How do I enroll in a CWRL class?

CWRL classes are identified in the course schedule by a CA designation, which stands for "Computer Assisted." The CWRL hosts courses in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing ("RHE"), the English Department (course prefix "E"), and the Science, Technology, and Society ("STS") concentration.

What computer knowledge is required to take a class in the CWRL?

Not much. Since the focus of CWRL courses is studying English composition and/or literature, we do not ask for much prior knowledge of computers or software--just some familiarity with common word processing programs. In fact, the CWRL is often a good place to learn other computer skills. Although classes vary in the teaching and use of available software technology, students taking CWRL courses are free to learn any of the wide variety of programs provided on CWRL machines during the CWRL's open hours.

How do I set up an e-mail account?

Many CWRL instructors require students to get e-mail accounts. You already have a free e-mail account available to you as a student at the University of Texas through the University Mail Box Service (UMBS). You can activate that account through the ACITS web site. Get a piece of paper ready to write down your account information (i.e. your e-mail address, username, and password) and then go to http://www.utexas.edu/its/umbs/. Once there, click on "Signing up for UMBS" and follow the instructions listed.

How do I sign up for the course forum?

1. Go to http://forums.cwrl.utexas.edu
2. Click on Register in the top right.
3. Agree that you are over 13 years old.
4. Enter your username, password, and email address. STUDENT USERNAMES MUST BE FIRSTNAME_LASTNAME IN ALL LOWERCASE LETTERS. Submit the information.
5. The system will send you an email -- it should be instantaneous, but it may take a few minutes -- which contains an activation link. Select the link and log on with your username and password.

How do I transport files to and from class?

In a computer-assisted classroom, you will often work with your writing in electronic, not paper form. Therefore, you will need a reliable method of transporting your files from a home or lab computer to a classroom computer. The following methods are available, listed in order of preference:

Webspace: all students have free server space accessible through https://webspace.utexas.edu. This allows you to upload files from one location and download them from another, for example, uploading a paper from home and retrieving it in class. See our Webspace tutorial for more information.

USB Flash Drives: the second best way to transport files (after Webspace) is to use a USB flash drive. You can buy these at virtually any computer store for around $20 (64mb) and up. The computers in the Lab do not have Zip drives.

E-mail: occasionally, flash drives break, are lost, or fail. Although it is not recommended that you use e-mail as your primary means of transporting documents, you may want to use e-mail as a backup method for file transportation. That way, if for some reason your drive fails in class or you can't access your Webspace account, you may be able to retrieve your document by checking your e-mail. To do this, simply e-mail yourself before class with your document as an attachment. Do keep in mind, however, that you may have a problem reading the attachment due to size or format limits that many popular webmail programs have. Test out this method before relying on it.

Teacher volume: see below.

A Note on Floppy Disks: Floppy disks are NOT a preferred method of transporting documents. They are relatively unstable and often break, leaving you without a document on the day it's due. In addition, some Mac classrooms have few or no floppy drives for students to access. Finally, there's the Windows-Mac compatibility issue--Macs can read PC disks but PCs cannot read Mac disks. For all of these reasons, a floppy disk is not a good method of file transportation. Instead, use your Webspace account, or the Teacher folder.

What are the Teacher, Public_HTML, and Transfer Volumes?

When you access a CWRL computer in a classroom or a lab, two different server volumes appear on your computer desktop: the Teacher and the Transfer volumes. (See Lab Admin for directions on how to access these volumes remotely).

Teacher volume: this volume houses the projects you complete for your class. Some teacher folders store class handouts while others are electronic drop-boxes for submitting assignments. Whenever you log onto a Mac computer in the lab, you will be asked whether or not you'd like to open your teacher folder. If you say "yes," follow the prompts given by the computer. If you say "no," you can always access the teacher folder later by going to "all applications" and then to "teacher open." The PCs automatically open the proper teacher volume when you log on. From there, your instructor will direct you to where you should save or open particular assignments. When you access the teacher folder, please respect the privacy of other students by only accessing files and directories to which you have been directed by your instructor. NEVER delete or move a file which is not yours unless you have been instructed to do so. Also keep in mind that your instructor may have set access restrictions and passwords for your class folder--ask about these in class. You should always keep a backup copy of all of the assignments you turn in for class. Click here to find out how to access the teacher folder from a remote location.

Public_Html: Many instructors have opted to create a public_html folder inside of their teacher folders. Documents published in this folder appear on the World Wide Web

Transfer volume: this volume is a temporary storehouse of files you wish to transfer from one CWRL computer to another. For example, if you wished to transfer a document you worked on in an FAC classroom and wanted to print it out at the Parlin 6 computer lab later that day, you could save it to the Transfer volume so that it is accessible in both places. Similarly, if you have a Mac file and need to access it on a PC, you can save it to and open it from the Transfer volume on either platform (learn more about Mac and PC compatibility). Remember that this volume is intended for same-day transfer of files, and as such, the transfer volume is emptied on a weekly basis. Please note that the transfer volume is deleted once a week.

