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Law School Computing
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Laptop computers are not required for law students, but virtually all UM law students own one. Law students use their laptop computers extensively both in and out of class. However, please note that the use of computers is not pedagogically appropriate in all classes (particularly those that focus on class discussion). Faculty have the right to restrict the use of the Internet and to limit computer use in their classes.
Computer hardware technology presently doubles in functionality about every 2 years. Consequently, computer equipment can become outdated (unsupported and difficult to use) after about three years. Law students who start law school with a two year old computer will likely find it to be unsatisfactory well before graduation.
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IT Policies
The IT Department has a very talented but very small IT staff. In order to provide the highest level of support to our students, faculty, and staff the IT Department is authorized only to provide certain services. To read the full IT policies click here. |
Data Storage and Backup
Law students are responsible for their own data backup and will be asked to verify that all data on their personal computers has been backed up before presenting them to the IT Staff for service. Please read Law Student’s Responsibility for Data Storage and Backup and follow the best practices outlined in that document. All law students have 5 GB of storage space on the law school student server that is backed up to tape on a regular basis. |
Software
Word Processing software: Most UM law students seem to prefer Microsoft Office 2010 Enterprise Suite which includes OneNote (essential software for UM law students) and PowerPoint software for law school presentations. Corel WordPerfect Office X4 is used widely by Law School faculty as well as in local law firms. It is available at no cost to Law School students from the Law School IT staff. Students may purchase Microsoft software at a substantial discount at The Bookstore with a Griz Card.
Adobe Acrobat Professional or Professional Extended: Very useful because it enables students to read, highlight and annotate reference materials online which will save printing costs. Adobe Acrobat Professional is available from The Bookstore (with your Griz card) for $65.00.
Adobe Acrobat Professional Extended offers audio, video, 3D, CAD and map capabilities for greatly enhancing PDF files and PowerPoint slides for interaction. It includes Adobe Presenter and is available from The Bookstore (with your Griz card) for $125.00
Anti-virus software: The University has a site license for Symantec Anti-Virus software. It is available at no charge to all students. Purchasing it with your computer is not necessary. If you purchase your system through this web site Symantec AntiVirus software will be installed on and configured on your computer when you receive it. This enterprise version of Symantec Anti-Virus will be configured to receive virus definition updates automatically from the law school servers.
Computer viruses that can completely disable individual computers and even entire networks now circulate freely. Therefore continuously updated Norton Anti-Virus software (free to UM students) is required for all computers that connect to the University network. University of Montana network access is necessary in order to print from personal computers at the law school, to access shared storage on law school servers, and for wireless or LAN access to Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis or other Internet sites from campus.
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Printing
Personal Printers: A law student's printing needs are typically large. One of the ways to meet those needs is through the convenience of having a personal laser or ink jet printer.
GrizPrint System: Owning a laser printer is not the only option for printing. Documents can be printed at the UM School of Law and at several locations on campus using GrizPrint, the system that allows you to pay for your printing using UMoney on your GrizCard. Swipe your GrizCard at a release station next to the printer to pay for your printing and release your print job. Griz cards are also necessary to check out books and may be used to pay for meals and other services on campus and to pay for other goods and services available from cooperating merchants in Missoula. Incoming students should obtain a Griz card at the University Center at their earliest opportunity. To deposit money to your Griz Card UMoney account online go to the Griz Card web page at: http://life.umt.edu/gcc/ |
Supplemental Data Storage
External Drives: USB drives are now inexpensive and very convenient as external storage devices. Many students carry these drives in their pockets. Several choices are available at The Bookstore.
Music & Image Storage: Law students should not store large quantities of music, photographs or video on the laptop computer they depend upon for law school use. Doing so will slow computer response time and make it more difficult and time consuming to recover from a system failure. Law school technical staff will not assist in recovering voluminous music and image files from crashed systems. If you plan to accumulate a substantial media library the better plan is to purchase a portable external hard drive to store media libraries.
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Wireless
Wireless access is expanding rapidly at UM. It is currently available throughout the Law School, in the University Center, the Liberal Arts Building, the Mansfield Library and other locations. For a map of current campus wireless access locations go to: http://www.umt.edu/it/wireless/accesslocations.aspx
In order to maintain the wireless service, the UM
School of Law accommodates 'g' band and 'n' band wireless
service only. Wireless service is not available on
'b' band at the law school because it is too slow to
be of practical use to our students and may impair
service. Entering law students will need 'g' / 'n'
band wireless cards. If your laptop does not
have a built-in 'g' / 'n' band wireless card you may
obtain an external wireless card any local electronics
store. |
UM Network Policies
Users should be aware that all computers accessing The University of Montana network (including the wireless network) are subject to the security, monitoring and appropriate-use policies specified by the Montana Board of Regents. Unauthorized use is a violation of Mont. Code Ann. § 45-6-311 and Montana University System policies. By continuing to use University of Montana systems, users are deemed to have indicated their awareness of and consent to these terms and conditions of use. These policies are located here: http://mus.edu/borpol/bor1300/1304-1.htm |
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