Comments on: University of Virginia to Close Computer Labs http://kevincreamer.net/panda/2009/03/24/university-of-virginia-to-close-computer-labs/ The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heav'n of hell, a hell of heav'n. Sun, 21 Feb 2010 04:16:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Andy http://kevincreamer.net/panda/2009/03/24/university-of-virginia-to-close-computer-labs/comment-page-1/#comment-14194 Andy Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:56:45 +0000 http://kevincreamer.net/panda/?p=137#comment-14194 What I find interesting is how busy the library computers are, and it's only increased over the past few years. I also see more students bringing their laptops into the building, so there's evidence that both are trending upward. I know Mark is testing a new terminal setup for possible deployment. This may be a better solution than just eliminating public labs! What I find interesting is how busy the library computers are, and it’s only increased over the past few years. I also see more students bringing their laptops into the building, so there’s evidence that both are trending upward. I know Mark is testing a new terminal setup for possible deployment. This may be a better solution than just eliminating public labs!

]]> By: Kevin http://kevincreamer.net/panda/2009/03/24/university-of-virginia-to-close-computer-labs/comment-page-1/#comment-14188 Kevin Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:05:36 +0000 http://kevincreamer.net/panda/?p=137#comment-14188 Daryl, According to NBC 12, UVA says they haven't calculated the cost savings. That's a bit surprising considering it is a major part of their justification. Someone else also pointed out that the colleges at UVA have their own public computing spaces that are not managed by ITC. So it's possible that these spaces will be in more demand. I'd hate to be the software license manager for UVA, distributing and reclaiming software licenses as students came and left. I'm all for reducing the number of public computers if the arguments are there. I'd love to see a laptop initiative or requirement, but such a move should be done through a consensus with the community rather than a unilateral IT move. I think it's important to understand why public computing use is up even as laptop ownership is up. The MISO Survey team will be meeting this week to revise the survey instrument, and this is something I'd like to see if we can research. Daryl,

According to NBC 12, UVA says they haven’t calculated the cost savings. That’s a bit surprising considering it is a major part of their justification. Someone else also pointed out that the colleges at UVA have their own public computing spaces that are not managed by ITC. So it’s possible that these spaces will be in more demand. I’d hate to be the software license manager for UVA, distributing and reclaiming software licenses as students came and left.

I’m all for reducing the number of public computers if the arguments are there. I’d love to see a laptop initiative or requirement, but such a move should be done through a consensus with the community rather than a unilateral IT move. I think it’s important to understand why public computing use is up even as laptop ownership is up. The MISO Survey team will be meeting this week to revise the survey instrument, and this is something I’d like to see if we can research.

]]> By: Daryl Weade http://kevincreamer.net/panda/2009/03/24/university-of-virginia-to-close-computer-labs/comment-page-1/#comment-14187 Daryl Weade Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:38:34 +0000 http://kevincreamer.net/panda/?p=137#comment-14187 I'm with you, as this seems a bold move. Still, for the cost of all the machines, monitors, software and OS licenses, peripherals and such, they might be able to purchase the same software and make it available to students, to install on their own laptops, for free. Freeing up that money, they can install desks and study areas more reminiscent of that in Boatwright's basement. And, freeing up the support personnel, they can begin to offer more direct support for student computers, even if not purchased through UVA's sales unit. If their numbers reflect UR's, expecting that last 7-10% of students to buy laptops, when I'm getting constant emails of laptops for sale at less than $500, isn't that much of a stretch. Also, this could free up space and budget for expanding specialty labs like UVA's Digital Media Lab and UR's TLC. I’m with you, as this seems a bold move. Still, for the cost of all the machines, monitors, software and OS licenses, peripherals and such, they might be able to purchase the same software and make it available to students, to install on their own laptops, for free. Freeing up that money, they can install desks and study areas more reminiscent of that in Boatwright’s basement.

And, freeing up the support personnel, they can begin to offer more direct support for student computers, even if not purchased through UVA’s sales unit. If their numbers reflect UR’s, expecting that last 7-10% of students to buy laptops, when I’m getting constant emails of laptops for sale at less than $500, isn’t that much of a stretch.

Also, this could free up space and budget for expanding specialty labs like UVA’s Digital Media Lab and UR’s TLC.

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