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At one time or another, we all need to ask some one for assitance. But who
do you ask? Here is a run-down of the ways you can get help with your computing
needs.
Types of Help
In your residence hall room
After the first week of the term, a knowledgeable student ResNet Assistant will
be available in each hall to assist you with network connection problems and,
within limits, common computing issues. Your ResNet Assistant lives in your
hall, and may be contacted anytime by phone, email, or in person. You can find
out who your ResNet Assistant is by checking the WCTS website, or by
checking with you RD.
WCTS provides full support for your network connection, up to and including
the Ethernet port in the wall. WCTS staff (including ResNet Assistants) cannot
provide support for personally owned equipment or software, they will not modify
configurations or setting, and they will not open the case of your computer
or troubleshoot hardware problems.
WCTS maintains a significant library of documentation available both online
and in our main office. This would be a good starting point for common problems
like getting connected to the network or how to use your email.
You may also call the consultants on duty in the labs to as questions (Maxey
x5899 and Olin x5884). They cannot leave their lab to help you in person, but
they will do their best to answer questions and offer suggestions.
In the labs
If you are using computers in the labs, there are skilled consultants available
that can help you with nearly any problem. If you are in a lab other than Olin
or Maxey, you may need to call one of the consultant offices to get assistance.
From off-campus
WCTS provides documentation and will test modem connections on Whitman’s
end. For assistance beyond this, check out the suggestions for students in residence
halls mentioned above.
Getting extensive assistance
If you need more extensive assistance with personal hardware or software, WCTS
can direct you to local businesses and consultants who offer such services.
A number of Whitman students also make themselves available to assist you for
a reasonable fee, They typically post contact information on the bulletin board
outside WCTS (Olin 168), as well as on residence hall bulletin boards.
Where to Get Help
Student Consultants
WCTS maintains a team of student Computer Consultants to assist users and to
supervise the various labs. Consultants are on duty in the Olin and Maxey labs
starting at 8AM on weekdays and 9AM on weekends, and are available until late
in the evenings. Consultants are available in the Library as well. If you have
a question or problem while in one of the labs, look for a Consultant in the
Consultant office or possibly in the lab helping another student (the Consultant
will be wearing a name tag).
Consultants are there to help you with machine problems, errors occurring in
programs or on disks, and with specific “how to” questions about the
application software. They will not, however, help you with class assignments,
and they are not allowed to help debug programs you are writing. You are welcome
to call the Consultant offices (Olin x5884, Maxey x5899) for assistance, but
keep in mind that the Consultants cannot leave the labs to help you in person.
Online Help
WCTS maintains a wealth of online documents to assist the Whitman community
in all computing needs. The main online help page can be found at: http://wcts.whitman.edu/help/.
Online documentation and instructions are at
http://wcts.whitman.edu/docs/
The Help Desk
Sometimes you will come across a problem or a question that the student consultants
will not be able to answer. In these circumstances, you might want to check
with the Help Desk. The Help Desk is located in the main WCTS office in Olin
168, or can be contacted by phone at x4976.
Student ResNet Assistants
Living in each residence hall will be a knowledgeable student ResNet Assistant.
They can help you with network connection problems and, within limits, common
computing problems. (see Types of Help)
Your Own Computer
Sometimes the answer to your problem is right there on the machine you are using!
For Windows users, pressing F1 should bring up the help screen for your program.
Mac users should use the help menu to find what they are looking for.
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