ArcGIS -- Geogrphcial Information Systems Package
AutoCAD -- Computer Aided Design Package
EndNote -- EndNote Bibliographic Program
Eudora -- Eudora Email Client
EverNote -- EverNote Organizer
Firefox -- Mozilla Foundation Web Browser
G95 -- Fortran 95 Compiler
GIMP -- GNU Image Manipulation Program
Internet Explorer-- Microsoft Web Browser
iTunes -- Apple iTunes
JCreator -- Xinox Java IDE
LionShare -- File Sharing Software
Microsoft Office - Microsoft Office Suite
Minitab -- Mintab Inc. Statistical Software
Mozilla -- Mozilla Web Browser
OmniPage -- Scansoft OmniPage OCR package
Opera -- Opera Web Browser Client
Outlook -- Microsoft Outlook Email Client
Outlook Express -- Microsoft Outlook Express Email Client
PSU Web Mail --PSU Web Mail
QuickTime -- Apple QuickTime
RealPlayer -- Real RealPlayer Audio Video Player
Roxio Easy CD Creator -- CD/DVD Burning Software Player
Sibelius -- music notation software
SSH Client -- SSH Secure Shell
Symantec AntiVirus -- Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition
ThunderBird -- Mozilla Org Email Client
Vectorworks -- Nemetschek Vectorworks 12.0
Visual Studio Net -- Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
XNews -- XNews NewsreaderCisco/PSU VPN Client -- Penn State's VPN Client
ArcGIS has two modes, ArcView and ArcInfo. By default ArcView is available for all users and provides access to the application and 3 extensions (3D Analyst, Geostatistical Analyst & Spatial Analyst). If you require the full ArcInfo package, you will need to run the "Use ArcInfo Settings" under ArcGIS\ArcInfo Workstation. When you have finished using ArcInfo, please run the "Use ArcView Settings" under ArcGIS as this will reset your settings back to ArcView and allow others to use the limited licenses for ArcInfo.
AutoCAD is now configured to store its Application Data (20MB) on your U Drive. The first time you launch AutoCAD, a program copies its application directories to the V:\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2009 folder. Then AutoCAD configures your registry settings and profile before actually starting. Finally temporary files are erased and your are set up to run AutoCAD as usual from now on.
You might see You Have Exceeded your Profile Storage dialog box. Ignore it, these are the files erased.
If there arise a problem when selecting cells within Excel, click on the mouse wheel.
To configure EndNote to run with Micosoft Word :
If you want the EndNote Add-ins to load when you start Word:
If you have done the above, but later want to stop the EndNotes Add-ins from loading everytime you start Word:
You can change the Style, Filter, and Connection directories in Endnote from the Edit | Preferences menu, Folder Locations. You can't however specify multiple directories so remember the default of C:\Program Files\Endnote X\Styles|Filters|Connections.
For Eudora 7.0.1 the registration codes should be updated for paid mode. A windows dialog box will be displayed asking you if you want your eudora.ini updated with these codes. Select Yes to do so, select No if you do no want it done now, or Never if you do not want the file ever to be updated.
Your Eudora mail files have been configured to be installed in the directory specified by the eniviromental variable Eudora. If you receive a message that the Eudora directory specified does not exist or is not writable, press Start | (All) Programs | Utilities | PSU Tools | UserSet to configure your settings. Obviously, you must have write access to this directory and it must exist before you start Eudora.
The first time you run Eudora the "New Account Wizard" will start and prompt you for various values that are necessary to tell Eudora how to send and receive mail. Most values are already specified and you should simply use the defaults by pressing the Next button.
| Prompt: | Suggested entry | |
| Welcome to Eudora! | ||
| Account Settings | Would you like to: | Create a brand new account |
| Personal Information | Your Name: | your name as you like to see it in email messages |
| Email Address | Email Address: | <userid>@psu.edu --, where <userid> is your PSU Access Account userid or alias |
| Login Name | Login Name: | <userid> |
| Incoming Email Server | Incoming Server: | email.psu.edu |
| Outgoing Email Server | Outgoing Server: | smtp.psu.edu |
After you enter these settings and press the finish button you can start using Eudora to send and receive mail.
Eudora has been configured to use three Directory Services Server - Qualcomm Finger server, Penn State LDAP server, and Penn State PH server. To activate any of these servers, check the box to the left of the name.
When you first launch EverNote this message displays:
Simply press Yes to create your EverNote Base files.
Firefox stores its configuration files in the Application folder of your profile - C:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox. A modification was made to the user's preference file to change the Firefox disk cache from within this profile directory to the windows temp folder - c:\windows\temp. Enter about:cache in the Firefox address bar and Firefox will display the cache information.
Make Firefox your default Web Browser
Instructions to make Firefox your default Web Browser can be found here.
Firefox Extensions
Since Firefox extensions are stored in a folder within the Application Data, you can add them as you please. Follow these directions:
G95 Fortran Compiler if a free open source Fortran 95 compiler and runtime libraries from g95.org. The shortcut loads a batch file which:
See Running G95 web document for G95 options and variables. Also the PSPad Editor from the Utilities menu has been configured to syntax highlight Fortran source files; issue PSPad <SourceFile> to execute it from the command prompt.
