Department Interviews - 1997

Interview with:  Paul Baktari, Chair
                 Economics Department

Interview date:  3/18/97



Questions:

   
1. How satisfied you (and your department) are with technology support and 
   services?

   Generally satisfied.  He has heard of no problems with our service and 
   support from his faculty.



2. What services and support could be improved?
   
   Would like to see the off-campus dial-in access increased from 1 hour to 2
   hours.  

   Is it possible to get Windows 95 filesharing via the Shiva dial-in 
   LANRovers?



3. Is your department considering any new technology initiatives for the next 
   year?
  
   Faculty computer needs:
   -----------------------
   Jim Wightman wants a computer to do research.  
   Donna Mosier will be a new faculty member for Fall '97 and will need a 
     computer.
   Employment Relations person--to be hired.  

   Flagg 162:
   ----------
   Mike Nuwer is no longer officially providing support for Flagg 162 (at 
   least, he is not given release time to do so).  Paul would prefer that 
   DC/TM provide the technical support for this facility.

   There are two issues that need addressing this year.  First the server
   needs a hardware and software upgrade in order to support the
   implementation of a new operating system on the workstations.  Also
   needed is a tape backup system. In January Alpine's system disk became
   scrambled.  Disaster was averted only because they had a backup of the 
   disk on another hard disk.  

   Second, the workstations in Flagg 162 need productivity software. Both      
   Microsoft and WordPerfect software upgrades have been requested because 
   both are currently available across the campus and both get wide usage.  
   Requesting Window NT Workstation for the Flagg 162 computers.  After 
   working with both Windows 95 and NT Workstation, the latter is clearly the 
   better system for a student classroom. 

         Item                                    Quantity
   Software Upgrades	
     Microsoft Office 95 Pro                        25
     WordPerfect Suite Pro                          25
     Windows NT Workstation                         25
     Saber LAN Manager                              60

   Server Upgrade	
     NetServer LH	                             1
     Netware Upgrade                                 1
     Second NIC                                      1
     DAT Tape Drive                                  1
     Backup Software                                 1

  
   Windows NT Lab:
   ---------------
   The Economics Department has proposed a new minor in Information Systems.  
   To support the curriculum, they need a Windows NT lab that will support 
   their courses and provide students with an environment that allows them to 
   work directly with LAN technology.  

   Since they minor has not been officially approved, the department can get
   by without a lab for Fall '97.  If all goes as planned, one will be 
   offered Spring 1998.  

   Where would the lab be located?  Our current lab is in Dunn 225.  The
   servers are in Dunn 216.  They would like to keep the same rooms or room 210.  

   What type of support would be expected from DCTM?  They should receive
   the same level and quality of support as is given to other department labs
   (e.g. the Teacher Education lab, the CIS lab, etc.)

   

4. What are your most important concerns and priorities for the next
   year?

   1. Computers for faculty.

   2. Windows NT Lab

   2. Flagg 162