As of Monday 2nd August I'm glad to say that ResNet is now available for the first time in the university staff accommodation at Osborne Villas. This is in addition to the student accommodation at other properties on Osborne Villas, which were already connected.

We were able to connect these staff houses as they are adjacent to other buildings which already have ResNet, and we could extend the network to them at a reasonable cost. Unfortunately most small university-owned staff houses are more isolated, and connecting those is prohibitively expensive.

ResNet is of course already available in all student residences in the Accommodation Prospectus, and is available to new full-time undergraduate, Study Abroad and International Foundation programme students who meet the terms of the Accommodation Guarantee.

If in any doubt as to whether ResNet is available in your residence, please see where can I get ResNet?

We're delighted to announce a major expansion of the ResNet Wireless service to more residences.

Over the summer vacation we'll be installing wireless coverage for all study bedrooms at Badock, Durdham, Goldney, The Hawthorns, and University Hall. This is in addition to the flood wireless coverage we already have at Northwell House, 115 Queens Road, Richmond Terrace & Winkworth House. It means by this autumn 38% of university study bedrooms will have wireless coverage.

In the five new residences we're also installing the latest 802.11n wireless access points. This means that if your computer supports it you'll have even faster wireless access.

See the list of residences with ResNet to check if your hall has ResNet, wired or wireless. We are mainly putting wireless in the self catering residences first, so you can get access in kitchens and lounges as well as bedrooms. We are also doing those we can do relatively cheaply, which depends on the geography and building materials of the hall. Some of the older halls with big thick stone walls will be tricky, so we'll do those towards the end.

If we aren't covering your hall yet - sorry about that. You can set up your own wireless router in your room, provided you secure it carefully so no one else can use it. You can also use the free wireless hotspots in public areas of the halls, such as bars, JCRs and libraries.

It's going to take another three years or so to complete the wireless rollout, as all this wireless kit gets very expensive. But our ambition is for Bristol to be the first big UK university to provide wireless in bedrooms across all its halls, just as we were the first UK uni to provide a wired service back in 1998. We think we're some way ahead of other unis already!

It's the last week of the summer term and the vacation beckons. Thanks for using ResNet this year! Whether you are staying or leaving, here's some final info from ResNet and an opportunity to shape a new service from the university.

Have your say on a new email service for Bristol students

The university is looking to create a new email for life service for students and alumni. This would be provided under contract with the university by either Google or Microsoft. We'd like to know what you think about this. Please see http://www.bristolresnet.net/2010/06/16/new-email-service/ for more info and to comment.

Leaving halls? Get broadband in private accommodation

If you're moving into private accommodation next year you'll want to sort out an Internet connection. Unfortunately you can't get ResNet, but we have a guide to help you choose a broadband provider - see http://www.bristol.ac.uk/is/computing/advice/homeusers/broadband/

Staying for the summer? Watch the World Cup on ResNet with Freewire TV

With Freewire you can watch 25 channels of live TV including BBC1 and ITV1 on your computer on ResNet. Freewire doesn't count towards your ResNet usage allowance. See
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/is/computing/advice/homeusers/resnet/using/freewire/ to get started.

Regards,

the ResNet team

• much larger mailboxes - eg 7GB or more
• a friendlier and more modern webmail to replace Squirrelmail
• you could keep the same email address after graduation, useful when applying for jobs

The email address would include your name (which you could choose), your year of entry, and 'bristoluniversity', though it wouldn't be @bristol.ac.uk. For example Edward Smith who started in 2009 might be Ted.Smith.2009 <at> bristoluniversity.org.uk We haven't decided on the domain after the @ yet, there are a few possibilities.

Separately you'd be able to choose at which address you want to receive official emails from the university. It could be at this new address or any other address you already have. Whichever is convenient to you, as it is important that you read these regularly.

There are two big firms offering this service to universities - Google and Microsoft. Both offer it free of charge, as they are keen to get students using their products. Quite a few unis already do student email this way, including UWE, Warwick and UCL. Emails aren't stored onsite at the university, they are stored in a data centre run by the supplier. On the web you sign in through the portal, but then webmail functions like Google Mail or Outlook Web Access. You can also access email on your mobile phone.

