Computing Standards
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Computing Standards at CU
Computers and the software they run are constantly changing. Even though it may not seem like it, these changes are usually made in order to take advantage of advances in computing technology. Utilizing these advances is an important part of the mission of the ITS Infrastructure Department at CU. These advances allow for the delivery of meaningful, relevant, and up-to-date course material by faculty members to students, gives students the ability to generate work and complete research using advanced techniques, and allows staff to support faculty and students as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.
In order to utilize these advances, the ITS Infrastructure office must constantly maintain and upgrade CU's network and available software packages. This means that it is the student's responsibility to obtain and maintain a certain base technological level in regards to their own Personal Computer or Apple Computer. In order to make this easier for the student, and allow the ITS Infrastructure Department to maintain proper networking standards, ITS recommends that a student's computer meet the following minimum criteria:
Personal Computers
Hardware
- 1.6 GHz Processor with 2 Mb Cache and 400 MHz Data Bus Speed
- A minimum of 128 Mb of 266 MHz DDR SDRAM, 1 Gb recommended (Wikipedia article on what this is and means: DDR SDRAM)
- 30 Gb Internal Hard Drive (4200 RPM minimum)
- An optical drive capable of reading and burning CD's and CD/RW's, and reading DVD's
- "Business" level video and audio capability (This means that as long as your computer can play sound and can display color at 24-bit color levels, you're ok)
- A Network Interface Card (NIC) that has 10/100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet) connectivity capability (This Wikipedia article may help with understanding data rates: Data Rate Units)
- A Wireless NIC that is 802.11 b/g capable (Wikipedia article on wireless network cards: Wireless Network Cards)
- At least one open Universal Serial Bus (USB) port recommended
- One open VGA (video) port (for connection to a Data Projector) recommended
Software
- Microsoft Windows XP* (Home or Professional) with Service Pack 2 and all subsequent updates installed
- Microsoft Office 2007*, with Word, Excel, and Powerpoint installed
- A contemporary, standards-compliant internet browser (examples include Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 3.0, and Safari 3.1 - Now availabe for PC) with all updates installed (All of these browsers are available for free download)
Download Internet Explorer
Download Firefox
Download Safari
- Antivirus software* that is up-to-date and the subscription is current
Apple Computers
Apple products and operating systems are designed together to work together, and while the operating system may be upgradeable, the hardware usually isn't. When you buy an Apple product, you buy both.
Hardware
Minimum technology standards can be found in the Apple iBook G4 series computers (specs for this series can be found on the c|net site here: Apple iBook series Computers) All of the minimum hardware technology standards the the PC needs to meet can be found and met using this Apple series of products.
Software
Software can be upgraded on an Apple product, so these are the minimum specs that need to be met:
- OS X operating system (All versions)
- Microsoft Office 2004* Productivity Suite, with Word, Excel and Powerpoint installed
- A contemporary, standards-compliant internet browser (examples include Firefox 3.0, and Safari) with all updates installed (These browsers are available for free download)
Download Safari
Download Firefox
Miscellaneous Items
These items are definitely not required, but can be extremely useful:
- A Flash Memory stick ("jump drive", "thumb drive", "flash drive") at least 512mb in size
- A small spindle of blank writable CD's (10-15 CD's available on the spindle)
- A Mini-DV tape (This is a mini digital video tape)
- A 6' Category 5, 5e, or 6 ethernet cable (See Wikipedia: Cat5/5e and Cat6 articles for cable information)
Concordia-Provided Software
Any software market with an * can be obtained free from the Concordia ITS department provided that you are either a) a currently enrolled student paying a technology fee as part of your tuition, or b) a currently employed faculty or staff member.
Windows XP and Office 2007 for students can be obtained by filling out a media request form located here. (You may be required to log into the CU intranet using your network username and password before accessing this software.)
Faculty and staff members are not eligible for Windows XP for home use, according to Concordia's licensing agreement with Microsoft. However, you can obtain a copy of Office 2007 by going through the knowledgebase article on Office 2007 located here: Office 2007 Overview. (You may be required to log into the CU intranet using your network username and password before accessing this software.)
CU's Sophos Antivirus client can be obtained Installing Sophos Antivirus. (You may be required to log into the CU intranet using your network username and password before accessing this software.) Make sure you follow the instructions for download and installation located in the knowledgebase article in order to have the Sophos antivirus client install and update correctly.
Student Computer Maintenance Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of every student at Concordia-Portland to be familiar with and maintain their own computer hardware and software. The ITS Infrastructure office's responsibility is to maintain Concordia-Portland's network. We can give recommendations for troubleshooting computer hardware and software issues as time permits, but each student is responsible for the resolution of their own computer-based issues, up to and including engaging an outside technology service to provide a resolution if the student can't do this on their own. This includes the installation and maintenance of Microsoft-provided media kits (Microsoft Windows and Office) and anti-virus software provided to students by the ITS Infrastructure office. Concordia's Help Desk is for the resolution of Concordia network and audio-visual issues, not individual computing problems. We are happy to make recommendations as time permits, but it is ultimately the student's responsibility to understand and maintain their own computer. If students are not capable of doing this, for whatever reason, then they need to engage an outside technical service to resolve whatever issues may arise.
Additional Information
As always, if you have any questions regarding CU's computing standards, or any of the other information located in this knowledgebase article, please feel free to contact the Help Desk at 503-493-6300.
