Venue: BT1.08
Present: Jim Briggs (Chair), Steve Broadbent, Ed Kopinski, Alison White
Apologies: Dean Ledger
| Agenda | Notes | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Actions carried forward |
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Rolling software budget |
Reported to be approx. £30k. Main items: Maple; Microsaint; MATLAB EK to send list to JSB |
EK | continuing |
Laptop ports |
5 modem sockets are available on Mercantile floor 5. There is also a wireless transmitter on floor 5. ISO (Chris Boorman through Frank Margrave) is looking for 20 Technology faculty students to participate in a pilot. JSB to contact Frank about this. |
JSB | Frank said a pilot under way involving "cosmology students". JSB to follow up. |
New users: automatic set up of L: drive directory and Faculty web server accounts |
EK had requested that the helpdesk notify the appropriate site support team when a new user account was created. Requested but not happening. EK to repeat/with Julian Lintell-Smith and the LAN team |
EK |
No result yet. |
Lab information on web |
SB, DL, EK agreed to set up/update the web pages for the Mercantile, Lion Gate and Anglesea labs respectively, and notify JSB of the URLs. This would include hardware configurations and software installed. Mercantile is close (now have web server account to use); Lion Gate not done yet; re Anglesea, EK to talk to Les Black It was emphasised that accurate information about the labs was an essential pre-requisite to good timetabling. Timetabling is likely to be a critical issue in the Developmental Engagement next year. |
SB |
Ongoing |
Outstanding requests/orders: software |
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CD writing software |
Discussion as to whether to go for the CD writing software we have most of (VOB), or the one several people think is best (Nero). It was agreed to buy VOB for the 50 machines in M2.4 and M2.2. |
JSB | Ordered |
Dreamweaver licences |
EK to send JSB a spreadsheet showing who has licences | EK | Done |
Outstanding requests/orders: hardware |
|||
Printers |
A brief discussion of whether it was better to put a network-enabled printer in each of the bigger rooms in Burnaby Terrace rather than 3 or 4 directly-connected printers. EK agreed to send JSB a price list of common printer options. |
EK | Ongoing |
Major projects |
None | ||
Operational problems |
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3D Studio Max |
Work had already started to install the existing version 4.3 licences in Lion Gate (it should be available as a NAL object). It was agreed to install the existing version 4.2 licences in M2.2 asap. It won't be available on the video editing machines. SB to report when done. It seems agreed (by everyone outside the Committee as well as those on it) not to buy any further licences before next summer. |
SB | 4.3 is now available in Lion Gate 4.2 will be available in M2-2 ready for the start of semester 2 |
Problems with PCs in M2-2 |
Most are now working. Two still need their motherboards replacing. | ||
Multimedia support in Mercantile House |
Dean and Tom provide support on an as needs basis. Generally problems in Mercantile House are sorted out quickly using local expertise. There is an issue that currently Merc support staff have no access to ISCA staff acounts. EK to discuss with site support team to resolve. It was noted that support staff in Mercantile House were supporting Ahmed Latif and Denis Reeve-Baker in Wiltshire Building. |
EK | EK still sorting out access to ISCA staff accounts. |
|
It was agreed to order an additional cassette recorder and microphone so that one could be kept in Lion Gate and one in Mercantile. It was also agreed to order 5 more licences for CoolEdit. It was noted that Jasmin Cameron may be about to make a case for purchasing more MIDI keyboards for M2.2/M2.4. |
JSB | Ordered | |
Linux Lab |
John Drury still has to finalise it. EK to chase. | EK | Not quite finished, but not a high priority because the lab is not used yet. |
Student passwords on Tiger |
EK to talk to Julian Lintell-Smith about allowing student helpers to change student passwords on Tiger. | EK | Won't happen. ISO reviewing helpers policy. |
Security in Mercantile House |
Discussion of security issues in Mercantile House. Noted that there had been no thefts of computer equipment in recent times. Two video players had been stolen, but there did not seem to be a need to replace them. The corridors of the floors with labs are covered by video cameras linked to the Security Lodge. When the building is quiet (e.g. evenings, Wednesday afternoons) the support staff patrol and lock up rooms that are not in use. SB agreed to investigate a connective wire alarm for computers in the labs. |
SB | Done. Estimate £600 per lab (14 labs in Merc). Rejected. |
| SB also agreed to contact Estates and do a security audit with them. This would include a lockable cupboard in M2.4 for equipment. | SB | Continuing | |
| It was agreed to review the key arrangements for the classrooms and specialist labs. | Flag to ECAM | Ongoing | |
Any other business |
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Zip drives |
As a result of an issue raised at the HND Board of Studies, it was agreed to buy a portable Zip drive for issue from Mercantile House. |
JSB | Ordered |
| It was also agreed that in due course about 5 Zip drives would be removed from machines on floor 3 and redeployed to floor 4. | SB | Done | |
Standalone boot for staff PCs |
Discussion on whether a "standalone boot" option should exist for staff PCs to enable some functionality in times of network unavailability. Technical and policy problems to overcome. Keep in mind, but no action at present. | ||
Firewall |
Some problems with the Firewall (particularly relating to Peter Bednar and Kate Dingley) were discussed. This is ongoing elsewhere. | ||
Perception |
AW reported a problem in running Java applets within the Perception browser. She is pursuing the matter in an attempt to locate the problem. | ||
Internet cafe in Lion Gate |
As a result of an issue raised at the Maths Board of Studies, JSB agreed to ask DL to set up again the Internet Cafe in Lion Gate. 8 Dell P3500 machines had been redeployed from Mercantile House for this purpose. | JSB DL |
Done |
Date of next meeting |
Provisionally set for 1430 on Friday 6th December in BT1.08 (JSB's office) |
Subsequently revised to 9th December. |