Life.com FAQs

Many companies offer discounts for students and sometimes faculty or staff. This article will attempt to list those that we are aware of and link to their site.

Please use the comments to add additional sources that that you find.

Apple Computers

Dell Computers

Microsoft

Journeyed Software

Amazon

Best Buy

Paul K in IT is the primary resource for any issue. Print01 houses printers for Finance. They use these to print check but very specific style checks. They are on the network as VM printers, but prints to a physical printer.

Your username is everything before the '@' symbol in your email address. For example: john.smith

Your initial password is your first initial, last initial and the last four digits of your Student ID Number, followed by two exclamation marks “!!”.

For example: js1234!!

If you have previously changed your password to log into WebAdvisor then you will use that password.

To find your email address:

Goto http://directory.life.edu

Enter your Last Name in the Search Student Email box. (fig 1)

Select the Search button. (fig 2)

This displays your Last Name, First Name and Student Email Address. (fig 3)

Note: Your Life Student E-mail user name is the part preceding @student.life.edu

For example: If your Life Student E-mail address is [email protected], your Student E-mail user name would be “john.doe”.

Now it couldn't be easier to submit an IT support ticket!

You have several options:

(recommended) Submit your request online right here by clicking on Submit a Request above. If you are not logged in already, simply press "login" at the top right. Use the same username and password you use to logon to your computer (faculty/staff) or Blackboard (Students).

or Email your request to [email protected]

or Call (678) 331-GEEK (direct ext 4335) and talk to one of our agents or leave a voicemail (your voicemail will automatically be converted into a ticket)

SMS!!! Added 9/28/16

IT Support - (404) 586-4125 (voice or SMS)

AV Support - (404) 990-3593 (voice or SMS)

Again, logging in here athttp://itsupport.life.edu is your best option, as it will allow you to pick the supportcategory for your ticket which will help your ticket reach the proper agent more quickly. It will also give you access to our knowledge base & forums, which may already have the answer to your question!

We understand that you don't always have access to a computer, so be sure to store our phone number in your cell phone. Then you can reach us from anywhere, anytime!

(678) 331-GEEK (4335)

To access BlackBoard:

From www.life.edu :

Navigation: Dashboard > Current Students > Bb (BlackBoard)

Direct link: http://blackboard.life.edu

Note: In March 2012, Life University updated to the Blackboard 9 platform. Current and incoming students must reset the default password initially assigned to them.

Accessing Blackboard 9 for the first time

To retrieve/reset your Blackboard password, select the Change Password link.

http://blackboard.life.edu

Follow the instructions presented in the Password Manager screen.

After you have changed your password, please return to and login with your user name and new password.

Change Password on the Web

If you are not at your work computer, or log in with “shared” credentials, follow these directions:

Open your browser and go to: https://pwd.life.edu/

Enter your username and password and click Login

If you have not enrolled in the password recovery system already, you will be prompted to do so. Please see those directions.

If you HAVE enrolled in the password recovery system already, just enter the following:

Your old (current) password

New Password (*see requirements)

Confirm New Password

Check the strength (must be strong)

Click “OK” to save

*Password Policy Requirements

Cannot contain your name or username

Must be between 8 and 15 characters

You cannot reuse the last 3 of your passwords

Must contain uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters (such as ! @ $ *)

The Password Strength must show a STRONGrating or your new password will not work.

Enrolling in the Password Recovery System

If you haven’t enrolled in this system in the past, you will be prompted to enroll before you can update your password.

Life University ID

Enter your ID number from the back of your badge

Confirm the ID number

Click Enroll

Verification methods (you will be able to receive a test message or email to another address if you forget your password).

Add your mobile phone, and click the plus button

Add a non-LIFE email address, and click the plus button

Click Enroll

Click on the “Change Password” tab and go to step 4 in the “Change Password on the Web” directions above.

The decision on which computer is best suited for our students is a decision best left to them. However, here is some information you may find helpful in making that decision.

