IT Help Desk FAQ
What is an ECnet account?
I need an ECnet account. How can I get one?
I forgot my ECnet password! What should I do?
How do I access my Emerson e-mail account?
What happens if I'm off-campus? Can I still check my e-mail?
What is Pages? How do I access it?
How do I create a website in my Pages folder for everyone to see?
Can other people see the contents of my Pages folder?
Can members of the Emerson community see my non-HTML files with their Web browser?
I have some pretty sweet pictures from Spring Break. Is there a way to save them to Pages so other people can't see them?
My personal computer is acting insane. Can the Help Desk fix it for me?
I want to buy a new computer. Are there student rates available?
Does the Help Desk set up Cable TV and telephones in the dorms?
I ran out of Print Credits. Do I buy more from you guys?
My professor wants me to purchase a subscription to Element K. What is it? Can I buy it from the Help Desk?
What is an ECnet account?
An ECnet account allows you to access many different resources on campus. It lets you log in to the Emerson website to access financial information and class registration. It also gives you access to a personal @emerson.edu e-mail account. ECnet accounts tie in with your Emerson ID card as well, letting you add money to your ECcash account. You are required to have an ECnet account to log onto the computers in the labs. ECnet accounts give you your own networked Pages folder, where you can save and host files.
I need an ECnet account. How can I get one?
Just bring your Emerson ID (student, staff, or faculty) and yourself to the IT Help Desk, located on the 4th floor of 120 Boylston Street (the Walker Building). We have recently updated our system! Now, you just have to fill out a short computer-based application and show a photo ID. You'll have a working ECnet account within a business day! However, if you are an incoming freshman, your account information and temporary password will be mailed to your home address with other Emerson paperwork.
I forgot my ECnet password! What should I do?
Come to the Help Desk, just like you would for a new ECnet account. You'll fill out the same computer-based form, but this time you'll check "Password Change" instead of "New Account." Password changes typically take less time than account creations, but to be on the safe side, make sure to place your request as soon as you can.
How do I access my Emerson e-mail account?
Visit http://ecmail.emerson.edu and enter in your ECnet username (firstname_lastname) and password. Check out this Jumpstart Guide for information about setting up your mail client (like, Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail) to check your ECmail for you (100k).
What happens if I'm off-campus? Can I still check my e-mail?
ECmail is web-based! You can check it from anywhere so long as you have a computer and an Internet connection.
What is Pages? How do I access it?
Pages is Emerson's network storage space for students, staff, and faculty. It exists at http://pages.emerson.edu. Each member of the College's community is allocated 250MB of web space to save, store, and share files.
If you are in one of our computer labs, you can access your Pages folder by simply selecting the appropriate desktop icon. On a PC, just double-click "My Pages Folder." On a Macintosh, double-click "Mount My Pages Folder."
Since Pages is on a network space, you can also access your folder from off-campus. If you are running Windows, all you need to do is open Internet Explorer and type "ftp://pages.emerson.edu/students/f/firstname_lastname." "F" being the first letter of your ECnet account/first name. "Students" should be changed to "staff" or "faculty" accordingly.
How do I create a website in my Pages folder for everyone to see?
To create a home page that anyone can see, all you need to do is place a file named "index.html" in your Pages folder (pages/students/first initial/firstname_lastname). That file becomes the home page at http://pages.emerson.edu /students/f/firstname_lastname/ . Your name will not be added to the Pages index at http://pages.emerson.edu until you have an index.html file posted.
Can other people see the contents of my Pages folder?
People browsing with a Web browser can see only your index.html file and any documents you link to it. People with an Emerson ECnet account can see everything in the folder by browsing the Pages directory. Once you have made the folder public by putting in an index.html document, all other Emerson account holders with Pages access can see the contents of the folder. However, you can lock them out of subfolders. Technically speaking, creating an index.html file sets the access privileges on the folder automatically to "owner:read/write" and "world:read".
Can members of the Emerson community see my non-HTML files with their Web browser?
Not if you have an index.html file in your folder. BUT anyone on campus with a Pages account can view all the contents of any non-private folder if they are using a computer on the network.
I have some pretty sweet pictures from Spring Break. Is there a way to save them to Pages so other people can't see them?
