How do I get my computer ID/Login ID/Username?
When do I use my login?
How can I change my password?
What if I forget my password?
How do I get access to computers?
How do I get access to the Internet?
How do I access my email?
How do I connect my laptop to the JCU network?
How can I print stuff?
How do I set up a WWW site?
How do I check for viruses?
How can I access my email or JCUNet from home?
Where do I get some help?
What can I get help with?
Can I get computer training?
How much will this cost?
Got another question?
Ask InfoHelp
How do I get my computer ID/Login ID/Username?
All students are able to obtain their JCU computer account details (login, password and email address) from Getting started at JCU webpage www.jcu.edu.au/getstarted after they have been admitted to their course. You will need your 8 digit JCU student ID number to log in.
Staff should get theirs posted to their departmental address.
If you need assistance , please contact InfoHelp
It is important to read the Information about your Central ITR account which, among other things, provides information on how long your computer account lasts for.
When do I use my login?
You need computer account details to:
- access your JCU email
- login to the computers in the labs
- access web sites that are outside JCU.
Your login in unique to you - please keep it safe and don't share it around. Its misuse can have unfortunate consequences for you.
If you forget your computer account login or other details, or believe someone else is using them, contact InfoHelp.
It is important to read the Information about your Central ITR account which, among other things, provides information on how long your computer account lasts for.
How can I change my password?
You can change your password at this web page:
https://www.jcu.edu.au/academs/passwd.cgi
When you go to the above password changing web page you will receive dialogue boxes containing phrases like "You have requested a secure document" or "security alert". Don't worry, this means that you are going to a secure area - after all you want your password information to remain a secret. Press "Continue" or "OK" and you will get to the SECURE password changing web page.
Your password is used for different purposes. It updates at different times for these different things.
The password will take effect for your email at the next system processing update starting on the hour, every hour from 7am to 5pm. Internet Accounting (or proxy) password updates occur every hour at quarter to the hour.
There are some tricks to selecting a good password, so check out the InfoHelp Password Guide for extra help and more details.
What if I forget my password?
If you forget your password you can get a new password by visiting InfoHelp at the library in Townsville and in Cairns. Bring your student ID card.
If you cannot visit InfoHelp, please contact them for alternative arrangements.
How do I get access to computers?
The university computer labs (known officially as the General Access and Teaching Computer Facilities) allow convenient 24hour access to computers and the Internet.
You must have a student or staff ID card to gain entry to the rooms by way of a security swipe lock. You also need your computer account details to login to the computers.
These facilities allow access to word processing, Internet, email, printing as well as other software.
Please see Location of Computing Facilities and Services and InfoHelp Computing Guides for more information.
How do I get access to the Internet?
You can access the Internet from the computer labs (General Access and Teaching Computer Facilities open 24 hours) and in the Library.
You need your computer account details to access the World Wide Web outside JCU. Once you have gained access through the University's security firewall to external web sites, Internet Accounting kicks in. This deducts credit from your quota when you surf WebPages outside JCU. The amount deducted depends on the amount you download NOT on time you spend surfing. To find out more about Internet Accounting and also to check your current balance have a look at Internet Accounting at JCU.
Access to WebPages on the JCU website does not affect your Internet Account.
If you need access to the Internet from home you will need to purchase the services of an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
How do I access my email?
To access email you need your computer account details, Internet access and an email program.
The email program used by most students is a web-based emailer called Mirapoint. You can use IMP from anywhere in the world (as long as you have access to a web browser).
There are some other methods of accessing email.
How do I connect my laptop to the JCU network?
If you own a laptop with an Ethernet or Wireless network adapter you can set it up so that you can access online resources here at JCU. Some examples of what you can connect to are:
- Internet access through the Web Browser
- Access to printing facilities through Labprint
- Access to automatic virus updates with Sophos Anti-Virus
One thing to be aware of is that any network access is subject to the same rules as accessing the network on a GATCF machine. Any access to external sites is charged to your account using the same rules.
Please see our Laptop Support Guide for further information
How can I print stuff?
You can print at the computer labs (General Access and Teaching Computer Facilites) and at the library using the LabPrint system.
