Incoming Class - Fall 2008

 

We often field questions about the technology we provide for new students and what technology they can/should bring. We hope that you'll find some of the information for which you're looking here. If you don't or if you still have a question, please feel free to call us at our Help Desk: 260-982-5454.

 

I'm buying a new computer.  What should I buy?

This is the most common question we receive.  There are a lot of variables at work, too, but there are 2 main questions that need answered:

We can't help you with the 2nd question; that one is entirely up to you.  However, the College can support either a desktop or a laptop.  Our recommendation is, if you can afford it, buy your student a laptop.  It's mobile, can go anywhere, and can access our network and the Internet from a large part of campus.  But, most of our students bring desktop PC so we can obviously support that, too.

The next big question is how much laptop or desktop will your student need.  In the end, you can never have too much equipment. Purchase as much processor, memory, and hard drive as you can afford. The only specific configuration recommendation we'll make is to purchase at least 2GB of memory if you can.

If you buy a Windows Vista PC, please be sure to avoid Windows Vista Home Basic. While some have gotten it to work with our network, we cannot guarantee that it will.

If I buy a laptop, do you have a wireless network?

Yes.  There are locations on campus with a wireless connection.  Currently, these include the Library, Science Center, Union, Clark Computer Center, Tall Oaks, the lobbies of the residence halls, parts of the PERC and Calvin Ulrey.  We're hoping to expand the network this summer if we receive the necessary funding.

You'll see a lot of jargon surrounding wireless networks.  We support 802.11b/g although some locations have 802.11a.  We do not support any 802.11n wireless equipment yet.

Should I buy a Mac?

We cannot honestly answer that directly or definitively.  Macs are nice equipment but the College uses software that only runs on Windows.  Having said that, many students use Macs in the residence halls and certainly Mac laptops can connect to our wired and wireless networks.  In the end, though, the choice is yours.

What software will I need?

If you're running Windows, you'll need an anti-virus software package.  We support dozens of anti-virus programs so you probably can't choose incorrectly.  If you don't want to buy one, many students use free anti-virus programs like AVG (http://free.grisoft.com).

For the first time, the College will have the Student Option on our Microsoft Campus Agreement.  That means that you can purchase Office 2007 Enterprise for a ridiculously low price (yet to be set).  You will receive the media and an installation key with the purchase.  Do not purchase Office for your own desktop or laptop.  Wait and buy Office 2007 after you arrive on campus.

Can I bring a wireless radio for my residence hall room?

Yes. Please understand, though, that you will have to turn it off when we complete the wireless network in your hall.  We cannot have your equipment competing with ours.

Can I bring a TV?

Absolutely.  Each residence hall room has a cable TV outlet. And this summer we're expanding our cable TV offerings.  With luck, that will include, for the first time, HBO.  We do not provide any high-definition stations on our cable TV system but students have used HD TVs on our system before.

Do I need to bring a phone?

You will want to bring a phone, even if you have a cell phone.  Cell phones do not work as well inside the buildings so you can use our phone system.  You should consider an answering machine, too.