PENNPRINTOUT - University of Pennsylvania

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Overall, 16 percent of students said they use computers intensively, 41 percent reported frequent use, 38 percent occasional use, and 5 percent never use them. These percentages did not differ substantially between ResNet and other residences. A total 54 percent of ResNet students indicated that availability of ResNet services affected their room selection this year, as compared to 13 percent of those not in ResNet; 49 percent of the freshman, sophomores, and juniors in both ResNet and non-ResNet buildings agreed that ResNet will affect next year’s housing selection. In ResNet, 68 percent reported owning a computer (53 percent desktop and 15 percent laptop) compared to 62 percent non-ResNet (46 percent desktop, 16 percent laptop); 44 percent in ResNet reported sharing computing equipment with roommates versus 20 percent in other buildings. Reflecting this greater in-room access, ResNet students report less use of residence labs (12 vs. 22 percent) and School/Library labs (17 vs. 21 percent) for their primary computing. An important finding is that 22 percent of ResNet students use a modem (vs. 45 percent outside ResNet). Further study is required to determine if ResNet modem use, which is discouraged, is due to the cost of Ethernet hardware, perceived complexity of Ethernet software installation, requirement for access to external bulletin boards not accessible via the Internet, or other factors. In general, ResNet students make more use of network resources (although note that in Table II on page 9, “library use” was defined to mean network access to library resources from outside libraries). Television Although about 53 percent of all students reported owning televisions, 34 percent of ResNet students had access to roommates’ sets, compared to 17 percent in non- ResNet buildings. Additionally, more ResNet students reported owning VCRs (36 vs. 27 percent). Reflecting both greater access to televisions and greater channel selection, ResNet students spend more time watching TV each week (15 percent watch over 14 hours; 47 percent watch from 5 to 14 hours; vs. 9 percent and 36 percent, respectively), and more frequently (“almost always” plus “frequently,” as opposed to “sometimes” or “never”) watch news (26 vs. 15 percent), sports (55 vs. 38 percent), the ResNet movie channel (51 vs. 7 percent), and foreign language programming (10 vs. 4 percent). The overall percentage of students reporting use of television for assignments was 12 percent. Telephones In ResNet buildings, 605 students reported that they opted to have a private telephone line installed, compared to 15 students in other residences. 10 Act “Bottom now line” and questions save! Nine percent of ResNet students agreed that availability of ResNet services influenced their decision to attend Penn, compared to six percent of students in other buildings. When asked if ResNet had contributed to their academic experience, 76 percent in ResNet agreed vs. 26 percent in other buildings. Regarding ResNet’s positive contribution to the quality of life at Penn, 87 percent in ResNet agreed, compared to 37 percent of students living elsewhere. Looking forward, 57 percent in ResNet agreed that the services would help with future work goals (vs. 40 percent), 47 percent agreed that availability of ResNet-type services could influence their choice of graduate schools (vs. 30 percent), and, as noted above, 49 percent of freshman, sophomores, and juniors in both ResNet and non-ResNet buildings agreed that ResNet would influence their choice of residence next year. Some observations It is important to note that ResNet is an investment in “deep infrastructure” to support emerging changes in the way Penn carries out teaching and learning as well as changes in the role of on-campus residences in the academic and social life of the campus. It appears that the University launched ResNet at the ideal time to leverage the explosive growth of scholarly interest in the Internet. Nevertheless, since ResNet is only half finished—and, in particular, since very few freshman or graduate/professional rooms are wired—the full value of ResNet will not be apparent for several years. Nettlesome issues remain, however. We need a better understanding of some students’ preferences for modem use over Ethernet, and (potentially related) better understanding of how to accommodate the 15 percent of students with laptop computers. For example, in academic buildings there are few ports available to attach an Ethernet-ready laptop. We also have evidence that our network acceptable use policy will have to