LabPrint credit is stored online in your ePouch and payments can be made:
- via StudentsOnline using a credit card ($20 minimum transaction)
- Cash/EFTPOS payments at Lending Services in the Library (Townsville & Cairns). The minimum payment is $5.
The cost is 10c per page single-sided print and 16c per duplex sheet (after GST).
For instructions and more information on printing see the LabPrint Guide.
How do I set up a WWW site?
Every JCU student and staff member can set up their own WebPages on the 10Mb of space that they have on the central Unix server. This space can also be used for storing mail and other files.
Check out the InfoHelp Guide Creating your own web pages at JCU for more instructions and links to useful web resources.
How do I check for viruses?
James Cook University uses SOPHOS Anti-Virus Protection Software on the central mail system to check and clean all incoming and outgoing email messages. SOPHOS is available for installation on all University-owned computers, please contact InfoHelp for more details.
The University uses SOPHOS Anti-Virus Protection in the General Access and Teaching Computer Facilites (GATCF). This anti-virus product runs in the background and checks files and folders on the hard drives of the GATCF machines and also any disks inserted into the machine.
The virus scanning product is updated on a regular basis.
JCU has a site license for SOPHOS Anti-Virus protection software. JCU Staff and students can install SOPHOS on their office and home computer. Go to JCU SOPHOS to download the software and documentation.
On your own personal computer at home, it's your own responsibility to protect yourself from computer viruses. You should consider investing in good anti-virus software.
You really need to think about virus protection and not be promiscuous with your disks. For more information on viruses and SOPHOS check out InfoHelp's Computer Viruses Guide
How can I access my email or JCUNet from home?
There are various ways of accessing JCUNet from your home (or another place like a cybercafe).
You can access your JCU email using Mirapoint from anywhere in the world provided you have Internet access.
To access JCUNet from home, we recommend you subscribe to an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Check out the Australian Broadband Internet Service Provider to find an ISP near you. There are also online sites that provide comparative information like Broadband Buyers Guide.
To access the UNIX shell it is possible to dial in to the Townsville modems and use Secure SHell. Refer to the InfoHelp Remote Access Guide for basic instructions on these methods.
JCU Staff and Postgraduates have another option - the Australia-wide Dial IP service. For more information and an application form, see the Dial IP Service Guide.
Where do I get some help?
If you need any assistance with Computing please contact InfoHelp.
You can visit their web pages at http://www.library.jcu.edu.au/InfoHelp/, you can call them on 07 4781 5500 (Townsville) and 07 4042 1029 (Cairns), you can email them at InfoHelp@jcu.edu.au or you can visit them in person.
They reside on the first floor of the Library (in Townsville & Cairns) and if they can't help you, they know someone who can.
What can I get help with?
InfoHelp can provide assistance with computer accounts and passwords, IT Support, using the computer labs, email, using the Internet and WWW disk problems and file recovery.
For a more extensive list of InfoHelp's services please visit InfoHelp's Pages
Can I get computer training?
InfoHelp provide FREE (yes FREE!) introductory training courses in using email, using the Internet effectively, accessing electronic Journals and much, much more!
Visit InfoHelp's Training pages for locations and times of training sessions.
How much will all this cost?
Copying
$3 for a card and then 12c per page Printing
11c single-sided or 17.6c duplex per sheet. Internet Quota
A free amount is allocated to each individual every semester. For more information see http://www.jcu.edu.au/internetaccounting/. If you go over quota you can pay in units of $2 to the University Cashier to allow further access. Student Card
Look after this well. It costs about $15 to replace if you have lost it or $10 to upgrade if you have damaged it. You will need this to get into the labs, to borrow library books, to sit exams and for ID in general. Diskettes
3.5 inch floppies - cheap and portable storage for assignments (and making backups of assignments) - cost round about $2 (cheaper in boxes of 10). Buy them from the Union Shop, Uni Bookshop or from Copying Services in the Library. CD-R & CD-RW
CD-Recordable and CD-ReWriteable disks can be purchased in the Union Shop or the Bookshop. CD-R costs round about $2.50 and CD-RW costs about $5 depending on the brand (and they are cheaper to buy in bulk). They hold 680Mb of data - which equates to about 400 floppy disks. CD-R and CD-RW technology can be used in the iMacs and the DELL computers.
If this information is inadequate, incorrect, or can be improved in any way, please let us know