(Updated 15th August 2009) Going through my analytics, people are coming to my blog with some questions not really covered in my blog.
Here is a collation of the most frequently asked questions with my best answers. Again, note that this is unofficial.
- Does NUS School of Computing (SOC) suck?
Depends on the modules you take. Some modules have lecturers who you may have trouble understanding their accent. Some lecturers like randomly picking from the audience and asking questions.
There was one module where we HAD to flood the external presenter with questions in order to get class participation marks. And it's not consistent every year so module reviews that you get from other students will be outdated as the module is changed according to the feedback or lecturers changing. Plus, tutors are mostly graduate students who sometimes may not be really interested in teaching. Many many variables here...
- So what are the easy modules for me to take in NUS?
For computing students, CS1105: Computing and Society and GEK1531: Introduction to Cybercrime are very popular. GEK1531 may not be for you if you are not into internet hacking and don't understand how the internet works. Plus, it is a high demand module in CORS for usually about 800 points from General. IT1001 is also popular for non-SOC students looking for a breadth module. High point module too.
For the rest, unfortunately, how 'easy' a module is depends on what you already know. Your friend may say it is a easy module, but that could be because he/she already has experience on it. However, don't worry. You will learn about more the choices of modules that you can take from your friends as time passes. They are the best information source as they have taken the modules recently and you get the latest information on how the module is and what it covers.
- How do I check my status of my graduation for SOC students?
Go here and you can access the File For Graduation Degree Verifier.
- Why do I have a UNIX e-mail account too?
I don't know too. Perhaps to show the geekiness of SOC students and I too find it a hassle to manage TWO e-mail accounts in SOC in addition to the primary one I already have. Three passwords to remember! Plus, the password complexity requirements for the UNIX accounts way exceed even the security of my Blogger account.
Fortunately, you can forward all e-mails sent to the SOC UNIX account to your main account here and forget about this stupid UNIX email account. Heck, you can even forward your NUS account to your GMail account or setup auto forwarding in your NUSNet account.
- How do I login to mySOC?
Go here. Use your matric number (e.g. U0910121) and password. No need to specify the NUSSTU domain.
- Where can I get the list of modules being taught in SOC?
Right here.
- Is it true that SOC students have a free grayscale laser printing quota?
Yes, you have about 50 grayscale pages of quota. If you print double sided (i.e. not use the -sx suffixed printers), you can print 1.5 times more!
Unfortunately, I can't find any online Windows guides to adding the printers for connecting your laptop. Suffice to say that you need to be on SOC's VPN network (or NUS wireless network) and must already have a UNIX account. Then go to Control Panel > Printers > Add Printer > Network Printer > enter '\\nts27\' under 'connect to this printer (or browse for a...' > next > select the printer to print to. If you are still having trouble, bring your laptop to your Technical Support Desk located in SOC near the main entrance.
Note that you don't need to connect to printers manually if you are using SOC lab computers. But you will still be using your assigned quota when printing from workstations. Your UNIX id is automatically detected when you login with your NUSNET username to these workstations.
Print test prints with single pages before printing away the whole lecture slides. You will notice the first page is always your UNIX id in big letters so as to separate print jobs of other users. Get comfortable with how the printing works before sending bigger jobs to the printers as you don't much quota to play with. Yes, paper is included in the quota. Yes, you can buy more quota via mySOC (or direct link). Printer names with a SX suffix means they will only print single side. Printers with DX suffix means they will print double side.
By the way, the 500+ line printing quota you get is for the noisy printer near the technical support office and used to print only text files. I heard it is mainly used to print source code out. The paper is also not standard 80gsm paper.
- How do I check my SOC remaining print quota?
Go here.
- How do I apply for a NUS SOC UNIX account?
Go here. Be prepared to meet aridiculous.. nah ..impossible..nah .. ridiculously impossible password complexity requirement to create your UNIX account.
- I forgot my UNIX / mySOC password! How do I reset it?
Go here.If you need to login, use your NUSNET credentials i.e. u0910232 / password. You will need your matric card.
Any corrections let me know in the comments below.
1 comment:
I like what you have done :).
A few comments though about what you have highlighted.
Why an SoC Email? Historically we have always provided email to our students. Having an SoC Email remains the best way to inform you about stuff happening in SoC, any change in services, etc. In fact, we made it easy for you to forward your emails out to your preferred account to keep up with this age of free email systems.
Login to mysoc uses NUSNETid and not Matric #. Your example was correct
On adding printers, check out our new Printing guide. Our previous documentation which is admittedly kinda difficult to navigate - Yah, we know. Page is still evolving but we are re-organising it to serve you better
Passwords are not really impossible. Okay, it's painful but once set, you don't have to change it :P. Do you think its useful to include a password guide?
Last but not least, we took quite a bit of pain to remove "UNIX" accounts from all our references. Will appreciate if you use "SoC" account instead since the account has grown quite a bit larger than just providing UNIX login.
Finally, here's why did we gave you an SoC Account. SoC students do not get access to interesting toys like electron microscopes or access to nuclear reactors. What we did was to give you computing resource on top of your other peers in NUS.
btw, I work for SoC IT but am answering in my own capacity (means Unofficial lah). Glad you took time to help your fellow students. We can use more students like you.
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