The computer lab at the school is an air conditioned, second story room presently set up for 13 students. I believe the room could accommodate a few more. The 13 computers presently connected are all IBM compatibles, none of which is less than five years old, by my estimate. I didn't power up all the systems but the fastest contains a 486DX2 processor. This system and perhaps two others are Windows 3 compatible. Everything else is strictly DOS, 286 or slower. The newest printer is an HP500C, a black and white inkjet printer.
The UMCC Board has given me approval to pursue updating the equipment.
I will be in touch with some of my expert friends as I seek a configuration that will serve the school for the next few years. Following are the specifications that I have in mind as an initial cut. (This may either be the cadillac of computer labs or I may be aiming too low. Your advice is welcome.)
It's my sense that any student continuing his or her education beyond the UMCC will need some basic wordprocessing skills. Most students who go on to seek office work will benefit. Access to knowledge via encyclopedias and the Internet will be helpful to students presently and in the future. I wouldn't be surprised to find at least one budding web page author, one graphic design artist, and one software engineer among the school students in any given year. I'd like to see the UMCC be able to serve all of these. I hope that the configuration below will enable the school to do that.
Software
word-processing software - all systems
spreadsheet - all systems
encyclopedia - all systems
PrintShop type software (for resume's, signs, greeting cards, etc.) - all
systems
web browser - all systems
web filter - all systems
web authoring software - two systems
digital photo compression software - two systems
graphic arts program - two systems
"C" programming language compiler - two systems
Systems
each system - quantity 15
150 MHz MMX Pentium (or equivalent) processor
32 MB RAM
2 GB hard drive
CD-ROM
Ethernet
15" monitor
Windows 95
UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply)
larger server type machine - two of the above systems with
faster processor
more memory
larger hard drive
DVD-ROM
56 kbps modem
tape backup
ZIP drive
Additional Hardware
laser printer - 2
color inkjet printer - 2
scanner (I'll move the underused scanner from the Mission House to the
school)
digital camera
Communications
telephone line (the school does not presently have one)
Internet Service Provider account (e.g., Hondutel)
Personnel Needs
Someone to configure / integrate the systems and network in the U.S.
Someone to setup the systems on Utila
A teacher (We do have a teacher who I feel is qualified to teaching basic
computer skills
but we'd have
to move her from her present subject area)