ACF ACCOUNTS AND SERVICES

How to Get What You Need: A Hassle-Free Guide to ACF Accounts and Services

by Shaaron P. Francis

[Ed: Links to web pages and/or e-mail addresses which have become inactive since the publication of this article have been enclosed in curly brackets { }. Replacement links have been provided where possible.]

A broad, sometimes confusing, array of ACF services is available to the NYU community. Among other services, there are class accounts to facilitate course work; NYU Internet accounts for general computing, e-mail, and normal modem access to NYU-NET; the newer DIAL accounts for high-speed modem access and a graphical interface to NYU Web; and a host of software housed on our servers. If you want to work with your own computer and modem, we recommend that you use ACF communications software for greatest compatibility.

In the ACF Business and Administration group, we are trying to make the task of getting an account and finding the information you need as simple and clear as possible. Our goal is to limit the number of calls and the amount of paperwork you need to open and maintain a computer account at NYU.

We've prepared two quick lists to help you: "Where to Go for ACF Services" and "E-Mail Addresses for ACF Contacts."

Network and Computer Users' Responsibilities

When you use any service on campus, you are asked to be responsible for many rules and regulations, often spelled out in print. ACF is no exception. All users are expected to use the network in a responsible manner. The world of computing is opening up in new and exciting ways, but a few paradigms are emerging and need consideration by all users. Here are some of them:

Do not conduct any commercial dealings via your NYU account -- this means no selling of goods or services either by you, as the user, or by a second party.
Do not conduct any illegal activity of any kind. Specifically, do not harass or stalk another user, either at NYU or outside of the University, via your account.
Do not copy software, install software, or reconfigure ACF machines or systems without explicit authorization.
Do not "spam" -- that is, do not send the same message to more than one or two newsgroups. (Rules for newsgroups and general "netiquette" are available in the newsgroup {news.announce.newusers}.)
Be courteous to other users (a good rule of thumb is, If you don't want something done to you, others will find it offensive as well).
Be aware that while we expect every user to use discretion in all electronic dealings, there are some users who forget their manners. We do not censor general conversations, but do encourage good judgment.

Your ACF account is intended to support your academic pursuits, and to assist in administrative efforts across the University. This account is a privilege afforded you by your affiliation with the University. If you abuse this privilege, you may lose your account, temporarily or permanently.

Where to Find ACF Documents on NYU Web

Visit the ACF home page on the NYU Web at {http://www.nyu.edu/acf/} Replacement ULR: http://www.nyu.edu/its/ and select Getting an Account and Accounts Office to find information about how to get an ACF account, and to read relevant documents ("Responsibilities of a Computer or Network User," "Responsibilities of a DIAL Account User," etc.).

The Account Office handles tremendous numbers of general questions every day, and so of course does the HelpLine. We encourage you to go to our Web pages whenever you need information on ACF resources. It may be the fastest way to find what you're looking for! [ C ]

Shaaron P. Francis was Manager for Business and Administration for ACF at the time of this article's publication.
shaaron.francis@nyu.edu

Posted 28 February 1996. Revised 24 May 2004.