We've got lots more info and FAQs (available to logged-on Bristol students & staff only).

We are at quite an early stage in this and we'd like to know what you think. Do you like the idea? Do you have any problems with it? What would you like to see in the service and how should it work?

Now is a great time to get in touch, so the plans can change according to feedback. You can comments on this blog, on the wiki, or email Nick.Skelton <at> bristol.ac.uk. Thoughts are welcome from anyone with an interest - current students, prospective students, alumni.

Thanks for your help!

It has been a long-term goal for the ResNet team to have a firewall placed between ResNet and the rest of the University's network.  Over the past few months we have made the necessary changes to our infrastructure and today have made this live.  Essentially, nothing should have changed from a user's perspective as all previous rules on the 'main' firewall have been copied to the ResNet firewall.

If nothing has changed then why have we done this?

The answer to this is greater flexibility in how we separate ResNet (a network of personally owned machines) from the rest of the University's managed network.  Our intention is to give ResNet attached devices full access to the University's educational resources but limit access to unnecessary things such as faculty desktops; something that has previously been impossible to do.

In the unlikely event that something which previously worked, now does not, then please contact the Help Desk via the usual channels.

Dear ResNet user,

This is one in a series of newsletters sent occasionally to ResNet subscribers. Please see the bottom of this message to unsubscribe if you wish. You can also read this newsletter on our blog at www.bristolresnet.net

Jobs With ResNet from September 2010

Each year a large number of students join the team to help run ResNet and the Student Laptop Clinic. We are now recruiting for technical positions for the 2010/11 academic year.

Dear ResNet user,

This is one in a series of newsletters sent occasionally to ResNet subscribers. Please see the bottom of this message to unsubscribe if you wish. You can also read this newsletter on our blog at www.bristolresnet.net

Laptop Clinics still running in new location

Our first newsletter introduced you to the free Student Laptop Clinic. In the first two terms we've helped over 800 people fix problems with their computers. It's very satisfying to have helped so many students.

If you make use of this service we'd like to announce that it's moved from the Hawthorn's Refectory to the Priory Road Complex Cafe, which means we get to eat cake and fix laptops! It's open from 2pm to 5pm weekdays, except bank holidays and Thursdays. For directions and more info see http://www.bristol.ac.uk/laptopclinic

What's the fuss about Facebook and privacy?

At the end of April Facebook made some changes, and some people are very unhappy about it. What's the fuss? Facebook has gradually shifted. It started as a tool to share stuff  within a group. Increasingly Facebook encourages you to share stuff with the world, but many people don't realise this. Facebook classes some of what you put up as public information and makes it available to all - your family, future employers, anyone. This includes your profile picture and what pages you are a fan of.

Now is a great time to check your privacy settings on Facebook, and be aware of what you put up there. For more info and advice on checking your privacy settings see our blog - http://www.bristolresnet.net/2010/05/06/

Facebook has gradually changed. It started off as a tool to share information about yourself within a group of friends, or a community such as a university. Facebook's privacy policy has changed several times over the years, making Facebook a more open and public network. It has reduced the control you have over your information, encouraging you to share information with the world. This is something to be aware of in how you use Facebook, especially as public information about you on the Internet hangs around for ages - indexed by search engines and marketing firms, available to future employers, family - anyone.

There's nothing wrong with open networks, but there are some things you don't want to be public. The important point is to be aware what information is public, and treat it accordingly. The annoying part is that Facebook keep changing the rules! Most people on Facebook think of it as a way to share info just with their friends, but that isn't really true any longer.

Certain information on Facebook (your Name, Profile Picture, Gender, Current City, Networks, Friend List) is always public, you can't hide it. So, don't make your profile picture too embarrassing. Your friends list being public is an interesting one. On the Internet, as in the real world, people can make assumptions about you on the basis of the company you keep. For example students at MIT discovered that just by looking at a persons online friends they could discover if someone was gay.

If you become a Facebook fan of a Page (by clicking the blue Like button) this is also public information. Facebook calls it a Connection. You can show up on the Page, and these connections are shared with marketers. You might be OK with this, you might not - depends what you Like. The list of likes on your Facebook page is now assembled from your Connections - you can't just type in what you choose any longer, so if you want to share your interests to your friends you also have to share them with the world.

