Archive for February 26th, 2008 
This newsletter is being emailed to all current ResNet users and is also available on the ResNet blog at http://www.bristolresnet.net/2008/02/26/
Read on for information about longer help desk hours, free software from Microsoft, and your chance to comment on the ResNet service.
Help Desk now open until late seven days a week
Information Services is now providing help with ResNet and other IT problems by phone from 8am until 2am, seven days a week. We’ve combined the ResNet Help Desk with the IT Help Desk and extended the hours. Help is also available during vacations, on days when the University main buildings are closed, and on most bank holidays.
The number to call is 0117 928 7870 or internal 87870 free from your room. The previous number dedicated to ResNet (89001) still works and redirects to the same phone line.
We know that students are working and using computers at all times - we hope having someone to call until late will be very useful.
Free Microsoft developer software
Microsoft have just announced a scheme which provides some completely free software to all taught students. Included are Visual Studio Professional programming tools and several graphics, server and web editing packages.
To get hold of a copy go to the Microsoft DreamSpark site https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/. When you download the software the Bristol Single Sign On page will pop up, enter your username and password to prove you are a student.
We hope this will be helpful, but please note:
- Many of these packages are not in use within the University, and so the IT Help Desk won't be able to offer any assistance with them,
- Server versions of Windows (eg Windows Server 2003) are not suitable for use on ResNet,
- Microsoft Office, Windows XP and Windows Vista are not included in this deal, but there are other ways to buy student licences for Office and Windows, see http://www.bristol.ac.uk/is/computing/advice/homeusers/software/
ResNet celebrates 10 years
We think Bristol was the first University in the UK to provide Internet access to study-bedrooms in all halls. ResNet started as a small pilot in one block of Hiatt Baker Hall in the spring term 1998. Over the summer vacation a team of university staff and students installed hardware, wrote the docs, set up the servers, designed a logo, stuffed envelopes and did everything else so that ResNet went live across all nine halls of residence for Freshers' Week, 1998. The student houses followed soon afterwards. We haven’t looked back since!
We'd love to know what you think about 10 years of ResNet. If you’d like to wish us a happy anniversary, say what you think about the service, or suggest what you would like to see from ResNet in future, please leave a comment at <http://www.bristolresnet.net/2008/02/26/resnet>. Here’s to the next ten years!
)