Minutes of the Computing
Advisory Committee Meeting
July 26, 1999
Those attending: David
Blakesley, Susan Logue, Ruth Bernhardt, Pierre Barrette, Larry Schilling,
Geoff Nathan (recorder), Al Allen, Dennis Leitner
Al Allen reported on recent
IT activity. The purchasing process for the new 56K modems is proceeding,
but problems with the purchasing procedures have slowed things up somewhat.
It is hoped that the modems will be in place by the beginning of the Fall
semester. In addition, problems with security problems may require users
logging on to the new modems to use their old, social security-based passwords
for first-time use. There will be 192 56K modems, and at the same time as
they are installed, about 74 old 14.4 modems will be retired.
In addition, IT is investigating
a number of alternative modem types, including 1Meg/56K modems that permit
fast download and slower upload. These would be good for classroom use,
since they run through the phone lines. There is also some investigation
into wireless modems, Nortel 1 Meg systems and the School of Medicine is
looking at ATM. There is also continuing negotiation with Midwest Internet
for a discounted dialup system, but questions have been raised about the
propriety of advertising this service, and about the University favoring
one ISP over another.
The new Y2K compliant MVS and
VM/CMS systems are almost finished, and the wiring of the other floors of
Quigley is under way. With respect to the wiring of the east campus, an
RFP is being proposed. It was suggested that the CAC send a representative
to the Netcommons group, a body representing computing at Springfield, Edwardsville
and the Carbondale campus.
JP Dunn reported on the software
licensing proposals. He passed out a sheet identifying some basic issues
and asked the committee’s input on the questions raised. Please send
reactions to JP within the next two weeks. A discussion of various licensing
options (term-limited vs. open-ended, faculty and staff vs. students etc.)
ensued. Pierre raised the issue of conferencing software, but the committee
felt it needed to concentrate on operating systems and Microsoft desktop
software for its initial proposal. Reactions to the proposals should be
sent to jdunn@lib.siu.edu.
David Blakesley reported that
the support/rewards subcommittee had met and was close to a resolution,
which the committee agreed would be sent out shortly so that it could be
voted on at the next meeting.
The next Salukiware CD has been
delivered and should be in bookstores shortly. It contains both PC and Mac-compatible
software.
The next meeting was set for
Monday, August 16, to be held in the Library Conference Room. Geoff will
contact Patti Cosgrove to talk about the fundamental issue of labs vs. laptops.
