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October 2, 2007
Issue No. 75

Table of Contents

• Computing News
  • ESS-New Software Updates
    
  • SUNet Backbone Upgraded
    
  • Try Fall Tech Training
    
  • Use iPass Away from SU
    
  • Find Software on Campus
    
  • Departmental Firewall
    
  • Casa Zapata Upgrade
    
  • Wireless Network Upgrades
    
  • Meyer Library Tech Services
    
  • WebEx-Online Collaboration
    
  • Modem Pool Discontinued
    
  • Workstation Backup Project
    
  • SU Web Resources
    
  • SU Bookstore Computer Q&A
    

For readers new to Stanford, Essential Stanford Software (ESS) is a collection of applications -- some free, others licensed by the University -- that help faculty, staff and students accomplish day-to-day tasks and keep their computers secure.

http://ess.stanford.edu/

Recent and upcoming changes to the collection are described below.

Stanford Desktop Tools 2.0

Now in its second year, Stanford Desktop Tools (SDT) provides a convenient way to authenticate to Kerberos and mount AFS directories. It also provides an easy way to install other ESS applications and to keep them up to date. Due during Fall Quarter, version 2.0 of SDT will enable users to update a wider range of ESS applications. See also Time to Leave PC-Leland and MacLeland Behind in this issue.

Kerberos for Windows

Previously Kerberos for Windows had been bundled with SDT. It is now available as a separate install to allow SDT or Kerberos for Windows to be updated independently of one another.

Vista Compatibility

All of the Windows applications are compatible with Windows Vista. See also New Microsoft Vista Operating System: Some Considerations Remain in this issue.

Spysweeper Licensing

Previous versions of Spysweeper included registration for a year of updates. When that registration expired users would need to uninstall and reinstall the application to continue to get updates. The license included with recent versions should carry the same expiration date for everyone, which can be extended as we renew our agreement with Webroot. Anyone who is using a version that has expired or is about to expire should uninstall that old version and reinstall the latest version to begin using this new license.

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In September, Networking Systems completed the upgrade of the Stanford University network (SUNet) backbone to use higher speed links, with a data rate of ten-gigabits per second. In addition, an upgrade to the link to national research networks is underway.

Details of the Upgrade

During the past year, the equipment in the backbone has been either replaced or upgraded to support the goal of having all major backbone links running at this new standard speed. The number of routers was also increased not only to spread the load but also to provide a second router for every network, improving the reliability and availability of network service.

Most local networks are now connected to one of the new "operational zones". The initial topology has eight zones, six for the main campus and two for student residences. The design provides for dual routers for each local network, improving reliability along with the increased capacity. Each zone has two switch/routers, which are located in physically separate facilities to limit the impact of a failure in any single facility. Each switch also has a connected firewall to support local network migration by the departmental firewall project. (See also Departmental Firewall Project: A Campus-wide Security Initiative in this issue.)

The firewalls are being operated in their "high availability" mode, meaning only one is active at a time. The firewalls get their network connections through their local zone (as a switch, at the new standard ten-gigabits per second data rate), but they are otherwise operated as independent routers for those networks that are connected to them.

The backbone is still composed of two switch/routers located in diverse facilities. Each operational zone has connections at ten-gigabits per second to each of the backbone routers.

Upgrade for Link to National Research Networks Coming

Now that the backbone capacity upgrade has been completed, work is underway to upgrade the link to the national research networks by getting a ten-gigabit per second link to the high-performance research (HPR) network, part of the CalREN networks run by the Corporation for Educational Networks in California (CENIC).

Stanford currently has two one-gigabit per second links to the CENIC HPR network. Several researchers have been asking for bandwidth in excess of one-gigabit per second, so one of these will be upgraded to run at ten-gigabits per second, like the SUNet backbone. Networking Systems is planning to have the additional capacity available by the end of the 2007 calendar year.

