Faculty and staff of the Boston Medical Center (BMC) Harrison Avenue and East Newton Street campuses are NOT usually eligible for BU computing accounts. BMC residents are eligible for Kerberos passwords only. The Kerberos password option grants limited access to the BU network, allowing BMC residents to use their Kerberos passwords to remotely access Library resources such as electronic textbooks and journals, or electronic indexes. The Kerberos password only option does not provide e-mail service. Click here for detailed instructions for BMC residents who want to apply for BU campus network Kerberos passwords.
BMC Fellows or those with teaching appointments at the University may be eligible for BU campus network Kerberos passwords and e-mail "guest accounts". Click here for details about guest accounts.
APPLYING FOR A BU COMPUTING ACCOUNT (academic faculty, staff, and students)
Boston University faculty, staff, and students are elibible for full BU computing accounts, which provide access to e-mail and licensed library/computing resources from remote locations.
- Apply for an e-mail account directly over the Web at http://www.bu.edu/computing/accounts.
If you want to create a new ACS account, use the "ACS/E-Mail/Kerberos" option. If you already have an account and simply wish to change your password, use the "Kerberos only" option.
Following the prompts on the screen, enter your last name and Boston University identification number. The system will prompt you to choose a login name and a Kerberos password -- be sure to read the instructions very carefully.
If the system does not recognize you as a valid BU affiliate, it will not let you proceed. If this occurs, contact Ron Tate, Associate Director for Library Computing and Systems, at rtate@bu.edu or 617-638-4576 to learn more about your options.
- After you've completed the online application, go to the printed application at http://med-libwww.bu.edu/library/NewACSaccount.html.
Print the application and complete the required information.
- Submit the printed application to any staff person in the the LRC computing lab (11th floor of the library). You must also show your valid BU identification card to the LRC staff person.
To check whether your account has been activated, attempt to login with your login name & password after 1 - 7 working days. If you are initially unsuccessful, try again in a few days. Please note that you will not be informed when your BU computing account is activated -- you much check yourself by attempting to login to the system.
APPLYING FOR A KERBEROS PASSWORD (BMC residents)
Boston Medical Center residents are usually eligible for Kerberos passwords
only. The Kerberos password option grants limited access, allowing residents to use their Kerberos passwords to remotely access Library resources such as electronic textbooks and journals, or electronic indexes.
EARLY BIRD ACCOUNTS
Boston University's Early
Bird program is available to
incoming freshmen, transfer
students, and new graduate
students for the convenience
of those who would like early
access to online services. These services require a BU
login name and Kerberos password.
Incoming students will receive an Early Bird flyer and
access code in the mail, usually several months before the semester is to begin. Graduate and
transfer students will receive their flyers and codes at
dates determined by their individual programs.
Early Bird accounts provide access to several services including e-mail, and Student Central, where you can view
information such as class
registration, class schedules,
convenience points, financial aid
information, on-campus job
listings, housing information,
personal and financial records, and
more.
Before applying for an Early Bird account, please read the instructions in the Early
Bird flyer and have the following information ready:
- Boston University ID number
- Desired BU login name
- Desired Kerberos password
- Early Bird access code (from the front page of your Early
Bird flyer)
Use this link to read more about Early Bird accounts and to apply.
RENEWING EARLY BIRD ACCOUNTS
Early Bird accounts are temporary, and will expire unless you renew the account to make it permanent. To renew your Early Bird account, you must change your Kerberos password. You can change your password at any computer with Internet access. Go to this Web address: http://www.bu.edu/computing/accounts/kerberos.
At the end of the password changing program, you will be asked for your old Kerberos password. If you know your old Kerberos password, your new password will be automatically approved. If you do not know your old Kerberos password, you should complete the program, then speak with Ron Tate, Associate Director for Library Computing and Systems, at rtate@bu.edu or 617-638-4576.
ACCESSING BU COMPUTING RESOURCES FROM HOME OR OFFICE COMPUTERS
To use BU computing resources, you must have a valid login name & Kerberos password. E-mail can be accessed via the Web (using SilkyMail) or via telnet from any location worldwide:
Web Access using SilkyMail:
http://www.bu.edu/webmail/
Telnet Access:
- Establish a telnet connection by setting your modem to dial the BU campus network at 617-378-1111
- At the BUNet prompt type telnet ACS
- When prompted, enter yourlogin name & Kerberos password
- To use Pine, type pine at the login name prompt
E-MAIL INTERFACE OPTIONS
Boston University's e-mail system operates on a Unix shell. Unix commands can be used to send and receive e-mail. Several user interfaces and options are also available. Details about the available e-mail interface options are available on the Web at http://www.bu.edu/pcsc/email/configure/. You can also use this link to read or print information on understanding your electronic mail options at Boston University.
SILKYMAIL is a Web-based email system
which uses the SilkyMail interface. You can
select SilkyMail as your primary mail program, or
simply use it as a convenient supplementary tool for
reading and sending e-mail when you are away from
your own computer.
SilkyMail is particularly useful in
public computing labs or for those users who are
traveling and do not have access to their own
computers. SilkyMail uses the IMAP mail protocol, so it
can be used interchangeably with other e-mail
programs such as Eudora, Outlook Express, Outlook, or
Netscape.
For more information or to access SilkyMail, go to http://www.bu.edu/webmail/.
PINE
Pine is a user-friendly e-mail interface that sits on the ACS UNIX platform. Pine is a convenient option for computers that have modem dial-up capabilities. Using PINE does not require an Internet connection. To access Pine, login to ACS and type pine at the % prompt. PINE documentation is available from the Personal Computing Support Center at http://www.bu.edu/pcsc/email/configure/pine/.
Outlook Express/Outlook for Windows
Outlook Express/Outlook for Windows is a free e-mail application that comes preinstalled with both the Windows and
Macintosh operating systems. You can configure this software to use your Boston University e-mail
account by following the instructions at http://www.bu.edu/pcsc/email/configure/outlookwin/.
-
Outlook Express/Entourage for Macintosh
Outlook Express/Entourage for Macintosh is a free e-mail application that comes preinstalled with the Macintosh operating system. You can configure this software to use your Boston University e-mail
account by following the instructions at http://www.bu.edu/pcsc/email/configure/outlookmac/.
Netscape 7, Netscape 6.2, Netscape Messenger 4.x
Mac OS X Mail
HELP GUIDES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For information on ACS, BU networking options, or e-mail accounts, contact the LRC at 617-638-5433, or the Office of Information Technology at help@acs.bu.edu or 617-353-2780.
The ACS Cluster
Electronic Mail Options and Using E-Mail at Boston University from the Personal Computing Support Center (PCSC) -- provides a variety of handouts and help guides
ACS introduction & overview familiarizes users with ACS products, services and systems.
BU Internet Access Options
Connecting to the BU Campus Network from Off-Campus Locations