What do I do if my home and school computers use different platforms?

Many students who use a home computer or non-CWRL lab computer end up using a different operating system to compose and edit documents. For example, you may have a Windows-based computer at home but may meet in a classroom with Macs. Generally, most documents (such as Word and HTML documents) will be readable on both provided you have used Webspace or have a USB flash drive compatible with both computers.

The following document types are usually compatible across platforms:

• Microsoft Word (.doc)
• HTML (.html, .htm)
• Document Template (.dot)
• Rich Text Format (.rtf)
• Text files (.txt)

The following documents are NOT compatible across platforms:

• Microsoft Works (.wps)
• WordPerfect (.wpd)
• AppleWorks
• Microsoft Access (.mdb)
• Filemaker and Filemaker Pro

What is an *.rtf (Rich Text Format) document, and why should I use this format?

If you are having trouble opening a text file across platforms, try saving your document as a Rich Text Format (.rtf) document. To do this, select the "File" menu in your word processing program, and select "Save As." In the "Save As" dialogue box underneath the "File Name" box, there is a "Save as Type" box. Select Rich Text Format (.rtf), type in your file name, and click "Save." Your document will now save as a Rich Text file.

What are open hours and will there be someone to help me during those times?

Open hours are times when the CWRL Multimedia Lab (PAR 102) is open for CWRL students who want to work on classwork. Since the lab is available only to students currently enrolled in CWRL classes, they are often much less crowded than regular times at the SMF. This semester's open hours are posted on the CWRL home page.

During open hours, at least one proctor is available to assist you with technological questions. Feel free to ask questions of proctors concerning technical issues, such as how to use specific software or hardware. Keep in mind that some instructors may have you use software or hardware with which not all proctors are familiar; in this case, your instructor will have to provide the technical support. All proctors do, however, have a general knowledge of most of the software and hardware used in CWRL classes. But proctors are not writing tutors. For questions about writing go to the the Undergraduate Writing Center on the second floor of the Flawn Academic Center (i.e the UGL).

Who will be able to read the work I publish to the Web?

The Computer Writing and Research Lab hosts not only computer-assisted classrooms, but also people who research the writing styles and skills of students in wired environments. Writing that you produce for the CWRL and posted to your class web site is considered within the "public domain" and is accessible to the public. Work that you produce for your class is also archived after your class ends and may be reviewed by CWRL researchers. Should the researcher want to quote any of your materials for publication, s/he will contact you directly for permission and is required to protect your identity.

How can I access the Teacher Folder from CWRL computers?

Opening the teacher folder from a CWRL Mac

When you log on to one of the Macs, the first box you see will appear like the one below. If you choose not to open your teacher folder now and close the box, you can re-open it later in the session. Simply click to open the All Applications folder on the desktop, and scroll down to "teacher_open." The dialog box will appear again.

At the following prompt, enter the teacher's last name.

The following box will appear. Log in using the password that you've set for your inital log-on to all cwrl computers.

A globe with the teacher's name beneath it will then appear on the desktop, just below the the globe for the transfer volume.

Opening this globe will bring you access to the set of folders that are relevant to your course.

To submit assigned work, simply drag and drop. Click to highlight the icon for your file as it appears on the desktop, and drag it to the folder in which it belongs.

Please do not use the teacher folder as a place to back up your own documents. Back them up on either your own computer, on Webspace, or another storage medium.

Opening the teacher folder from a CWRL PC

Open the Teacher-Transfer Folders icon on the desktop.

A window will open, containing four icons: Jaws, Transfer, Printers, and one with your instructors last name. If you do not see your instructor's last name, please log out and then back in to the computer.

To submit assigned work, simply drag and drop. Click to highlight the icon for your file as it appears on the desktop, and drag it to the folder in which it belongs.

Please do not use the teacher folder as a place to back up your own documents. Back them up on either your own computer, on webspace, or another storage medium.

How can I access the Teacher Folder from home?

The following tutorials, written by Tracey Watts and Bill Wolff, show CWRL students how to access their course's teacher folder on both the Macs and PCs from home. They also point users to web sites that have the programs necessary to access their teacher folder from home. These programs are available for free.

Using Windows with a Mac keyboard: Key Analogies

If you find yourself using Windows via Bootcamp on a Mac computer, you probably have a hard time locating some of your favorite Windows keyboard functions. The link and charts below should help.

Keyboard Analogies Complete Table

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