For More Information

For more information about the Stanford University Network (SUNet), please submit your question(s) to:

http://helpsu.stanford.edu/

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This fall, IT Services Technology Training group is offering a variety of classes, from Mac and PC-based applications, to operating systems, to the Web and other Internet topics. You can find information about these classes on the Web at:

http://techtraining.stanford.edu/

Technology Training is also providing classes to help with the transition to MS Office 2007, as well as Office training for those who aren't planning to upgrade to this new version.

Fall Quarter Lecture Classes for MS Office 2007 Transition

This fall, IT Services Technology Training is also offering two overview lecture classes to help prepare you for this major transition. The first is an Office 2007 Overview (ITS-0305) on Monday, October 15 from 1-4 pm in Turing Auditorium. The second is a Vista Overview (ITS-0310) on the same day (Monday, 10/15) from 9-12 in Turing Auditorium. Please register for these classes in STARS. Why not make it a full day of training on new tech topics!

MS Office 2007 Hands-On Classes Coming Winter Quarter

Beginning with Winter Quarter, MS Office 2007 will be used in Technology Training classes. Fall Quarter is the last quarter in which we will be using MS Office 2003 in our hands-on Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access classes.

MS Office 2003 Training

If you or your group is not planning to upgrade to MS Office 2007 by Winter Quarter, we can meet your Office 2003 software training needs in the following ways:

• One-on-one customized training (Training by Appointment),
• Special classes set up just for your group, and
• TechPort online courses. (See "TechPort" below.)

For more information, call us at 723-4391 or visit our Web site.

TechPort

TechPort, the online training delivery method offered through Tech Training, is another way to receive Office 2003 and previous Office versions' training after Fall Quarter.

TechPort is available on the Mac and Windows platforms around the clock (24/7) from work or home (SUNet ID required). With over 1,000 self-paced, interactive courses (with real-time mentoring and assessments available), and over 6,000 searchable, unabridged books on topics ranging from Windows and Office basics to training for technical support certifications, this may be the best way to get the training you need WHEN you need it.

For more information call Technology Training at 723-4391or visit the TechPort Web site at http://techport.stanford.edu. You can also take a sample Excel course to see what it's like on the TechPort Web site. Please register for TechPort in STARS.

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Have you ever needed an Internet connection while traveling? Sure, they're available at your hotel for ten or twelve dollars a day, or at the Starbucks down the street for $29.99 per day (with a T-mobile subscription), but all those charges add up quickly, and there are places where that isn't even an option. iPass is the solution to all of these problems.

Internet access via iPass includes:

• Over 78,000 Wi-Fi hotspot and Ethernet hotel broadband locations in over 70 countries, including venues from top-tier providers such as T-Mobile, iBahn, Wayport and AT&T Wi-Fi in the U.S.; T-Mobile, BT Openzone and the Cloud in Europe; Korea Telecom, NTT Japan Telecom and China Telecom in Asia.
• 390 airports, including 76 of the top 100 busiest by passenger volume, and more than 16,000 hotels and conference venues around the world.
• Thousands of dial access points in more than 150 countries including multiple redundant network providers in thousands of cities to protect against single-provider outages.

iPass is ordered through your local Department IT Contact and charged to a Stanford account (PTAEO). For more information about iPass at Stanford, go to:

http://ipass.stanford.edu/

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IT Services' Software Licensing, the Stanford Bookstore, and Stanford Procurement are three campus software outlets on campus. Their common goal is to get needed software into people's hands at the best possible price.

Software Web Site

Instead of calling or walking all over campus, it is easy to fire up your Web browser and use Software at Stanford.

http://software.stanford.edu/

When you type in the title of the software you are looking for, the search results will provide links to the major providers on campus, determined by whether you are a student, faculty or staff, and whether you are purchasing for your department or personal use. Once you find where the software you need, you can save precious time by visiting one of the on-campus locations to get it.

