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Level Computers in a College Computer Lab
Information Technology Services would like to welcome all new
and returning students and Faculty to the 2004-2005 academic year
here at Framingham State College. You may have noticed some changes
that took place over the summer and that is because we have certainly
done our best to change our lab service for the better. We at FSC
have installed new cutting edge technologies and increased our services
to students in hopes of making their college experience easier and
more enjoyable at Framingham State College.
Starting with the General Lab in Hemenway Hall, HHG20, we have installed
brand new Dell SX270 computer systems. These systems have a larger
hard drive than the previous PC Plus machines; 40 gigabytes to about
8, two USB ports that will be open for student and faulty use which
will work with memory keys (flash drives, etc.) to ensure that transferring
data will run smoothly and quickly, and DVD-CD-RW combo drive that
will allow students and faculty to bring CDs from home that contain
their data and to burn their own CDs. Along the last row of the
computer lab there will be 5 dedicated machines for users who need
to transfer data from a floppy (3 ½ disk) or Zip disk to
a CD or USB key. With these new systems we encourage our users to
move away from the older, less reliable A drive disk storage to
newer, more stable methods. A USB memory device, even a small one,
will hold up to about forty floppy disks and an average CD-RW can
hold up to the equivalent of 700!
The new computers are now complimented with two new, high speed
laser jet printers which can each hold up to 1,000 sheets of paper.
Along with these new printers Framingham State College will be implementing
a print-management program. This program will track print jobs and
prompt the user to authorize the job themselves. This will help
stop the wasting of paper on jobs printed by accident and will also
help the college with conserving large amounts of paper which, in
turn, helps the students, as some fees included in tuition are based
on allotted paper consumption.
There is a new area in Hemenway Hall G20 that is dedicated to laptop
users. This area is located to the right of the printers and allows
two entire tables along the wall, equipped with power strips and
network cables for guaranteed internet access, for students to use
for group work, study space, or general academic oriented computer
use.
The classrooms used in conjunction with computers have also been
upgraded. Hemenway Hall G01 and 208 were upgraded with Dell GX270
small form factor new computers and flat screen monitors and classroom
HH301 and CASA were upgraded with new Dell GX270 small form factor
systems. These new computers will bring classroom learning to a
new level and help faculty and students interact with technology
in a fresh way.
ITS and Framingham State College have extended their service to
students by adding new computers and printers to the residence halls.
This decision was made when taking into account the number of students
who use the labs to print and the extreme convenience it offers
our users. The laser jet printers will be located behind or near
the front desks of each residence hall and will be stocked with
paper by the desk attendant to ensure a constant availability to
students. These printers will make wireless laptop users able to
print from their dorm rooms or lounges twenty four hours a day!
Our last big improvement was adding a twenty four hour lab into
the college center commuter lounge. Eight machines will be available
for student and faculty use from the hours of 9:00p.m. to 8:00a.m.
There will be 1 network printer available and internet access at
all stations. The decision to move our twenty four hour service
into the college center was based around the priority of safety.
With the night lab in the college center, which is open and regularly
policed on schedule, we can ensure the safety of students who need
to work late and also ensure the safety of Hemenway Hall, which
would otherwise be open for anyone to enter under the pretence of
using the computer labs. That being stated, the General Lab in G20
will be closing Monday through Thursday at 10:00p.m, Friday and
Saturday at 8:00p.m, and Sunday at 12:00 midnight. A student employee
will make a nightly announcement to users that they should save
their work, print, or otherwise prepare for the close and then the
employee will open the twenty four hour lab for any students who
would still like to use the lab or just need a quiet place to study.
We hope that these changes will help students on their way to becoming
successful graduates of Framingham State College. We have done our
best to incorporate everything from new computers to easier laptop
compatibility and space with which to work in. These changes ensure
the achievement of academic goals and the safety of our students
and faculty as we work together towards success in the world outside
Framingham State College’s campus.
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