If you’re new to KAREN, here are some simple tools you can use to find out whether KAREN is available to you and to help you start thinking about how you can use KAREN to your advantage.

Are You On KAREN tester

Click on the KAREN tool to test whether you can use KAREN from your desktop computer. You will receive one of two messages:

• 'Great news - you're on KAREN'
  
• 'Oops - you're not on KAREN'. If you reach this page, talk to your Information Technology Services (ITS) group about access

Please note: This tool is in beta form. While every attempt has been made to ensure that this data is accurate, REANNZ does not take any form of liability if the data is incorrect or misrepresents the actual situation.

Reaching resources over KAREN

Resources that are accessible over KAREN are known as ‘on-net’. This means the person, content or service is located at another KAREN member site or at a similar organisation overseas. On-net resources come to you at super fast speeds and don't attract data charges.

Otago University's KAREN tester

Try the Otago University's KAREN tester (http://www.otago.ac.nz/its/networkphones/karen.php) to test whether the resource you want or person you're trying to reach is on-net, available over KAREN. Please note that this test is performed from the perspective of a user at Otago University and may not always reflect the experience of other users.

AARNet on-net/off-net tool

The AARNet On-net/Off-net tool (http://lg.aarnet.edu.au/cgi-bin/traffic.cgi) also tests whether the resources or person you want to reach is available over KAREN. AARNet is the Australian equivalent of KAREN.  Please note that this is based on the AARNet view of the research and education destinations, which will not always be aligned with KAREN.

We've also started pulling together a list of resources we know are on-net. You can find these on the KAREN wiki:

• On-net Content
• On-net Resources

Get up to speed on KAREN

Once you're on KAREN, it's a good time to find out how other researchers and educators are using KAREN. Here's where you can start:

1. Read the KAREN case studies
2. If you want some materials, you can download items from our KAREN Welcome Pack
   
3. Watch the videos on our KARENmedia Channel (www.youtube.com/karenmedia)
   
4. Join the KAREN email list for the latest news from KAREN users
5. Contribute to the KAREN wiki (www.wiki.karen.net.nz)
6. Follow @KARENnews on Twitter (www.twitter.com/karennews)
   
7. Contact your local KAREN Champion (www.wiki.karen.net.nz)

Updated 5 May 2010