University of Missouri-Rolla • Computing and Information Services 1

Meg BradyAsst. Director, Client Services

Presented to New Faculty Forum, October 18, 2001

Computing facilities and services A guided tour for new faculty

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Topic Overview• Instructional computing• Research computing• Administrative systems• Internet / Networking• Procurement and funding• Getting help and more information

Great quotes & sayings in the world of IT

"I think there is a world market for maybe 5 computers"Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943

"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home"Ken Olson, chairman & founder of Digital equipment, 1977

"640 K ought to be enough for anybody." Bill Gates, 1981

"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons." popular mechanics, 1949

Borrowed from web.inter.nl.net/users/pwilkins/ITquotes.html

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Instructional Computing

• Desktop computing

• Computer Learning Centers (CLCs)

• Server environments

• Instructional technology resources

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Desktop computing• Campus standards

– Windows NT standard install • (MS Office plus other common apps)

– Moving to Windows XP standard (by Fall ’02)– Limited support of Windows 2000– Phasing out support of Unix on the desktop– CIS Policy and Procedures web site

• www.umr.edu/~cis

• Non-standard needs– Local Support Provider (LSP)– Service/support agreement

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Computer Learning Centers (CLCs)

• 800+ devices in 40+ locations• Funded by instructional computing fee• Reserved for classroom and general

student use• Standard install plus discipline specific• Departmentally managed

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Server Environments

• Email – MS Exchange• File store – AFS (a.k.a., S:\ drive, Andrew File System)

• Web – Unix server, AFS file store

• Novell will be phased out (this year)• Computational computing – Unix, AFS

(a.k.a., saucer, rocket, nic)

Instructional Technology Resources

Resource Contact Reference

ISDC

Instructional Software Development Center

Dr. Bob Davis

isdc@umr.edu

www.umr.edu/~isdc

Blackboard – online course management

ISDC, bbhelp@umr.edu

blackboard.umr.edu

Class list web tools – email, file system access

CIS HelpDesk,

help.umr.edu

www.umr.edu/~webtools/tools

EDTECH-L – faculty email discussion forum

Dr. Richard Hall, rhall@umr.edu

EDTECH-L@umr.edu

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Research Computing

• Departmental resources/facilities

• Internet2 (www.umr.edu/~umri2)

• Central Unix servers

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Administrative Systems• In transition from legacy data systems to

PeopleSoft for student information, financial and human resources

– Faculty often need to use:• Student – contact enrollment management offices

– Class roll, grades, student recruitment, etc.• Financial – contact procurement, finance offices

– Purchasing, accts. payable, grants, etc.

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Internet / Networking• Campus connection to the Internet

– Via MOREnet (a State consortium), currently a 45mbps line carrying commodity Internet + university business + video classes

– Upgrade soon will add 45 mbps for Internet 2

• Dial-up – – 288 modems – 56K v.90 provided by UMR– local ISPs, phone and cable companies offer high speed, for which

UMR supports VPN (virtual private networking) if needed

•Wireless network –

–802.11b IEEE standard, up to 11mbps

–Increasing availability on campus

Getting new hardware…

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Procurement hardware & software

• CIS Information: www.umr.edu/~cis/purchasing

• Microsoft Select Program: www.umr.edu/~pmumr

• UM in process of centralizing procurement • UM volume purchasing agreements (VPAs)• Bottom line: have your department’s purchasing

person work with Mary Hinze in CIS

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FundingFaculty development matching funds

– 90% of desktop workstation (PC) for new faculty

– 30% of desktop workstation (PC) for existing faculty

– $6,000 limit in either case

Those darn computers…

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Getting Help• LSPs - local support providers in your own department• CIS HelpDesk – call (573)341-4357 (HELP), or visit Rm 101 Computer

Science, or online at www.umr.edu/helpdesk• Help Request System - Report problem or seek help online at help.umr.edu• Training - hands-on and/or computer-based, for you and/or your students.

See www.umr.edu/~cis/training• Stay informed - announcements are posted on HelpDesk web site, and in

eConnections.• Consultation – meet with CIS staff during planning phase of your project

Thank you for the opportunity to meet you!

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Q & A: Starter QuestionsWhat do you want to know that I did not cover?

For you, what computing functions are most critical in your work?

What are the most pressing computing issues on campus (or in your department)?

Presentation is available online at: www.umr.edu/~megbrady/presentations