Selected software is available for use by current faculty, staff, and students. Certain downloads may be restricted and require additional authorization beyond BC credentials.   

Keep Your Software Up-To-Date

It is extremely important that operating system software, application software, web browsers, and all browser plug-ins are always kept up-to-date. In an effort to protect all computers on the Boston College network, Information Technology Services may revoke student network privileges if virus software and all necessary updates and patches are not installed.

Do not duplicate or replicate downloaded software.

Accessibility

Read&Write

Read&Write software for Mac, Windows, or mobile apps (Android Tablet & iPad) supports students with reading, writing, studying, and research. After downloading the software, your documents, files, and web pages will be more accessible. Functionality includes a read-aloud feature, highlighting, speech maker, and more.

To install Read&Write:

  1. Download Read&Write software.
  2. Click "Try Now"
  3. Click "Get your free 30 day trial" and install the operating system you want to use.
  4. When prompted, sign in to your BC Google account to automatically upgrade to the premium version.
     

 

OrbitNote

OrbitNote by TextHelp can be used on Mac or Windows computers to add accessibility options to working with PDFs, like OCR and Text-to-Speech. It allows you to take an image-only PDF (basically a photocopy), run OCR on it to get the text, and then allows you to work with the text for Text-to-Speech and other accessibility options.

To use OrbitNote:

  1. Go to https://orbit.texthelp.com and sign in using your BC Google account. There is no software to download & you will have full access to the online tool.
  2. To install the OrbitNote Chrome browser extension: On the OrbitNote Dashboard, click "Install Extension."
     

Adobe

Print

Antivirus

Boston College requires all faculty, staff, and students to use antivirus software on their computers to help protect them from viruses, malware, randsomware, and other threats.

Backup

ITS suggests that all community members back up their computer on a regular basis to ensure they do not lose files.

Data Tools

SQL Developer

Oracle SQL Developer is a free graphical user interface software that enables users and administrators to do database tasks in fewer clicks and keystrokes. 

  • For the developer, SQL Developer provides powerful editors for working with SQL, PL/SQL, Stored Java Procedures, and XML. Run queries, generate execution plans, export data to the desired format (XML, Excel, HTML, PDF, etc.), execute, debug, test, and document your database programs, and much more with SQL Developer.
  • For the Oracle DBA, since version 3.0, the DBA Panel (available under the View menu) has provided database administrators a set of interfaces for their most critical tasks. SQL Developer will continue to add and enhance features for the DBA. 
     
Oracle SQL Developer at Boston College

Oracle SQL Developer software allows you to work with an Oracle database and is available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Oracle SQL Developer and Oracle Client are made freely available by Oracle with no license restrictions. Oracle has granted BC permission to distribute the software to BC affiliations without going through Oracle.com:

Note: Oracle SQL Developer and Oracle Client are the primary alternatives to the TOAD application software, which was retired from Boston College in May 2021.

(BC Google sign-in required to download this software)

Emergency Notification

Alertus

With Alertus Desktop Notification software, urgent information from BC public safety personnel will appear on your computer as a pop-up window overlaying all other open windows.

Alertus is automatically installed on BC-owned computers. It is also available to download for faculty, staff, and students on personally-owned computers. If you download the software, you will be responsible for keeping it up-to-date. Software updates will be posted on this page when available.

Current versions are:

  • macOS Ventura (v. 13) & below - Alertus version 2.12.02.1803
  • Windows 11 & below - Alertus version​ 5.4.71.0
 

(BC Google sign-in required to download this software)

Mac Install Notes:

  • If you get a message stating that the software is from an unidentified developer, right-click (control-click) on the installer file and select “Open” to continue with the install.
  • If you get a “System Extension Blocked” message, do the following within 30 minutes after installing the software: Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy. On the General tab, click “Allow” next to "System software from developer 'software_name' was blocked from loading.
 

Sample Alert image
Sample Alert from Alertus


 

FTP

FTP applications help you transfer files from your computer to an FTP server.

Cyberduck

A free FTP solution to transmit and download files on the Internet. Cyberduck is open source software distributed free of charge under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

Faculty & Staff: Contact your TC to obtain this title.

Google Workspace

BC faculty, staff, and students can access their documents, email, calendar, and more through Google Workspace—a web-based suite of communication and collaboration tools by Google.

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 Education is a collection of services that allows you to collaborate and share your work online. The service includes Microsoft Online (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote) and 250 GB of OneDrive cloud storage.

Microsoft 365 Education is not a required tool at Boston College, but all eligible Boston College faculty, staff, and students can use these services for free on Mac or Windows computers and/or mobile devices.

Microsoft rebranded Office 365 to Microsoft 365.

 

think-cell

think-cell is a Microsoft 365 add-in that integrates seamlessly with PowerPoint and helps you visualize complex charts in minutes.

Print Management

PaperCut is a system implemented by ITS for student printing. Faculty & Staff can configure network printers.

Research

Research Services provides technical assistance, training, tutorials, and workshops on the use of the software that supports research at Boston College.

UIS

As of April 7, 2021, BC UIS is no longer used for course registration at Boston College.


Mac

To install BC UIS on macOS Catalina 10.15 and below:

  1. Download BC UIS for Mac.
    • If you get a message stating that the software is from an unidentified developer, right-click (control-click) on the installer file and select "Open" to continue with the install.
    • If you get a “System Extension Blocked” message, do the following within 30 minutes after installing the software: Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy. On the General tab, click “Allow” next to "System software from developer 'software_name' was blocked from loading.
  2. Save the .zip file to your Desktop.
  3. Double-click the .zip file and follow the on screen instructions to complete installation.
    Note: You may need to enter your Administrator password.

(BC Google sign-in required to download this software)


Windows

To install BC UIS on Windows 10 and below (64-bit):

  1. Download BC UIS for Windows.
  2. Save the file to your Desktop.
  3. Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on screen instructions to complete installation.

(BC Google sign-in required to download this software)


Chromebooks or Tablets

To access BC UIS on a Chromebook or Tablet (Android, iPad, Kindle Fire), use BC Apps.

Video Conferencing

ITS supports Google Meet and Zoom for video conferences.

VPN (Virtual Private Networking)

Use Eagle VPN (BC's VPN) to access specific computers or servers behind BC's firewall, such as those that contain confidential BC information or on campus computers with file-sharing enabled. VPN encrypts traffic between your computer and university-hosted services that have "bc.edu" in the web address (e.g., PeopleSoft, Agora Portal, and BC websites).