Tech Around the World

This page discusses things that students should be aware of while traveling during the academic term. Some are links to Carleton resources, others are information about using technology abroad.

Other Stuff: Power/Voltage | Security / Cyber Café | Dialing the US | Backup | Anti-Theft

Email

If you have your own computer, you can setup Mulberry or your preferred email client (e.g. Mac Mail, Microsoft Outlook) to access your Carleton email from anywhere in the world.

If you will be using computers in cyber cafés or other locations, you can always access Gmail from a web browser at http://gmail.carleton.edu.

PLEASE do not forward your Carleton email to a Hotmail account. Hotmail accounts fill up too fast and then bounce messages and you don't get the information sent to you. We don't recommend forwarding your email to any account for this reason, but Hotmail is particularly bad at this.

Home/Collab

You can access Home and Collab servers from any computer by using a web browser to visit http://home.its.carleton.edu. You can upload and download files to your personal or course spaces from this interface. Read more about how this service (called NetStorage) works here.

Moodle

Moodle can be done from anywhere in the world, as long as you have a reliable internet connection. Remember that it can be found at:

http://moodle.carleton.edu

Passwords

It is likely that your password will expire while you are off campus, and you should make sure to change it when you are prompted to do so. Your Carleton password is your key to any and all Carleton resources, and you need to make sure that it continues to work.

We have instituted a new password reset service that allows you to reset your own password without calling the ITS Helpdesk. In order to use this service, you MUST set up the answers to your shared secret questions. Please do this before you leave campus! You will not have time or forget to do it as soon as you leave. If you do not set up your answers you will not be able to use the reset service.

You can do this at the Password Changing Page, click on Set up some challenge questions now.

Registration for Classes

You will likely need to register for classes while you are away. If you are unsure of your internet access while abroad, you should arrange for a proxy to register for you just in case. You can read about the procedures for course registration while off campus at the Registrar's website.

Library Access

Many of the databases that our Library subscribes to are available only to Carleton students, staff and faculty. When you access them from off campus, you need to login first. Visit the Library's page about Off Campus access for more information.

Power/Voltage Issues

All of Europe uses 220 volt power distribution, which is different from our 125 volts. This means that your smaller electronics (hair dryers, alarm clocks, small MP3 players, etc) will not function (and will be fried) when you plug them into a European outlet. Most computers and all iPods automatically convert for the appropriate voltage (though you should check your computer to be sure).

You'll still need to a plug adapter, even if your computer automatically converts for voltage. You can get just the plug adapters or you can get full conversion kits from most luggage or travel stores, or from RadioShack. Apple also sells a World Travel Adapter Kit for all of their devices.

Security / Cyber Café

You may be relying on cyber cafés for your internet access, either through wireless access or for computer access. While these cafés are convenient for access, you should know that they are not the most secure locations for your internet business. It is too easy for malicious people to install key recording software that reports everything that you type without your knowledge.

Try to avoid accessing critical information (like you bank accounts) in these locations. You can have a parent access your accounts on your behalf from a more secure location.

Dialing the US

You'll want to know how to dial to the US (or other countries) from you off campus location. This website on International Dialing makes it easy to find the international dialing codes for anywhere in the world.

Back up your stuff

If you are taking your own computer, you'll want to make sure you are backing up your data. Computers, especially portable ones, can get damaged or stolen and then all of your stuff goes with them. It is likely that your portable computer came with a backup software, you should look into it and learn how to use it.

There are two things that you can do to make sure your backup is useful in the case of a tragic event:

Backup files to a separate media, either USB key drive or CD or your Carleton Home folder.
Keep the backup separate from your main computer

The biggest mistake that people make (aside from not backing up at all) is to keep their backup CD in the same bag as their laptop. Then their backup is stolen or destroyed right along with their computer at the same time. If you are going through the trouble to back things up, you should at least make sure that the backup will be useful.

Anti-Theft

Americans are notorious throughout the world for being easy to pick out of a crowd. And in many areas, that means you will be a prime target for criminals looking to steal your valuables. Please keep these things in mind while traveling with your stuff:

Always close your bags, zip the zippers and latch the clasps
Carry your laptop in a non-laptop bag to make it not so obvious that you have one with you
Whenever sitting around (waiting for the bus, train, etc), always keep a hand or leg in physical contact with your bag so you notice if it disappears
Create and USE a password on your computer to access the desktop. If they get your hardware, at least they won't get your data.