Procurement

Procurement has negotiated special pricing for software purchases made by departments, especially Adobe and Microsoft products. For more information on CWA products, including software, please visit:

http://purchasing.stanford.edu/cwa/

Stanford Bookstore

The Stanford Bookstore offers academically priced software to students, faculty, and staff with a Stanford ID. For Fall 2007 purchases, they are offering a back-to-school promo that includes an iPod with special purchases. This promo is available not only to students, but also to faculty and staff making personal purchases. In addition to popular software titles, the computer department's buyer, Glen Jones (650-329-1217 x371 or g.jones@bookstore.stanford.org) is willing to find and order software for faculty teaching classes or staff and students who need special single-titles for their work. See also Stanford Bookstore Computer Department: Frequently Asked Questions in this issue.

Software Licensing

Even though each of the three software outlets will refer you as necessary, if you can't locate the product you want, Software Licensing acts as a clearinghouse or starting point for difficult inquiries. To reach the Software Licensing staff directly, send email to software@stanford.edu or call 724-2424. Software Licensing is located in the Bambi Modular, 320 Panama Street. For more information about Software Licensing, see http://softwarelicensing.stanford.edu/. See also What's New in Software Licensing in this issue.

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The Departmental Firewall Project, a security initiative funded by the President and the Provost to provide free firewall service across the University, kicked off in earnest in March of this year.

Firewall Migration Status

To date over 30 departmental networks have been migrated into the firewall infrastructure with another 40 migrations in the planning stages. A few of the migrated departments include: the Law School, School of Education, CSLI, School of Earth Sciences, Office of Research Administration, Procurement, School of Engineering Dean's Office, Vaden Health Services, Biological Sciences and the Controller's Office.

Currently, the project team is working with the School of Medicine, Computer Science and Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources (SULAIR) to plan their migrations. By December of 2008, estimates are that the project team will have worked collaboratively with technical support staff (LNAs) from across campus to migrate approximately 300 networks into the Departmental Firewall infrastructure.

Migration Process

The process for migrating departmental networks behind the firewall was developed to provide network security across campus with a minimum of disruption to our clients. Thus far, feedback indicates we have been successful in achieving this goal.

Migrating a network behind the firewall occurs in two distinct phases:

• In Phase 1, project team members work with local technical support staff to identify the firewall rules they will need to permit essential network traffic through to departmental resources. Examples of these resources are web, mail and file servers or desktops that require remote accessibility. Once identified, firewall rules, also referred to as policies, are written to ensure their continuing functionality. Typically the migration itself results in a brief network outage taking less than a minute.
• In Phase 2, following the migration, all inbound traffic is logged and reviewed by the project staff and LNAs in order to identify further opportunities for enhancing the security of the rule set.

Firewall Only One Component of Computer Security

It's important to note that a firewall is only one component of information security. The firewall should never be considered a replacement for following good systems administration practices including patching, updating and sound account management. For more information on what you can do to secure your hosts, please refer to:

http://www.stanford.edu/group/security/securecomputing/

For More Information

For more information on the Departmental Firewall Project, please refer to:

https://www.stanford.edu/services/firewall/

You can also contact Michelle Collette at michelle.collette@stanford.edu.

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Working with Residential Education, Student Housing, and the Resident Fellows and student staff at Casa Zapata House in Stern Hall, Student Computing has installed a presentation system designed to meet the needs of several student groups.

Why This Was Needed

Casa Zapata is not only the Chicano/Latino Theme House, but works closely with other groups such as MEChA de Stanford and El Centro Chicano in providing valuable programming for the Chicano/Latino community on campus. One of their primary activities is hosting presentation, speakers, and other activities in their lounge. However, the actual technological capabilities of the lounge did not meet the requirements of these activities - there was no projection system, no multimedia capability, nor was there appropriate lighting for large groups with spotlighting for speakers.

While a projector, screen, and speakers may seem a bit less flashy than some high-tech installations, the key component of this collaborative project was that a specific need was identified, and that the various groups worked together to build a space that met that need as exactly as possible. There is no sense in putting a collaborative, free-flowing area where traditional presentations are the dominant activity. What is critical is to identify what students and communities need in particular areas, and to design the best possible way to meet those needs.

