Information about how to login and use the shared computing facilities at the Robertson Library. The library offers several desks with computers for student use, as well as a seminar room at the rear of the ground floor. When the seminar room is not booked you are welcome to utilise this space as a quiet room with computer access
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RDS RemoteApp is Otago Polytechnic's access method for students using computers at the Robertson Library. Here is what you need to know about:
What is special about using RemoteApps at the Robertson Library?
Because the Robertson library is a shared space between the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic, the machines there are set up so that students from either institute can login to their respective system and access their documents and print.
There is no underlying operating system visible because RDS RemoteApps are just the published applications themselves. You access the RemoteApps from a web portal after signing in. Here is how to navigate to them:
From the login screen, look to the bottom left corner and click on “Guest”
Click on Sign In
Wait for the computer sign-on process to complete, and you should be presented with the RemoteApp login page in a kiosk environment which looks like this
Login with your normal username and password to get access to published RemoteApps such as webmail, browsers and MS Office applications.
File access - H and I drives
RemoteApps still have common drive mappings attached with them so, for example, you can launch the RemoteApp for MS Word, and open and save files from shared locations such as your personal H drive, OneDrive for Business and other shared drives (e.g. J shared for staff or I Courses for students).
You can also launch File Explorer directly, browse to a file and open it from there. If you double-click a .docx file, it will launch the RDS RemoteApp version of MS Word and open that file. Similarly, other supported file types (e.g. most MS Office docs, PDFs etc) will open in their respective application when opened from File Explorer.
App settings are maintained between sessions too, so you can pin a favourite folder in quick access in Word and it will stay pinned for next time, as well as between different applications.
Printing
There are dedicated hold/release queues for Black/White and Colour called “MPRINT_BLACK” and "MPRINT_COLOUR" which can be used to print a document and then the document can be released from most large Fuji-Xerox copiers around campus, including in the Robertson Library.
USB drives
Due to changes with the University computing environment, USB storage devices are no longer supported for opening or saving files. They present a significant security/malware risk and are unable to be passed through into the environment.
The recommended way to “transport” files in between home/campus systems is to use cloud storage such as Microsoft OneDrive (1TB of free cloud storage) or by emailing documents to your student email account.
Log off
When you have finished it is important to log off before you leave. If you simply walk away, some of your applications could remain running and allow other users to view/access your files. This could include your private information and files such as those stored in your OP email account or within the Student Hub.
Make sure you have saved any open files, then simply click the power button icon in the bottom-right corner as shown. You will get a confirmation dialogue similar to the one shown, and by clicking “Yes” the computer should return to the main Windows login screen ready for the next OP or Uni user.
As always, if you have questions or need IT assistance please contact the Service Desk in the first instance:
Phone – 0800 765 948
Email – servicedesk@op.ac.nz
Web - https://service.op.ac.nz/
Contact: IT Service Desk via case creation.