Why You Should Delete Old Apps and Files

We store everything in our phones–saved media, files, and data stored inside apps. While this makes it convenient to document our life on social media or quickly retrieve a class file, it can also slow down your iPhone or Android device.

Even worse: A phone with tons of data and images stored on it is the holy grail for cybercriminals, who can hack into it and ransom your photos and personal information (like credit card numbers stored in an app) back to you. They can steal your identity and go shopping with your credit card or PayPal balance. They can decide to sell your data on the dark web. Whatever they do will severely disrupt your life. In addition to making sure you
use a strong password on your phone, it’s a good idea to delete any apps from your phone that are obsolete for your life now.

Your device will also run faster if unused apps and files are deleted. Most phones will list when you last visited each app. Did you download an app for a class or for a trip taken last year? If you don’t need it, delete it! Also, relocate content from your phone to an external storage service. Did you know that faculty, students, and staff get 5TB of OneDrive storage? Take advantage of this highly secure free cloud service today! Contact the UFIT Help Desk if you need assistance using OneDrive.

Discounted Software for Purchase at UF

Did you know students, faculty, and staff can get discounted pricing on a variety of software titles? UFIT manages campus-wide software licenses and distribution for more than 40 applications. There is an an extensive selection of popular software programs for instructional use or professional development. Here’s a chart showing what is available for departmental or individual (faculty/staff and student) purchase: https://software.ufl.edu/software-listings/.

Students can purchase more than 20 different software packages at substantially lower cost than from big box or online superstores. Popular options for students include Adobe, Grammarly Premium, and Endnote Basic. Students with questions about purchasing a discounted software license can talk with Help Desk staff at the 2023 Tech Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Faculty, students, and staff who are interested in purchasing software at UF discounted rates can visit the UFIT Help Desk, located on the first floor of the Hub between the Starbucks and the UF International Center.

Free and Discounted Software Licenses

UFIT manages the campus-wide software licensing agreements. These contracts enable access to several software programs at a significant discount or even for free, improving academic and research life for Gators while saving them money.

Programs available at a discount include Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, Grammarly, SAS, SSPS, and Amos. Software available at no charge include ArcGIS (GeoPlan) and SAS JMP. Active faculty, students, and staff automatically receive access to UF’s GatorCloud, which includes Microsoft Office 365 applications like Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel. Visit the GatorCloud homepage to download these programs for free onto your personal devices. Additionally, faculty and students are eligible for Adobe Spark/Express. More information is on the UF Adobe Spark/Express webpage.

Visit UFIT’s Software Licensing Services website for a complete list of available programs and how to access them. Students with questions about software licenses may call (352-392-HELP/4357) or visit (132 Hub) the UFIT Help Desk. Faculty and staff may also contact the Help Desk or email UFIT’s Software Licensing team with purchase inquiries.

Ten IT Services for Undergrads

There’s a lot to learn during your first semester, from where classes are to managing e-Learning assignments. Technology enables living and learning at UF, and UFIT is here to support your academic journey. While you’ll discover more over the next few years, here are 10 IT services to discover now to help maximize your UF experience.

Anyone with questions about these services may contact the UF Computing Help Desk (352-392-HELP/4357, helpdesk@ufl.edu, and HUB first floor).

1. UF Computing Help Desk: Speaking of getting help from the Help Desk, the staff have you covered for all things technical at UF. There are self-help resources on their website and have 24/7 assistance for things like password resets.
2. Canvas: UF’s e-Learning platform where you access quizzes, assignments, and more.
3. ONE.UF: The campus portal to register for classes, viewing and ordering transcripts, and resources like phishing training.
4. GatorMail: UF’s official email service for contacting instructors, administrative staff, and fellow students.
5. Eduroam: A secure wireless network for on- and off-campus connectivity. Protect yourself and UF, Gators! Stay on secure wireless.
6. Discounted Software: Learn what software packages Gators can purchase at a discount.
7. UFApps: A collection of more than 190 applications available 24/7 FREE for students.
8. GatorCloud: UF’s cloud-based collaboration with high volume storage options.
9. LinkedIn Learning: UFIT underwrites the cost of membership for Gators to access 15,000+ courses for FREE.
10. Mobile Printing: Learn how to print on the go from over 50 campus locations.

Free Storage and Collaboration Tools

Access to cloud-based collaboration tools has been essential for UF’s successful transition to hybrid campus life. In case you didn’t know, all students, faculty, and staff with active GatorLink credentials can get UF-Dropbox, G-Suite, and OneDrive from the GatorCloud. The advantage to using the versions UFIT provides is that you get an additional layer of security with your UF account and unlimited Dropbox and Google Drive storage! There is a very helpful chart on the GatorCloud homepage outlining what you get with each service. UFIT also recently published a new video overview of GatorCloud services.

In addition to UF-Dropbox, G-Suite, and OneDrive, GatorCloud also includes Office 365 and GatorMail. Want to learn how to make the most of these apps? Take advantage of your free LinkedIn Learning account to watch just in time training, like “Google Apps: Tips, Tricks and Techniques“, and “Team Collaboration in Office 365.”

Anyone in the UF community with questions about using GatorCloud applications or help accessing LinkedIn Learning for free may contact the UF Computing Help Desk (352-392-HELP/4357, helpdesk@ufl.edu).