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David Wuolu, Briggs Library
(wuolu@morris.umn.edu)
Computers in the library serve the entire UMM community, are available 95 hours per week (including access until midnight four nights a week) and are used heavily by students. The library did not receive an equpment replacement allocation from the student technology fee last year. Over the summer, several older monitors failed. This meant that the library had to make difficult decisions about how to keep these PCs in service. The decision was made to replace the monitors with funds that could have gone to purchase library materials and access to electronic databases.
We have followed a practice of using a portion of the student technology fee to replace the oldest computers in labs every year, with the goal of replacing about 1/4 of lab computers each year. This year the oldest computers in our campus labs are a larg e group of 233 MHz Macintosh G3 systems that were purchased in the 1997-1998 academic year. These computers -- the beige Macs, as opposed to the blue Macs -- are located in four labs: Behmler 10, Library 3rd floor, Student Center 24 hour lab, and Office of Residential Life 24 hour lab. They are notably very slow, are incapable of system upgrades that would bring them in line with the newer Macs, and have been subject to increasing numbers of hardware problems. We have 41 of these computers, all of whic h will be ready to retire this summer.
This year, it's been apparent that a majority of students using labs prefer to use Windows computers, while we still have a significant number of loyal Mac users. For that reason, we propose to replace some of the beige G3 Macs with Dell Windows PCs this year. In addition, we recommend that the total number of computers in labs should be reduced a small amount (about 10%) this year. Two of the most important reasons for this recommendation are: the rapidly increasing number of UMM students with their o wn computers connected to ResNet (now close to 70% of all students living in residence halls), and the planned opening of a new Computing Services lab/classroom in the new Science building (room 2190, scheduled to open as soon as renovation work is comple ted in the old Science building, will be a new 30-station Windows PC lab funded from the Science construction budget).
For the 2001-2002 academic year, using student technology fee funds, we propose the following changes.
Another proposal will be submitted that will set out plans for substantial improvements to lab printing.
UMM's computer labs are one of the greatest assets of our campus. This year's proposal matches up well with the amount of money allocated for lab improvements in the four previous years of the student technology fee. Our outstanding success in keeping l ab equipment current with the student technology fee is one of the most important reasons that Yahoo! Internet Life magazine recognized UMM as one of the 50 most-wired colleges in the United States this year. This year's ambitious lab improvement project will guarantee students a well-equipped network of reliable, up-to-date computers in convenient lab locations throughout campus for the 2001-2002 academic year.
New Macintosh computers will be G4 systems with combination DVD/CD-ROM drives, 17" Apple display monitors, Zip drives, and at least 128 MB of RAM. As part of this lab upgrade project, we will standardize all lab Macs on a single version of the operating system (either OS 9 or OS X). In addition, we propose to begin offering Mac users central storage space for their files, with Macserver accounts being provided on request for student users for the first time. This will allow us to begin phasing out the severely problematic 3-1/2" diskette drives that have been such a plague for Mac users. The necessary server and disk array upgrades to the Macserver will be provided by Computing Services and will be funded through our internal budget, not the student t echnology fee.
New Windows PCs will be selected from the best-priced systems available from Dell in summer 2001. They will have either Intel Pentium III or Pentium 4 processors, and either Windows 98 or Windows ME operating system, with 17" high-resolution monitors and Zip drives. It is likely that they will have at least 933 MHz processors, 128 MB RAM, Soundblaster sound cards, and DVD-ROM drives.
Computing Services funding will be separately provided to replace the multimedia Mac and scanner Mac with new, high-powered systems specially equipped for graphic and multimedia users. The two replaced systems may remain in service as public stations in the Behmler 39 lab.
On the one hand, the ORL lab is conveniently located for residence hall users, especially those living in the apartments. It is one of three 24-hour Computing Services lab locations (the others are Behmler 39 and the Student Center).
On the other hand, this lab has always been the least-used on campus. Usage has dropped even more over the past two years, as an increasing number of students living on campus own their own computers. The ORL office would like to expand and make more ef fective use of this space, possibly for student employees. A new, 30-station Computing Services lab/classroom is scheduled to open in the new Science building sometime during the 2001-2002 academic year. (The computers in this lab are being funded by th e Science/Math construction project, not the student technology fee.) This addition will make more lab computers available on campus to students than we have now, even with the ORL lab closed.
If the ORL lab is to remain open, its computers do need to be replaced this year. It is currently equipped with 8 of the outdated, problematic 1997-1998 vintage beige Mac G3 systems. We propose replacing these with 6 new Windows PCs and 2 new Mac G4 com puters. To make a recommendation to keep the ORL lab open for the next year, simply approve funding for this proposal.
