Tech Support

As we focus on training our students to be leaders and engage their studies in projects in the "real world," students enrolled in a degree program must own or have unlimited access to a personal computer with a fast internet connection and a standard suite of office applications, including web browser, email, word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation programs.

Access to other software (for example, Microsoft Project) may be required for certain classes; students in Web Design courses are encouraged to consider Macromedia Dreamweaver and Adobe Photoshop for html and graphics editing. Any specific software requirements will be included in your registration materials.

To provide you with the best service possible, we have created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list on this page . We recommend that you print the FAQ out while you are connected, in case your connection is not working sometime in the future, and you need to access these help files. If you need further assistance please send an email message to techsupport@gradcenter.marlboro.edu and we will respond within 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I get connected to the Internet?

Q: What if my Internet connection is not working?

Q: Where can I purchase required and recommended software at student discounts?

Q: Can I buy hardware with student discounts?

Q: What do you use to interact / correspond between face to face classes?

Q: How do I install software on my own computer?

Q: How do I install software on a computer that I do not own?

Q: How do I learn more about the basic and advanced features of the software I am using?



Q: How can I get connected to the Internet?
A: There are hundreds of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) available through your local yellow pages. Your courses will require that you are connected for at least 15 hours each month (more for multiple courses), so we encourage you to consider fast cable or DSL connections where possible. If you can only get a dial-up connection, try to secure one with unlimited access. Larger ISPs such as Microsoft or America Online also offer Customer Support, which may be useful to you as a beginner. Be sure to ask each potential provider for the package that meets your needs best and print out or save any materials that contain your customer support telephone and account numbers.

Q: What if my Internet connection is not working?
A: If your connection is not working, contact your ISP, using the telephone numbers you have printed or saved. If your service will be out for more than a day or two, you should contact our Administrative Assistant at 802-258-9206 to have your instructors notified of your inability to access the internet. In cases where you will be disconnected for more than a week, students are encouraged to utilize the computers at the Grad Center.

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Q: Where can I purchase required and recommended software at student discounts?
A: We have set up a relationship with Creation Engine who offer the software we require for our courses at academic prices. We submit to them a list of our enrolling student names but if you need an official letter confirming your enrollment status, contact the registrar at registrar@gradcenter.marlboro.edu. The website they have set uup for us is at http://www.creationengine.com/mcgc . All of the software you will need at the GC is listed here.

Q: What do you use to interact / correspond between face to face classes?
A: We have recently transitioned to a Moodle - Open Source platform. We provide training and orientation in it when you start courses. Our students find it very usable and the interaction it supports is very rich.
We are developing tutorials that will be posted here shortly.

Q: Where can I buy hardware with student discounts?
A: Marlboro College has established relationships with both Apple Computer, Inc. and Dell Computer Corp. that allow faculty, students and staff to purchase computer systems, software, and peripherals. Financing is provided through each of these manufacturers directly. Marlboro Undergraduate link to discounted hardware (opens in a new window)

Q: How do I install software on my own computer?
A: Most new software that you purchase on disk or download from the Internet comes with an installation utility. The important part of this process for you to remember is WHERE on your computer you download the new software. Most installation utilities prompt you by asking for a DESTINATION. The easiest way to find the destination again is to set it at your own computer DESKTOP so that you can see the new software or installation utility right on your desktop screen.

Q: How do I install software on a computer that I do not own?
A: You should always ask permission of the owner before you attempt to download or install any software to any computer. Some owners have set their computers to prevent unauthorized downloads, and some others have not. It is always best to ask the owner in either case. You may find that you do not need to download the FirstClass client, however, if you are traveling or borrowing a computer for that purpose only. Please see the "How can I view my courses through FirstClass while I'm away from my own computer" question for more details.

Q: How do I learn more about the basic and advanced features of the software I am using?
A: We encourage you to use both the Help topics that are included in each piece of software (many even have Tutorials and context-sensitive Help that you can see within different areas of the software) and the many hundreds of books that are available for desktop software. The Academic staff at the Graduate Center will make more specific recommendations depending on your goals. If students need assistance with any particular software tool, they should contact their Program Director who can help set up some extra tutorial or workshop support.

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