CELOP - FAQs - MLL

FAQs | Using the Multimedia Language Lab

How do I log in?
During Registration Week only, you may log in as guest. Once classes begin, you will log in with your BU login and kerberos password. You must also activate your Active Directory account before you can log in to a CELOP computer.

Can I burn a CD or DVD in the labs?
For special projects, such as creating DVDs, see Lesley or John in the MLL Office.

Can I use a USB flash drive?
Yes. USB flash drives (left) can be plugged into the socket on the right side of the eMacs (room 267a) or into the USB extender cables (right) in rooms 255, 257, and the Open Lab (267b). Please do not unplug the headphones. When you are finished with the USB drive, Log out then pull the drive out.

Can I download pictures from my camera in the labs?
Yes. You can use the Apple iPhoto program to download, edit, and organize your photos or just use Preview to view them. Be aware, however, that there is a limit to how much you may store in your lab folder. Currently, you cannot have more than 250MB in this folder, including your pictures, class documents, and system files. If you need your photos burned to a CD to save space in your folder, see Lesley in 267b.

I did my homework at home on my Windows-based PC. Can I edit and print it on CELOP's Macs?
You can open any Word, PowerPoint, or Excel for Windows file on our Macs. If you used Microsoft Works, Corel WordPerfect, Sun StarOffice, OpenOffice.org, or another program, you will need to save your work in Rich Text Format (.rtf) before you can open it in the labs. This is not a limitation of the Macs at CELOP but rather a limitation of Microsoft's Word.

Note:We use Office 2008 for Mac, which is compatible with the new Office 2007 for Windows. You cannot open these documents on other computers with older versions of Office or with Microsoft Works. If you want to open your lab documents on older versions of Office, save it according to the directions below.

Saving a Word 2008 document in a format compatible with earlier versions of Word.

Can I listen to an audio CD in the lab?
Yes. Just put the CD in the Mac's CD-ROM drive after logging in. You can use iTunes to control the playback and access track names. Please be sure to use headphones so as not to disturb your fellow students.
NOTE: ONLY USE STANDARD SIZED CDs! Do not attempt to put mini-CDs or business card CDs in the Mac CD trays or slots. Nonstandard CDs will get jammed.

Can I use Skype or other instant messaging (IM) for audio chats?
Yes. Skype is on the Dock. PLEASE DO NOT SPEAK LOUDLY OR OTHERWISE DISTURB OTHER LAB USERS. See the Skype orientation material (PDF).

How do I turn the computer on?
The power button on the eMac (267a) is on the lower right side of the computer, near the back. On the Mac Minis, the power button is in the back. Your computer might just be asleep, though, so try pressing the space bar first.

I'm used to using a Windows-based PC with a two-button mouse. How can I access the functions I'm used to having from the right mouse button?
Macs can also use a two-button mouse, and we use them in the CELOP labs. In the case that you sit at a computer with a one-button mouse, you can still access right-clicking features by holding the Control key and clicking the mouse button at the same time.

How can I learn more about using the labs? Is there an orientation or someone to help me?
There is a lab orientation video that all students should watch during Registration Week. This QuickTime video file is also available on the Dock of all lab computers. Lesley Andrews, the Lab Assistant, is available to help you in the Open Lab in the afternoons until 6pm.

Why do the labs use Apple Macintosh computers instead of Windows PCs?
Almost all faculty, staff, and student computers at CELOP are Macs. We also run Windows XP on the Macs in the Open Lab. Macs are used for many reasons, the same reasons many educational sites use them (Apple is still the #1 provider of computer hardware to schools).

More intuitive graphical user interface (GUI).
Much easier to set up and maintain on a network and more reliable.
More secure and extremely low vulnerability to viruses and hacking.
Much less maintenance and repair to individual computers.
Users of Macs require less technical support.
Better integration of multimedia—graphics, sound, video.
Smaller—the Mac Mini is the size of an external hard drive.
Files created on Windows (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, HTML, JPG, GIF, PSD, etc.) work exactly the same on the Mac—it's the same file format.
Macs can read and write PC or Mac USB drives or CDs.
Virtually anything you need to do here on a computer, you can do on a Mac. It doesn't matter if you've never used a Mac. You're here to learn new things. Keep an open mind.
There are a lot of myths about Apple. Learn the facts:
- 50% of computers in education are Macs.
- Macs are the computer of choice in creative fields (design, art), film editing, and biotechnology, among others.
- 25% of lawyers use Macs.
- The new Macs (Intel based) are the only computers that will run both Mac OS and Windows.
- Apple has pioneered more technology innovations and designs for personal computing than any other computer or software company.

Orientation Material: Computing at CELOP/BU

Be sure to read the orientation material about using CELOP computers and your own computer at CELOP and B.U.

MLL Policies | Networking & the Internet

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