Frequently Asked Questions
Lab General / Web space
Q1. Are the GIScience labs open during the holidays or on weekends?
A: The GIScience Labs are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during each semester, even on weekends and holidays (staff support hours are available here). Between semesters, the labs are closed for maintenance. Please visit News and Notice for the exact date of lab closure.
Q2. I typed the wrong password multiple times and my account is now locked. What are the next steps to solve the issue?
A: After five consecutive failed login attempts, SFU ITS will lock your account for 5 minutes for security reasons. To unlock your account, please wait 5 minutes and log in again with the correct password. GIScience Lab Support staff cannot unlock your account once it is locked. You will need to wait for 5 minutes, or you may contact SFU IT Services at its-help@sfu.ca or call 778-782-8888.
Q3. How do I publish my final project on the SFU WebDAV server?
A: Web space for term projects can be hosted on the SFU WebDAV space. The server space can be accessed via Windows Explorer or Adobe DreamWeaver. Detailed information is available here.
example 1: Connecting webDAV server using Adobe Dreamweaver
- WebDAV Location: https://webdav.sfu.ca/web/geog/CourseName/GroupName
- Username: your SFU username (eg, jcm18)
- Password: your SFU user password
- The web URL for your project will be:http://www.sfu.ca/geog/CourseName/GroupName
example 2: Connecting webDAV server using Windows Explorer
- Open Windows Explorer (Not Internet Explorer)
- Select Computer in the left panel and click Map network drive
- Type https://webdav.sfu.ca/web/geog/CourseName/GroupName for Folder and check Connect using different credentials and Reconnect at logon.
- Username: ADSFU/your SFU username (eg, ADSFU\jcm18)
- Password: your SFU user password
- Click Finish button.
File and Space Management
Q1. Which drives can I access?
A: D: drive: The system drive, C: drive, is hidden because there is no reason to access the system drive except under special circumstances. Instead, the Downloads and Documents folders can be accessed via the Quick Access. You will be using the local D drive for your work. You have read, write, and delete permissions. Use D drive as your workspace.
S: drive: The network drive, S drive, is where you can access with read permission. If your instructor shares the data via the S: drive, you can access it here.
MS OneDrive: MS OneDrive space in the cloud is available to students with a 1TB limit. You can access MS OneDrive either through the OneDrive app or through a web browser on your personal computer, but in the GIScience Labs computers, use a web browser to access MS OneDrive. Detailed information is available here.
Q2. What are the recommended file management practices on the GIScience Lab computers?
A: Here are the recommended file management practices in the GIScience Lab.
- Delete files: Deletes all files and folders on the D: drive after logging in. The D: drive is a publicly accessible working drive, so it may contain files and folders from previous users.
- Copy files to D: drive and set workspace: Copy all necessary files while working on the lab computers to D: drive. It is not recommended to work directly on an external space such as MS OneDrive or a USB drive. Set the workspace to D: drive if necessary.
- Backup your work to external space: Before logging off, backup any files remaining on the D: drive to external space, if necessary, such as MS OneDrive and/or a USB memory stick.
- Clean up D: drive before logging off: Deletes all files and folders on the D: drive before logging off. Please note that following users can access all files on the D: drive.
Printing
Q1. How many printing credits do I need for printing?
A: For printing cost information, please visit Printing Costs webpage.
Q2. How do I add printing credits?
A: For information on adding printing credits to your user account, please visit the Printing Credits webpage.
Q3. Where I can find more detailed information about printing services?
A: Please visit SFU ITS Student Printing Service webpage. Useful information regarding the Refund Policy and additional technical support is available.