Tech Tip: Webtools

Tech Tip: Webtools. Graphic is promoting the tool Webtools for creating short URLs and QR Codes.

Have you ever needed to share a link to an important website or document, but the link was way too long? Or have you needed to create a QR Code, but the sites you tried online tried to get you to pay to make one? Fortunately, UIUC has access to Webtools. Webtools has a number of different features, including “Short URLs” to create better named URLs and QR codes for websites. The Help Desk has a Knowledge Base article explaining how Webtool’s “Short URLs” feature works. It’s a great tool for sharing presentations and websites in a variety of different ways.

Tech Tip: Electronics Recycling Event

Electronics Recycling Event, Saturday, May 18th, 2024. Registration opens on April 1. Open to all those living in participating Champaign County communities. Visit ecycle.simplybook.me to learn more! Image of electronics against a blue background.

Do you have old electronics you need to get rid of? Good news! Champaign County is holding an electronics recycling event on May 18th, 2024. Registration for the event opens in just a few days on Monday, April 1st. They will accept a wide variety of electronics, including televisions, computers and laptops, phones and phone accessories, and more. More information about the event, its location, and what items they will accept is available on the booking page for the e-recycling event.

Tech Tip: Syllabus Project

 Tech Tip: Syllabus Project. Planning your classes for next semester, but not sure what to take? Check out the iSchool Syllabus Project to see syllabi from past courses! Access the Syllabus Project at go.ischool.illinois.edu/SyllabusProject. Graphics of sticky notes against a graph paper background.

Class registration is coming up! Are you still deciding what iSchool classes to take next semester? It can be difficult to choose, especially when there are so many classes that sound interesting. To aid in your registration decision-making, the iSchool has compiled a Box folder of syllabi from previous semesters which can be accessed by all iSchool students.

Tech Tips: Knowledge Base

Tech Tip: Knowledge Base. The iSchool Knowledge Base is a source of tech information for iSchool students and staff. Check it out at answers.uillinois.edu/ischool/. Image of computer on a desk against a brown abstract background.

When it comes to tech questions and related issues, the iSchool Knowledge Base is a great resource to check out. The iSchool Knowledge Base includes a variety of articles about various technology services and common issues. These include:

  1. How to use the technology in various iSchool rooms
  2. How to use and troubleshoot features in Zoom, Canvas, and other software services used by UIUC
  3. How to print from iSchool printers, where they are located in both buildings, and how to troubleshoot common errors
  4. And more!

While the iSchool Knowledge Base doesn’t include everything, the Help Desk is constantly adding and updating new entries to keep you informed about the technology situation at the iSchool. If there’s something you believe needs an entry that isn’t currently covered in the Knowledge Base, you can let the Help Desk know by contacting us at ischool-support@illinois.edu.

Tech Tips: Event Registration on Handshake

Tech Tip: Need to register for GLAM? Learn how to register on Handshake! Image of GLAM logo against a bright multi-colored background.

GLAM is on Friday, February 23 from 11am-4pm Central! As you get ready to attend, you should make sure you’re registered on Handshake. Handshake’s website can be a bit confusing to navigate, so let’s walk through how to register for GLAM – along with how to register for other events hosted via Handshake.

First, go to handshake.illinois.edu to log in to Handshake through the Illinois portal. Make sure to select the correct portal link for either “Students and Post Docs” or “Alumni”.

Login portal for Handshake @ Illinois.

Image of links in Handshake.

Once you have logged into Handshake, go to the column on the left-hand side of the page and select “Events”.

You should now be able to see a list of all career-related events you can attend through the university. This is great if you want to keep an eye on career events in general, but since we want to register for GLAM, we should search for “GLAM” in the search bar at the top of the page.

List of career-related events happening around campus.

After you search for “GLAM” in the search bar, it should be the second event that pops up. Be careful and make sure you are registering for the correct date! GLAM-related events are happening right up until that Friday, February 23, so make sure you are signing up for GLAM and not one of the related events.

GLAM event highlighted in calendar view of Handshake.

Select “2024 GLAM Virtual Career Jam”, and you should be redirected to a new page. In the top right corner of the page, you should see a button that says “Register”. Click on it to finish registering for the event.

2024 GLAM registration and information page in Handshake.

That’s it, you’re now registered for GLAM! But let’s say something happens and you are no longer able to attend – how do you unregister for it in Handshake?

Great question! First, you need to get back to the event page you registered on. To do that, click on the “Events” tab in the left-hand column of Handshake again. At the top right hand side of the page, you should see several different tabs named “Saved”,
Registered”, and “Check-ins”. The “Registered” tab should also have a number next to it, representing the number of events you are currently registered to attend. Click on the “Registered” tab, and you should see the event you need to unregister for listed on the new page.

Click on the event you would like to unregister from. On the new page, the “Register” button in the top right corner should now read “Registered”. Click on the “Registered” button, and you should receive a pop-up asking you to confirm you would like to unregister from the event.

Unregistration confirmation pop-up.

Click on the “Confirm” button in this pop-up, and you should now be unregistered from the event.

That’s all for this week! If you have additional questions about using Handshake–whether to register for events, search for job opportunities, and more–please contact the Help Desk at ischool-support@illinois.edu for more information.

Tech Tips: Valentines’ Edition!

Printer love: who do you choose? Images of different iSchool printers surrounded in hearts. Lots of different shades of pink.

Happy Valentines’ Day! We hope you’re celebrating all the love in your life in all its different forms. Our Social Media team is going rogue this week to celebrate, and invites you to choose one of our fantastic iSchool printers as the object of your affections. Who do you choose? What printer in the iSchool is your go-to?

