Basic Workstation Skills

General

• Know where the PC and monitor power buttons are located.
• Be familiar with the start-up commands your machine goes through and the common error messages you may encounter.
• Know where power cords are connected so they can be checked if there is no response from the equipment.
• Keep track of your passwords and know how to create strong ones. Know how to get or change a password for the network, Acorn, or e-password.

http://staffweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/libtech/restricted/passwordmgt/index.html

• Possess a conceptual understanding of the different service providers on campus and in the libraries (especially VUNet services and LITS services).
• Be aware if equipment is plugged into a surge protector or a power strip, in case it gets turned off.

Basic--Operating System Knowledge

• Know how to toggle between screens or how to use Task Manager to see which applications are running.
• Know keyboard shortcuts in order to navigate in Windows if the mouse fails to operate. Some shortcuts can be found on the following site.

  http://www.computerhope.com/shortcut.htm

• Know how to access drives using My Computer or Windows Explorer.
• Know how to create, copy, cut, paste, search, rename, and delete files.
• Be familiar with basic computer terminology such as system tray, title bar, scroll bar, and others. Some helpful glossaries are available online and from the help menu accessed from the Start button.

TechWeb - http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/

• Show facility for using menus in applications and an awareness that some menu items do not display fully unless you click the double down arrows at the bottom of the menu.
• Be aware of the importance of using proper filename extensions.

Related Advanced Skills

• Know how to use Printer Console.

Basic Network File/Application Services

• Possess basic knowledge of the environment of your workstation and an understanding of the purposes of the different drives, such as A:\, C:\, D:\, G:\, N:\. Be familiar with how they relate to the workstation and how it impacts file retrieval later.
• Be familiar with the NAL window and how it relates to which applications are on a particular workstation.
• Possess a basic understanding of which applications are network-delivered, which are on the local machine, and what difference this makes.

Application Software Skills

• Know how to read and send email on Mulberry, have a basic working knowledge of how to use folders, and how to open or send an attachment.
• Know how to use the public Web version of the Acorn catalog and/or how to use Sirsi Workflows, as appropriate.
• Know how to navigate the Web using Internet Explorer.
• Posses the basic skills necessary to view a document using MS Word, Excel and Adobe Acrobat.

Online Training is available at http://www.elementk.com . See this page for more information.

Shut Down

• Know how to close software applications.
• Know how to properly shut down workstation.
• Know the sequence in which equipment should be shut down.
• Know which equipment needs to be completely shut down every night and what should be left running.
• Know where power buttons are located

Computer Security Awareness

General

• Understand that anti-virus software protects your computer.
• Be vigilant in following computer security recommendations issued by LITS.
• Understand the various ways in which security can be compromised, such as via email attachments or infected disks.
• Be aware of security.
• Be knowledgeable regarding legitimate resources on computer security. More information can be found at:

http://staffweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/combs/jdcsecur/

Computer Workstation

• Know how to lock your workstation using CTRL-ALT-DEL in order to block access during workday absences.
• Keep track of your passwords and know how to create strong ones.
• Know how to get or change a password for the network, Acorn, or e-password. http://staffweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/libtech/restricted/passwordmgt/index.html

Internet

• Be aware of potential security and privacy threats while using the Internet including:
• Cookies
• Downloading malicious or unauthorized files
• Unsecured communication of private information
• Viruses
• Possess some knowledge of the security problems that use of unauthorized software can cause:
• Piracy
• Peer-to-peer (file sharing, e.g., Kazaa, Napster, etc.)

E-mail

• Be aware of potential security and privacy threats while using e-mail including:
• Attachments
• Chain letters
• Hoaxes
• Spam
• Viruses
• Be able to identify hoax messages and know how to verify virus claims.

Printing/ Printers

General

• Know where the power button is located.
• Know how to add paper, change the toner cartridge, and clear a paper jam.
• Know how to set the default printer as well as how to send a print job to a different printer.
• Know how to check and clear the print queue.

Copyright 2005 Jean & Alexander Heard Library, Vanderbilt University