Other Applications to Install on a Windows Laptop

The following applications are available for free download to install on your laptop. They will allow you to perform many core Statistics instructional and research tasks locally on your laptop computer. A major concern for using applications a stand-alone computer is maintaining realiable backups of your data. You can address this issue by using WinSCP to keep copies of your files synchronized and reliably backed up on your AFS directory in Statistics.

Getting Antivirus, Spam filtering, Anti-Spyware, Firewall Software

Please note that procedures in this section also work with Windows Vista.

The Campus (and Department) strongly recommend protecting your laptop from network attacks. This is to protect your computer and the work you do on it, and to protect the Department and Campus networks from being compromised internally. Following is the campus statement on computer security and the reference to where you can get appropriate protective software:

Information technology (IT) security is a major issue on the UW-Madison campus, yet many faculty and staff members have said they don't know what's expected of them in terms of keeping their computers up-to-date and secure. Some employees are hesitant to take action because they lack experience in this area or are afraid they may "break" their computers.

In response, our campus is launching an awareness campaign to help UW employees and students understand the basic computer security measures they should take, along with easy-to-understand instructions for doing so. These measures include:

1) Install the free Security Starter Software that is available through the Division of Information Technology (DoIT). This security suite includes anti-virus, spyware protection and firewall software. You can pick up a CD at the DoIT Tech Store or download the software from: http://www.doit.wisc.edu/security/startersoftware.asp

Note: If you're a part of a department with its own IT resources, check with your IT administrator before installing this software on your work computer.

2) Keep your operating system and security patches up-to-date.

3) Learn how to recognize Internet scams.

4) Get the facts on downloading and distributing copyrighted material.

5) Educate yourself on these and other safe computing tips by visiting: http://www.doit.wisc.edu/security/safecomputing.asp You'll find instructions for the steps above and other security best practices.

Taking these steps will significantly reduce the likelihood that your personal or professional data will be compromised. They will keep your computer performing at optimal capacity and help prevent it from being quarantined from the campus network should a problem be identified.

Safe computing practices apply to ALL computing devices that come into contact with campus resources. These include home computers, kiosks, PDAs, etc. In addition to your campus work computer, you can install the free security software on up to one additional computer.

If you have questions as you take these steps, contact the Help Desk at: http://helpdesk.doit.wisc.edu/ or 264-HELP (4357), or visit: http://www.wisc.edu/security

Thank you for doing your part to keep our computing environment safe.

Getting Firefox and Thunderbird

Please note that procedures in this section also work with Windows Vista.

Firefox is the recommended web browser for use in Statistics on all systems. It is less prone to hacking and security problems when compared to Internet Explorer. Thunderbird is the recommended Email package for use in Statistics on all systems. It is less prone to hacking and security problems when compared to MS Outlook or Outlook Express.

For installation and use instructions, go to: Mozilla Home

When connecting Thunderbird to Statistics mail, you need to set the incoming (IMAP) and outgoing (SMTP) mail servers. The IMAP server is always specified as imap.cs.wisc.edu with the SSL security setting. There is more information about the CS/Stat IMAP server setup at the CSL IMAP Mail Server FAQ pages. The SMTP server is set depending on your service provider. The CS/Stat default when using the UWNet wireless is sabe.cs.wisc.edu with the TLS security setting. There is more information about the CS/Stat SMTP server setup at the CSL Authenticated SMTP Server FAQ pages. When you connect from home, you will be required to use the SMTP server supplied by your ISP. Check with your ISP about the appropriate SMTP settings.

Getting R

Please note that procedures in this section have not been tested by the Statistics Computing Lab (SCL).

For installation and use instructions, go to: The Comprehensive R Archive Network

Getting OpenOffice

OpenOffice is an office productivity suite that can read and save files compatible with Microsoft Office products.

For installation and use instructions, go to: The OpenOffice.org web site

Getting Xemacs

Please note that procedures in this section have not been tested by the Statistics Computing Lab (SCL).

For installation and use instructions, go to: XEmacs Home

Getting LaTeX Tools

Please note that procedures in this section have not been tested by the Statistics Computing Lab (SCL).

Getting MiKTeX Command Line Application

For installation and use instructions, go to: MiKTeX Home

Getting WinTeX Windows-Style LaTeX Editor

For installation and use instructions, go to: WinTeX Home

Getting BiBTeX Tools

The MiKTeX and WinTeX applications include BiBTeX as an intergrated utility.

Getting Texmaker GUI based LaTeX Editor

For installation and use instructions, go to: Texmaker Home

Getting Ghostscript, Ghostview, GSview

Please note that procedures in this section have not been tested by the Statistics Computing Lab (SCL).

For installation and use instructions, go to: Ghostscript Home

Getting Octave

Please note that procedures in this section have not been tested by the Statistics Computing Lab (SCL).

Octave is not available as a Windows application. If you are really interested in using Octave, the recommended approach is to install it under Cygwin. This is not for the faint of heart. But there are some references for the installation at the Octave Download Page and the Cygwin Home Page (see the packages list to find Octave).

-- MikeRedmond - 06 Jul 2009