Yes! Once logging into Pages, you will notice a folder labeled "Private." You are the only person who can view files saved to that folder. To create a new private folder on the file server, follow these directions:
You can always bring your computer by for analysis, and, of course, we will do whatever we can to help you. We are not authorized to treat hardware problems (i.e. dead or dying hard drive) or reinstall your Operating System, but we're full of good advice and can point you in the right direction.
If your computer is infected with spyware or viruses, you can drop it off at the Help Desk for repair. The length of time it takes to fix depends on the severity of the infection, but we try to get it back to you as soon as possible.
I want to buy a new computer. Are there student rates available?
As a member of Emerson's academic community, you are entitled to discounts from Dell and Apple when buying computer hardware. You can use your academic discount to get a variety of items, from a Dell laptop to a new iPod. The link for Computer Purchasing is on the left menu of the Help Desk website. Select "I am purchasing a computer for personal use" and check out the different vendors that are available.
Does the Help Desk set up Cable TV and telephones in the dorms?
If you need these services, call the Help Desk and put in a work order. Telecom, a branch of Information Technology, will set up an appointment to stop by your dorm and get everything set up.
I ran out of Print Credits. Do I buy more from you guys?
Lab Operations allocates five dollars worth of Print Credits to each student at the beginning of every semester. Once it's spent, you pay for your print jobs with ECcash. To add more cash to your Emerson ID card, just visit www.emerson.edu/eccash. you can make deposits with you credit card. Typically, the transactions are instantaneous, so you'll be printing in no time. Check out our Printing and Scanning section for more information.
My professor wants me to purchase a subscription to Element K. What is it? Can I buy it from the Help Desk?
Element K provides Web-based self-study courses in desktop applications, design, and media. Element K offers courses in many of the software applications available in Emerson College’s computer labs. A major benefit is that you don't need to own the software to learn it!
Currently enrolled Emerson College students may purchase an annual Element K subscription at the Emerson College IT Help Desk, room 404A, 120 Boylston Street, at a cost of $35. This price is at a discount, and only available through the Help Desk. Our staff will provide materials for getting started with Element K to student subscribers at the time students make payment for their subscription. Please note that payment for Element K subscriptions may be made via ECcash only.
I need an ECnet account. How can I get one?
I forgot my ECnet password! What should I do?
How do I access my Emerson e-mail account?
What happens if I'm off-campus? Can I still check my e-mail?
What is Pages? How do I access it?
How do I create a website in my Pages folder for everyone to see?
Can other people see the contents of my Pages folder?
Can members of the Emerson community see my non-HTML files with their Web browser?
I have some pretty sweet pictures from Spring Break. Is there a way to save them to Pages so other people can't see them?
My personal computer is acting insane. Can the Help Desk fix it for me?
I want to buy a new computer. Are there student rates available?
Does the Help Desk set up Cable TV and telephones in the dorms?
I ran out of Print Credits. Do I buy more from you guys?
My professor wants me to purchase a subscription to Element K. What is it? Can I buy it from the Help Desk?
What is an ECnet account?
An ECnet account allows you to access many different resources on campus. It lets you log in to the Emerson website to access financial information and class registration. It also gives you access to a personal @emerson.edu e-mail account. ECnet accounts tie in with your Emerson ID card as well, letting you add money to your ECcash account. You are required to have an ECnet account to log onto the computers in the labs. ECnet accounts give you your own networked Pages folder, where you can save and host files.
I need an ECnet account. How can I get one?
Just bring your Emerson ID (student, staff, or faculty) and yourself to the IT Help Desk, located on the 4th floor of 120 Boylston Street (the Walker Building). We have recently updated our system! Now, you just have to fill out a short computer-based application and show a photo ID. You'll have a working ECnet account within a business day! However, if you are an incoming freshman, your account information and temporary password will be mailed to your home address with other Emerson paperwork.
I forgot my ECnet password! What should I do?
Come to the Help Desk, just like you would for a new ECnet account. You'll fill out the same computer-based form, but this time you'll check "Password Change" instead of "New Account." Password changes typically take less time than account creations, but to be on the safe side, make sure to place your request as soon as you can.
How do I access my Emerson e-mail account?
Visit http://ecmail.emerson.edu and enter in your ECnet username (firstname_lastname) and password. Check out this Jumpstart Guide for information about setting up your mail client (like, Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail) to check your ECmail for you (100k).
What happens if I'm off-campus? Can I still check my e-mail?