Desktop vs Laptop vs Tablet

Tablets are very convenient, but may not be able to run all of the software that you will need to be able to use. Although I would certainly recommend that students have a tablet, it shouldn't be their primary computer. Of course, the line between tablet and laptop is constantly narrowing and some tablets are nearly as powerful and capable as laptops today.

Desktop computers are probably the most reliable of the form factors, but loses major points for lack of portability.

Laptops are also very portable and can easily be connected to a larger, external monitor, keyboard and mouse when sitting at your desk. Personally, I would recommend a laptop for the combination of portability and versatility.

Microsoft PC or Apple Mac?

Either operating system is suitable for college students. If you already have experience with one or the other, you may just want to stick with the one that you are already familiar.

In my experience, Mac's tend to be more reliable and not targeted by malware as frequently. They are also more expensive and generally not designed for the user to upgrade or repair.

PC's are less expensive, and easier to upgrade/repair.

My personal preference is an Apple Macbook Pro. It's very capable, lite and reliable and with the addition of Windows emulation software it is capable of running nearly any software I need.

Additional Considerations

Chiropractic students will want to be able to run the clinic's Electronic Health Records (EHR) software on their own computer. This will allow them to complete classroom assignments related to various pre-clinic courses and practice with the software anytime they need a refresher. The EHR software requires a computer running Microsoft Windows. So, your options for access to the EHRsoftwareare:

Library Computer Lab

PC running Microsoft Windows

Mac running windows emulation software, such asParallels Desktop. This option requires additional software: Parallels Desktop (or similar) and a license for Microsoft Windows. Both are available with educational discounts.

Laptop addons. If you get a laptop, consider the following options for more comfortable use:

Small wireless mouse for use in class

External, larger monitor for home use (22" or larger)

Full sizeMouse and Keyboard (wireless) for use at home (bluetooth if compatible with your computer)

External hard drive for extra storage and backup

Backup Plan. At some point, your computer is likely to crash or become infested with viruses or malware. It could even be lost or stolen. Prepare for the inevitability of this disaster and have a backup plan.

Store copies of all your important documents in the cloud. Your student email account is through Google and includes 25 gigabytes of storage.

External hard drives can be used to backup your entire computer, not just the documents.

Wireless Router - used to connect your devices to the internet from your home/dorm room easily. Consider an Apple Airport Express, or just about any Linksys router.

Printer - most inkjet printers or multifunction printer/scanner/copiers are affordable these days, where they really get you is on the ink refills

Summary

Consider the information provided above along with your personal experience and preferences related to computers andpurchase the best computer you can afford.

If price is not the primary driving force, personally, I would purchase:

Apple Macbook Pro

Parallels Desktop (and a Windows 8.1 license)

Airport Extreme (combination external hard drive and wireless router)

24" wide external svga monitor and the thunderport adapter

Full size bluetooth keyboard and mouse

Multifunction printer (HP OfficeJet Pro wireless or Epson WorkForce)

iPad for light reading, responding to emails on the go and video chatting with parents.

If price is the primary driving force, then I would get the following as a minimum:

PC laptop (Dell, HP or ACER)

External 2 terabyte hard drive

Linksys wireless router

Multifunction printer (HP OfficeJet or Epson WorkForce)

If possible, I would also purchase:

19 or 22" wide external svga monitor

Full size wireless keyboard and mouse

iPad

See the following article regarding educational discounts.

Educational Discounts

*Please note that the recommendations expressed in this article are my personal recommendations and are not an official recommendation of Life University.

They are based solely on my personal experience and I have not been paid by or received any inducements from any of the computer or software companies mentioned.

Found that sometimes Mac users are unable to login after changing their password, even though they are typing it correctly.

Turns out that they have to clear their browser cache in Safari. Follow these directions to clear Safari's cache:

Open Safari

Click on menu item “Safari” and then “Preferences”

Select the “Advanced” tab (the last one)

Check “Show Develop Menu in menu bar”

Close the preferences menu

Click on “Develop” on the menu bar (3rd from right)

Select “Empty Caches”

Now go back to BlackBoard/Email/WebAdvisor and login.