1-G4 computer (466 MhzPowerPc,MacOs,Rage128 Pro card16-MB,SDRAM,Zip 250 drive, 30GB Ultra ATA drive, Gigabit Ethernet built in, CD-RW drive,128SDRAM-1DIMM, Apple Pro Keyboard, Accessory Kit, 56K internal modem)@$1554.00
1-Apple Studio Display monitor(17"/16"VIS)@$449.00
Software:
1-Norton AntiVirus $41.00
1-Norton Utilities $56.00
Linking computers with editors and sections will improve the layout of each section as the editors will be ensured of an available computer. Currently, over 5 person hours are wasted every Wednesday night waiting for an available computer. The other request for a computer would only replace an obsolete machine, and would do nothing to remedy the shortage of machines.
Additionally, by being able to provide each editor with a machine, we will be able to involve new students in the editing and layout process earlier in the year. We believe this will have a positive effect on recruitment, and therefore, on the overall quality of the newspaper.
This product will provide us with enough space to store hundreds of issues, and should provide us with the server stability we need.
Additionally, this will enable us to use our oldest computer for word processing, in reality the only task it should be fulfilling.
For the past four years, most of the money allocated to ResNet from the student technology fee has gone to replace the central network electronics across the entire network. The original ResNet wiring connected to hubs -- a "shared" network topology. Th e updated ResNet configuration connects students via network switches instead, a much faster, more secure, and more robust network architecture.
It was originally anticipated that changing over to an entirely switched network on ResNet would take five years with an allocation of $15,000 per year. However, prices on network switches fell last year, and we were able to purchase more switches with l ast year's allocation than expected. The Computing Services budget contributed about $8,000 to the project in summer 2000, and the project was completed a year early.
This year, we anticipate that we will upgrade printers in residence halls this year from Epson 870s to Epson 2170 printers, using equipment which will be retiring from campus computer labs. There will be no cost for this project.
For this year only, UMM Computing Services will NOT request an allocation for ResNet.
In the 2002-2003 academic year, it's likely that we will need to begin work upgrading the ResNet infrastructure again, to support network connections at 100 mb/s (currently 10 mb/s is the maximum speed available). This will be another multi-year project for which we will request support from the student technology fee. ResNet is a student service that is financially self-supporting, and it has no other mechanism of support except for the student technology fee. However, for the 2001-2002 academic year, no support will be required, and the purpose of this proposal is to state that for this year only, Computing Services will not request an allocation for ResNet.
This proposal offers a detailed plan to use the UMM U-Card to greatly expand the availability of self-service laser printing and color printing in campus computer labs. Students will be able to store cash value on their U-Cards and use that value to pay for printing or photocopying. The cost of laser printing will be reduced to five cents per page, and limited free printing will be available to all students. In the future, stored U-Card value may also be usable for other services, such as vending. The administration of UMM has committed to funding a substantial portion of the project budget. The UMM Business Office, Computing Services, Briggs Library, Information Center, Duplicating Services, and Vice Chancellor for Finance are the co-sponsors of thi s proposal.
Printing in UMM computer labs has been severely problematic for a number of years. The dot-matrix Epson printers break down for a multitude of reasons, including ribbons, print heads, and paper jams. It is not uncommon for a single lab printer to have m ultiple daily failures. Lab users are extremely frustrated with these printers, so much so that at the end of the 1999-2000 academic year, I was contacted by the MCSA Executive Council to see if there were any emergency measures that could be taken to us e unspent student technology fee funds to immediately replace lab printers.
Since the first year of the UMM student technology fee (1997), proposals have been made to expand laser printing in labs, and none have been funded. However, this is the first year in which we can offer a fully fleshed-out, detailed, practical, operation al plan to revamp lab printing. The key components to this plan are: the U-Card value stripe; a network-based Uniprint server; new laser printers and color printers; computers serving as print stations; and Debitek card readers.
Computing Services will, in summer 2001, install new laser printers in Behmler 10, Behmler 39 (24-hour lab), Library 3rd floor lab, Library reference area, Camden 10 lab, and the Student Center 24-hour lab. In addition, color ink-jet printers will be add ed in Behmler 10 and the Library, a printer will be prepared for use in Science 2190 (new lab opening in 2001-2002 academic year), and services will also be offered using the existing printer at the Information Center. At each location, a single print st ation computer will control all printers, connected to the network and running Uniprint printer-sharing software. Each print station will have a Debitek card reader.
