Machines not meeting the minimum standards outlined below may not be able to support a
reliable connection to the RU network or meet the computing requirements of RU
classes. Students and staff purchasing new personal machines should look for systems meeting the recommended
standards in order to ensure full utility and room for expansion as computing standards
continue to evolve. Be sure to read the notes at the bottom of the table [links in brackets] which contain important technical and policy details.
Need technical help? Questions about computing and networking issues can be directed
to the RU Technology Help Desk by phone at 312-341-4357 (HELP), or online at
www.roosevelt.edu/helpdesk.
USB ports are used to connect your computer with a variety of peripheral devices, including
keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, digital cameras and flash drives.
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Roosevelt University does not support direct dialup access into the RU network. Dialup access to the Internet
through an external ISP requires a modem, but may not provide enough bandwidth to support certain
applications. Broadband service (DSL or cable) is recommended for off-campus access to the Roosevelt
University network.
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The floppy disk is becoming obsolete and this storage medium is not recommended for use at Roosevelt University. Students may use them on their
own machines if they wish but floppy disk drives are not available on the newest University computers,
including the lab machines. For purposes of backup, storage and file transfer, it is recommended
that students use USB flash drives.
Computers using the Linux operating system are capable of meeting minimum computing standards but because of the variety of
Linux hardware and software available no standards are provided here. DoIT offers no Linux support,
and students who choose to use these systems are on their own.
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OpenOffice (NeoOffice for the Mac) is a free, open-source office suite that can read and write
files in Microsoft format. Users should be aware, however, that DoIT offers no support for these products and that some MS Office functions and file types may
not be supported.
Antivirus software must be updated regularly in order to be effective. Failure to update your
antivirus software will expose your machine to the latest computer viruses. Keeping your
software current usually requires a paid subscription (although free alternatives are available).
Printing is available in the computer labs but for maximum convenience students may wish to acquire
their own printers.
Students are soley responsible for the security of all personally owned equipment
brought onto the Roosevelt University campus.
Multimedia files in MP3 and most other formats can be played on standard computers, but the use
of a portable MP3 player offers a convenient alternative for students taking classes that make use
of digital audio or video files.
DoIT cannot provide maintenance and repair service for hardware not owned by the University.
Students buying new machines may wish to purchase extended warranty services for their hardware.
Schedule
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