So, you've decided to attend Georgia Tech, a fine institution built on the advancement of science and technology. You think to yourself, "Hmm, technology. Doesn't that mean computers?" And then, depending on your level of computer literacy, you either smile at the thought of high-speed Ethernet links, or cringe at the fact that most of your college career will be hinged on a gray box filled with circuitry.
Let's face it: computers are a big part of life at Georgia Tech. Since the onset of the Student Computer Ownership by the Office of Information Technology (OIT) last year, every entering freshman is required to purchase, borrow, steal, or otherwise manufacture a computer for personal use. While this may seem like another aspect of the royal Tech Shaft, owning a personal computer at Tech makes one's life incredibly easier in the long run. Sure, it costs money, but in this case, the benefits outweigh the costs by a significant margin.
Obtaining a computer is only half the battle; to be a functional computer user (notice I didn't say all-out geek), you must learn how to apply your brand new box to your homework, assignments, reports, e-mail, web browsing, and, of course ICQ-ing, instead of using it as an expensive paperweight.
So, step inside my parlor, sit a spell, and tell me about your problems. No, wait; that's after you use your computer. In the mean time, here's how to get up and running in the world of Georgia Tech computing.
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