Humanities Desktop Support
Services | Contact | Areas of Support | Policies | Selected Online Resources
Services
The Desktop Support group is the first point of contact for all hardware and software issues affecting divisional computers, office and internet software as well as new and replacement computers. We provide the following services to faculty and staff in the Humanities:
- Desktop support and troubleshooting for most common software and hardware problems
- New and replacement office computers for staff and faculty (see policies)
- Loaner LCD projectors and a small pool of loaner laptops for divisional faculty (see policies)
- Advice on software and hardware purchases
- Administer the divisional listhost e-mail list
- Help faculty and staff use the divisional wiki and blogs
- Facilitate the creation of CNets IDs for new staff and faculty (see resources)
- Serve as the Division's Trusted Agent administrator
- Coordinate access to the divisional Web sites and make routine updates to departmental Web sites
For additional information, tips and updates, please see the Humanities Computing blogs and wiki.
Contact
Michael Wills, Assistant Director for Desktop Support, leads a small group of part-time student employees. Our offices are located at 1115 East 58th Street, in Walker Museum, Room 202. Our business hours are Monday-Friday, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Please e-mail humanities-computing@uchicago.edu or call (773) 702 6085 for assistance.
Areas of Support
We are the first point of call for divisional faculty and staff for technical support, software and hardware purchasing advice, or general troubleshooting questions. However, several widely used campus computing services-such as the campus-wide email system, Blackboard learning management software, classroom audio-visual services, or the campus networking infrastructure-are the responsibility of the University's central information technology group (Networking Services and Information Technology/NSIT. In addition, the Campus Computer Store handles most types of computer repairs.
If in doubt about where to turn for help, please do not hesitate to e-mail or call (773) 702 6085. We will be able to help you or direct you to the right resource.
Policies
New and Replacement Computers: Humanities Computing provides faculty with a standard Apple or Dell desktop or laptop computer. More advanced Dell or Apple systems may be provided, however the price difference must be made up through other means, typically individual research funds. Faculty computers are eligible for replacement after four years. Full-time lecturers are generally eligible for a computer that will also be replaced after four years. However, in the interest of fiscal responsibility, the division is asking faculty and full-time lecturers to strongly consider delaying the replacement of adequately functioning computers for an additional year. Staff computers are replaced at the discretion and expense of the relevant department. Departments should budget for the replacement of staff computers every four to six years. Computers issued by the Division may be purchased at fair market value when they are due for replacement or when the faculty member or lecturer leaves the Division or University. Otherwise, computers must be returned to Humanities Computing.
Laptop computers may require additional expenses (such as replacement batteries) that will be borne, in the case of faculty members, by that faculty member, or in the case of full-time lecturers, by the relevant department. The Division will only purchase a three year warranty for the computers it issues. As a result, faculty should take special care to protect their laptop from wear and tear by consistently storing it in a laptop bag or laptop sleeve. If a laptop computer suffers a hardware problem outside of its warranty period and before it is due for replacement, the cost of repairs will be the responsibility of the faculty member or relevant department, not the Division. Faculty and departments may choose to add a four year warranty at the time of purchase by utilizing additional sources of funding such as individual research or departmental accounts. Please note that laptop batteries are not covered under either Apple's or Dell's warranty plans. A laptop battery will often need to be replaced before the laptop, and in such cases, the faculty member or relevant department will be responsible for purchasing a replacement battery. If the faculty member or, in the case of full-time lecturers, the relevant department chair, is not willing to agree to these additional potential costs, a desktop computer should be selected instead.
Unsupported Computers: Faculty members are strongly encouraged to make use of one of the supported Dell or Apple desktop or laptop computers provided for them by the Division. In exceptional circumstances faculty members may receive a credit towards the cost of purchasing an alternative computer on their own. However, such computers come with no guarantee of technical support from the Division. In addition, the Division will not be responsible for organizing or paying for repairs to the computer, nor will it replace the computer if it is damaged or lost before it is due for replacement on the normal four year cycle. A Divisionally funded, unsupported computer may be purchased at fair market value when it is due for replacement or when the faculty member leaves the Division or University; otherwise it must be returned to Humanities Computing.
Laptop and LCD Projector Loans: When deemed necessary, staff and faculty may request to borrow one of the limited number of used PC or Mac laptops from Humanities Computing for up to two weeks. Generally laptops are provided in lieu of divisional computers that are under repair or for graduate student exams, however other uses may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Extensions may be granted under unusual circumstances. Advance notice is required. Faculty and staff may borrow a projector from Humanities Computing when projectors are unavailable from NSIT Audio Visual Services.
Selected Online Resources
News, Tips, and Updates: You can find additional information, tips, and technical news on the Humanities Computing blogs and wiki.
Especially for New Faculty: The Umbrella Initiative site gives new faculty a broad overview of the various technology-related services available to them on campus. If you have any questions about where to turn for technical assistance in support of your teaching or research, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Campus E-mail: The campus-wide e-mail system is administered by NSIT. NSIT maintains an extensive set of online documentation explaining how to set up common tasks such as e-mail forwarding or an automatic vacation e-mail message. Other useful information, such as assistance with University webmail, e-mail aliases, or help with managing junk mail can be found on their support site.
Safe Computing: This useful Web site offers information on anti-virus programs, security best practices, passwords, avoiding e-mail scams, and updates/patches, among other tips.