Happy Holidays ACM Members,
You haven’t heard from us for a while, not much has gone on, but that will change very soon. Here are a few random items.
1.) The Labs
Support was experimenting with new lab arrangements this quarter. From discussion at the general meeting in December and observations of lab activity we have compiled the following opinions from students. Any comments can or suggestions can be sent to a reply to this message or to the acm-officers email address. We will forward comments to support.
- “We need more Linux Machines”
In general, people come to the labs to hang out and use their laptop or use a linux machine. This is the software most preferred in the labs and most used for upper level courses. Priority is very high for these. Support suggested using Virtual Machines for this, but this doesn’t provide the speed, performance, and feel of the real box. We flat out need more of these, hopefully few windows boxes or laptop stations can convert to linux.
- “The laptop stations are nice, but 8 in 002 is overkill… They are detracting from more useful Linux boxes.”
It’s common that people work on their laptops without being wired up to these stations. Some get used, they are a nice addition, but the proportions are a bit off. Four in 006 is fine. 8 in 002 is absolute overkill, 2-4 would be much more appropriate. 022 is fine as is (none). It would be nice to have widescreens for all these stations (see blog topic #2 for possible solution).
- “The workstation geometry of 002 is an improvement!”
Great! We no longer have to ninja hop a table or feel like we are running around in circles to escape the lab.
- “Tables are popular.”
These are used frequently in 006 and 022. 002 misses its tables. The middle area arrangement works for laptop usage, but it would be nice to have a table somewhere if it fits (it doesn’t need to be wired up). Tables tend to get used for quick lap top usage, food, and study groups (when the rooms and breakouts are full).
- “What happened to the Linux log in screen?”
Is this an OS change or a global setting? The new login scheme is a little time consuming, requiring way more clicks and time for the lookup since it automatically starts up on password entry for the first user. It’s not critical but if this could be changed it would be nice.
2.) STF Lab Proposal
You may notice our lab machines are a little outdated… 2007 Omniboxes? The ACM officers are in the process of putting in an STF proposal for new lab machines. The proposal is due January 23rd. We are totally up for suggestions, just send the acm officers an email. We are thinking of the suggesting the following.
- Updated boxes (quad cores)
- All Widescreen Monitors
- Some double screen monitors?
3.) Winter Events
There is ALOT going on starting the 2nd week of the quarter in terms of tech talks and contests. The second round of recruiting and Career Fair two will be focused on internships. We’ll get the calendars out soon.
Enjoy the last few days of break,
GO HUSKIES!!!
Chris — ACM