EIES® Quick Start Guide

NJIT's EIES system (also called the Virtual Classroom® or VC) currently has two interfaces available. The recommended interface is the Web interface; however, you must have a Windows capable machine. If you do not have a machine that will run windows, use the Lynx version of EIES. A terminal (vt100) version is also available.

To use the Web interface: You must have a computer that runs Windows 3.1 or Windows ‘95.

To use the Lynx interface: For non-windows capable computers.

To use the terminal (vt100) interface: For non-windows capable computers.

Special Notes for Students using EIES

Do I want to use EIES? YES! In fact, you must use EIES if you are taking a Distance Learning course that requires EIES. All the interaction that would normal take place in a classroom will take place on EIES. If you do not use EIES regularly it is the same as not going to class. Your instructor will most likely indicate to you how often you are expected to sign onto EIES (and your instructor will see if you are keeping up to date).

How do I find my Professor on EIES? If you do not know who your instructor is, you can contact either the NJIT Registrar (973-596-3236) or Distance Learning (973-596-3060 or e-mail to dl@njit.edu). You'll need to know your course number and section number. Once you know your professor's name you can sign onto EIES and check the Directory for your professor. See the EIES (vt100) Starting Guide or the Web-EIES Starting Guide for more details on the EIES directory.

How do I contact my Professor? Once you know your instructor's user number and/or nickname you can send them mail, or you can submit a comment in the class conference for all members of your class, including the professor, to see. For instructions on sending mail or conference comments see the EIES (vt100) Starting Guide or the Web-EIES Starting Guide.

Where is my class? Classes take place in EIES conferences. Think of an EIES conference as an electronic classroom. To see a list of the conferences you belong to click on Your Conferences from Homebase (or type ++;c if you are using the vt100 interface). You should see a conference on this list with a name that is similar to the name of your course. If your class conference is NOT on the list of conferences you belong to you must send mail to your instructor asking him/her to add you to the class conference.

Special Conferences for Students: If you are using EIES for your class work you should be a member of several public conferences. The Notices conference is where NJIT posts important university announcements and information about new EIES features designed specifically for you. Please do not write any items in the Notices conference - it is for reading only. The Pub is a common meeting place for all students taking classes on EIES. This is a hangout where discussions range from politics, to sports, to who's-dating-who. You should also be a member of your specific class conference. This is where you will meet with your professor and fellow students.

Changing you password: We recommend that you regularly change your password to keep your account secure. Refer to the EIES/Web-EIES Starting Guide for instructions on changing your password.

Getting help: There are several ways of getting help with EIES. To get help explaining where you are in the system and what information EIES needs from you, click on the help button which appears on all EIES screens. If you are using the vt100 interface, type a ? at any prompt.

If you need help signing on to EIES, call the Collaborative Systems Laboratory at (973) 596-2869. If you forget your password, please call the Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center at (973) 596-3437.

Uploading, Downloading, and Printing (for the vt100 interface only): If you prefer to use your own word processor to create documents you can store them on EIES using the Upload feature. We recommend this for long documents. Type ?upload at any prompt for more information. Information can be moved from EIES to your computer using the download command. Type ?download at any prompt for more information.

To start a printout from EIES type +print. Everything you type after that will be sent to a remote printout. When you are finished, type +print again. The pickup location for student printouts varies from semester to semester. Check the Notices conference for the latest information about pickup locations.

Welcome aboard: We sincerely hope you enjoy using EIES and we appreciate all comments. Please feel free to share your comments and suggestions about the system with the EIES staff by posting a comment in the Welcome Conference (c1). As EIES evolves your input may have an impact on the future of the system.