• Go to the Instant Personalization privacy setting and uncheck the "Allow" button. Click confirm. Come back to this page.
• Go to the page for Microsoft Docs, click Block Application on the page, click Block Application on the pop-up, and click Okay on the next pop-up. Come back to this page.
• Go to the page for Pandora, click Block Application on the page, click Block Application on the pop-up, and click Okay on the next pop-up. Come back to this page.
• Go to the page for Yelp, click Block Application on the page, click Block Application on the pop-up, and click Okay on the next pop-up. Come back to this page.

At the moment only these three websites are Facebook partners, but Facebook will probably add more later. Annoyingly therefore you'll need to check back often to keep blocking new ones when they are added. You also need to keep checking the Facebook privacy policy - it has changed twice in the last six months.

One last thing: do check the privacy settings for your profile information. By default, lots of info is shared not just with your Friends, but with Friends of Friends. That's a lot of people. If your friend is friends with your boss, then do you want your boss to see your photos?

New ResNet widget to check your usage

Are you a heavy ResNet user? You may know you can monitor your usage in MyResNet. Today we're launching a new ResNet usage gadget for Windows, Mac, iPhone/Android, or any RSS reader. We've also released the source code so if you're a programmer you could even develop your own for other platforms. Go to https://manage.resnet.bristol.ac.uk/toys to try it out.

Access the university on your mobile

Do you have an iPhone, Android device or other mobile phone with Internet access?

The university has developed a pilot Mobile Campus Assistant - go to http://mca.ilrt.bris.ac.uk on your mobile to try it out. It includes useful information when you are on the move, such as events, weather, and how many PCs are free. If your phone has GPS then you can see live bus times linked to the campus map.

Please try this pilot out, and if you can please give your thoughts via the online survey. If you'd like to see this developed further your feedback may help in moving this pilot to a service.

Free antivirus software

Has your antivirus software run out? It's essential to have anti-virus to protect your computer, but normally when you buy antivirus software it expires and stops updating after 12 months.

Luckily there is no need to pay for antivirus software. Microsoft Security Essentials is a good anti-virus package, and even better it's free! Download a copy from http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

Regards,

Nick Skelton, ResNet Manager, and the ResNet team.

Student Laptop Clinic

Got a problem with your computer? Running slow, can't connect, or got a virus? The laptop clinic is here to help. Bring your laptop along and we'll try and solve the problem while you wait. Clinics take place in The Hawthorns Student Refectory, and are currently running 2pm-5pm every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday until Friday 27th November.

See www.bristol.ac.uk/laptopclinic for more info

IT Training Courses for students

A basic level of IT skills is a must these days in most lines of work and study, and increasingly in life in general. Having more than a basic knowledge can transform your work.

To see the courses available to you free of charge visit www.bristol.ac.uk/studentskills

Be aware of Scareware - Fake anti-virus software

While browsing the web a window pops up on your computer. It looks professional and legitimate, and uses scary language claiming that your computer is infected. The message says that you should click here to download an antivirus package to fix the problem. The problem is - this is actually an advert from malicious scareware, not a legitimate warning warning. If you download it the programme can steal your information or do anything it likes on your computer. It will pester you with warnings and tell you to enter your credit card number to 'buy' something to fix the problem it created!

To avoid Scareware:

• Make sure your computer is up to date with essential security patches for Windows and other software. Try 'scan your PC' at www.secunia.com to check for updates.
• Install legitimate free anti-virus software from a trusted source, such as Microsoft Security Essentials.
• Try using the free Firefox web browser from www.getfirefox.com instead of Internet Explorer.

If you get a fake scareware warning:
Don't click on it, even on something that looks like a close button. Press Alt+F4 together to close the window.

If your computer is infected:
Wipe and reinstall your computer from your original manufacturers CDs, or come to the Laptop Clinic for help. Don't use online banking or pay for anything online.

For more advice about safety and security online, see http://www.bristol.ac.uk/is/computing/advice/security/