Information on computers and software

at Theoretical Ecology

Internet

To be able to use the network in the Ecology building, your computer's network card's hardware address need to be registered. In brief, you get the hardware address like this (Windows): i) Choose Start|Run..., ii) Type: cmd + Enter, iii) Type: ipconfig /all + Enter, iv) Read the info. Less brief instructions are available here.

A laptop often has at least two network cards (one for cable and one wireless). Make sure you get the right one, or both, and then contact Jörgen (Ripa) or Fredrik (Haas) for registration.

By cable

Connect to one of the usually two network sockets in each room. The phone usually uses one of them, but you can connect via the phone (the hole marked with an "underlined square" at the back).

Connecting to wireless

You can actually use your LUCAT id.

The Novell network

There is a Novell server available, with some shared directories used by some (GEMTEMP and others). Not necessary, but sometimes handy. If you want this, contact Fredrik Haas.

Blocking

If your computer is hacked or has a virus it is often detected by LDC (Lund University's Computer/Internet Unit), which then swiftly shuts down your ip-address, which means you get no internet access. The list of currently blocked computers is found here.

Software

The department has signed a contract which gives access to several popular programs from the major software developers, at a low cost per license. Jörgen is the departmental contact person / administrator of this contract.

Normal procedure: You install program, you email(!) Jörgen which version, language etc., Jörgen registers license, an invoice arrives later. Installation cd:s for the most common programs can be found in the departmental cd archive (currently in Jonas' and Fredrik's room). If you can't find the cd you want, ask Jörgen (or Fredrik).

The available software is summarized by LDC here, but the most common programs/licenses are briefly described below.

Operating system

Operating systems (such as Windows, Mac OS, Linux, OS2...) are not part of the contract with LDC. When you buy a computer today, the operating system usually follows. Make sure it does.

Antivirus

The department has bought a number of licences for Symantec AntiVirus ("Endpoint protection", formerly "Corporate Edition"), which should cover our needs. A license can only be used on computers owned by LU. Each installation counts as a license. You find an installation cd, including instructions, in the cd storage.

Firewall

The LU network is a dangerous place! An unprotected computer is usually infected/hacked within seconds(!!!). If you use Windows, please use at least the firewall that comes with it.

Email

To get an email address like xxx@teorekol.lu.se you need a LUCAT identity, which all emplyees at LU have. The LUCAT registration is adminstered by our secretary (formerly Gunilla, currently ?). Once your LUCAT id is ready, you get the email account automatically. You administer forwarding etc. from your LUCAT account. More info from LDC.

Mailing lists: There are a number of mailing lists available. Most people at our department subscribe to 'anslagstavlan' (for the whole Ecology dept) and 'teorekol' (for local departmental anouncements). To get more info or to subscribe or unsubscribe to any of them, use the list server (you don't have to send any email anywhere!).

Software: There are plenty of free email programs available on the internet (Jörgen is most familiar with Eudora and Thunderbird). You can also access your email directly on the internet at webmail.lu.se.
If you don't use webmail.lu.se, setup your account using the following data:

Server type: IMAP (use IMAP instead of POP, which soon will be unavailable)

Server name: imap.lu.se

Outgoing mail server: mail.lu.se
(note: this can only be used from within LU. To send emails from elsewhere, use another server, or VPN (see below))

User name / id: [your LUCAT id, something like teor-xxx]

Note: Your email account has a limited amount of available disk space. Make sure your email program doesn't leave all your mail on the server. A full email account results in bouncing emails (you can not receive emails).

Matlab & Maple

Matlab and Maple are free to all users with a LUCAT id. You can download them here, or check the cd storage if there's a recent version available.

Note that the Matlab licence requires that the computer is connected to the LU network (has an LU ip-address). If you work from home, use VPN (see below) or buy a private license. A private license is the only solution to working offline, unfortunately. (...but Matlab only checks the license when you issue new commands. You can thus start a simulation, say, and then disconnect.)

Mathematica

Mathematica is part of the deal with LDC, so you need a license. Read more here, or ask Martin Pedersen.

Microsoft Office

LU has a campus license!
You find a list of the included software (including Office Desktop Pro) here, and download product keys as well as the actual softare at the Campus Portal (log in with your LUCAT id).

Mac users should use Firefox instead of Safari for downloading.

Adobe

Price examples May 2009:

Acrobat Professional 9: 723kr
Acrobat Pro Extended 9: 1018kr
Audition 3 English: 804kr
CS4 Design Standard : 2213kr
CS4 Design Premium 4: 3195kr
CS4 Web Standard 4: 2224kr
Photoshop Elements 7: 321kr
Photoshop Extended CS4 11: 1393kr
Premiere Elements 7: 321kr
Photoshop (version???) & Premiere Elements 7: 589kr
Dreamweaver CS4 10: 1112kr
Illustrator CS4 14: 1112kr
InDesign CS4 6: 1112kr
PageMaker (English) 7.0.2: 897

Check the Adobe web site for details or to compare CS packages.

Thomson ResearchSoft: Endnote and Reference Manager

These are free to all LU employees and students. However, please report installations to Jörgen anyway. LDC and Thomson want to know how many peaople actually use them. This information is important for next time the contract is updated (2010).

VPN

To access many databases, journal publications, and to use some software (like Matlab), your computer needs to be connected to the LU network, i.e. you need an LU ip-number (journals and databases are also available through LUCAT login via the library homepage). If you work from elsewhere, an LU ip-number can be obtained virtually by connecting through VPN. Read how-to here (Swedish only).

VPN server: vpn.lu.se
Use your LUCAT identity.

Useful links and contacts

LDC Support

Page managed by: Jörgen Ripa