CSC101 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I need to purchase a computer for this course?
2. I have a computer account somewhere else. Do I have to use the SUNY Oswego one?
3. I have a computer at home. Can I do my assignments from home?
4. I want to purchase MS Office. Where can I buy it and how much is it?
5. How can I connect to SUNY Oswego's modem pool so I can surf the Web and check my email from home?
6. I have a computer in my residence hall room. How can I connect it to the campus network?
7. What do I need to do to pass this course?
8. If all of the information for this class section is up on the Web, why do I need to come to class?
9. I'm having trouble with the class. Is there additional help available?
10. Why is there always a line to use the computers in the Penfield library?

1. Do I need to purchase a computer for this course? No. You do not need to purchase a computer for this course. There are general student access labs available for all SUNY Oswego students to use to complete homework assignments. All ICC labs have the necessary hardware and software to complete all CSC101 section 840 assignments. Labs are located in Mahar, Penfield, Snygg, and Swetman halls as well as in the Oneida and Scales Residence Halls. Consult the Lab Schedule for locations, hours of operation, and additional information.
   
   
   
2. I have a computer account somewhere else. Do I have to use the SUNY Oswego one? Some assignments cannot be completed without your SUNY Oswego computer account, often referred to as your "rocky" account. In addition, all computers in the ICC's labs require it in order to be able to use the machines. Therefore, you should make sure to stop at any of the ICC labs in Mahar, Penfield, Snygg, or Swetman to activate your computer account (account activation can not be completed in the Oneida and Scales labs). Make sure to bring identification such as your College ID or license with you.
   
   
   
3. I have a computer at home. Can I do my assignments from home? Some assigments may require the use of the WWW, Rocky, E-mail, and MS Office components. If you obtain a PPP dial-up connection from an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or from SUNY Oswego and have MS Office installed on your home machine, then the answer is yes, you will be able to do most assignments from home. What is a PPP connection? Basically, if you are able to surf the WWW from home using a modem and appropriate communications software, you have a PPP connection. How do you obtain a PPP connection? See question 5 or question 6.
   
   
   
4. I want to purchase MS Office. Where can I buy it and how much is it? As a student, you qualify for educational pricing. Buying MS Office at the educational price will save you around $250, so make sure to ask for the educational price wherever you buy it from. If the vendor does not have an educational price, do not buy it from there. The best place to purchase MS Office is at the College Store in the Hewitt Union at SUNY Oswego.
   Between labs and assignments, we will be using the following major components of MS Office: MS Word (for word processing), MS Excel (for spreadsheets), MS Powerpoint (for presentations), and MS Access (for databases). When purchasing MS Office, there are several versions to choose from:
   
   Macintosh users: You will need to buy MS Office 98. This includes MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Powerpoint. Microsoft did not incorporate a database component (MS Access) into MS Office 98.
   
   Windows 95/98 users: There are two options available, depending on how much money you want to spend. You can get the Office 97 Standard edition which includes MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Powerpoint, or you can get the Office 97 Professional edition, which includes all of the standard edition components PLUS MS Access - the database component.
   
   Pricing from the College Store:

   MS Office 98	Macintosh Users	$179.95
   MS Office 97 Standard	Windows 95/98 users	$
   MS Office 97 Professional	Windows 95/98 users	$179.95

   
   
   
5. How can I connect to SUNY Oswego's modem pool so I can surf the Web and check my email from home? If you live off-campus follow the instructions in the next paragraph. If you live on-campus, you can obtain a fee-based high-speed direct (ethernet) connection to the campus network. See question 6 for details. If you wish not to choose the direct connection, you can follow the instructions below for using the modem pool.
   
   Free instructions for obtaining a PPP connection from home are available from ICC's Snygg Lab located in Room 6. The instructions include detailed step-by-step, illustrated directions to walk you through the process of setting up your machine. The instructions are also available online at the following Web address: http://www.oswego.ed/icc/modem_connect.html. The instructions also include how to check your email and use Internet Explorer to surf the Web once you've established a PPP connection.
   
   
   
6. I have a computer in my residence hall room. How can I connect it to the campus network? If you live on campus, for $98 per academic year, you can obtain a high-speed connection to the campus and Internet from your own computer in your room. This connection is 100+ times faster than using a 28.8 kbps modem. Internet speeds are comparable to those obtained in an ICC lab. The procedure for connecting your computer is handled by the Networking Office in room 27A Lanigan Hall, x5645. Additional information can be obtained from them.
   
   
   
7. What do I need to do to pass this course? For section 840, labs, assignments, and quizzes constitute 60% of your grade. Try to do the best you can with these. Make sure you attend every lab at your registered time. Try to get a 25 on each lab. For the assignments, make sure to hand them in on time and do the best you can on them. For each exam, make sure to study lecture material, the book, and assignments. Also, go over the review questions on the CD that came with your text book.
   
   
   
8. I'm having trouble with the class. Is there additional help available? If you are stuck on a homework assignment, you can always stop by the instructor's office or send email. Prof. LaRock is generally available M-F from 9am - 3pm. If you have a question outside of those times, you can always reach her via email at larock@oswego.edu. If you do choose to email your question, make sure to include appropriate details - what step are you stuck on? What did you try to do? Were there any error messages that were displayed and if so, what did they say? Include lots of detail so she knows exactly what is going wrong in order to try to help you.
   
   In addition, there are CS tutors available for hire from the OLS center. They are accessible via phone at x3094.
   
   
   
9. If all of the information for this class section is up on the Web, why do I need to come to class? NOT ALL of the information is on the Web. The slides only outline items of discussion. They do not include details that are discussed in class. Additional clarification, expectations, and hints for assignments, quizzes, and exams are given during class time. Demonstrations of discussion topics, software, and how to do assignments are also presented during class.
   
   
10. Why is there always a line to use the computers in the Penfield library? The computer lab in the library is one of the most popular labs on campus. Some students do not realize there are other labs on campus. If this should happen to you, try going to one of the other ICC labs in Mahar, Swetman, or Snygg.
    
    

Copyright © 1999 Nicole LaRock, All Rights Reserved