The Information Technology Helpdesk at Columbia Law School maintains the Notebook Support Policy outlined below. In brief, we provide support for problematic connections between notebook computers and the Law School network. Within this framework, we support a core set of hardware and software related to network connectivity. 

Please Note:

The Helpdesk will make every effort to support network connectivity for computers meeting ALL of the following requirements:

Supported notebook computers:
Any IBM compatible notebooks such as HP, Compaq, IBM, Dell, Mac OS X notebooks

Supported Ethernet adapters:
Any make or model

Supported Wireless adapter:
Any make or model that supports the 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networking standard

Supported Operating Systems (English versions only):
Windows XP Professional | Mac OS X

Unsupported Operating Systems:
Linux, Unix, Windows NT, Windows 3.1, DOS, are NOT supported.

Students are required to configure their computers themselves, using the Columbia Law School Configuration Manual for Windows XP Professional or Mac OS X.

For students experiencing problems with connectivity, a Helpdesk Support Specialist will be available during Helpdesk walk-in office hours. Helpdesk walk-in office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The Helpdesk Support Specialist troubleshoots failed installation routines.  The Helpdesk Support Specialist does not perform initial installations (students must perform installations themselves using instructions supplied by the vendor).

The Helpdesk Support Specialist supports connectivity only. This includes connecting to the Law School network or dialing into the University. The Notebook Support Specialist does not provide support for applications, operating systems, hardware, or other issues.

The Information Technology Department has identified two explicit categories of technical support into which all student-owned computers fit. The following will help you determine which category your notebook falls into.

Full IT Connectivity Support

If you have:
English Windows XP Professional or Mac OS X Tiger
AND
Problems connecting to the Law School Network (Ethernet) or CUNIX (modem)
AND 
Any Ethernet adapter installed
AND/OR
Any Wireless adapter make or model that supports the 802.11b/g wireless networking standard installed

Then the IT Department will do everything it can to ensure your connection. For notebook connectivity support, please visit the Helpdesk during walk-in office hours (Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm).

Vendor Support

If you have:
Non-English Operating System
OR
An unsupported Operating System such as Linux, Unix, Windows NT, Windows 3.1, DOS, etc
OR
A non-configured computer (i.e., your Ethernet card is not fully installed)
OR
A computer problem other than CLS network connectivity

Then the IT Department CANNOT provide technical support. You are encouraged to contact your vendor or manufacturer for all technical support.

The Columbia Law School Information Technology Department encourages each student to obtain a notebook computer. Personal computers are not required, as computer labs are available for the exclusive use of Law School students. However, the computer labs are very busy during peak hours, and owning a computer allows one to avoid long lines and crowded conditions.

Please Note:

If you buy a computer, the most important consideration is that you buy one you feel comfortable using and will be productive with. Since the Law School does not require that you own a computer, you are free to purchase what you want. We recommend notebooks over desktops simply for the portability. With a notebook, you can bring your computer to school, use it in class or the library, and even take your exams on it.

The IT department welcomes any type of student-owned notebook computers and operating systems and such computers are not, in any way, prevented from connecting and fully utilizing the CLS network.

To that end, you are welcome, free of charge, to the CLS-IT notebook manual designed to guide you through the necessary steps to connect your computer to both the Columbia Law School network and CUNIX. Although the information contained in the manual is intended for computers running English versions of Windows XP Professional and Mac OSX, with some level of computer competency, you may be able to extrapolate the necessary information to successfully configure your other computers as well. If you  have an English version of Windows XP Pro or Mac OSX , feel free to contact the Helpdesk notebook specialist for connectivity advice.   

Please note that Columbia University provides computer and software purchasing programs to students, faculty, and staff: Apple for Education, J&R Computer World corporate discount, and Dell Computer discount. This service is available at http://www.columbia.edu/acis/acsc/sales/ (you will be asked to login using your University Network ID - UNI).

Price
The general rule with notebooks is: you get what you pay for. Cheaper notebooks usually run slowly and break often. Over the lifecycle of the computer, the time spent waiting for it to boot or waiting for it to be repaired accumulates into a lot of wasted time, money, and frustration. Paying the premium for a high-quality notebook at purchase time, while not ensuring that it will be more reliable or break less often, significantly increases the chances thereof. If you qualify for financial aid, you may be able to apply some of it to your computer purchase; contact the Financial Aid office for further information.

Network Connectivity
The Law School maintains a robust Ethernet network throughout its buildings. In addition to numerous standard 10/100 Mbps Ethernet jacks, we provide wireless Ethernet coverage throughout much of the Law School, and the University provides wired and wireless coverage throughout much of the main campus. A wired Ethernet card is a virtual necessity in this environment. A wireless Ethernet card is a convenience. There are times when one is more appropriate than the other; you may purchase both if your budget and preferences allow. Note that some computers come with an integrated Ethernet adapter, in which case you will not need to purchase an Ethernet card (consult your vendor).