For a student, the process for printing will be simple and convenient. From any lab computer, select a printer and give the print command. Walk up to the lab print station. Select your document from the display of print jobs on the print station monito r. Put your U-Card, or a blank card with stored value, into the card reader. The software will automatically deduct the correct value from the card (for example, five cents for a one-page document) and the document will immediately be printed.
Library photocopiers and microform readers, and the photocopier in the Student Center, will also be converted to use the same stored value on U-Cards as the lab printers use.
As part of the UMM commitment to this project, each student will receive one free blank card good for $2 of printing or photocopying value. This will provide 40 pages of free laser printing or 20 pages of free library photocopying. The free cards will b e distributed at the Library circulation desk.
UMM's administration has agreed to commit substantial funding and other resources to set up the necessary infrastructure for this important, forward-looking project. This includes the machines for adding value to cards; Business Office services for provi ding refunds for damaged cards; and necessary accounting services. UMM Computing Services is also offering direct financial support to the project by providing the nine computers that will act as print stations and card refund servers. These will be com puters that have been retired from service elsewhere. The total UMM administrative support for this project totals $20,435 in cash commitment and more than $18,000 in equipment, not counting labor and personnel support across numerous offices to implemen t the project.
For comparison purposes, programs very similar to this one have been set up on the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses. UMD uses this same software and card reader system for all lab printing. They have successfully managed lab printing this way for three y ears, and their Information Services office was enormously helpful in developing the details of this proposal. On the Twin Cities campus, the Gopher Gold program uses the U-Card value stripe for vending, printing, photocopying, and many other purposes. Both have found that putting lab printing onto a card-reader system provides an instant benefit and cost reduction to the campus by greatly reducing waste of paper and supplies.
This cooperative project will benefit students by:
On an ongoing basis, this project is designed to pay for itself. The cost of paper, toner, ink-jet cartridges, maintenance, and other supplies will be covered by the new, reduced five cent per page printing cost. Similarly, the cost of color printing wi ll be set to cover only the actual costs of paper, ink jet cartridges and supplies. All involved offices have agreed to set prices at a level designed only to cover costs, not to produce revenue.
The major components of the requested allocation for this project are:
Committing a number of computers retired from service elsewhere is one of the ways in which we have tried to keep project costs down. A comparable implementation of services at the Duluth campus three years ago cost approximately twice as much. Similarl y, a bid from a vendor to outsource this project would have committed UMM to pay annual fees that would have come to a total five times greater than our total projected cost. By committing UMM technical staff and resources, and finding efficiencies and m aking smart decisions at every step of the plan, we believe this proposal offers an extraordinary value to UMM students.
The computer would also aid in planning trips for the campus community. A lot of the reservation processes for state and national parks is done online. Increased accessibility to trip reviews, maps, and other planning information will make trip coor dinating easier and will result in better planned, and therefore even more enjoyable trips.
The printer and scanner will be used to prepare advertisements and informational documents which we hope will increase participation in all of our programs.
Two Olympus Camedia E-100 digital SLR cameras and two 128Mb Compact Flash Memory Cards. These two cameras would allow the University Register convert to all digital photography, bringing it up to date with the rest of the industry as well as saving a minimum of 5-10 person hours a week and approximately $250-$300 worth of chemicals a semester.
Currently our primary camera is a small inexpensive point and shoot digital camera purchased at the beginning of last semester. It notably saves time and money, yet we have found that it lacks the flexibility and responsiveness necessary for about %50 of the situations we deal with. The E-100 is the equivalent to a professional SLR camera, it allows for interchangeable lenses, fully manual settings, and multiple pictures to be taken in succession, all of which are essential and commonly used features by our photographers.
This proposal will impact most UMM students (currently there are 800 student on UMM payroll + students who are seeking jobs but have not secured one) and all hiring units (90+).
The statistics courses Math 3611(Multivariate Statistical Analysis) and Math 4601(Biostatistics) both use SAS software as a primary statistical package. Jon Anderson uses SAS in Math 1601, Introduction to Statistics to analyze contingency table data. This involves 100 to 300 students per year.
The Statistics Discipline will contribute $800 toward the license fee.
This equipment and software would provide a new service to students by making the comprehensive career guidance and information available to students in this interactive, multi-media medium. DISCOVER provides guidance and information to students to make important career and educational decisions. It contains research-based assessments of work-related interests, abilities, and job values that help students explore career options and has a World of Work map that shows occupations organized in a way that make sense to students. The computerized guidance process enables students to make informed decisions about choosing a major and possibly a career and then developing a plan to make it happen. The system offers a comprehensive current database of information about occupations, majors, schools, scholarships, and more. This software also helps students develop good job seeking skills through the development of effective resumes, cover letters, job applications, and interviewing skills. This software is commonly found on college campuses. In addition to use by individual students, the software can also be integrated into the Learning-to-Learn class, undecided major workshops, life work planning workshops, and the regular curriculum. It is possible that the DISCOVER software would have some use to virtually every UMM student. Currently, there is no hardware available in the Career Center or Student Counseling to run this program for students.