Tech Tip: iSchool Room Reservations

Want to reserve a room at the iSchool? Go to go.ischool.illinois.edu/roomrequest, or scan the QR code, and fill out the form! White text on purple and pink background.

Do you need to reserve a room in the iSchool for a meeting, interview, or other event? Go to go.ischool.illinois.edu/roomrequest, or scan the QR code above, to access our reservation form and schedule one! Reservations should be made at least one business day in advance, and the form will prompt you to add the following information:

  • title of meeting/event (or purpose if no title)
  • date(s) of meeting/event
  • start and end time of meeting/event
  • number of people expected
  • preferred building or room (if applicable)
  • technology needs (if applicable)

To learn more, check out our room reservation guide.

Tech Tips: Checking for Zoom Updates

Tech Tip: Zoom Updates. Did Zoom’s latest update catch you by surprise? Learn how to check for Zoom updates with our new Tech Tip! Image of a frustrated frog waiting for an update bar to fill.

Zoom’s latest update caught many people by surprise when it began right as they were trying to join a class or meeting. Zoom does not send reminders about new updates, so it’s good to get in the practice of checking for updates so you aren’t caught unawares. Let’s go over how to check Zoom for updates.

Checking for Updates

To check Zoom for updates, open the application on your computer. Once Zoom is open, click on your profile picture in the top right corner.

Screenshot of Zoom home page. Arrow pointing to the profile image in the top right corner.

Scroll down the pop-up menu that appears underneath your profile picture. Find and select the option “Check for Updates”.

Drop-down menu underneath profile image in Zoom. "Check for updates" button is highlighted.

If Zoom has an update available, it will prompt you to begin the update process. If it does not have an update available, you will receive a pop-up saying “You are up to date”.

And that’s it! The Help Desk recommends checking Zoom for new updates right at the beginning of each semester so you will be ready for meetings, online courses, and other online events.

Tech Tip: Printing at the Ischool

Tech Tip: printing. Are you an iSchool student? Need to print? We can help! Graphic of a printer against navy blue background.

Have you ever needed to print something and not known where to do it? Never fear! The iSchool has some printers that you can use!


Locations

We recommend using the public printers in both iSchool buildings. To learn more about the public printers and where they live, check out this Knowledge Base page.

Old iSchool Building (501 E. Daniel St.)

  • Optimus: in front of the Help Desk on the 2nd floor
  • Chip: next to the stairwell outside Room 12A on the 1st floor

New iSchool Building (614 E. Daniel St.)

  • Luna: in front of the Help Desk on the 4th floor (head left when you get out of the elevator to get to the Help Desk, then Luna is around the corner on your right)

Printing Cost and Quota

iSchool Masters and CAS students have $21 in printing credit per semester, and this quota may only be used on the iSchool printers. You must be currently enrolled in an iSchool course to use this budget. School faculty, staff, and PhD students are not charged for printing, although it is tracked. Both black and white and color printing cost $0.10/page. Color printing is available on Optimus (located on the 2nd floor near the Help Desk in the 501 E. Daniel St. iSchool building) as well as Luna (located on the 4th floor near the Help Desk of the 614 E. Daniel St. iSchool building).

Please note, unused printing quotas do not carry over from semester to semester. Check your printing balance on the Illinois Papercut page. Additional printing quota can be purchased on the IlliniCash website. 

Undergraduate iSchool students (BSIS or BSIS+DS as their primary major) have access to printers across campus, including the ones in the iSchool. There is a printing quota of $10 per semester for fall and spring that is available for use with iSchool printers. Black and white printing and color printing cost $0.10/page until you use up your $10 quota. After you use up that $10, printing costs $0.40/page.

Please note, unused printing quotas do not carry over from semester to semester. Check your printing balance on the Illinois Papercut page. Additional printing quota can be purchased on the IlliniCash website. 


Printer Installation for Your Computer

Though we do have self-service kiosks where you can log in and print from (Chip and Optimus in 501 E. Daniel St. and Luna in 614 E. Daniel St.), you also have the option to connect your computer to the printers to be able to print directly from your computer when you are in the building. Instructions for how to install the printers on Mac are here and PC are here! Always feel free to drop by the Help Desk if you need assistance with installing printers or have any other questions!


For more tips and guidance on printing, including troubleshooting, copying, and printing with staples, visit our page on iSchool Connect or check out the iSchool Knowledge Base.

New Student Information

Welcome new students! Need help setting up technology for classes? reach out to the Help Desk! Image of person calling staff for help against a navy blue background.

Welcome new (and returning) students! We’re happy to have you on campus, and we hope you’re well rested and prepared for the semester. As you prepare for classes and settle in for the semester, you may need tech support to help set up accounts or manage computer settings, to borrow a piece of equipment, or you might just need a piece of candy. That’s what we’re here to help you with!

The Help Desk provides tech support for the iSchool community. You’ll probably see us show up at the beginning of an in-person or online course to offer tech support to your professors! You can also find us on the 4th floor of the new iSchool building at 614 E. Daniels St if you ever need in-person support (we also always have bowls of candy, if you just want a snack). In addition, we also loan out technology like computers, chargers, keyboards and mice to iSchool students, staff, and faculty.

Lastly, if you aren’t able to meet us in person, never fear! You can email us at ischool-support@illinois.edu, call us at 217-244-4903 or 800-377-1892, or message us using TechChat. We’re extremely friendly and would love to help you however we can.

One last time: welcome, new students! We’re excited to have you here.