Group reflection

Updating software on the Texas Tech Campus

Group 3

Zach Tijerina, Anh Tran, Avery Nelson, Allison Reynolds



Introduction

With the technological advances taking place in the world today, it is important that higher institutes of learning such as Texas Tech stays up to date with software upgrades. With this in mind, it is time that Texas Tech make sure every computer on campus is up to date with the same software. Many schools around the United States have started upgrading every computer on campus to make software very available to students at different locations on campus.

Texas Tech is failing to keep with the software updates. While many computers on campus are updated with the latest technology, several still have out of date software installed on the hard drives. By doing this, Tech is making it hard for students to work at different computers throughout campus. Making sure that every computer has the same software will allow for students to transfer documents from one computer to the other at their convenience.

We propose updating computers with the exact same software throughout campus. All computers will be downloaded with the appropriate software. Apple computers will be downloaded with the current iLife suite while PC computers will be downloaded with the current Microsoft office suite. This will allow for easier transfers from one computer to another by students. The students will no longer be inconvenienced with having to work at a specific location for school projects.

Statement of Problem

Many students and professors use several computers on campus when working on a project. Often times the computers are used between classes and projects are saved to a flash drive. In this event, students and professors often transfer data from several different computers while working on a project. This often is a problem because software is not always the same on each computer on campus. Some computers have the Microsoft Office 2003 edition downloaded, while others have the 2007 version downloaded. This is a problem because files produced on the 2007 version will not easily transfer to the 2003 edition. The same holds true for Apple computer software. The current situation is an inconvenience for Tech students. Something needs to be done by the university to update the computers and make computer software more accessible to students.

To help show the importance of updating software on campus, we created a survey that shows an insight of the problem and how it affects students on campus. We interviewed students at various locations on campus.



We took the liberty to speak with campus officials regarding the updating of software. According to a professor in the College of Mass Communications building, software updates is something needed on campus. “Our campus tries to keep everything updated for our students. It is unfortunate to find out that not everything is up to par and that can make it a real hassle for students that do work at several computers on campus. I would guess that every students uses multiple computers on campus. Software updates between buildings is something that we have always had an issue with and argue about with the people in charge every year. All the computers in the mass communication building are updated with the same software because we have a technical guy who handles that, but other buildings are another problem. We have no control over other buildings on campus updating software.” Software on campus is not always updated because of certain teachers’ curriculum. Teachers often choose not to use updated software because they are unfamiliar with it.

We also spoke with the director of the digital media lab in the library. He said, “I think it would be a nightmare to orchestrate compatibility throughout the entire campus. The departments that choose to fund technology upgrades would be unable to do so because other departments did not make the same decision. Each department had different technology needs. Not all departments need the cutting edge technology that we have.”

We understand that not all departments on campus would need cutting edge technology, but still think that simple technologies should be consistent. Microsoft Office and iLife are two software suites that are a necessity students need to complete simple tasks in class.

Proposed Solution

We would like to see every computer on campus equipped with either Microsoft Office 2007 or iLife 2007. We would also like to see the software for sale on the Texas Tech website to insure that each student is able to download the software onto their computer at home at a low cost. The university has the funds and technology capable of making this project happen. It is only a matter of taking the time to update every computer. The university must also realize this will be a beneficial investment toward the education of each student. Each building at Tech has an IT employee who handles any computer issue. They could take the time to update each computer with the appropriate software. The only other obstacle that would need to be overcome is the cost. Each department would have to pass approval to update the computers. This is where the university must realize the necessity for the software updates and use its money wisely.

Scope

Since not every computer on campus is updated with the same software, the proposal to update all computer software to Microsoft 2007 and iLife2007 is very important and cost effective. Updating the software will make working around campus much less of an inconvenience for students.

Most students are purchasing new computers upon entering college and are using updated software on their computers. If they needed to transfer homework to a Tech computer, it would be very difficult because the computers on campus have out of date software. Also, if students have out dated software on their computer, purchasing the new software from the Tech website will make things easier for students.