This PC will enhance an education and career program that conceivably could be used and be a benefit to every UMM student. Each year, approximately 100 students register for a credited UMM internship. In addition, an unknown number also register for discipline-based or interdisciplinary study courses, like directed studies or field studies. These students also use the internship database to locate a site for their experience. Furthermore, over 300 students will engage in volunteer or other non-credited educational experiences as a result of using the internship information database. During the 1999-2000 year, the internship pages on the internship web site were hit approximately 3400 times by individuals seeking information on the internship program and internship opportunities.
Loud hissing sound due to "clipping" of signal.
Loss
of stereo signal when overmodulating.
Low average modulation, which
equals the quietest signal on the dial.
After consulting with our Chief Engineer, Roger Boleman, it was determined that the proposed purchase of the Omnia 3-FM processor will remedy the aforementioned problems, giving our listeners a cleaner, "punchier" sound. This processor would be a long-term part of our air chain, useful even when our transmitter is moved or replaced.
We request $2500 from the Technology Fee, with the remainder of the cost of the project coming from our AFRC allocation.
We offer an overview of the equipment we need to obtain. We have two overriding problems as far as equipment goes. One is sound, the other is lighting. We are attempting to tackle the lighting issue ourselves by raising some money (It is also necessary to mention that this year, DJ’s and the General Manager have voluntarily foregone the option of receiving pay for their services in order to put the funds towards the improvement of the lighting system of the dance floor). Frankly, the lighting issue is more within our reach. The sound issue requires a little more money than we can realistically raise, so we are asking for assistance.
The Oracle’s DJ booth is in desperate need of two components, which are essential to do a professional job. We do not have either a professional mixer, or CD players that are suitable for their intended application. Right now when we put on an event in the Oracle, we use our own personal mixers. Luckily, two different staff members own personal DJ mixers, but if this situation were different, the Oracle would be without the most basic item essential for a DJ booth. The closest thing to a mixer that the Oracle has, are two old mixers from the late 80’s, one of which is broken. Neither are suitable for our applications as a club. We need a mixer that will be versatile. We need something that we can hook up not only CD players to, but also turntables at the same time. As we look ahead to the future, we are going to try to bring in DJ’s from different places (for example: Minneapolis, Chicago, etc.) to do special events. We need a mixer that will accommodate at least four different inputs at the same time. We also need this mixer to be of a professional nature to ensure high quality sound output. On to the issue of CD players: The Oracle has two CD players that we have been using up until now. These CD players are of a very simple nature, and are of the type intended for use in one’s home, sitting on a shelf. Whenever someone inadvertently bumps our table in the booth on which the CD players sit, they skip. They have no fast search function, no way to set cue points, and are very fragile. We need two CD players of a professional quality. This will virtually eliminate the skipping problem, and allow us as DJ’s much more freedom and options while mixing.
A separate issue from the DJ booth, are the inadequacies of our speakers (while the speakers we do have are in decent working condition). The Oracle currently has in its possession two sets of three-way speakers. These speakers are designed to provide mostly mid-range and high-range frequencies for use in a PA system. The bass frequencies are extremely inadequate. The one amplifier we have is overworked because we constantly have to turn the bass gain all the way up to even get close to sounding right. The cones of the existing speakers flex to almost the breaking point (because they are overworked). Three-way speakers are not designed to be used in that way. Because of this, we are also requesting funds to purchase a set (2) of new 18” subwoofers, a new amplifier to power them, and a stereo crossover, so that we will be able to use both amplifiers together. Adding subwoofers to our system will dramatically improve the sound. Instead of having to turn the master volume up (and in the process blasting dancers with overly strong mid and high frequencies), the bass will balance out the highs and mids. The difference will be very noticeable, and pleasant.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MIXER