ECmail is web-based! You can check it from anywhere so long as you have a computer and an Internet connection.
What is Pages? How do I access it?
Pages is Emerson's network storage space for students, staff, and faculty. It exists at http://pages.emerson.edu. Each member of the College's community is allocated 250MB of web space to save, store, and share files.
If you are in one of our computer labs, you can access your Pages folder by simply selecting the appropriate desktop icon. On a PC, just double-click "My Pages Folder." On a Macintosh, double-click "Mount My Pages Folder."
Since Pages is on a network space, you can also access your folder from off-campus. If you are running Windows, all you need to do is open Internet Explorer and type "ftp://pages.emerson.edu/students/f/firstname_lastname." "F" being the first letter of your ECnet account/first name. "Students" should be changed to "staff" or "faculty" accordingly.
How do I create a website in my Pages folder for everyone to see?
To create a home page that anyone can see, all you need to do is place a file named "index.html" in your Pages folder (pages/students/first initial/firstname_lastname). That file becomes the home page at http://pages.emerson.edu /students/f/firstname_lastname/ . Your name will not be added to the Pages index at http://pages.emerson.edu until you have an index.html file posted.
Can other people see the contents of my Pages folder?
People browsing with a Web browser can see only your index.html file and any documents you link to it. People with an Emerson ECnet account can see everything in the folder by browsing the Pages directory. Once you have made the folder public by putting in an index.html document, all other Emerson account holders with Pages access can see the contents of the folder. However, you can lock them out of subfolders. Technically speaking, creating an index.html file sets the access privileges on the folder automatically to "owner:read/write" and "world:read".
Can members of the Emerson community see my non-HTML files with their Web browser?
Not if you have an index.html file in your folder. BUT anyone on campus with a Pages account can view all the contents of any non-private folder if they are using a computer on the network.
I have some pretty sweet pictures from Spring Break. Is there a way to save them to Pages so other people can't see them?
Yes! Once logging into Pages, you will notice a folder labeled "Private." You are the only person who can view files saved to that folder. To create a new private folder on the file server, follow these directions:
- Create the folder and name it whatever you'd like
- Click on the closed folder once to select it (it will be highlighted)
- Select "Get Info" from the File menu, or right-click on the folder and choose "Get Info"
- Set the privileges to Read & Write for you (the owner) but No Access for everyone else.
You can always bring your computer by for analysis, and, of course, we will do whatever we can to help you. We are not authorized to treat hardware problems (i.e. dead or dying hard drive) or reinstall your Operating System, but we're full of good advice and can point you in the right direction.
If your computer is infected with spyware or viruses, you can drop it off at the Help Desk for repair. The length of time it takes to fix depends on the severity of the infection, but we try to get it back to you as soon as possible.
I want to buy a new computer. Are there student rates available?
As a member of Emerson's academic community, you are entitled to discounts from Dell and Apple when buying computer hardware. You can use your academic discount to get a variety of items, from a Dell laptop to a new iPod. The link for Computer Purchasing is on the left menu of the Help Desk website. Select "I am purchasing a computer for personal use" and check out the different vendors that are available.
Does the Help Desk set up Cable TV and telephones in the dorms?
If you need these services, call the Help Desk and put in a work order. Telecom, a branch of Information Technology, will set up an appointment to stop by your dorm and get everything set up.
I ran out of Print Credits. Do I buy more from you guys?
Lab Operations allocates five dollars worth of Print Credits to each student at the beginning of every semester. Once it's spent, you pay for your print jobs with ECcash. To add more cash to your Emerson ID card, just visit www.emerson.edu/eccash. you can make deposits with you credit card. Typically, the transactions are instantaneous, so you'll be printing in no time. Check out our Printing and Scanning section for more information.
My professor wants me to purchase a subscription to Element K. What is it? Can I buy it from the Help Desk?
Element K provides Web-based self-study courses in desktop applications, design, and media. Element K offers courses in many of the software applications available in Emerson College’s computer labs. A major benefit is that you don't need to own the software to learn it!
Currently enrolled Emerson College students may purchase an annual Element K subscription at the Emerson College IT Help Desk, room 404A, 120 Boylston Street, at a cost of $35. This price is at a discount, and only available through the Help Desk. Our staff will provide materials for getting started with Element K to student subscribers at the time students make payment for their subscription. Please note that payment for Element K subscriptions may be made via ECcash only.