be adapted— and enforced—as new uses and abuses are discovered. Finally, our biggest challenge is likely to be providing students who don’t live in the residence halls with costeffective access to data networking services equivalent to those available to ResNet students. This remote access is equally important to faculty and staff from their homes as networked computing becomes a key component in the way people live, learn, teach, and work at Penn. DANIEL A. UPDEGROVE, Associate Vice Provost for Information Systems and Computing, co-chairs the ResNet Steering Committee; GEORGE P. McKENNA, Director of Network Operations and Engineering in Data Communications and Computing Services, chaired the ResNet evaluation sub-committee. PENNPRINTOUT
Alumni PennNet Service BY ALFRED C. D’SOUZA What happens to Penn graduate students who enter the real world without access to PennNet and the Internet? For those who remain in the Philadelphia area, this need not be a problem, thanks to the Alumni PennNet Service (APS), launched recently by Data Communications and Computing Services (DCCS) in conjunction with the Office of Alumni Relations. And, for those graduating in May, APS is available for half price. What services are provided? APS is a service very much like eniac, mail.sas, and dolphin—offering access to e-mail, NetNews (including all upenn newsgroups), World-Wide Web, Telnet, and FTP, and eventually a site for personal home pages. Both commandoriented software (Elm, Tin, Lynx) and graphical desktop clients (NewsWatcher/Trumpet, Netscape/Mosaic) are supported. APS, a successor to the Alumni E-mail Service developed last year by the former University Data Center, also includes access to the standard PennNet 14,400 bps modem pool; an additional charge will apply for use of the new 28,800 bps pool to be available by July 1. (See page 25 for information about this new service.) Are there any restrictions? The purpose of APS accounts is to foster an ongoing relationship between Penn and its alumni. Graduates active in alumni affairs, fund raising, student recruiting, arranging internships—and job hunting—should find APS especially attractive. Use of these accounts for commercial purposes, however, is strictly prohibited. Alumni who need access to the Internet as an integral part of their business activities should obtain service through local or national commercial providers, or through freenets. (See page 14 for information on Internet access in the Philadelphia area.) APS includes access to Franklin, the Library’s online catalog, which is freely available to any Internet user. However, because of commercial licensing provisions, APS does not provide access to most of the other Library services, such as MEDLINE, Dow Jones News/Retrieval, and LEXIS/NEXIS. How much does it cost? The annual fee for APS is $275 per year, plus applicable taxes, payable in advance. For 1995 degree recipients (undergrad, grad, or professional) who purchase the service by June 30, the fee is $137.50. DCCS will attempt to maintain a graduate’s network ID, e-mail ID, e-mail folders, and alias file, if desired. This can be guaranteed for students now on Dolphin. For ASC, SAS, SEAS, and Medicine, DCCS will provide recommendations and procedures to enable students to transfer e-mail folders to their new accounts. All account holders must also sign an acceptable use policy. Who should I contact? Act now and save! If you want to purchase an account during the special discount period, call the PennNet Help Desk at 215/898- 8171. For specific, detailed information about this new service, send e-mail to help@dccs.upenn.edu, access the URL http://www.upenn.edu/DCCS/APS, or call the PennNet Help Desk. ALFRED C. D’SOUZA is Director of Network Services and Support for Data Communications and Computing Services. APRIL 1995 11
Page 1 and 2: PENNPRINTOUT VOLUME 11:6 APRIL 1995
Page 3 and 4: Technoliteracy A student’s view B
Page 5 and 6: The Wharton Research Data System In
Page 7 and 8: large-scale study of the financial
Page 9: neglected to identify their residen
Page 13 and 14: ists around campus—in what has be
Page 15 and 16: Internet Access in Philadelphia & B
Page 17 and 18: Other sites Other sites offer news
Page 19 and 20: Supported products In addition to t
Page 21 and 22: Virtual University (from page 1) ch
Page 23 and 24: evolution is putting libraries and
Page 25 and 26: ANNOUNCEMENTS Further information o
Page 27 and 28: ISC B&P seminars Bits & Pieces semi
Page 29 and 30: Hot Dates Please note that the summ
Page 31 and 32: I want to include sound files with

PENNPRINTOUT - University of Pennsylvania

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?