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Should
I or shouldn't I shut down my computer?
I hear talk about "Thin-Client"
technology. What is it?
What is the Dell
purchasing plan for faculty, staff and students?
____________
Should
I or shouldn't I shut down my computer?
Answer:
Should I or shouldn’t I...that
is the question. Should I shut my computer down at the end of the work day, or should I
leave it on? With earlier models, turning computers off and on was stressful to some of
its components. It was better to just leave them on. Not so anymore. With improvements
made to monitors and computers’ system boards, it no longer causes the computer
stress when turning it off and on. It is now beneficial in more ways than one to turn your
computer off when you leave for the day. Turning your system off not only saves energy,
but computers generate heat while on, so turning them off when not in use will allow your
work area’s central heating and cooling system to do its job more efficiently.
Shutting your system down daily also clears anything stored in temporary memory. When
temporary memory is not cleared regularly, it can negatively affect the speed at which
your computer processes information. Also, leaving your machine off when not at work
protects your computer from any unexpected electrical shocks or surges and provides some
security. So, give your computer its needed down time and shut it off each day before you
leave.
Back to top
I hear talk about "Thin-Client"
technology. What is it?
Answer:
Thin Client technology can best be summarized as taking the computing horsepower
requirements of your computer, and moving them back to the server. The power at the
desktop is "thinned down" thus resulting in a Thin Client configuration vs. a
Full Client configuration. Instead of having a CPU sitting next to you for running
your software and saving your documents, these functions will be done from a central
server.
In today's environment, computers must be upgraded frequently to take advantage of the
latest applications and operating systems. Purchasing new computers, deploying them, and
maintaining the software and hardware is costly. High-performing desktops are needed
because all the processing is accomplished on the desktop computer. This was very
important in the days when networks were slow and unreliable, and servers/mainframes were
expensive.
Networks have come a long way and central computer costs have plummeted. Much money can
be saved by moving the processing requirements back to a single server (or group of
servers) in the computer room that are shared by many users. Without the need for high
performance by the desktop, older computers can appear to run the latest applications with
ease, software only has to be updated once at the server for all users to have it, &
desktop repairs/visits are substantially reduced.
Think of how much computing power a desktop has, and how little time you spend at the
computer using it. And even when you are using it, you're using a small percentage of its
ability. Sharing the power of the server across many users becomes a real saver.
Other benefits are:
- You can access "your desktop configuration" from any networked computer
around the campus (and even on the Internet), because your unique desktop configuration is
now located on the server.
- Classrooms can share computing resources without the worry that the configuration for
a specific class will be compromised.
- Campus-wide application upgrades can now take places in days or perhaps hours,
instead of weeks or months.
- The life of a computer is significantly expanded, saving valuable funding for staff,
faculty, and other uses.
- Macs and PCs can live in harmony, because the server doesn't care what desktop device
(within reason) is used by the end user.
Disadvantages are:
- If the network were to fail, access to files and software would be lost until the
network is back online.
- Mobile users with laptops would still require a "full client" configuration
for when they are not connected to the network.
What is the Dell purchasing plan for faculty, staff and
students?
ANSWER
All
staff and students of Lewis-Clark State College are eligible to receive a discount off of
all Dell Computer orders. To get this discount you can order online at
Dell's
Lewis-Clark State College Website | Please check www.dell.com
for specials also.
For questions about personal purchases please
call Faculty/Staff/Student Dell Computers @
1-800-274-7799 x88700. The up to 10% discount is already included in the prices
viewed on the website, call Dell to confirm final pricing discount.
If you need school
verification and LCSC's Dell account number to order call the Information Technology
Department at 792-2215. You will need to pay for your order
up front using a credit card or by applying for the Dell monthly payment plan
option. |