The first time you launch GIMP, the GIMP User Installation package runs. Press Continue 3 times until the GIMP performance page appears. Change the Swap folder to C:\Windows\Temp so that swap files are not written to your profile folder.
The first time you launch LionShare, there are several setup options that must be set.
For new users the default home page is set to the Penn State Portal.
To change your home page, go to the desired page, then select Tools | Internet Options. The following windows appears:
:
Press the Use Current button.
When Windows XP SP2 was installed, the Pop-up Blocker was automatically turned on in Internet Explorer. It was configured to the medium setting, which means it will block most automatic pop-ups. The default settings for the pop-up blocker allow you to see pop-ups that are opened when you click a link or button on a Web site. Pop-up Blocker will also play a sound and show the Information Bar when a pop-up is blocked.
Two sites have been enabled for Pop-Ups by default:
To enable Pop-Ups from a site:
To manage your Pop-Up settings:
For more information, see Microsoft's Pop-Up Blocker page.
Also with the installation of XP SP2, Internet Explorer prohibit automatic downloads and prevents loading of ActiveX controls.
To download a file which Internet Explore is blocking:
Right click on the information bar at the top of the page
Select Download File from the pull down menu
If Internet Explorer open a Web Document of a known file extension with a program other than a viewer, you can still view it with the following method:
You are not able (nor do you want to) authorize a lab computer to purchase songs from the iTunes Store. Purchase songs and download them to your iPod from your personal computer.
- Configure | Options
- Directories - Default Project Directory
- Navigate to your My Documents\JCreator directory (or you can type it in here)
- Press the OK button
- From now on, the Project Path directory is set this writable directory.
To enable extended Asian Character Input Support in Microsoft Office, you must once run Start | Programs | Microsoft Office | Microsoft Office Asian Character Input Support. Every time you logon from then on, Microsoft's Global Input Method Editor programs are loaded, and you can input East Asian characters.
Windows displays the Language bar icon on the task bar whenever a supporting application is active. To write in East Asian characters, you just have to click the Language bar icon, select the desired East Asian language, and start typing.
For more information, see Microsoft's IME page.
Installation Directory
Mozilla has been configured to store its profile in the directory \Mozilla\Profiles\Default\i0ss6q3v.slt in your Home Folder (this should be either V: or X:). Also a modification was made to the user's preference file to change the Mozilla disk cache from within this profile directory to the windows temp folder - c:\windows\temp.
If you wish to change your home page:
If you are using Mozilla mail client, first run Mozilla Web Browser to configure Mozilla to store its profile in your Home Folder. See Eudora mail client for PSU Mail Service settings.
Any problems? See a Lab Consultant.
Setup (One Time Only). You are required to setup Mozilla (not Firefox) once to run Neuron by:
From now on, load Neurons in Action from the Course Specific Program menu.
Installation Directory
Your Opera files will be stored in the Opera folder of your 'Home Directory'.
Make Opera your default Web Browser
Instructions to make Opera your default Web Browser can be found here.
If you wish to change your home page:
Installation Directory
Your Outlook files will be stored in the Outlook folder of your 'Home Directory'.
Configuration
When starting Outlook for the first time, the "Internet Connection Wizard" will ask you if you would like to create a new account or use an existing account.
Installation Directory
Your Outlook files will be stored in the Outlook folder of your 'Home Directory'.
Configuration
When starting Outlook for the first time, the "Outlook 2007 Startup Wizard" will launch:
Installation Directory
Your Outlook Express files will be stored in an Outlook Express folder in your 'Home Directory'.
Configuration
When starting Outlook Express for the first time, the "Internet Connection Wizard" will ask you if you would like to create a new account or use an existing account.
Optical Charactor Recognition (OCR) is the process of transforming a paper document into an editable electronic document. Nuance Omnipage is OCR software which can be launched with Start | Programs | Scanning Software | OmniPage | OmniPage Professional.
The first time you perform OCR with OmniPage, you must first run the Scanner Setup Wizard so OmniPage correctly configures the scanner you are using. Once you finish completely the wizard, you will not have to do this again.
You can run the Scanner Setup Wizard by:
Within the ScanSoft Scanner Setup Wizard:
Due to the way all Web Browsers interface with the Operating System, when you open an attachment you must Save the document in a different location, preferably your U:Drive or PASS Space. Otherwise you will lose any changed you make to your document.
If you want to play iTunes movies and songs from the QuickTime Player, Internet Explorer must be set as you default Web Browser. Otherwise, you see the message We are unable to find iTunes on your computer.
The first time you start RealPlayer, the RealPlayer configuration application will run. If you do not fully complete the configuration, RealPlayer will not start properly. Choose Basic Setup.
The one preference you should change is the temporary directory, a folder where it downloads files. The default is set to your profile which is not good. Run Tools | Preferences | General and browse Temporary Files to c:\windows\temp.
You should run the RealPlayer from the Audio & Video Players menu before you access a Real Player media file from the Web.
Roxio's installation in the labs only permits the user to write data CDs and DVDs. The rest of the options are not available due to their conflict with other applications already on the system.
