TO: Division Chairs / Department Heads

FROM: Dave Heffner, Associate Dean
Information Technology Services

DATE: November 18, 2002

RE: Computer & Software Budget Requests

The Computer Replacement Budget is a fixed amount that is used to annually update office and lab computers, as well as software. It is critical that you list your requested items in order of importance in case only partial fulfillment of requests can be made. Provide a clear justification for any hardware and software requested. The explanations need not be long, but are necessary for the prioritization process. The Computer Budget Task Force, composed of the Dean and members of the Academic and Administrative Computer Committees, will be prioritizing requests, giving preference to those that enhance classroom instruction.

Hardware:
It is not necessary to research prices for basic configurations. The lowest level machine that we are establishing as the baseline on the desktop is a Pentium III, 384 MB RAM. We are using $2150 as a target price for desktops and $2400 for laptops for group purchases that will begin in the spring. Trying to predict ahead, a typical configuration might be:

Desktop Computer: Pentium IV, 3.0 Gigahertz Processor, 100 Gigabyte Hard Drive, 512 MB RAM, DVD-RW Drive, 56xCD Drive, SoundBlaster Live sound card, 128 MB Nvidia video card , 3 ½ Floppy drive, Windows XP Professional, 3COM 10/100 network card, 17"; flat panel monitor, Internet keyboard and optical mouse

Laptop Computer: Pentium IV 1.8 Gigahertz Processor, 30 Gigabyte Hard Drive, no floppy drive, 256 MB RAM, DVD-RW Drive, integrated sound card, Windows XP Professional, integrated 10/100 network card and 56K modem, 802.11b wireless, 15"; flat panel monitor, integrated mouse control buttons in keyboard.

Consideration of additional funding should be given if the computer requested needs to be set up at a location that does not currently have a network connection, if it needs extra security, etc.

Software:
Detail any new specific software programs that must be used, stating whether they are for individual, lab, and/or network use. You should specify software that will be used for the entire 2002/2003 academic year. If you are expecting to budget for any software other than individual installations, contact Steve Caravaggio or myself to discuss licensing options and network requirements. Lab software is ordered and must be installed by mid-July 2002. The extensive list of software in the labs can be found at http://www.lycoming.edu/ITS/AcademicComputing/ComputerLabs/winmacworkstationlabs.html under Technology Services.

Older programs that run on MS-DOS must be replaced with Windows 98 and higher versions. Support for DOS programs has been discontinued.

Data Projectors, "Black Boxes," etc.:
Some computer equipment is paired with electronic units to perform specialized functions that may have not involved a computer in the past. These items and media equipment, such as data projectors, should be submitted in the Major and Minor Moveable budgets.

If your needs differ from the standard outlined above or you have any other questions in preparing your budget, please contact Steve Caravaggio at extension 4153 or myself at extension 4278.