PCC Opens Doors to U Nderg Rad Uates
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rI~DI~ ~and rentice ~at~ p~ e~ evisited e~ JANUARY 1991 ~~~ 1990 PCC Opens Doors to Underg rad uates • • • ... With the PC Lab On 1 October last year, the Prentice Computer Centre opened its new PC Laboratory housing 60 computers for use in University teaching. Its aim is to provide a computing and printing service for students and staff. The opening of the lab was the result of months of work by the Centre's staff, in particular john Currie and Denis Antonellie and the staff of the PC Support Group. Wilfred Brimblecombe has now assumed operational responsibility for the lab. Initial funding for the lab was received from the University, but the lab aims to be self funding over time. Interest in the Printing in the lab is on high quality computers. Attached to the lab are two laboratory has exceeded expectations. laser printers. Laser printed assignments teaching rooms; a PC room and a Macintosh Students can use a computer including can replace handwritten cines! A binding room. Departments can book either of these software for $ 2 per hour. Popular service is available for assignments and rooms for lectures or tutorials. software such as WordPerfect, Microsoft reports. PC Lab hours are Monday to Friday, Word, Works, and Excel is installed on the The lab contains a mix of state-of-the- art 8.30 am to 10.30 pm during semester, and computers . IBM compatible and Macintosh LC colour 8.30 am to 4.30 pm during breaks. .. And Other Student Services The introduction of the PC Lab is The word processing package used in University library'S catalog via the only one service the Prentice undergraduate courses is one element of campu s computer network, UQnet. Computer Centre is offering to Microsoft Works. Works is a popular, easy Students a lso have the capability of undergraduate students. to learn package which students can use accessing other tertiary institu tions 'in the PC Lab or purchase for their home throughout the world using UQnet. In July last year, the Prentice computer. The courses are held in the PC 1991 will see the introduction of more Computer Center offered its first Lab. student services from The Prentice wordprocessing course for undergraduate Students with home computers and a Centre. students. modem now have access to the Prentice Revisited From the Director. • • A Centre such as ours must fulfill two being the next stage of this type of key roles within the University. development. In fact, because of its The first is to provide services to meet adances in this area, the Centre has been the developing needs of the staff and commissioned to provide the Directory students. In this regard 1990 has really Selvices for the whole AARNet. been a vintage year with an extensive January 1991 also sees the range of new services released. These are amalgamation of the Prentice Computer detailed in this review. In particular I Centre and the Division of Audio-Visual believe that the new PC Lab will quickly Services into a single organisation "The become a key resource of the University. PC". This is an exciting change for both Our second role is to introduce new groups and one which will promote the technologies and innovative services to merging of technologies. the campus to help maintain the pOSition The Central Video Replay System, of this University as the leading now installed in many lecture theatres is University in the State and one of the but the first example of such a merge; a Most importantly, however, the foremost in Australia. The Centre's work major project commencing this year is the management philosophy w ill apply in computer networks epitomizes this development of remote video teaching across the new organisation to bring new, role, with the release of Directory services requiring both vido and advanced integrated services to the Services on the network in January 1991 communications technologies. UniverSity. Housekeeping The Prentice Computer Centre had out of the huts which TED! now occupies Director............. ...... Level 3 some housekeeping changes last behind the Physics building. The huts Deputy Director... ....... Level 5 year. housed the Centre's training rooms. Finance and Administration ........ Level 4 With the completion of the new These training rooms are now located on User liaison and Marketing.......... Level 4 Hawken Building, the Engineering Level 3 of the Prentice Building. Network Central Computing Services Faculty moved out of its old home and Engineering also vacated the huts, and is Accounts .... ..................................... Level 2 now situated on Level 5. Help Desk .. .. ....... Level 2 into its new one, leaving the Prentice Operations ................................................. Level 2 Computer Center the main occupant of The PC Support Group was moved to PC Lab ........................... ......... .. ....... Level 2 Building 42. With the move, the Hawken Level 2 (Ground floor) to provide easier Program Library.. ................................ Level 4 Systems Software ........................................ Level 4 building was renamed the Prentice access especially for those clients bringing their computers to the group for Information Technology Services Building. Applications Development ........................ Level 4 repair. The PC Support Group's position The Prentice Computer Centre moved Data Entry ................................................. Level 4 is also convenient to the PC Lab. Training Rooms ', ' .................. .. ..... LeveI3 The Program Library and Systems Media Production Software staff are now located on Level 4. Graphic Design.. .. ............. Level 5 With the amalgamation of the Prentice Photography . .............................. Physics Building Computer Centre and the Division of TV Production .. .. ........ Avalon Theatre Network Engineering Audio-Visual Services (DAVS), many Central Maintenance .. .. .... Level 1 DAVS staff relocated to the Prentice Communications .. ................. Levcl 5 Building. CON ... ................ Level 1 The following is a summary of where Technical Services each of The Prentice Centre sections is PC Maintenance .. ............. Level 2 located as at the start of 1991, but this TV Maintenance .. .. .... Avalon Theatre Audio-Visual Pool. ............... Level 1 may change during the year with the Central Video Replay System .................... Level 2 restructuring of The Prentice Centre: Lecture Room and Conference Services .. Level 1 In this Issue ... PCC Opens Doors to Undergraduates New Services from Expo-Uni Involvement.. .................. 10 Central Computing Services With the PC Lab. .. ....... 1 Looking to 1991 ....................... ....... 11 Typesetting.. ... .. .... .. .. .... ...6 And Other Student Services ......... 1 Amalgamation with DAVS .11 Scanning .............. .. .7 PC Lab for Students.. .. .. 11 From the Director .. 2 The Big Computers DirectOlY Services Introduced...... .11 KL Days are Numbered.. .. .......... 8 AARNet National Directory Services Project .. 11 Housekeeping ......... .. .... ........ 2 Goodbye VAX 111780, Hello Sun ...... 8 Farewell Card Reader ............. 8 Medical School Interactive Video Teaching System .. 11 PCC Amalgamates The little Computers Wordprocessing courses with Audio-Visual Services ..... 3 The PC Support Group Team. ...9 for undergraduates ........................ 11 Software Discounts ........... ..9 Network News . .. 4 New Computers installed early in 1991... .................... ..... .12 The University'S Networks............ .4 What we've done in Information Technology Services ............. 10 The Prentice Centre Shop ...... .. 12 Access to UQ Library Catalog ........... .5 Leo Howard Involvement ... .. ... 11 Directory Services Introduced ...... 5 Training Courses in 1990 ............... 10 Orientation Week Plans ..................... 11 2 JAN '91 Prentice Computer Centre amalgamates with Audio-Visual Services The last quarter of 1990 was a busy same. Other sections have been created will establish a computer graphics time for the Prentice Computer or modified. From 1 January 1991, the laboratory for academic use, it will set up Centre and the Division of Audio initial Prentice Centre sections are: the remote video teaching trial for the Visual Services. We have merged to • Central Computing Services, medkal faculty, and it will develop and trial electronic presentation systems for form The Prentice Centre. • Finance and Administration, lecture theatre use. The official date for us to become one • Information Technology Services, The Prentice Centre will be housed in big happy family was 1 JanualY 1991, but • Media Production, the Prentice Building (building much preparatory work was needed. number 42 on University maps). The • Network Engineering, The Prentice Centre unites users of Graphic Design Unit, and the Audio similar technology previously separated • Technical Services. Visual Equipment Pool were moved into by organisational boundaries. The Centre The Specialist Medical and Dental the building prior to Christmas. Plans are is the focus for computing and allied Photographers have been transferred to undelway to move the Photography Unit, technology on and off the St Lucia the control of the Health Sciences Group TV Production staff and Television campus. A wide range of services is and are not part of The Prentice Centre. Maintenance staff in the future. available to staff and students, as well as As services are examined, there will The amalgamation will introduce a Corporate Services such as Network be some