What Was Installed

As such, the focus for Casa Zapata's system was to put in an easy-to-use, high-end and high-powered presentation system that would be durable and reliable. Specifically, Student Computing installed a projector with sufficient power for presentations that required leaving the curtains covering the large windows open. Included was a next generation control system that is highly configurable and therefore easy to use. Buttons are labeled with obvious names, and control of system components is all done "behind the scenes" so that users see as little of the complexity of the system as possible. Finally, the equipment was placed inside a lockable cabinet, so that Casa Zapata staff could control access to the system as needed.

Student Computing, Residential Education, and the Casa Zapata staff feel that this system fills a critical void for the Chicano and Latino community. Designing a system to properly and most effectively fill that void was the critical driving force for the project.

For More Information

For more information, contact Allan Chen, Educational Technology Manager for Student Computing, kaiyen@stanford.edu.

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As part of FY07 wireless initiatives, IT Services has begun converting older, autonomous wireless access points to newer, lightweight protocols. This will allow easier management and monitoring of the more than 1,800 access points around campus. In certain areas, the new access points will also provide increased performance, with automatic load balancing. In other areas, the new access points will be able to recover from hardware failures by automatically increasing the wireless signal of neighboring access points.

Green and Meyer Libraries Move to IT Services Wireless Network

Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources (SULAIR) has decided to transition its wireless service to the IT Services wireless network to take advantage of the increased capabilities that the Light Weight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP) affords. Both Meyer and Green Libraries have recently been converted to IT Services' new LWAPP technology. The branch and coordinate libraries will be converted during FY08.

Upgrading Old Access Points

IT Services is also physically upgrading the original install base of older 350 series access points to the newer 1130 series lightweight access points. The new access points will bring higher wireless bandwidth and manageability to areas such as the Main Quad, the Museum, and the Clark Center.

Upgraded Wireless Guest System

The back-end technology for the Wireless Guest system has been upgraded to provide better supportability. While the functionality of the Wireless Guest system (including the need to sponsor guests) remains the same, the web login page has been modified to present guests with the acceptable use policy.

More information on Wireless Guest access can be found here:

http://www.stanford.edu/services/wirelessnet/visitors.html

Outdoor Wireless Access

As mentioned in the January 2007 issue of Speaking of Computers, IT Services has been working on expanding outdoor wireless coverage. The following outdoor areas now have wireless coverage:

Main Quad, Memorial Court, Rodin Sculpture Garden, Canfield Court, and Koret Park.

Additionally, the areas listed below will have wireless coverage added during Fall Quarter:

Dohrman Grove, Kennedy Grove, White Plaza, Roble Field, Artificial Turf Field.

IT Services is also continuing to investigate solutions for bringing wireless coverage to the Oval.

For More Information

For information about the University-provided wireless network on campus, including an interactive map of wireless locations (which lets you click and zoom to a specific area on campus; see example screenshot above) and how to connect your computer, see:

http://www.stanford.edu/services/wirelessnet/

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Have you visited Meyer Library lately? Here's a brief tour of the latest services and facilities that Academic Computing offers there.

Meyer First Floor Computers and Study Areas

The Meyer lobby continues to be a favorite spot for students to study and socialize in a casual "living room" space. Users have access to cluster Macs and PCs, quick email kiosks, laser printing, the GroupSpace collaborative computing area. There's also the extremely popular 24-Hour Study Room for silent study. As of Fall 2007, Academic Computing no longer manages the Meyer 183 and 184 classrooms.

Meyer Second Floor Tech Desk, Multimedia Studio, and Clusters

The second floor is the home of the Meyer Tech Desk and the Multimedia Studio.

The Studio is your one-stop shop for digital video editing, DVD burning, and image scanning and editing technologies. We specialize in supporting Apple iLife, Final Cut Studio, and Adobe Creative Suite. There are also Macs and PCs on the second floor outside of the Studio for non-multimedia work, with software offerings including Microsoft Office and Visual Studio, Stata Intercooled, and Mathematica.

