Updates to Faculty and Staff Office Computers

Faculty who did not receive new computers during our last major replacement cycle in Fall 2005 will receive a new computer this summer (see the list below).   If you are scheduled for a replacement, you can help us streamline the process. Please refer to the "New Computer Deployment Summer 2008" [pdf] document for complete details about when, where, and how we'll be installing your computer.

Faculty Computers Scheduled for Replacement Summer 2008

  1. Axelrod, Saul
  2. Caldwell, Corrinne
  3. Davis, James
  4. Farley, Frank
  5. Fullard, William
  6. Gross, Steve
  7. Ikpa, Vivian
  8. Meddock, Terry
  9. Rosenfeld, Joseph
  10. Soundy, Cathleen
  11. Swavely, Jill
  12. Walker, Tom
  13. Hindman, Anne Marie
  14. Tincani, Matt
  15. Linky, Ellen
  16. Cucchiara, Maia
  17. Booth, Julie
  18. Laurence, Janice

Faculty will receive a new Dell Optiplex 755 PC computer with Windows XP Professional, Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB RAM, and 160GB hard drives. You will also receive a new 19in flat-panel monitor and your printer will be evaluated for replacement.

What about the rest of us?

Faculty who received new computers during our last major replacement cycle will receive an upgrade to 2GB of RAM to insure you have the necessary processing power to run updated software applications.

What about Staff?

Some staff will also be receiving replacement computers.  We will be contacting you separately to help prepare for your transition.

Staff Computers Scheduled for Replacement Summer 2008

  1. Ball, Geri
  2. Edwards, Donna
  3. Horvat, Erin (ELPS Chair)
  4. Jackson, Alice
  5. James, Pamela
  6. McGee, Bernie
  7. Meyers, Emily
  8. Mickles, Pam
  9. Neal, Joyce
  10. Rodrigues, Rosalie
  11. Thomas, Carla
  12. Thomas, Tonya
  13. Vesey, Mary
  14. Wales, Deborah
  15. Whitaker, Marcia
  16. Williams, Celeste
  17. Williams, Valerie
  18. Wong, Lillian

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm on the list, when will you be coming and what should I do to prepare?

Please refer to the "New Computer Deployment Summer 2008" [pdf] document for complete details about when, where, and how we'll be installing your computer.

I think I should be on the replacement list, but I'm not. What's up?

If you think your office computer is due for replacement, please send an email to Lori Bailey at lori.bailey@temple.edu and someone will be by to evaluate your system.

Can I get a laptop instead?

We are considering this as an option for our next replacement cycle. However, at this time, it is not fiscally feasible for the College to offer a laptop alternative.

Unfortunately, the cost of laptops is still significantly more than desktops. We replace our desktops every 5 years, but laptops need to be replaced every 3 years. And due to the additional costs of adding docking stations, replacement batteries, support for drops/falls, and anti-theft controls, the price of a laptop is still very high.

Some faculty do qualify for or may purchase an upgrade to a laptop instead of a desktop. See our Technology Policies and Procedures for details.

Can I get a MAC instead of a PC?

The College converted to a PC-standard in 2005. Exceptions are made only with the approval of the Technology Committee, and only for faculty who require MAC platform to complete specific teaching/research tasks. Reasons why the College is on a single-PC-platform include:

Compatibility issues

  1. The University currently develops in a Microsoft environment: classrooms are PC, University systems are only guaranteed compatible with PC, and network services only offers full functionality (shared drive/shared printers/shared software) with PCs.  We anticipate that any new functionality related to the new ERP system will also be windows-based. 
  2. In addition, a range of software is not supported by MAC or MAC only supports particular versions:  including Atlas.ti, SAS, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Photoshop. 
  3. While the new MACs can run both Windows and MAC software, we would have to purchase software licenses for both platforms for each machine.  In addition, switching between the two is not as seamless as many assume, and would require re-training faculty and frequent switching.
  4. It's also easier to share documents between and among colleagues all using the same platform.

Standardization means easier management

  1. New computers are “imaged” en-masse to get them ready to deploy.  An image can only be deployed to computers with the same hardware installed. 
  2. When one computer stops working, we can easily replace its parts or even the whole thing with the exact same model already in stock. 
  3. Support is easier to offer when we are all using the same platform -- often we can answer questions over the phone or fix things remotely, because of the functionality allowed by the windows platform.
  4. And, we are working on a lot of initiatives related to network-based installation of software, tracking inventory, and sharing resources that will be easier and even possible only if we are all on the same platform.

Purchasing/Total Costs

  1. PCs cost less up front – Comparable MACs cost about $350 more
  2. MACs don’t have the same warranty – Apple only offers a 3-year maximum warranty.  Dell offers us a 5-year warranty, covering the life of the PC.  Dell also guarantees us next-day parts that we can order online without having to call tech support.

 

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