Computing Services and Technology Change
People talk about the rapid change in technology that we are all experiencing
today. It is amazing how far technology has advanced since I started
work at the "Computer Center" in the basement of Camden Hall at UMM
in June of 1978. My first few days of work involved being trained to
use the IBM 029 keypunch machines. There were three of them that sat
in the hall area outside the "Users Room." Inside the Users Room, there
were three printing terminals that connected to mainframe computers
in the Twin Cities via 300-baud coupler-style modems. There was a large
card-sorting machine that sat at the back of the room. When I first
started work, we ran "batch jobs" every four hours for student, faculty,
and staff who submitted their programs (decks of keypunched cards) through
a drop-box window outside of our "Batch Room."
Sounds like something from over 50 years ago, doesn't it? As I
said before, it is amazing how fast and far technology has advanced! It has been an exciting experience to be a part of this rapid transformation in technology! Here we are now at UMM with a gigabit backbone, wireless networking, web-based student and financial systems, GenEdWeb online courses, universal online meeting scheduling (UMCal), and even VoIP (voice-over-IP phones)!
Just pause to think about how many of the tasks you do every day have been integrated with new technologies! We're doing our library research online, presenting and attending lectures online, attending meetings and conferences online, registering for classes online, participating in classes online; shopping, paying our bills, doing our banking, and all that -- online. Then, think about what is coming tomorrow or the next day. We'll all have GPS navigational systems built into our wristwatches. We'll all be wireless, including our own desktop telephones. Who'll need a keypad or keyboard? Everything can be voice-controlled. Everyone will have a Smartphone (all the functions of a mobile phone, but also lets you e-mail, instant message, surf the Web, listen to music, and much more). The excitement continues!
Please visit the UMM
Computing Services Web site to get the up-to-date scoop on campus technology, our department
and its services.