The first component that we as the Oracle desire to obtain is a high quality, dependable, long-lasting DJ mixer. The Pioneer DJM-600 is the industry standard among both club and traveling DJ’s, and is suitable for any type of music. I will give a brief description of the DJM-600: The Pioneer DJM-600 is a 12.5” wide mixer designed to be extremely versatile in either the club setting, or for use by traveling DJ’s. The DJM-600 has four channels (that is, four different audio sources can be in use at the same time). It has an auto BPM (beat per minute) function that aids in the mixing together of songs. It has low, mid, and high frequency equalizers on each channel. It also has a gain dial for each channel. One of the most unique and empowering features of this mixer, is the digital effects controller that is built in. This allows the user to add amazing digital effects to the mix, and really adds an element of individuality to the music being played. Basically, this mixer has ALL the capabilities we need, and is built to last. There is no other mixer that can give us that kind of versatility, or sound quality. Another positive effect of having a very high quality mixer (and booth in general), is the fact that it is a tool to get guest DJ’s to come and spin. There is nothing more satisfying to a guest DJ, then spinning in a well-equipped DJ booth with high quality equipment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CD PLAYERS
The second important component we must have for the Oracle, is a pair of CD players that are designed for use in a professional DJ booth. This will eliminate our “skipping” problem, and allow us a more user-friendly interface. For our CD player needs, the American DJ Pro-DJ-3 CD player is a perfect fit. It has all the features we need, and is very durable. The DJ-3 is a single CD design with a slide-out tray in front. It has a large LCD display that is extremely easy to read (which we need for our low light conditions). It also features a pitch bend slider (so we can beat match our CD’s), and a seamless-looping function. It has a nice anti-skip function, which will eliminate the current problem of our old CD players skipping. It also has a large jog wheel, which lets one find and set a cue point with great speed. These CD players will also compliment the DJM-600 mixer extremely well. They are compact enough to be placed in a small space (which will come in handy when we have DJ’s that prefer turntables). For our needs, the DJ-3 is the most inexpensive professional player with all the features that a club requires.
SPEAKER SYSTEM ADDITIONS:
(subwoofers, amplifier, and crossover)
As was already indicated, the addition of two 18inch subwoofers, an amplifier to run them, and a crossover to be used in conjunction with our existing amplifier would completely re-vamp our sound. For the subwoofers, the Cerwin-Vega SL-36B would most closely fit our needs. The SL-36B is a single 18inch subwoofer contained in a specialized cabinet. Each cabinet has rear wheels allowing for quick movement, and a bass-scoop to direct the “thump” out to the dance floor. The woofers can handle 750 watts (Cerwin-Vega speakers are arguably the best out there). Having two of these subwoofers will add a completely new dimension to our sound. For the crossover, we would like to get a Rolls RX-321. It is a professional crossover with a subwoofer output (which would suit our system very well). It would allow us to use two amplifiers in tandem. For the amplifier, the Mackie M-1400i will fit our needs perfectly. The M-1400i is a high-quality professional amplifier (1400 watts total, 700 per channel) that would satisfy the power needs of the subwoofers. Mackie amplifiers have an outstanding track record as far as reliability, and they come with a superior warranty of five years.
An allocation of the amount we seek would allow us to outfit the Oracle with a professional-level DJ booth and sound system that will last for at least ten years. More importantly, this equipment will be available for the future (instead of cheap equipment that would fail after only one or two years). This aspect of consistency is one of our goals as the Oracle staff. Having this new gear will allow us to enhance the experience of the Oracle to the entire UMM student body, and do so on a consistent basis.
(To break the total amount down: Mixer= 1,500$ CD Players (2)= 880$, Subwoofers (2)= 1,540$, Amplifier= 665$, Crossover= 300$). We have also figured in a small cushion to take into account the fluctuating market conditions of DJ equipment.
As part of an ongoing effort to improve all facets of the station, the executive staff of KUMM, in cooperation with the staff at Media Services and campus administrative leaders, have been investigating ways to improve our broadcast coverage. The most practical and cost-effective avenue appears to be locating our transmitter and antenna at Morris' new water tower, just south of campus. The City is receptive to the proposal, and we request Technology Fee funding for a consulting engineer to visit the station, conduct coverage and intermodulation studies, help with studio-transmitter link selection, advise us on legal issues, and help us determine the best course of action for KUMM to take.
The Hasselmo Language Teaching Center serves the needs of all students enrolled in all courses at UMM in four languages: French, German, Russian and Spanish. In addition to offering majors, minors and teacher licensure in three of them (French, German, and Spanish) all are available to students seeking to satisfy the General Education Requirement in a foreign (second) language.
The center is also a public computer facility open to all students at UMM. As a public computer facility currently nearly half (7 out of 15) are among the oldest computers on campus, (5 years). Last year, the campus adopted a 4-year cycling of computers on campus. The HLTC has reached the end of that cycle. The computers we are asking be replaced in this request are showing their age. In the interest of students using this facility it is important that these computers and the accompanying accessories (e.g., monitors, keyboards, CD-rom drives, Accessory Kits etc.--see below.) be funded so that the facility, accessible to the student body and other UMMers, be updated and kept current.
TOTAL = $16,480