Computing Topics --> Getting Started -->

Getting Started

Welcome to the OIT Help Desk Getting Started Web page for computing and networking issues at the University of Maryland, College Park. Below you will find basic information on the various resources available to faculty, staff and students of the University. You can also find more information on each topic by clicking on the links.

• Information for New Students
• Using E-mail From Home
• Administrative Systems
• Communications Information
• ELMS
• Email Offerings
• Oracle Calendar Information
• Print Accounts

• Directory Services - All faculty, staff and students (as well as sponsored affiliates) have information records stored in the directory. The directory contains the standard office and telephone contact information, as well as username and password. Certain campus applications are integrated with directory services for authentication. Two such applications are Oracle calendaring service and ELMS. The protocol the Office of Information Technology (OIT) uses for their Directory Service is LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol). Please follow the instructions on Setting your University Directory (LDAP) Password for the First Time.
• Testudo is the system where students can register for classes, apply for parking permits, get grade reports, and more. Testudo is read through a Web interface and can be accessed at: http://www.testudo.umd.edu. Testudo uses the Student Identification Number to identify you and new students receive a PIN number during orientation. The PIN is used as a password to access your Testudo account when using the Student Information Identification to log into the system. Students can also log into Testudo using their Directory ID and password. Students who have forgotten their PIN should contact the Office of the Registrar.
• Mail@umd offers faculty, staff, and students fast reliable e-mail, virus scanning, junk mail analysis, and a Web-based interface that allows you to view and manage messages without configuring a browser client. To create a Mail@umd account you need to have a Directory ID. Here's how to activate your e-mail account.
• ARES (Administrative Resource Enterprise Services) is a web-based platform for administrative, faculty, and research services. ARES accounts are available automatically to staff, faculty, and students employed at the University. Services currently available via ARES include the ability to update your personal information, access Payroll and Human Resources, among others. The ARES login page can be found at http://www.ares.umd.edu.
• WAM - (Workstations At Maryland). This system provides a Unix shell account with full Internet access for all faculty, staff, and students upon request. Most computer labs on campus require a WAM login and password to sign in. Here's how to apply for a WAM account.
• Glue - The Glue system provides a Unix shell account with full Internet access for any faculty, staff, and students upon request. Software licensed by individual departments and available on the Glue system can be found in specific workstation labs, on certain servers, or to users within a group. See your instructor or advisor to get any special permissions you may need. Here's how to apply for a Glue account.
• Terrapin Express is a pre-paid debit account that can be used by faculty, staff, and students to pay for many services and products at the University. To obtain a Terrapin Express account, visit the Dining Services.
• Print Accounts are required to print in public computer labs. Terrapin Express is used to fund the print account, therefore, a Terrapin Express account is required to apply for a print account. To obtain a print account once you have a Terrapin Express account, visit the OIT Help Desk.
• Network Connections are provided for each dormitory resident and their Information Systems Unit has an on-line manual to getting connected in the dorms. Another way to connect to the university network is by using a Wireless Connection on campus where supported.

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) mail systems can be accessed from anywhere in the world. In most cases, they work exactly as they do here at the University of Maryland, College Park campus.

How do I read my e-mail?

If you want to read your e-mail and are not using an e-mail client, you have one of three options: the Mail@UMD web client, a text-based mail reader like Pine, or Berkeley mail.

If you have access to a graphical e-mail client and are connected to the University network; you can use the University's POP or IMAP server as you would on campus through a local provider. You need to use the provider's SMTP server furnished to you at the location where you are. Most providers list their SMTP server name on their main support page.

• ARES (Administrative Resource Enterprise Services) is a web-based platform for administrative, faculty, and research services. ARES accounts are available to staff, faculty, and any students automatically when they become an employee of the University of Maryland, College Park. Services currently available via ARES include the ability to update one's own personnel information, access to financial reports (FRS), purchasing information (Procurement), and the Department of Business Services CARS system, which includes TRAPPR. The ARES login page can be found at http://www.ares.umd.edu.
• MVS (Production CICS) access is available to staff and faculty. It allows access to applications such as Student Information System (SIS), Student Accounts Receivable (SAR), Academic Resource System (ARS), Human Resources System (HRS), Financial Records System (FRS), Student Aid Management (SAM), Management Of Network Income Expense & Services (MONIES), and Student Bad Debt (SBD).
• The FRS (Financial Records System) system consists of five modules: Fixed Assets, Budget, Accounts Payable, Purchasing, and Financial Accounting. This was formally the Financing Accounting System (FAS).
• ELF (Electronic Forms) is an Internet based system that allows campus users to create and submit forms electronically. The system will route the forms to any registered campus user. Users have the option of approving, returning, or rejecting the forms.

The campus network directly connects to the Internet using a high-speed Ethernet connection. These direct connections are available in all University offices as well as residence halls. The Department of Resident Life maintains its own page about residence hall network connections.

Here is more information about Connecting to the Network at the University.

Enhanced Learning for Maryland Students (ELMS) is a web-based course management tool that offers an integrated online course environment. This site provides a place not only for static course content (e.g., syllabi, schedules, announcements, and lecture notes) but access to interactive tools (e.g., discussion groups, live chats, and online assessments). ELMS is a tool that facilitates the creation of sophisticated World Wide Web-based educational environments. It can be used to create entire online courses or to present materials that supplement existing courses.

Use your University Directory ID and Password to login to the ELMS system.

More information on how to use ELMS.

E-mail Access is offered through the Mail@umd system.

• Mail@umd is the primary e-mail service offered at the University of Maryland. Students, faculty, and staff affiliated with the university can register for an account. If you are a new student, faculty, or staff at the University or have never had a University mail account, visit http://www.oit.umd.edu/new/ to activate your account. Please visit the Mail@umd Enterprise E-mail System page for more information.
• Workstation At Maryland (WAM) and Glue accounts offer faculty, staff, and students access to news, SSH, SFTP, World Wide Web browsers, and access to UM-only software and web pages.
• More information about the User Support Services Consulting group's Recommendations for Graphical E-Mail Clients for use with the University's e-mail systems can be found at https://dev.helpdesk.umd.edu/documents/0/690/.

Click on the Electronic Mail (E-Mail) link for more information about e-mail. Questions can be posed to the Office of Information Technology (OIT) Help Desk.

Oracle Calendar (formerly CorporateTime) Calendaring Software is a software product that allows faculty and staff to track electronically their daily, weekly, and monthly schedules. It can be accessed via a web browser or client software; in addition, it can be synchronized with a handheld computing device (Palm OS only). Accounts are available at no charge, however there are costs associated with the client software and handheld synchronization software. Oracle Calendar is a group-calendaring product. This means that it allows people to create appointments with other Oracle Calendar users on campus.

Print Accounts are required to print in the Workstations at Maryland (WAM) Computer Labs and in most of the Open Computer Labs at Maryland. Print accounts are available to students, staff, and faculty and can be obtained by an individual or department. You will need to open a Terrapin Express account before opening your Print Account.