INFORMATION FOR:

Library and IT Information for new students - 2013/14

Student guide to IT services 2013/14Welcome to Library and IT services. We provide you with access to millions of research and learning resources in print and online and the ability to work and communicate on or off campus. The information here will help you to get started and staff at the IT Service Desk and in our libraries are there to answer your questions.

To help you get started, browse our interactive Student guide to IT services 2013/14 (PDF)

We hope you have a happy and productive time at the University of Bristol.

During registration you were asked to create a password which, along with your username, will give you access to a range of tools.

Now you should:Student guide to IT services 2013/14

  • Browse and download the interactive Student guide to IT services 2013/14 (PDF)
  • Log in to MyBristol, your personalised web portal to University applications
  • Start using your email account
  • Visit the library appropriate to your subject area to familiarise yourself with the layout and facilities.
  • Attend any library induction sessions offered.
  • If living in university accommodation, apply for ResNet Internet access.

Where can I ask for help?

IT Service Desk.  You can find the contact details on the IT Services' website.

Library enquiries: email library-enquiries@bristol.ac.uk, telephone (0117) 928 8000, internal (88000), or ask at the Issue Desk in any of the branch libraries.

Your email and computer account

An account will be set up for you before you arrive. When you have completed online registration in late September (see your Registration Guide for details), you will be able to print out a Certificate of Registration which contains information about your computer account.

Many University communications will be sent to your University email address and you will need to check your mail regularly (daily in term time). You can access your email over the internet from anywhere, on or off campus, via the portal MyBristol. To find out about using other email software or changing your email address visit the email webpages.

To access services you log on with your username and password. Please note that your username is not the same as your email address. For more info about your username and password, see IT facilities for new students arriving in Bristol or the Certificate of Registration you printed during online registration.

MyBristol, the University portal

Once at Bristol, MyBristol will be your single point of access for information, services and resources, including:

  • University remote desktop

  • Blackboard, the University online learning environment

  • your timetable

  • your recent email

  • course details and tutor announcements

  • library services and your library account and pin number

  • your personal details

  • exam information

  • and much more...

You can view the video about MyBristol on YouTube.

Internet access using ResNet

ResNet provides wired Internet access direct to your study bedroom in University accommodation. It is fast, convenient and always on.

ResNet is accessed using the socket in your room in nearly all University Residences.

Further information will be sent with your offer of University accommodation, or see ResNet information for new students.

Wireless access and eduroam

There are hundreds of wireless hotspots throughout the university. If you have a wireless laptop or other device, you will be able to use the eduroam service to connect to the internet. Refer to the wireless web pages for details of how to configure your computer.

Where can I find a University computer I can use and how do I log in?

There are Windows computers in the Computer Centre on Tyndall Avenue (open 24 hours), in all libraries and in computer rooms in academic departments and halls of residence. You will need to use your UoB username and your password to use campus computers. More information on University study spaces.

Email

Your email account is created on registration and you will need to use it regularly while studying at Bristol. You will also be able to  take it with you after you graduate as your ‘email for life’. It is provided for the University by Google. Your account name, which you will use to log in to your email, is your username, ab12345@my.bristol.ac.uk. This cannot be changed but you can create a friendly email address and change it while you are a student. You can access your email  through the MyBristol portal, but you can also go direct to Gmail. 

Printing and photocopying

Almost all public printers in branch libraries, the Computer Centre and a number of other departmental locations use our Printer Accounting Server system (PAS) which takes credit from a printing account associated with your UoB account. The same printer credit can also be used on most Canon photocopiers which are now available in branch libraries. Further details can be found on the photocopying page. Colour printing is available in almost all branch libraries and the Computer Centre. This is in addition to colour printing offered in departments. You can also photocopy in colour in the following libraries: Arts and Social Sciences, Medical, Wills, Chemistry, Graduate School of Education and Veterinary Science at Langford.

Blackboard

Blackboard is an online learning environment. Course notes and assignment details may be stored on Blackboard – your tutor will tell you if this is the case. You can access Blackboard direct or through MyBristol.

Filestore

All students are provided with their own MyFiles "home folder" when they join the University providing at least 2GB of storage space. Your filestore space is accessible as drive "o:" and is treated as a home folder for Windows computer systems. You should normally expect the "o:" drive to be connected automatically at logon on most Windows computers within the University.  You can also access it through the student remote desktop. You can also access your personal storage folder MyFiles on personal devices or your home computer.

How can I access online resources away from the University campus?

For general advice please see the information on the Library’s external resources web page and the home computer users web area. The simplest way to access your University resources is to use the Student Remote Desktop via MyBristol.

What IT training is available to me?

Please see the training and learning web area for details of documentation and training courses. Details of other training opportunities are available from the Student Skills web pages.

Using the University libraries

You are allowed to access all 10 libraries. It is common for students to use their local library and also the Arts and Social Sciences Library late in the evenings (open until midnight) and on weekends.

Who is my librarian?

Contact details for your subject librarian can be found on the subject pages. International students may also seek support from the international librarian. Your librarian can help you develop the skills to find and use relevant and reliable information sources for your assignments. Please attend any library induction organised for your subject and also any additional information literacy sessions.

Electronic library resources

The Library purchases and subscribes to thousands of electronic journals, electronic books, and research databases. The Quick search box on the Library homepage provides easy access to our search tools and catalogues; more information is also available in the eResources area and throughout the Library website. These resources are protected from public internet access but are available to UoB students both on and off campus. In some cases you might need to login with your UoB username and password to access them, particularly when you are working off-campus.

The University portal MyBristol provides access to a host of information, as does the Library website. There is also an IT information for students web page.

You may refer to the general regulations for the library services and facilities and regulations for the use of computing facilities in your student handbook, or online on the University Secretary's website.

Information on protecting yourself online can be found on our Information Security site.