Key Services and Information

 

Quick Start Information

• Hot Line Support (ext. 7658) - A service hot line for the handling of general enquiries and users' problems. Problems and queries will be directed to appropriate personnel for the provision of most appropriate solutions and advice.

• Application for Connection and CSC Work Request forms - The former is a request form for connecting the office PCs to central or departmental networks while the latter is for miscellaneous jobs such as software and hardware installations. Both forms are obtainable from the General Office of the CSC.
  

• Different types of computer accounts are available for gaining access to various central computing facilities and services. They are the PolyLink Account, Student LAN Account, Host Computer Account (SUN/VAX), Project Account and Research Account. All of these accounts can be applied by filling the "Staff/Student Computer Account Application" form obtainable from the General Office of the CSC. PolyLink accounts (for all staff) and student LAN accounts (except for general and minor grade staff) are automatically granted upon application of VMS email accounts.

• CSC Publications - The CSC publishes booklets on the use of its various facilities. These booklets are available for sale in the University Computer Shop. (Please refer to Appendix II of the CSC Handbook 96 for a list of CSC publications).

• University Network Message Board contains messages of important events and announcements posted by various departments in CityU. They can be read via three different channels. Firstly, these messages are available upon booting up the networked PC. Also, the archives of these messages can be found under the bulletin board "University Network Message File" by accessing the Staff Channel. The third channel is via email. By subscribing to MAILSERV@cityu.edu.hk, one will receive email containing messages which are posted on the Board (please read page 9 of issue 7 for details).
  

• PolyLink is an integrated electronic message system for convenient communication among students, staff, departmental offices and authorized external users. It features email, bulletin boards, staff channel and electronic lockers. Several bulletin boards exist for staff and students to learn more about the CSC and ask questions. They are namely the "CSC Facilities and Services", "CSC News File", and "CSC Connection".

• Quick Staff Channel provides quick and easy access to the PolyLink's staff channel without the need to enter the username and password. Staff Channel is a bulletin board service for departments to post staff announcements, open discussions on topics of interest and activities alike.

• Bauhinia - The CityU Library Catalogue system designed for on-line enquiry about books and references available in the Run Run Shaw Library, new arrivals and on-order book lists.

• University Yellow Pages is a computerized campus telephone directory which stores the most up-to-date phone numbers and E-mail addresses for easy and fast look-up.
  

• Internet Service includes Newsgroups and the World Wide Web accessible through Lynx (text-based browser) and Netscape (graphical browser). The url of the CityU's home page is http://www.cityu.edu.hk/.

• CityLink Plus is another remote access service to CTNET using the PPP protocol. A user can dial up from home to PPP server at CSC and connect directly to the Internet for accessing the World Wide Web, communicating via electronic mail and reaching out to numerous Telnet and FTP sites. The dial-up numbers are 27765895, 27764535, 27764099 and 27773097. For details, please refer to PolyLink's bulletin board #00 "CSC Facilities and Services". Paper copies of the User's Guide can be purchased in the University Computer Shop.
  

• CityLink Plus Usage Enquiry is an option under "Tools and Interesting Sites" of the CityU Home Page that allows you to check the usage information of your CityLink Plus Account. The url is http://www.cityu.edu.hk/cgi-bin/CityLink+usage/.

• CityLink is a text-based remote access service to CTNET using terminal emulation software. Through the in-house modem pool, both staff and students can use their PCs at home and dial up to the campus network for gaining access to its various facilities in the host computers. Below is a list of all CityLink numbers in the two modem pools:
  

  For 14.4K: - 23196100, 23196200, 23196300; 23196130 (connect to host computers only)
  For 28.8K: - 27773191, 27798321, 27763000
  

  There is a slight difference in hardware requirement and software set-up between the two modem pools. Please refer to PolyLink's bulletin board #00 "CSC Facilities and Services". Paper copies of the User's Guide can be purchased in the University Computer Shop.
  

• Video-Conferencing is a new service available for booking at any time by calling CSC at ext. 8263. Depending on your preference, it could be a face-to-face desktop conference in your own office or a seminar conference that involves a group of people in various locations either within campus or across local/overseas institutions.
  

• The Hard Copy Centre (HCC) is a service bureau equipped with various necessary equipment and software for the production of presentation and teaching materials. For a full list of services provided, please refer to the booklet "Hard Copy Centre User's Guide" or contact the HCC directly at ext. 8257.

• CSC News is a brief newsletter published by the CSC for staff only. It is the primary means of communication between the Centre and its users, in which information like announcements, notices, departmental developments is included.
  

• Staff Short Courses are offered regularly to familiarize staff on software packages, computer systems, various information services and World Wide Web authoring. Special courses may also be conducted upon request by departments. The annual course schedule is published in the "Computer Courses" booklet.
  

• CSC Forum is a series of technological seminars for all students and staff members. Top computer professionals are invited to give seminars on their specialized fields. Demonstrations and video shows on the latest computer equipment and software packages are also arranged. For more information, look for upcoming network messages and posters, or call our Ada Lau at ext. 9834.
  

• CSC Small Talk is a series of free informal talks about practical computer issues. Small Talks include topics like buying a modem and choosing a computer. Schedule details will be announced through CSC News, E-Mail, PolyLink or Network Messages.

• The Computer User Groups are intended to bring people with a similar interest in a particular software or a computing facility together. Each Group primarily provides a forum for interchange of ideas between members. A staff member from the Centre will be the convenor of a User Group and will be responsible for coordinating and organizing User Group meetings.

• A Departmental Liaison Officer is nominated by each department, to serve as a communication channel between the department and the Centre for matters arising from day-to-day operations.
  

  

• Teaching Studio Booking - Prior to a new semester, all departments are required to submit their booking requests for the semester to the CSC before the OP starts the time-tabling process. Thereafter, if there are still rooms available, they can be reserved via the on-line booking system - Terminal Booking System.
  

• CityU Software Licence Agreements - The CSC has entered into a number of site licence agreements with suppliers. Although the terms on these agreements vary, the software packages are generally purchased at a relatively low price. For enquiries, please contact our Jessica Chong at ext. 8230.
  

Computing Services Centre City University of Hong Kong ccnetcom@cityu.edu.hk