INLS Information Tools Summer Session June 21 – July 11, 2007 Dr. Thomas R. Kochtanek

Day One topics n Overview and philosophy n Syllabus and assignment due dates n Laptop expectations n SILS facilities n Software requirements

Welcome to INLS n Course overview n Course philosophy (collaboration and exploration) n Broad perspective: from your laptop to campus wide information resources to global considerations

SILS laptop use  Personal ownership of a laptop computer is required for all incoming undergraduates at UNC (since 1999), and all SILS graduates (since 2001).  Manning Hall offers wireless networking throughout the building, and loaner wireless cards in the SILS library. Room 214 and the library also have wired network access.  SILS is setting up a software lending library, to supplement software already available via ATN & the student store.

Your laptop at SILS  Your computer is your friend. It will be used for most of your notes, your assignments, and your electronic communication during your study at SILS.  INLS 461 is at the leading edge of SILS courses, by incorporating laptop use throughout the coursework.  Other courses are adopting laptop use at different paces.  Note: Be sure to know your UNC Onyen and password. These will be used to access your ATN Web space when we develop content in HTML

Software upgrade overview During 2 years at SILS (as well as outside of SILS), you will want to install new software, and upgrade what you have. Sometimes this is to add functionality; other times to solve problems; other times simply to experiment. Don't be afraid to upgrade software! Instead, be prepared:  Have a backup plan at all times. Will you have your critical data if your laptop is damaged, lost or stolen? Consider uploading critical data to a UNC server. Write backup media (CD or Zip disk) of working files. Keep CDs of your software, and license keys.  Practice. Take control of your computer, so you can solve problems, reconfigure rapidly, and generally feel comfortable.  There are many ways to install or upgrade software. Some include:  Install or upgrade from vendor CDs. Your OS (operating system) and major applications (such as MS Office) come this way.  Download via the Internet. Lots of useful software is available this way. Some is free, some not. For large installations, it's often faster to work on campus than at home, due to the faster network.

Next: We explore computing ethics And discuss assignments :)