Meyer Consulting and Other Tech Desk Services

If you have questions while using our clusters or need help with a multimedia project, you will find our friendly staff of student consultants at the Meyer Tech Desk. At the Desk, we also offer Equipment Checkout, Poster Printing, and a Lost and Found service. With your SUID card, you can checkout a miniDV camcorder, Macbook laptop, or one of the many other items we offer for overnight checkout.

The consultants are ready to assist you, whether you need help with technical problems, need to add money to your SUID card, or left your wallet in one of our comfy armchairs. Interested in being a consultant? Please apply for the best student job on campus!

New Meyer Second Floor Hours for 2007-08

Please note our new Academic Schedule hours for the second floor beginning Fall 2007:

Monday-Thursday: 8 AM - midnight
Friday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: 1PM - 9 PM
Sunday: 1 PM - midnight

More Information and a Blog

For more updates, please check out our blog and leave a comment.

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Stanford maintains a flat-rate-per-user agreement with WebEx Communications, Inc. (now a unit of Cisco Systems Inc.) to use the on-demand WebEx collaboration suite of Support Center, Meeting Center, Training Center, Event Center and Sales Center. WebEx products permit online collaboration over its private network with just a Web browser and a telephone.

Meeting Center

One can use WebEx Meeting Center to hold online meetings with campus colleagues or those at other institutions and companies, sharing presentations in any format, demonstrating products and research activity, and collaborating on document creating with shared whiteboard space and markup tools and full video support.

WebEx Meeting Center also supports what would be "virtual office hours", with students "dropping by" to share their work and receive feedback and input at any convenient time.

Support Center

With WebEx Support Center, one can minimize on-site computer repair visits by enabling remote access, screen sharing and (with user permission) control of remote computers. See just what the user is seeing without leaving your office; perform remote troubleshooting and fixes for them, speeding their return to productive activities.

Training Center

With WebEx Training Center, one can deliver live or on-demand training without participants having to leave their offices. Sessions can be recorded for later re-use and there is support for online testing, breakout discussion groups, online chat and full video. WebEx supports all aspects of a live training session, except for travel time and campus parking difficulties!

What Does Stanford's Agreement Cover?

The basics of the arrangement are simple. The WebEx on-demand product suite covered by the flat-rate pricing agreement (200 attendee limit) is Support Center, Meeting Center, Training Center, Event Center and Sales Center

A "Named Host" model is in place:

• The usage fee is $33.00 per month per "named host": Single, named user, no shared accounts. As we add campus licenses and increase usage, the price will drop. NOTE: Only "hosts" need a license: all attendees to any session/meeting, etc. do not need a license to participate.
• There is no limit on the number of sessions, number of participants, session duration etc.
• Telephony (supporting conference calls) is not included in the flat-rate. You are billed on actual usage at competitive rates. It's convenient to have your teleconferencing options built into the online collaboration tools, rather than having to use a separate teleconferencing provider.

For More Information

Online demos for interested users can be arranged easily, using the tools themselves. If you're interested in a demo of any of the products, or in obtaining a license or learning more, please contact us by submitting a HelpSU request. More information about WebEx at Stanford is available at:

http://services.stanford.edu/webex/

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With a declining user base over the past several years, IT Services will be discontinuing its modem pool service in September 2008. The modem pool equipment is aging and would require a significant investment to replace. In addition to the cost, the technology is aging and network access is now relatively inexpensive and easily accessible. When the modem pool investment was originally made, this wasn't the case. From a service perspective, we'd rather retire the service before it fails and have current users able to plan around alternatives than have it fail and leave them with a gap.

Other Options

To aid the remaining modem pool users in their transition to other options, IT Services has assembled a list of options available. This includes dial-up modem services from $9.99 a month, DSL from $14.99 a month, and some options that can be charged directly to a Stanford account number (PTAEO).

iPass Service

One exciting new option for Stanford faculty and staff is iPass service. For $9.99 a month, iPass users can connect remotely from thousands of wireless hotspots. While these services frequently charge $8-15 for one-day use, you can skip the extra charge when you're an iPass subscriber. iPass also includes access to the iPass dial-up modem service where wireless networks are not available. See also iPass - Connecting to the 'Net Away from Stanford in this issue.

