Texas A&M students and faculty have an Open Access Labs (OAL) account that provides them with drive storage space, the ability to publish a personal web page, and access to printing software, the Virtual Open Access Lab (VOAL), lab hardware and video workstations. Texas A&M staff members have a basic OAL account that includes access to computers, software and hardware in the labs, and access to the VOAL. Additional services are decided by each department.
Texas A&M students and faculty have an Open Access Labs (OAL) account that provides them with drive space, a roaming profile, printing, software, Virtual Open Access Lab (VOAL) and the ability to create their own personal webpage. Each of these provisions are detailed below. To see your account details, visit Manage my OAL Account.
**To access the Manage my OAL Account you must be on campus or, from off campus, use the Virtual Private Network (VPN) or the Virtual Open Access Lab (VOAL)**
Drive Storage Space
Each account is allotted 5 GB of personal storage space in their Home directory (H: drive) that is backed up regularly. The H: drive can be accessed using OAL computers in the labs, libraries and classroom computers supported by University Audio Video Services. The H: drive can also be accessed outside the computer labs using the Virtual Private Network or the Virtual Open Access Lab (VOAL). Personal, academic or web page files can be stored in the H: drive as well.
Roaming Profile (your personal settings on OAL computers)
Each account has a roaming profile that saves your customized settings, such as desktop background and bookmarks. When you log in to any OAL computer, your customized settings will appear. Your profile directory is stored separately from your H: drive and is set in size. If you receive an error message that mentions limited drive space, your profile directory may be too large. To fix this problem call Help Desk Central (HDC) at (979) 845-8300.
Printing
Color printers, black-and-white printers and a plotter (located in SCC) are available to enrolled students. Some charges may apply. For more information see Printing in the OAL, Printer Locations, Print Rates, Print Charges, Print Refund Request, Using the Print Kiosk To Release Print Jobs in the OAL or Overview of AggiePrint.
Software
Numerous software programs are available on OAL computers including Microsoft 365 and the Adobe Suite. For more information see https://it.tamu.edu/oal/software/index.php or Software Request Guidelines.
Virtual Open Access Lab (VOAL)
The VOAL allows you to connect to the Windows computers of the OALs remotely from your PC or Mac. For more information see Virtual Open Access Lab (VOAL).
Personal Web Page (people.tamu.edu)
As a student, faculty or staff member (with a Home H: Drive) you are authorized to create and use a Personal Webpage. Traditionally, people.tamu.edu is utilized for this purpose and is provided by the Open Access Labs People.tamu.edu allows students, faculty and authorized staff to publish a personal web page. For more information on people.tamu.edu see https://it.tamu.edu/oal/personal-webpage/index.php or TAMU Personal Webpage.
Lab Locations
Many computers (PCs and Macs) and printers, are available in OALs and various academic and dorm buildings throughout campus. For more information regarding the number and location of OAL equipment see Open Access Labs (OAL) Computer Workstation Locations.