Venue: BT1.05
Present: Robert Topp(Chair), Gary Bown, Mike McCabe, Les Black, Steve Broadbent, Ed Kopinski, Dean Ledger, Alison White
In attendance: Frank Margrave (Faculty IT Co-ordinator), Andrew Little (Mechanical & Design Engineering Computing Ctte)
Apologies: Jim Briggs
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Agenda |
Notes |
Action |
Status |
Minutes of last meeting |
The minutes of the meeting on 29th November 2002 were approved. |
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Matters arising |
EK can provide “raw” data regarding logins. It will take some effort to convert this to useful data. SB cannot identify a simple way to record levels of application usage. DL.WPRMP is using the HERRING server. |
EK to send raw data to JSB |
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Approve terms of reference |
The committee considered a draft TOR. The committee felt neither admin or research computing facilities should fall in their remit. Administrative computing is funded and managed at the faculty level. Research computing is funded from research awards. EK would like the 2nd point re. Membership to be reworded to make explicit that several representatives of technical staff sit on the committee. Subject to these changes the TOR was approved for forwarding to ECAM. |
EK to email JSB with proposed wording. |
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Strategy |
A working group comprising RT (chair), GB and EK are to produce a draft strategy document by the end of term. |
RT | |
Capital expenditure plans |
It was agreed that staff will be invited to make bids for capital expenditure via an email to be sent out by EK. The deadline for bids is 28th February. The committee will meet early in March to consider the bids. |
EK | JSB subsequently volunteered to do it. |
Possible capital projects |
The committee discussed a number of possible bids that might arise from the above. |
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Cascade replacement of low-spec PCs in Mercantile House, Lion Gate and Anglesea labs |
Should have a rolling programme in place to avoid having to replace 130 machines in a single year! Mercantile House facilities need upgrading if it is to “mirror” Lion Gate. Anglesea requires CD burning facilities. |
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Computer architecture lab |
Joint venture between ECE and CSSE to convert ground floor toilets in Anglesea to a computer architecture lab. This lab will allow students to get “hands on” experience of building and dismantling PC’s. It will be used by students from all departments in the faculty. |
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Admin computing facilities |
In view of the decision regarding Terms of Reference this was not discussed. |
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Multimedia facilities |
There is a large demand for up-to-date multimedia equipment including cameras, video editing facilities and music software. Committee members felt it was important to fund this growth area to avoid falling behind our local competitors and consequently lose students. |
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Wireless facilities |
A trial use of wireless networking is about to start in Mercantile House. Centrally, ISO are looking at wireless networks with particular attention to security. SB pointed out that data rates on wireless are a fraction of those on cable. |
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New servers for specialist uses |
CAA and VLE are two potential uses for servers. |
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Software development labs |
SB suggested the comms lab in Mercantile House could be used as a software development lab. FM reported that Visual Studio.net was available for use. |
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Health and safety issues |
Air conditioning for labs was considered highly desirable. FM reported that ECE labs are now air conditioned. |
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Software use register |
SB reported that after he sent two emails requesting staff to complete a Web form, only 40% of staff have responded. This information is required to support the timetabling process as well as ensure support is available for current software He will continue to request the information from staff . |
SB to email staff |
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Extenuating circumstances and network problems |
The registry have produced a policy on how UAB’s may take into account the affect of poor network performance on a particular student assessment. In order to implement the policy UAB’s need to be aware of when the network was down. It was suggested that ISO produce a webpage giving dates/times the network (or parts of ) was down. FM will raise this at the next ICT committee meeting. |
FM to raise at ICT |
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Any other business |
GB queried the mechanism for obtaining feedback on the progress of bids for equipment. He had submitted a bid several weeks ago and did not know what the status was. There have been complaints of excessive student noise in Labs in Mercantile House. Notices highlighting the need for a quiet environment in the labs have been put up |
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Date of next meeting |
Late this term (precise date to be fixed) |
Last updated by Dr Jim Briggs of the School of Computing at the University of Portsmouth.