IT - PCs & Software

General Computer Use top

  • Help Menu: Most software has information about how to use it under the Help menu on the command bar at the top of the program window.
  • Microsoft Office: Microsoft Office Training Home Page (includes Access, Excel, InfoPath, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Word)
  • Microsoft Outlook: How-To use Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint: PowerPoint Step-by-Step
  • Tutorial & How-To Web Page: You can also check the Tutorial & How-To page for tutorials composed at NCU.
  • NCU Classes: If you are interested in knowing more about Microsoft Office, you may want to enrolled in the course BUS 120 - Introduction to Office Software, or BUS 121 - Advanced Office Software.
  • Local Vendor Classes: There are many local vendors, such as New Horizons, that you can pay to train you on a variety of computer programs.

Firefox Web Browser

In light of recent events regarding computer security, the NCU IT department has recommended that users install and use the Mozilla Firefox web browser for all computing platforms. This product has been proven to provide a defense to Spyware being downloaded without consent.

Firefox Website

For Mac Users

Camino: Mozilla based browser for Macs. This is for faculty on Macs using OWA.

Entourage 2004 setup instructions. This is setup instructions for a Microsoft email client that works well on campus.

Cyberduck This is a FTP client for OS 10.3.9 and above.
How to use Cyberduck. This is instructions for setup and use of Cyberduck FTP client.

Students top

Minimum System Recommendations

NCU IT only supports campus network connections, not the students computer hardware and software so we do not place restrictions on the machines that we will allow on the campus network. However, not every computer is capable of connecting to our campus network. For this reason, we do have some recommendations about the level of hardware that we think will be adequate for the student’s general computing needs.

PC Mac
600 Mhz or higher
512 MB of RAM or more
40 GB Hard drive or larger
CD-ROM drive
10/100Mb Ethernet Network Adapter		 G3 or better
256 MB of RAM or more
20 GB Hard drive or larger
CD-ROM drive
10/100Mb Ethernet Network Adapter

Vendor Recommendations for PC Repair

  • Best Buy and CompUSA both have stores in Roseville that have repair departments.
  • General Nano Systems is a local computer shop that offers repair services. They are located near the University of Minnesota campus at 3014 University Avenue SE, call 612-331-3690.
  • Geek Squad can arrange on on-site visit if you need it.

Anti-virus Software

Anti-virus Software

Faculty & Staff top

Adding a Printer

Click here for instructions on how to add a printer to an NCU computer.

Purchasing Computer Equipment

All NCU computer purchases of hardware, operating systems, and software, including those made for an NCU department or employee, should be cleared with the I.T. department first. This will help us to make sure that we are being good stewards by leveraging contracts which may already be in place with existing vendors, making sure your purchase will meet your needs and interface with your equipment, ensuring that your purchase will be serviceable, and coordinating larger purchases among multiple departments. The goal of the I.T. Department is to lower the total cost of ownership of computer equipment at NCU by evaluating both the up-front and the long-term costs of computer purchases.

Microsoft License Notice

NCU has signed an agreement with Microsoft that allows us to use some of their software for a limited period of time; our next renewal is scheduled for June 2007. Microsoft requires us to notify all NCU employees that:

  • The agreement limits their liabilities, disclaims warranties, and excludes remedies.
  • Some information about the license rights is available at the Microsoft website.
  • If NCU does not renew this agreement when it expires, all affected software must be immediately removed from all NCU PCs.

QX Software

A page for additional information on QX Software can be found on the employee N: drive.

N:\Publish\Information Technology\WEB\INDEX.HTM

If you are on a PC, you can copy the path above and paste it into the Address bar of either Firefox or Internet Explorer.

Software included in NCU "Standard Load"

Beginning with the 2007 summer upgrade, NCU-owned PC's are loaded with Windows XP and Office 2007.