If this new service interests you, go to http://ipass.stanford.edu/ for more information or place an order through your Department IT Contact.

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The Desktop and Laptop Backup project is chartered to review the current University workstation backup alternatives and determine if providing a centralized secure backup solution is a viable IT Services offering. At Stanford today there are a plethora of workstation backup solutions including IBM's Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) workstation backup for all clients, Iron Mountain's "Connected" as an ASP for the Microsoft Windows environment, individualized solutions such as Retrospect, Symantec, Iomega, Microsoft, ARCserve, and many more.

With the rising concern about protecting intellectual property, the increasing regulations dictating how data is to be protected and retained, and the ever-growing efforts to hack and/or exploit information (data), more people are thinking about "backing up" the information on their workstations. And, more people are concluding that they can no longer adequately protect their data with some of the home-grown solutions they have been using.

Researching Backup Solutions

Although we don't think we can make everyone happy with a single solution (there will always be exceptions), we feel that in the future, IT Services can meet most backup needs with either TSM or Iron Mountain's Connected. The preferred solution will need to be able to backup and restore data and workstations on both Windows and Macintosh desktops and laptops. The selected solution must be:

• easy to install and use,
• reliable,
• secure in transport and at rest,
• able to minimize the amount of disk required to store the backup, and
• cost effective.

Summer and Fall Pilots

IT Services completed a pilot in June for both TSM and "Connected at Stanford" for Windows desktops and laptops and have identified both the strengths and weaknesses of each product. We are currently working with Iron Mountain on their beta Macintosh Connected client. Our plan is to execute a TSM and "Connected at Stanford" Macintosh backup/restore pilot in Fall 2007 (Fiscal Year 2008). Each solution has its good and bad qualities, and finding the right combination of cost and convenience is not easy.

For More Information

For more information about IT Services'Desktop and Laptop Backup Project, or if you would like to participate in the Fall pilot, please email desktop-backup-pilot@lists.stanford.edu.

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The Office of University Communications, which maintains Stanford's main Web site, offers a set of resources and style guidelines for Webmasters of departmental or other official Stanford Web sites. The Stanford Web Guide is available at:

http://webguide.stanford.edu/

It includes templates appropriate for creating a departmental Web site, downloadable Stanford graphics, information about Web site accessibility, and a list of additional resources.

Examples of Web sites that have been built using these resources are:

• http://events.stanford.edu/
• http://stanfordvideo.stanford.edu/
• http://ucomm.stanford.edu/

University Communications has also teamed with a vendor, Wired Moon, to offer discounted Web site development using these official University templates. For more information, please refer to the "Resources" section of the Web Guide.

Finally, all departmental Webmasters and Web designers are encouraged to join the SU Webmasters interest group. This group meets periodically to discuss issues of interest to the maintainers of university Web sites. Resources from this group can be found at http://suwebmasters.stanford.edu/ and also on the Tech Commons Web site. (See also Stanford Technology Commons - A Community Knowledge Base for New Technologies in this issue.) To subscribe to the SU Webmasters email list, please visit http://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/su_webmasters/.

For more information, please contact Scott Stocker, Director of Web Communications (stocker@stanford.edu).

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Who is eligible to buy computers at the Stanford Bookstore?

We sell computers to the Stanford community. Stanford students, faculty, and staff are all eligible to take advantage of our education discounts. Visiting scholars, Continuing Studies students, and Stanford conference and camp attendees are also eligible. Of course, Medical Center staff and SLAC employees are also always welcome to buy hardware.

Who is eligible to buy software at the Stanford Bookstore?

Most of our software is available for purchase to people who have a current academic ID.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Most credit cards, debit cards, AMEX, Discover, cash, or checks are accepted.

How about payment for departmental purchases?

