Wireless Printing

FYI: The Apple Mac printer driver for wireless printing does not work. It needs to be updated by the IT department. Students who wish to print documents on their Mac laptops will need to email them to their GSU account (or use a flash drive) and send the document from a library computer.

Sign on & Printing Problems - IMPORTANT

Log on
If any student has problems signing into a computer work station with their GSU credentials, please note the day, time, and Panther ID of that student. Send that info to me via email. pziebart@gsu.edu  The Pharos folks are trying to figure out why the problem occurs for a small percentage of users. By supplying this information, we'll help them find the instance on their log to see what went wrong.

It helps to verify that the student has functional credentials by letting him or her log into iCollege on the ref desk computer.

If a student formerly had a GPC login, they can try using that to get on the network.  Sometimes it works.  That would be another clue to note on the info you send me.  If nothing works, create a visitor ID so the student can use a computer.

Printing
The Pharos Admin I spoke with today says that both JCards and Panthercards are supposed to work on the print release stations. However, once a student gets a Panthercard,  all funds should be transferred to it and the JCard is deactivated. There are many reasons the "unsupported card type" message appears after swiping.  In my experience, I've frequently needed to swipe three or four times before being cleared to print.  Have students keep trying whatever card they have.  That said, please enthusiastically encourage our students to get their Panther cards.  It's not only our future; it's our present for them. (Pun intended.) Amy has discovered that sometimes swiping the card in the copier seems to reset/clear the card which then will work in the printer. (No explanation, just try it.)We don't know yet. how to remedy the "Diebolt error." I'll add to this post when we have an answer.

Thanks to all for good humor and patience.

Jcards and Printing

During intersession many students stop by the library with a need to print forms for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately most of the time their Jcards are not activated to pay for the copies. Thanks to Ann from Clarkston, we have instructions that might help us help the students.  She writes:

I just spoke with the JCard Admin office. I was told that between semesters, JCards are in a dormant state, i.e. deactivated and without access to Print Management Funds (Paw Prints).
If you have students who need to print or photocopy, they/we can call the JCard office at x3330 (678.891.3330) and JCard staff will activate the card right then. Students will still not have access to Print Management funds, but they will be able to add money (JBucks) to their cards either at V-machines or online, https://eapps.gpc.edu/managemycard/.
JCards for fall students will be reactivated around August 12 (Convocation) when financial aid funds are released.

Today we had an immediate need to test this system, which demonstrates that the Jcards are very complicated.  Deactivation between semesters is one reason the cards won't work, but there are many others:  funds in negative balance; students not really registered, though they think they are; Jcard policy hasn't been approved, etc.  The process Ann outlined above will only work if deactivation is the only reason the card isn't working.  What's more, the reactivation is very temporary--for printing with Jbucks money on that day only.  The system load overnight will deactivate the card again until the new semester starts when all student cards are activated with new PawPrints money.

Jcard "fun" facts:

• PawPrints is the $7.50 technology money put on the student card each semester to be used only with the Pharos system. Money accumulates on the card through fall, spring, and summer semesters, but is purged after summer semester. So a student registered for all three semesters would lose $22.50 if they don't accept the Jcard policy and use that card!
• JBucks is added money from the v-machine or online site which can be used for print/copy plus vending machines, cafe, and bookstore. This money does not get purged, but the account will be closed after 12 months of non-activity.
• Financial aid funds (up to $1000, after tuition and fees) can be linked to the Jcard, but that is only available the first two weeks of a semester, mostly for book and supply purchases.

The bottom line is that Jcards are the ideal option for printing and copying during the semester when a student is registered. At other times, purchasing a Vcard and adding value is a viable alternative.

Diebold Error

A very common printing error is triggered when students need to authorize the J-Card policy in the SIS system.  We have placed signs (see below) near printers upstairs and downstairs to help students trouble-shoot this problem.  Most likely we will still need to assist the student with his or her immediate needs, since the policy takes 24 hours to apply.