drive size: >40Gigabytes (any size)
RAM: 1GB (512 MB)
Additional drives: DVD + CDRW (CD)
Internet Connection: CableModem connection (56 K modem)
Printer: Any kind

*At the time of this printing, the University of Minnesota did provide phone support for Macs.

Type: Laptop
Processor: Pentium M 1.4GHZ + Centrino  (Pentium III + wireless Card)
Operating system: WindowXP Professional
Hard drive size: >40Gigabytes (any size)
RAM: 512MB (256 MB)
Additional drives: DVD + CDRW (CD)
Internet Connection: CableModem connection (56 K modem )
Printer: Any kind

Note: All new recommended PCs or Macs should already have a USB port.  Systems meeting minimum standards should also include a USB port.  Also other processor like Athlon, Duron should work but the author has not tested such systems.

Software standards:
Minimum software standards are listed below, along with comments on their availability.  Availability information is subject to change. 

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Internet service standards:
UMD supports a modem pool that provides dial-in access to the UMD network for all students. Once connected, users can access most of the same services available from on campus, such as email, the Internet, library resources, and Samba (Unix file sharing). Access to the modem pool is free for the first 60 hours of usage each month. Usage above 60 hours will be charged directly to the user at the rate of $4 per each 10-hour increment. For information see http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/computing/modem.

Non-University Internet Service Providers (ISPs) may be used. These may on occasion limit access and/or function to some University sites; however Virtual Private Network (VPN) software can be used to allow secure access the University's network.

If you are interested in high-speed service, the two main options in the Duluth area are Charter Communications (http://www.charter.net) and Qwest DSL (http://www.qwest.com). Contact these vendors to see if you live in an area with access to this service.

Purchasing hardware/software:
Computer hardware and software are available at educational pricing to students at:

• UMD Computer Corner (Campus Books), 175 Kirby Student Center, http://www.umdstores.com/SiteText.aspx?id=712
• University of Minnesota Tech Mart, http://www.techmart.umn.edu

E-mail:
E-mail service is provided as part of the mandatory $4.50/credit basic access fee. For detailed information on e-mail at UMD, please visit http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/email.

University-assigned student e-mail accounts are the College of Pharmacy’s and the University's official means of communication. This is how you will receive important information from your instructors, the College of Pharmacy, the financial aid office, Student Accounts Receivable, and more. You need to regularly check this account, preferably every day. It is recommended that you do NOT forward mail from this account, as you may lose important attachments.  If you choose to forward e-mail sent to your University e-mail account, you are still responsible for all information, including all attachments.

Your e-mail address is your internet ID (x.500) @d.umn.edu or @umn.edu. You will receive mail sent with or without the “d” in the email address.

NOTE: To use your UMD e-mail account, you may need to contact the Help Desk at UMD to have your account activated, especially if your original e-mail account was set up on the Twin Cities or another

U of M campus. The Help Desk is in 175 Kirby Plaza, 726-8847, helpdesk@d.umn.edu.

UMD technology help is available at:
UMD Help Desk
175 Kirby Plaza
726-8847
helpdesk@d.umn.edu
http://www.d.umn.edu/itss

Lexi-comp instructions:
Before you being installing your Lexi-Comp software on your computer, you will want to make sure that you have installed the CD that came with your PDA. Then, if you have not done so already, please download and install Lexi-Connect from http://connect.lexi.com. This is our automated installation/updating utility. Next, follow the steps below to install the software on your PDA.

Verify HotSync Username:

1. On your PDA, tap on the HotSync icon but do not sync.
2. In the top-right corner of your screen your HotSync username will be displayed.
3. Make note of this username.

Install Lexi-Comp Software:

1. Connect your PDA to your computer and login to Lexi-Connect.
2. Place a check mark next to your database(s) and click DOWNLOAD NOW.
3. Select your HotSync username and click OK.
4. Once the download is successful, please perform TWO consecutive HotSyncs.
5. After the second sync is complete, your software should be installed, registered and ready to use.

Pocket PC:
Before you being installing your Lexi-Comp software on your computer, you will want to make sure that you have installed the CD that came with your PDA. Then, if you have not done so already, please download and install Lexi-Connect from http://connect.lexi.com. This is our automated installation/updating utility. Next, follow the steps below to install the software on your PDA.

1. Connect your PDA to your computer and login to Lexi-Connect.
2. Place a check mark next to your database(s) and click DOWNLOAD NOW.
3. You will be prompted to install the readers on your PDA. If prompted to install to the default location, click NO and then select where to install on your PDA.
4. Once the download is successful your databases will automatically transfer to your PDA.
5. After the last database has transferred, your software should be installed, registered and ready to use.

If there is anything else we can be of assistance with, please feel free to contact us.

Lexi-comp technical support:

Lexi-Comp, Inc.
Experience The Difference
Access our 24 hour self-support portal at: www.lexi.com/support

Customer Support hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST Monday through Friday; Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. During off-hours, call back support is operated by contacting 1-866-397-3433, option 3 and providing the requested information.

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