2008 Woodie Awards
Tips for Students Looking for Perfect Computer
Tony Hild: for the Muleskinner
Issue date: 3/20/08 Section: Features
When students first come to school, they want to make sure they have the right kind of computer. They also want to make sure they will have a computer that should be able to survive college.
There are several things students can do to make sure their computer will last. The University also has certain requirements for computers that will be used on the UCM network.
According to Director of User Services, Matt Link, because technology changes so fast, it is impossible to predict what kinds of computers people will need in three or four years.
However, the school does provide incoming students with a list of necessary requirements. Link said these requirements are designed to be able to run most programs a student will need throughout their academic career, such as Microsoft Office. Other programs may need more than this to run, but it depends on each person's needs.
Students who use a PC are required to have Windows XP on their computer with at least an 800 mega-hertz processor. Link said this is actually slow, but will work with the programs many students use. The Department of Information Services recommends a much faster processor.
Many students like to have wireless internet on their computers. Melanie Gross, the technical project manager for Information Services, said all of the academic buildings on campus are wireless, but the dorms currently are not.
However, next fall all of the dorms and campus apartments will have wireless internet access. On the form incoming students receive about computers, there is information about students using wireless routers in dorm rooms. UCM does not recommend that students use routers, because it can cause security problems on their computer.
Link said another concern of students is the security of their computer. When a student uses any network, it becomes open to viruses.
"Most anti-virus programs are good, but the school uses AVG for its students," Link said. "The school has a license with the company and that students are able to download the program for free."
There are several things students can do to make sure their computer will last. The University also has certain requirements for computers that will be used on the UCM network.
According to Director of User Services, Matt Link, because technology changes so fast, it is impossible to predict what kinds of computers people will need in three or four years.
However, the school does provide incoming students with a list of necessary requirements. Link said these requirements are designed to be able to run most programs a student will need throughout their academic career, such as Microsoft Office. Other programs may need more than this to run, but it depends on each person's needs.
Students who use a PC are required to have Windows XP on their computer with at least an 800 mega-hertz processor. Link said this is actually slow, but will work with the programs many students use. The Department of Information Services recommends a much faster processor.
Many students like to have wireless internet on their computers. Melanie Gross, the technical project manager for Information Services, said all of the academic buildings on campus are wireless, but the dorms currently are not.
However, next fall all of the dorms and campus apartments will have wireless internet access. On the form incoming students receive about computers, there is information about students using wireless routers in dorm rooms. UCM does not recommend that students use routers, because it can cause security problems on their computer.
Link said another concern of students is the security of their computer. When a student uses any network, it becomes open to viruses.
"Most anti-virus programs are good, but the school uses AVG for its students," Link said. "The school has a license with the company and that students are able to download the program for free."
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