Requesting software installs on OCIO managed Computers Labs and Classrooms

The Learning Technology group of the Office of the CIO provides support for many computers used for instruction around The Ohio State University.  This service includes most podium computers in non-department classrooms, non-department computer labs, public computers in university libraries, and laptops loaned through the OCIO service counter in the basement of the Central Classroom Building.

All of these computers are provided with a basic package of software including Microsoft Office, site licensed statistical software, and other general use software. We can also install software purchased by your department, department or university site licensed software, and free software by request of an instructor. Installation requests are usually made before the beginning of the quarter, but OCIO Labs and Classrooms will be happy to take suggestions for software to be added to all laptops in the future.

The web form for software requests is located at:  http://go.osu.edu/csr

If you have suggestions for software you think we should supply, please let us know.  You can use the form linked above, with a note for the attention of John Pryzbylek, or send your suggestions to Pryzbylek.1@osu.edu.

Sometimes software is free for educational or demonstration use, even if not for other uses. Free trial versions may be permitted in an academic setting, depending on the publisher’s rules.  In some cases, a publisher allows software that comes with textbooks to be installed in podium or student use computers.  We may also be able to assist with software purchasing or licensing based on requests and available funding.

Here are some questions to think about as you make a request.

Is the computer (or computers) in question managed by the OCIO Labs and Classrooms, or another department?

Do you or your department own licenses for your requested software?

Do you have the install media to supply us if needed?

When do you need the software to be in place?  We ask for at least 10 business days notice on software requests, but the more lead time you can give us, the better for    everyone.  If you know you will want something in a subsequent term please let us know early, so your request can be added during imaging over break.

Do you need the software for more than one quarter? Make sure to tell us. If you want the software installed indefinitely we ask that the request be renewed annually.

Do you need the software in additional places?

The form does not accommodate multiple locations so please fill out a separate form for each location. We are happy to install on both podium and student use computers.

Things you may not be aware of:

If a limited quantity license is what a called a simultaneous use license, we can place the software on more machines than the number of licenses and use license control software to prevent more than the license count from running at the same time, regardless of location.

If you have special instructions for software configuration, you may want to meet with use to do this together.

You are encouraged to test the software installation before your class. We test for basic compatibility with our equipment and software, but in the case of specialized software we might be unable to do much more than verify the software startups up without your help.  If desired we can meet with you for this.

In the rare case that your software is incompatible with our equipment or existing software we may be unable to meet your request.

If your software needs to communicate over the internet, you will need to start a web browser first to provide your username and password. For security, all internet access is blocked until a user authenticates with their OSU username and password via a web browser. You can hide or minimize the web browser window, but it needs to remain open to maintain your access.

         If you have any questions or problems in this area at any time please feel free to contact us by calling 8-help or e-mailing 8help@osu.edu. They may be able to answer your questions, but if not please request that the issue be assigned to the Lab and Classrooms Support group.