General Information

The Office of the CIO maintains numerous policies that cover topics like appropriate use of network resources, email usage, telephone usage, and the like. It wouldn't hurt to spend a few minutes reading them since you have either explicitly or implicitly agreed to abide by them already.

The on-campus TechStore sells hardware and software, at reasonable prices. On some items they will likely beat any price you can find online. On other items you are better off buying them from other retailers.

Help with your computer or other IT resource

For problems with Department of Botany IT resources, please contact Botany IT.

For problems with DoIT-provided resources (WiscMail, WiscCal, MyWebSpace, etc.) please contact the DoIT Help Desk.

If you need your computer repaired (both in and out of warranty), Repair and Desktop Support (RaDS) is your best on-campus bet.

Networking

Not every Ethernet jack in Birge Hall is on the Botany network. If you are trying to use a jack and it doesn't work for you, please contact Botany IT.

DoIT maintains wireless networks in pretty much every building on campus. The current network ID in Birge Hall is UWNet_Birge-Hall. You can freely associate with an access point but you will not be able to access the Internet until you login using your NetID when using the UWNet wireless network.

For off-campus access to some network resources you will need to install and use WiscVPN.

Security

The campus provides Symantec Anti-Virus free to students, faculty and staff, please download and use it.  However, you should only use one anti-virus/spyware program at a time, so if you already have one and are happy with it, then continue using the one you already have.

No one will ever ask for your NetID password either in person or via e-mail. Do not give your NetID password out.

A firewall protects the wired Botany network. If you need to access a resource behind the firewall from the wireless network or from outside Birge Hall, please Botany IT.

E-mail

WiscMail is the campus e-mail system. It provides basic e-mail functionality. You can access it either via a dedicated e-mail client or via the web. Please be aware that if you are employed as a TA, you are considered an employee of the university and hence, your e-mail could be subject to open records requests. You may want to avoid commingling your work and personal e-mail as a result. 

If you are having problems with your e-mail, please contact the DoIT Help Desk.

Printing

Each lab maintains their own printers. If you need help connecting to a printer in your lab, please contact Botany IT.

Software

The Department of Botany uses many software packages that are site-licensed or free through the University. Others may require you to purchase an individual license. The most current information can be found on the Software Licensing and Availability page.

Mailing Lists

The Department maintains mailing lists for its own purposes. You can view the current lists and their rosters at lists.botany.wisc.edu. If you want to create a list, please contact Botany IT.

In addition, DoIT maintains a campus-wide mailing list platform known as WiscList. You may want to browse those lists for ones that interest you or create one of your own.

Web Hosting

If you want to maintain a website while you're on campus you have two primary options:

1. MyWebSpace is your best bet for personal (non-academic) websites. You can also use it for academic pursuits.
2. Contact Botany IT if you have academic materials you want to post on the department's webserver.

Miscellaneous

UW-Madison licenses Doodle to help students, faculty, and staff arrange meetings. If you need to schedule a meeting, you might try using Doodle to help pick a mutually agreeable time and place.

The university has licensed a subset of Google applications for campus use. These licensed applications protect your intellectual property while still giving you access to Google tools. If you want to use them (highly recommended), they can be accessed via apps.google.wisc.edu.

If you want to book one of the conference rooms in Birge Hall or reserve the Botany van, please use calendar.botany.wisc.edu.

DoIT maintains a website that lists current IT outages on campus. If you're having a problem reaching a campus resource, that is a good place to start when trying to diagnose the problem.