Changes to the network for the Fall of 2008...
- The laboratory computers now use the Ubuntu Linux distribution.
(This was because CentOS didn't seem to support the computers'
audio. With Ubuntu, we now have audio back!) Along with the new
disk image comes upgrades to most software, including Firefox 3.0
and OpenOffice.org 2.4.
- Three computers from the Linux lab (MCRey 316) are now in the
hardware lab (MCRey 318), and three much older computers have taken
their place in the Linux lab. This is because a student observed
that when the Linux lab is full of students, all the talking can be
distracting. Having good computers in the other lab should make it
so neither lab becomes quite so crowded.
- The Linux lab has a new printer, named tolkien.
The old printer, now named homer, is in the hardware lab.
- Each laboratory computer has a USB extension cord on the desktop.
(It looks like half of a black golf ball). This allows access to a
USB port without getting on your knees.
- Three new 20" flat-screen monitors are in the hardware lab,
and one more is in the Linux lab.
- The server and network equipment now works off of two high-end
UPSes, so that they should be able to survive short power outages
without any problems.
- Computer science faculty have better in-office Linux setups: Each
has a computer for the IT network, but it can run VMWare to start Linux
in a virtual machine. The computers have a second network card so that
the Linux installation has direct access to the Linux network.
- Certificates and plaques won in past programming contests have
been hung on a wall in the Linux lab.