Network Connectivity Support
Although you are free to purchase any computer you like, if you plan to connect to the Law School network and receive network connectivity support from the IT Department, your notebook must use an English-language version of Windows XP Professional or Mac OSX.

Where to Purchase
Please note that Columbia University provides computer and software purchasing programs to students, faculty, and staff: Apple for Education, J&R Computer World corporate discount, and Dell Computer discount. This service is available at http://www.columbia.edu/acis/acsc/sales/ (you will be asked to login using your University Network ID - UNI).

In addition, you can purchase online from a number of vendors including Lenovo (www.lenovo.com), Compaq (www.compaq.com), and others.  If you want to look and use some notebooks before you purchase, CompUSA (Broadway and 57th St in Manhattan) has numerous models to test drive. Or visit a Staples store near you.  You may find certain websites helpful, like http://shopper.cnet.com and http://www.pricewatch.com.

Recommended Specifications
The following recommendations are provided to help you choose your computer. These are not requirements, but they are our sincere recommendations based on years of experience. Your preferences and budget may steer you outside of these recommendations. Your salesperson can help you identify a computer meeting the appropriate balance of these recommendations and your personal preferences.

Hardware
Manufacturer	Any IBM compatible computers       Any Apple notebook computers
CPU	1.3 GHz or higher processor clock speed
Memory	1 GB or more
Hard Drive	40 GB or more
Battery	3 hours or more
Warranty	3 year parts/labor onsite service or more
Technical Support	24x7 phone support
Wired Network Adapter	Any make or model
Wireless Network Adapter	Any 802.11b-compatible Ethernet card
Modem	Any make or model.
Insurance	We recommend you insure your computer
Security	Cable locks are available from the Columbia University Security Department and most computer vendors.
Software
Operating System	Windows XP Professional or Mac OS X Tiger
Software (Purchase both[1])	Microsoft Office Suite and Corel WordPerfect
Anti-Virus	Norton AntiVirus[2]
Preferential factors
Screen size	These considerations are completely up to your individual preferences.
Weight
Type of Pointing Device
Sound Quality
CD-ROM vs. CD-RW vs. DVD

[1] MS Word and Corel WordPerfect are both used extensively at the Law School. You will encounter documents in both formats and are strongly advised to avoid converting documents between formats; hence we recommend you install both programs on your computer. Both are available at the Columbia University Bookstore at academic discount.
[2] This software or its equivalent can be obtained this fall from the IT Department at no charge.

Operating system software runs the basic functions of a computer. It controls the user interface, instructs the PC on how to interact with internal and external peripherals, and handles networking with other computers. It's important to have the appropriate operating system factory-installed on your system. That way, you are assured that the components and drivers are tested for compatibility and installed correctly.

The Information Technology department at Columbia Law School provides connectivity support for English-language versions of Windows XP Professional and Mac OS X Tiger. Connectivity support is limited to direct Ethernet connections to the Law School network and modem connections to the University's dial-up modem pool. NOTE: CLS-IT welcomes all types of student-owned notebook computers and operating systems (Windows family, Mac, Unix, Linux, etc), and such computers are not, in any way, prevented from connecting and fully utilizing the CLS network.

The FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used to transfer a copy of a file from a remote computer (for example, the Columbia Law School Network) to a local computer (for example, your home PC). Similarly, you may use FTP to transfer a copy of a file from a local computer (for example, your home PC) to a remote computer (for example, the Columbia Law School). This service is available on the Law School Network  so that faculty and administrators can transfer files to and from home.

The Law School's FTP Server supports S-FTP. You can configure your FTP client with the following settings:

·   Jerome Greene Hall 807

·   Jerome Greene Hall 722, 728, north side, faculty lounge, and Case lounge

·   Jerome Greene Hall 602 and 646

·   Jerome Greene Hall 502 and 546

·   Jerome Greene Hall 401a-d, laptop carrels on east side of 4th floor, & parts of northwest side

·   Jerome Greene Hall 3rd floor Library laptop area,

·   Drapkin lounge, Lenfest Café, and Terrace

·   Jerome Greene Hall 304, east side of 3rd floor, and 3rd floor gallery area

·   Jerome Greene Hall 216i and west side of 2nd floor

·   Jerome Greene Hall 101, 102, 103, 105, 107, 117, 1st floor lobby, west side of 1st floor, south-east side of 1st floor, and Wien Court

·   William and June Warren Hall 6th floor offices, meeting rooms, and terrace

·   Greene House 3rd floor computer lab and all student groups/journals on 2nd and 3rd floors

·   Greene Annex 2nd floor computer lab and all Career Services offices

Exams given in the past five years by faculty members currently teaching the course are available in electronic format on the student network. Also available for some foundation courses are model answers prepared by the faculty. To access the files visit the 216I computer labs.

Note: All exams are posted by the Registrar's Office