Using Bear Access

The easiest way to install and use Cornell's online services is to run Bear Access. If your computer can't run Bear Access, it is still possible to use most of the online services. This series of Web pages explains how to do so.

You may not be able to use Bear Access if:

• Your home, travel, or remote computer does not meet the minimum recommendations for running Bear Access.
• You have access to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) like America Online (AOL), or a system like Bear Access and its online services at another institution.
• You have an account on a mainframe or a time-sharing system at an institution you are visiting.
• You are using a UNIX workstation either through the Cornell network or elsewhere.

You can, however, use Bear Access:

• away from Ithaca -- plan ahead to bring the necessary software and documentation with you so you won't have to download it over the network.
• through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that does not require you to use its own suite of online applications, but allows access to the Internet using whatever software you choose.

CIT recommends that you use Bear Access if you can, because Bear Access provides

• an easy way to install the software needed by the various services, including software locally developed at Cornell
• convenient access to all the services through a single window
• automatic updates when new versions of services become available

The information in these Web pages assumes that your computer is connected to the Internet, and that you have a general familiarity with Bear Access and its services (see Overview of Bear Access Services).