Campus departments must use an online Standard Purchase Requisition form, which should be forwarded to Procurement. Departmental orders totaling less than $2500 (including tax) can be purchased with a Stanford Purchasing Card (VISA/MasterCard) or Rapid Purchase Order (RPO), which can be faxed (650-325-3476), or brought into the store and used like cash.

Do I get a faculty, staff, or student discount?

As a member of the Stanford community, you are welcome to buy our merchandise at our academic prices, as marked. There is no additional discount.

What brands of computers do you sell?

Apple and IBM/Lenovo. Also, you can order Dell computers from http://www.dell.com/stanford.

What are the benefits of buying computer hardware and software at the Stanford Bookstore?

Our prices are often academic or less; we usually have the lowest price available for Apple and Lenovo computers. We are conveniently located, we carry a large inventory of products, we are often able to replace new units that are defective, we have in-house repair for Apple computers, and we offer frequent deals on recently discontinued merchandise. Also, we have seasonal promotional offers, especially during the back to school time frame and the winter holiday period.

What kinds of accessories and peripherals do you sell?

We have an assortment of items including computer sleeves, carrying cases, iPod accessories, hard drives, surge protectors, routers, hubs, ethernet cables, video adaptors, monitors, power supplies, batteries, media, thumb drives, web cams, microphones, headsets, ink, toner cartridges, printing paper, PDAs, cleaning supplies, and gift cards. And we usually get shipments of new items twice a day.

Can I order an Apple Computer or ThinkPad with different specifications than those listed on your price list?

Yes, please talk with any computer sales associate for a quote and delivery time estimate on your "built-to-order" computer.

If you don't have an item in your store, can you still get it for me?

We can often accommodate special orders. Please let a sales associate know what you are interested in and they will check on availability, price, and arrival time.

Do I have to purchase AppleCare at the same time that I purchase the computer?

No, you have one year from the purchase date to purchase AppleCare.

What is the advantage of purchasing AppleCare with my computer?

With AppleCare, you will be eligible for 3 years of telephone support. If one of your computer parts fails, AppleCare will cover the parts and labor costs of the repair. If you have a desktop computer (iMac, Mac Pro), Apple will visit your home or office for the repair, if necessary. AppleCare provides international coverage.

Where can I go to have my computer insured against theft and accidental damage?

This company offers computer insurance to Stanford students: http://www.safeware.com/stanford/

Do you ship computers?

Yes, we can ship merchandise to locations in the US. For the protection of the merchandise, all shipments are insured and usually shipped via UPS 2nd day air with signature required. Sales tax will be based on the shipping location. Please talk with a sales associate if you need a quote for shipping costs.

Can I get my iPod engraved?

Yes, we are happy to provide this service at no extra charge. The engraving process usually takes about a week.

Can I return my computer?

Once you've opened it, we'd like you to keep it. If it is defective during the first 7 days of your ownership, and the defect is confirmed by the manufacturer, you can exchange your computer for a new one. We require your original receipt and box and packing materials to facilitate the exchange.

Can I return my software?

Once you've opened it, we'd like you to keep it. If it is defective within the first 30 days after your purchase, you may exchange it for the same title and platform.

Do you offer computer repairs?

Our computer service department is authorized to repair Apple products. They can also help to facilitate some PC repairs through a Palo Alto company called Computer Care. Our service department can perform backups and data transfers. They sell memory and internal hard drives for most computers. They are open Monday through Friday from 9am until 5:30pm. They can be contacted by calling 650-329-1217, x338.

Can I buy my computer on an installment plan?

We do not offer financing. Many customers take out a computer loan from the Stanford Credit Union to finance their purchase.

How can I find out about your latest prices and inventory?

Check our Web site at http://www.stanford.edu/group/bookstore

When are you open?

Normal store hours are:

Monday through Thursday, 8am - 8pm
Friday, 8am - 7pm
Saturday, 9am - 6pm
Sunday, 11am - 6pm

Where are you located?

You can find us on campus, next to the Post Office at:

519 Lasuen Mall
Stanford, CA 94305

What are Your Phone and Fax Numbers?

Phone: 650-329-1217, x456
Fax: 650-325-3476

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