Through our research, we feel this is a very cost effective expense for the university to look in to. This change will make projects less stressful for students and will increase their educational experience.

Methods

We surveyed ten Texas Tech students ranging from ages 19-23 were surveyed on their feelings toward currently updated software on all computers located across campus. Two out of the ten students owned Mac computers over a PC. All ten of the students responded that they currently had at least one class that required the use of a computer. Where eight out of the ten students who use a PC responded that five use a PC more than an hour, two use the PC more than two hours, and 1 use the PC more than three hours weekly. The two students who used a Mac responded that they used the Mac computer for more than three hours per week. Eight out of the ten students have faced problems that occurred due to software programs that were not up to date. Six of the eight students who faced problems were using a PC computer where the other two students were using a Mac. Ten out of the ten students felt that all software programs on Tech campus should be updated and compatible with each other.





Through on interviews we found out that officials on campus are for updating the software throughout campus, however, they feel that it would be very time consuming and cost a lot of money.

Qualifications

While preparing this proposal our group found out that we have a wide range of computer software needs. Anh Tran is a junior biology major and uses computers frequently on campus. He mainly works with Microsoft Office applications while on campus. Avery Nelson and Allison Reynolds are both interior design majors. They both use Adobe Photoshop and AutoCad software found at the Human Sciences building. Zach Tijerina is an Electronic Media and Communications major who uses iLife software.

Project Schedule

There are several steps when completing this proposal. First, we need to organize our proposal as a group and present it to the head technology at Texas Tech. We will then need to obtain approval and purchase the software to update the computers. Finally, we will need to have an IT employee assist in updating every computer at Tech.











Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5
Present Proposal X
Obtain Proposal X
Purchase Software X
Install Software X X
Offer online download X

Budget

In order to update the computers with the software, the money is very feasible. We suggest purchasing the Microsoft Office suite and iLife suite. Since the computers at Tech already have software, an upgrade is all that is needed. Also, Tech will receive an educational discount from Apple and Microsoft for the purchase of their product.

The cost of purchasing Microsoft Office 2007 is normally $129.99 per computer, while Microsoft Office 2007 pro edition can be as much as $199.99 per computer. Tech will be receiving the product for $80 per computer with the educational discount. This software can be purchased directly from the Microsoft website at www.microsoft.com.

The cost of purchasing iLife 2007 normally costs $99 per computer for the family pack. Texas Tech will be receiving the product for $79 per computer. This product will be purchased from the Apple store at www.apple.com.

The manpower will not cost Tech much more money. Each department already has employees that handle the computers on Tech. The IT employees on Tech campus will be in charge of updating the computers, so Tech will not need to look to hire extra help.












Item Cost
Microsoft Office 2007 $80.00
iLife 2007 $79.00
Manpower $0.00
Total Cost per PC $80.00
Total Cost per Apple $79.00


Conclusions

In conclusion, from our research we feel it is a necessary step forward for the Texas Tech to update computer software on campus with Microsoft Office 2007 for all PC computers and iLife for all Apple computers. It is obvious that students would need updated software to complete the tasks give by professors. Since Tech is for the higher education of each student, the administration should be more than willing to update the computer software. Doing this will not only make learning and teaching easier, but it will make doing class work more convenient for students. This will result in students doing a better job on projects. The process is inexpensive and will benefit the university greatly. For the education of the students, this could not be more beneficial.


Survey questions

Do any of your classes require the use of a Mac or PC?
Yes 10
No 0


How often do you use a PC for your class
None at all 2
More than 1 hour 5
More than 2 hours 2
More than 3 hours 1

How often do you use a Mac for your classes?
None at all 8
More than 1 hour 0
More than 2 hours 0
More than 3 hours 2

Do you feel all software on campus should be compatible?
Yes 10
No 0