To: sauer@plains.nodak.edu
Subject: modem pool response
Loren -- You asked for comment on the fate of the modem pool. I strongly suggest that we should not be choosing BETWEEN these various computer services, but maintaining all of them and possible adding. If choices are to be made, they should be between a wider array of choices that cross the spectrum of educational and other campus support services. I suspect that SENDIT already pays for its share of the pool. At any rate having SENDIT on-line provides a special tie between k-12 students (NDSU's potential future students) to campus resources. This contact is vital to student recruitment, especially of the better, technologically more active, students. It also enables k-12 faculty to interact with NDSU which is vital for the same reason.
As for our many off campus graduate students, the pool simplifies using the web and other services for instructional support. Many undergraduate and on-campus graduate students also have an important link to campus when on vacation or travel related to instruction. ALL OF THIS IS VITAL TO NDSU'S REPUTATION AS A TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED AND SAVVY CAMPUS!
1. How important is the modem pool relative to any or all of the services on the list? Please identify services on the list that would be helpful to you.
I am working from my home office now - when I'm not on the road - so it is very important.
2. What unmet computing needs are you experiencing? Is this need(s) more important to you than the need for the modem pool? Please describe the needs that you feel need to be addressed.
Presently, the modem pool is my primary need.
3. Would you be willing to pay for your remote access to campus computing services?
No - as it is 99% work-related use.
1. How important is the modem pool relative to any or all of the services on the list? Please identify services on the list that would be helpful to you.
Becoming less important due to the slow modem speed and limited availability during evening hours.
The services on the list are all very helpful. My concern is with budget spent for items not on this list. For example, most technology has to be secured from ITS rather than available through departments/college. My question for other departments/colleges is "do architects have to check out their drafting tables? or do the applied sciences have to go through ITS to secure a microscope or other lab supplies?" Moving equipment to the colleges should free up some labor/wages from all the students and staff required to schedule & haul stuff all over campus. The concept of "personal computer" has been lost along the way. This technology should be referred to as "micro-managed computers"
2. What unmet computing needs are you experiencing? Is this need(s) more important to you than the need for the modem pool? Please describe the needs that you feel need to be addressed.
Flexibility in determining software.
3. Would you be willing to pay for your remote access to campus computing services?
Depends on the price, access, & modem capacity. Right now, the service is not worth the time it takes to dial-up.
Loren, thanks for allowing us to not restrict our answers.
1. How important is the modem pool relative to any or all of the services on the list? Please identify services on the list that would be helpful to you.
It is quite important - being able to access e-mail and Netscape from home is most highly valued by myself and I believe MANY students.
2. What unmet computing needs are you experiencing? Is this need(s) more important to you than the need for the modem pool? Please describe the needs that you feel need to be addressed.
None at this time, except need for improved built-in computers and projectors in the classrooms.
3. Would you be willing to pay for your remote access to campus computing services?
Yes, I'd be willing to pay - if it were not possible to simply make some adjustments in the annual fees associated with registration.
1. How important is the modem pool relative to any or all of the services on the list? Please identify services on the list that would be helpful to you.
I would like to make sure that the modem pool is available to those who want it.
3. Would you be willing to pay for your remote access to campus computing services?
I think it would be fair to have those who use the service should shoulder some of the cost. So I would be willing to pay for remote access.
1. How important is the modem pool relative to any or all of the services on the list? Please identify services on the list that would be helpful to you.
Any time in the last two semesters that I have tried to get help with the multimedia cart in Peggy's office I have been told ITS no longer supports so why are items 2 and 5 on the above list? [2. Classroom Media Services (multimedia carts, etc.) $102,900, 5. Classroom Technology Options (more carts) $ 9,000]/
I am not sure what item 4 is. If it is help from people like Bud or the phone in helped desk I think that should be expanded and those guys should be given an award for all the work they do to help us. [4. Desktop Research Technical Support Specialist $ 55,200]
2. What unmet computing needs are you experiencing? Is this need(s) more important to you than the need for the modem pool? Please describe the needs that you feel need to be addressed.
Try to have ITS do its training sessions for those of us who use MACS and have someone do them that knows what they are doing. I do not wish to waste my time while someone learns how to use the program when I am there to learn.
3. Would you be willing to pay for your remote access to campus computing services?
I'd be willing to pay a fee to NDSU for this service. A fee that was competitive and even a bit more than I'd pay a remote carrier.
Loren--Just a couple thoughts in regard to this . . .
Since coming to NDSU, I have not set up computer access at home. I live close to campus & to this point, have not had a need to use this service. (Partly due to the fact that my home computer is old & slow, and also because I experienced MANY complications trying to use the modem access at ----------)
HOWEVER, I did use modem access at the University of ------------ as a grad student and found the service invaluable! During the time I was there, U. of ------ had to tackle the modem issue also because their use numbers had grown far beyond what their systems could handle. They contracted with the local service ([ISP] to provide the access to students & faculty. As long as the individual used 10 or fewer hours per month, there was no charge. Beyond that the cost was a base of $10. (I don't remember what the increments for hours beyond were, but they were very reasonable.) Using this system, access was still available--at no or a reasonable cost--and the problem was "handled." The billing for the "beyond" cost was to the individual (I assume the university had to pick up the basic access at a group access rate.)
1. How important is the modem pool relative to any or all of the services on the list? Please identify services on the list that would be helpful to you.
I'm not even sure what the remote modem pool is. Unless it's something directly related to the computer on my desk, I'm not using it at all.
2. What unmet computing needs are you experiencing? Is this need(s) more important to you than the need for the modem pool? Please describe the needs that you feel need to be addressed.
???
3. Would you be willing to pay for your remote access to campus computing services?
Probably not, unless like parking, I had to do it just to be able to do my job.
Subject: Re: Campus dialup modem pool survey
1. How important is the modem pool relative to any or all of the services on the list? Please identify services on the list that would be helpful to you.
I would place model pool high on the list. Classroom technology options would also be helpful to me at this time
2. What unmet computing needs are you experiencing? Is this need(s) more important to you than the need for the modem pool? Please describe the needs that you feel need to be addressed.
At this time I am not experiencing any unmet computer needs. Improved access to campus computing from remote sites would be helpful.
3. Would you be willing to pay for your remote access to campus computing services?
I think this service should be provided free for students and faculty. It is an integral part of technology use on campus.
--Loren -- Just read the [CPG-Tareski] memo to Schnell on the modem pool value. Well said. The continuation and growth of the modem pool is more important than even adding Internet two services in the final analysis--but one shouldn't have to choose. It's even more important than continuing football (but that would be a hard sell, I suppose).