UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 8, Page TT-2
October 19, 1995
TechTalk
Technology Solutions Center

'I need advice about purchasing a new computer. Where do I go?'

     Times have changed: 10 years ago, a computer with 32M RAM and a 1
GB hard drive was considered a mainframe. Today, you can have a
similar system-now considered a personal computer-sitting on your
desk.
     The recent consolidation of the consulting services offered in
Smith Hall into Room 002 recognizes that users with one type of
question may also need other types of assistance. Still located in the
basement, the consulting area is a larger space that houses walk-in
consulting help, a documentation library, an area for Help Desk staff,
stations for activating new UNIX accounts and a new location for the
Technology Solutions Center (TSC), formerly known as the
Microcomputing Resource Center.
     "We've changed our name to better reflect the services we
provide," Ron Nichols, user services, said. What the TSC provides is
high-quality, pre-purchase advice about a range of technologies.
     "Our new name describes our mission-to provide the University
community with solutions for emerging technologies. We still consult
about microcomputers, but we also help with newer technologies such as
advanced workstations and local area networks," Nichols said.
     The TSC staff constantly review and evaluate new computer
products so they can "share our expertise with other members of the
University community," he said.
     The TSC staff give you impartial, general recommendations about
the most appropriate products for you. You can purchase the items
through the on-campus Computer Warehouse or through local computer
vendors. The final decision is yours.
     If you want to test a computer before you buy it, you can step up
to one of the demonstration computers: Windows-based, Macintosh and
UNIX.
     Or, you can test a software program at the TSC. "If we have the
program, we can install it on one of the demo systems, so you can try
it before you buy it," Larry Larraga, a TSC consultant, said.
     If the TSC doesn't have a copy of the software, you can access
current computer magazine reviews through "ComputerSelect"-
a CD-ROM subscription service that is updated monthly. You can search
over 100 industry publications and 70,000 hardware and software
product specification listings. You also can browse industry company
profiles or even look up a computer term in its dictionary.
     Printed materials are also available in the TSC, including the
latest computer periodicals, software manuals, information brochures
and industry newspapers.
     "Right now, a lot of University employees are seeking advice
about the Employee Computer Purchase Program," Nichols said. "Many are
first-time buyers who want to purchase a computer for home and family
use." The TSC is getting a lot of traffic, and "we're getting a lot of
e-mail with questions," Nichols added. TSC consultants give unbiased
advice to "configure a complete system so that all parts work when
they get it home," Nichols explained.
     "People are asking a lot of questions about 'Windows 95,'"
Nichols said. "We've been testing it on demo systems in the site. For
anyone thinking about upgrading or purchasing the program, we advise
that you first make sure your existing computer has enough power and
memory," he said. If you're unsure about your system's configuration,
check with a TSC consultant. Once you verify whether you need to
upgrade or replace your existing system, you can evaluate the demo
software that's running in the TSC. This way, "you can make a better-
educated decision," Nichols said.
     To supplement their "in-person" services, the TSC maintains a
World Wide Web server that offers an electronic form of some of their
resources. You'll find information such as hours, contact information,
a map showing its campus location, staff member listings and images of
the TSC itself on the server.
     A "virtual showfloor" displays images, descriptions and
specifications of products shown at the TSC. Links are provided to
other related University services on the Web as well as access to the
TSC-maintained anonymous FTP archive, which contains a "mirror" of the
Info-Mac archives at Stanford University.
     "The 'mirror' process essentially duplicates Stanford's Macintosh
archive directories," Larraga said. "Stanford has asked that users
connect to mirror sites like ours to download files. Connecting to our
site gives much easier access and reduces the load on the extremely
busy primary server at Stanford." The TSC archive also supplies
Macintosh, DOS and Windows browser programs such as Netscape.
     The TSC is designed to help you have a smooth ride before and
after you make a purchase. "Helping people purchase the most
appropriate computer or other technologies allows them to use the
University's computing infrastructure more effectively," Nichols said.



For more information,
call 831-8895
send e-mail to tsc-info@udel.edu
point your Web browser at http://www.tsc.udel.edu/
002 Smith Hall
9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday