Q: How do I upload files to Filebox?
A: Please follow the directions given here: Uploading & Managing Filebox Files

Q: How do I get my website linked from http://www.english.vt.edu?
A: Once you've uploaded your website to Filebox email Denise Royal with the web address and you will eventually be linked to http://www.english.vt.edu as well as http://www.faculty.english.vt.edu. In the meantime use your Filebox address for your classes.

Q: How do I get help if I cannot access the web support request form?
A: There are paper forms in a box on the wall outside of 329 Shanks. We encourage you to use another machine as paper forms take longer to process; please use this as a last resort.

Q: How do I request support for problems in the CICs or computer labs in the building (160, 180, or 360) or elsewhere on campus?
A: These classrooms are administered and kept running by an entirely separate department. Please contact Rob Grant by email or use the new Twitter site.

Q: I have a speaker coming in and need to have 242, 316, 352, 370, or 380 set up to display a computer-based presentation. How do I do that?
A: There are now plasma screens with laptops, projectors, and projector screens available for use in these rooms. Please place a request on the Tech Support form and provide the following details about the technology being requested: Platform: Macintosh or Windows? Preferred hardware combinations: projector, laptop, and screen OR plasma screen and laptop? Software: PowerPoint, MS Word, Excel? Will you need Web access? Will your speaker have the materials on: a CD, a DVD, a flashdrive, or his or her own laptop? Also needed are the date, time, and room number of the presentation. Will your speaker and the materials be available for testing ahead of time? We recommend allowing at least an hour for testing if at all possible, though it is rare that all of that hour will be used.

Q: How do I request a laptop or projector for classroom, presentation, or travel use?
A: Contact Stephanie Snider with at least 24 hours notice, then pick up and sign out the item from the central office.

Q: How do I connect my laptop to the Internet on campus?
A: Follow the instructions at http://www.cns.vt.edu/html/wireless/wlan/. Note that the registration portion must be handled by Judy Grady.

Q: I like to use key combinations rather than the mouse to execute commands. What are the most common ones?
A: See this list and print it out for your reference CommandKeys. It covers both PC and Mac key combinations.

Q: I have received a Microsoft Word file that ends in .docx and I cannot open it. How do I get a update to Office 2007 or get a converter?
A: The department does not have a license that allows all users to upgrade to 2007, so the best bet is to use the converters offered by Microsoft. There are converters for both Microsoft Office 2003 (Windows) and Microsoft Office 2004 (Macintosh) posted on the Microsoft website. The Windows version is here. The Mac version is at the downloads section of the Mactopia site; search for "Open XML File Format Converter for Mac 1.0." Feel free to download and install these converters yourself. The original beta version expired for the Mac, so you may need to download and install the new version even if you already had it working before. Set up an appointment using the form if you run in to trouble.

Please suggest additions (things you looked for here and didn't find) to Eve Trager .

Virginia Tech English Department Faculty

Giving voice...