You need write access to the directory of any document which you wish to open from Scientific Viewer, so you will have to copy these files to your home folder or a temp folder.
When launching Sibelius, a Adminstator Access Required window appears. Simply press the Cancel button.
When you first start SketchUp, it will use software OpenGL rendering by default. If you use a Dell GX270 computers in the labs, you can set SketchUp to Use Hardware Acceleration under the OpenGL panel of the Windows | Preferences | OpenGl dialog Box. An NVIDIA GeForce FX display adapter which is a 100% OpenGL compatible hardware accelerator is installed on these computers and you can take advantage of the superior 3D performance it offers.
Note: If you configure the program to use the Hardware Acceleration setting and run SketchUp on a computers which does not support it ( like the Dell GX240) this setting will be removed and SketchUp will run with software OpenGL rendering.
From the StetchUp Help:
Use Hardware Acceleration
This checkbox allows SketchUp to use the 3D hardware acceleration features of
your system. In previous versions of SketchUp, (1.0) hardware-assisted rendering
has been used by default due to the dramatic performance increase that can be
realized. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of 3D drivers in the consumer
market are 100% OpenGL compatible. Most are designed only for games, and are
rarely tested using other 3D programs. This has resulted in numerous
incompatibility problems which we are powerless to fix, as the drivers for video
cards are written and maintained solely by the cards manufacturer.
For this reason, SketchUp defaults to using software rendering. (acceleration is
not enabled) While this option does compromise on speed and quality, it
dramatically increases your chances of having a positive experience with
SketchUp. Also, if you are lucky enough to own a graphics card that truly
supports OpenGL acceleration as advertised, all you have to do is enable the
checkbox.
Note: Depending on your card and driver, Hardware Acceleration may only be
available at certain resolutions and color depths. The setting of the slider
under Windows Control Panel/Display/Advanced/Performance may also impact
acceleration at the global Operating System level.
Please be careful when changing this setting. The majority of drivers shipped
today do not fully support the OpenGL specification, yet routinely advertise
otherwise to the public and to the applications running on your computer.
Unfortunately, @Last software has no way of controlling the quality of the
OpenGL driver on your system. They are proprietary and are maintained solely by
the manufacturer of there video card in your system. Due to this circumstance,
@Last Software cannot guarantee that SketchUp will work with hardware
acceleration.
Before you initially run Enterprise Manager, you should first start Query Analyzer so that the correct information for SQL is added to your profile. Then you will be able to add servers in Enterprise Manager using the Register SQL Server Wizard.
If you want to enable secure X11 tunneling you must edit your settings:
To scan the documents in your Home Folder for viruses:
The first time you run ThunderBird the "New Account Setup" will start and prompt you for various values that are necessary to tell Thunderbird how to send and receive mail. Most values are already specified and you should simply use the defaults by pressing the Next button.
| Prompt: | Suggested entry | |
| Email account | ||
| Identity | Your Name: | your name as you like to see it in email messages |
| Identity | Email Address: | <userid>@psu.edu --, where <userid> is your PSU Access Account userid or alias |
| Server Information | Incoming Server: | email.psu.edu |
| Server Information | Outgoing Server: | smtp.psu.edu |
| User Names | Incoming User Name: | <userid> |
| User Names | Outgoing User Name: | <userid> |
| Account Name | Account Name: | Your Choice |
You need to change a Server Settting for start using Thunderbird:
Tools ! Account Settings
Server Settings - Check the secure connection (SSL) box
After you enter these settings and press the finish button you can start using Thunderbird to send and receive mail.
When opening Vectorworks, the program will first prompt that QuickTime is a newer version. This is an expected message due to the constant updating of Apple Quicktime.
Also, it will prompt you that file types are not properly associated. Due to the nature of the program, whichever option you choose will try to write to a portion of the filesystem that you do not have access to. The program is properly set up and this error message is normal. Press OK when it says "Access Denied," the program will still function normally.
Finally, due to a conflict with ArcGIS, the Palette Tools do not function properly. Here is a list of the keyboard shortcut for the Dimensioning Tools:
The default skin for a new user is Winamp Classic. To change, right click in a Winamp window, Select Options | Skins | Winamp Modern.Web Mail
The first time you run Xnews, it will bring up the Setup dialog. All configuration files will be created in your Home Folder in the XNews directory, e.g. V:\XNews.
Xnews will ask you to create a server profile. (The program can deal with multiple servers.) Enter the server name, e.g., news.psu.edu. Then enter an alias or title for the server, e.g., PSU News. The alias is what will appear on the menu.
Then enter your name, etc. I'll only describe the unfamiliar items here.
Public Email
Once you've done that, click Okay.
Often (actually everytime you start Yahoo! Messenger from a different computer) Yahoo! Messenger attempts to start the application RegEdit to change a setting. You will see two errors Registry editing has been disabled by your administrator - which is true. Simply close these message windows and Yahoo! Messenger will execute properly.
We often receive requests to install the Cisco/PSU VPN client in our environment. At this time, we are currently unable to support the Penn State VPN in our managed environment - this includes both our labs and podiums for the following reasons: