FREE!dom: The realm of relief for the starving student

-- Julia Iverson

“Click, Click, Click.” Like most students, I spend about an hour a day checking email. Technology is as important to my education as textbooks. The free technology available to students is breathtaking. Have you ever noticed that from the NetDirect home page you can access your personal registration information, communicate with the IT department, or create a personal webpage? ALL are free to you just for being a student! Take advantage of these technology freebies on campus. Beware, you might find yourself using the computer excessively after reading about these free tools.

FREE Computer Labs
Computers are available at the St. Paul, Midway, and Minneapolis campuses. These labs are equipped with computers, scanners, printers, copiers, IT support staff, and quiet nooks for studying. The staff at all facilities is friendly, knowledgeable and available for questions. Extended hours during the week allow for late nights at the lab. Check out computer lab hours and exact locations at http://www.metrostate.edu/it/computerlabs.

FREE Dial-Up
If you’re tired of paying a monthly fee to surf the web, or want access to the Internet from the comfort of your own home, check out free dial-up service available from the university. This service allows students to receive Internet access at home for free. It isn’t nearly as fast as the Internet on campus, but it is convenient. All you need to get started is a computer, a phone line, a modem, and a NetDirect account. For more information, contact the IT student help desk at 651-793-1515 or IT.StudentSupport@metrostate.edu.

FREE Basic Skills Workshops
Tailored specifically for students, basics skills classes provide instruction for computer use. Currently, there are classes scheduled for the NetDirect system. This class shows you how to fully utilize the NetDirect portal. This is a great class for beginning users, returning students, or any student who needs a refresher course in NetDirect. The IT department encourages students to take advantage of the experts on staff. The staff is open to new workshop ideas. To sign up for a workshop, or to suggest a new idea, contact Kim Smith at 651-793-1260 or kimberly.smith@metrostate.edu. Dates for upcoming workshops are available at http://www.metrostate.edu/it/training/netdirect.

FREE Wireless Internet
It’s hard to keep up with new technology, but the university is proud to be the host of wireless Internet. Access to wireless Internet service is available at both the St. Paul and Midway campuses, and will soon be available at the Minneapolis campus, too. To connect to the network, students must have a wireless adapter; the system accepts only wireless B and G styles (B802.11b or G802.11g). Most new laptops are equipped with the appropriate adapters. Best Buy and other computer retail stores sell the adapters, too. For more information, contact the IT student help desk at IT.StudentSupport@metrostate.edu.

FREE Printing
Printing research papers, class handouts, journal articles, or grade reports is free for students at the St. Paul, Midway and Minneapolis campuses. University laser printers are fast, reliable, and provide a sharp image. In order to keep the printing unlimited, the IT department asks that student restrict their use to education-related print jobs only. The IT staff is available for questions about printing at all the computer labs.

FREE E-Folio Services
E-Folio is available to students with a NetDirect account. You can create a personal portfolio to showcase your skills, work samples, accomplishments, and resume information on the Web. This E-Folio is set up like a personal web page but is used specifically for tracking your education and displaying your skills to a future employer. This portfolio tool provides templates, examples, and easy-to-follow instructions. Check out E-Folio on the NetDirect portal or http://www.efoliomn.com.

FREE Fun Websites
In addition to information about technology services, the IT department is a great resource for locating useful websites. Brad Bothun, director of Technological Services, recommends http://www.slickdeals.net. This site features coupons good for free stuff. Bothun reported a recent slick deal, saying, “I bought a box of paper clips, virus protection software—and got a free mini fridge.”

Another fun website for students is http://www.twincitiesfreemarket.org. This site is similar to Ebay where users list and request items, but everything is on this website is free. People around the Twin Cities list and request free stuff. One person’s junk is another’s treasure—and free treasures are just a few clicks away.

The IT department needs your feedback about technology on campus. Please let them know what you like or dislike, and what new services you’d like to see on campus. They greatly appreciate your insight! Email thoughts, ideas and suggestions to Brad Bothun at brad.bothun@metrostate.edu.

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