School of Computing

IT Committee

Notes from meeting 11th October 2006

Venue: BK1.07 at 1000

Present: Jim Briggs (Chair), Stuart Graves, Les Black, Mo Adda, Alison White

Apologies: None

Agenda Notes Action Status

Welcome

JB welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the new Committee.

JB agreed to check with Ajit whether this was a SOC committee or a CAM (computing and maths) one.

JB Proceeding on assumption that it is SOC until told otherwise

Actions carried forward

 There were no actions to carry forward.    

Outstanding requests/orders

      

QDA software

JB noted that the QDA Atlas.ti software ordered for Tineke Fitch and Philip Scott had not yet appeared. SG to chase. SG Delivered mid-November

Tutor centre PCs and monitors

JB noted that the 2 PCs and monitors ordered for the Tutor Centre had not yet appeared. SG noted that the University had been let down by Dell on the delivery of "service managed" PCs and that RM was now the preferred supplier. LB to chase. LB Delivered 8th November

Strategy/policy

 Nothing to discuss    

Major projects

 Nothing to discuss    

Operational issues

      

Leaks in Lion Gate 0.14

SG reported that there were still occasional leaks in LG0.14 during or after wet weather. The following contingency plan had been set up:

  1. Water entering a power socket (close all labs)
  2. Water landing on the lectern in LG0.14b via the lighting (switch off all lights and close LG0.14b)
  3. Water landing on the lectern in LG0.14b (close LG0.14b)
    

Software in Mercantile House labs

The panic earlier in the week when it was feared that SOC specialist software would not be available in Mercantile House was resolved when it was confirmed that the relevant NAL objects would be visible.

LB is updating the IS web pages that document the facilities available in each location (for Faculty of Technology)

LB

Ongoing on documentation.

Oracle may not be available in MH.

Lion Gate labs

Concern was expressed that timetabling had left very few hours in the week when any of our labs were free for open access. JB agreed to remind staff of the open access policy for labs in use.

JB Done

Concern was also expressed about the environment and security of LG0.7. It is usually warm in there, and it is impossible for anyone to open the windows without standing on desks. There is furniture stored in there. The carpet is dirty. There is no whiteboard in LG0.7a. There is a considerable security risk because the room is often unoccupied, has easy access through the fire escape to the car park, and there are question marks about how quickly there would be a security response if the alarm was set off. The Committee took the view that CCTV was necessary for security reasons.

JB to raise as a matter of urgency at FITC.

JB -> FITC Done by JB. No action yet from FITC.

Lectern PCs

It was noted that staff need to check that the NAL objects for software they need in lectures are available on the lectern PCs in question. Generally, this will be the case - LB to identify exceptions. LB Ongoing

Printers in BK

LB agreed to chase up the installation of the network printer for David Anderson/Janet Delve. LB Done
 

The A3 printer in BK1.08 is scheduled for repair - John Moss in IS is awaiting delivery of replacement print heads.

A need for A4 duplex printing in BK (particularly upstairs) was noted. JB agreed to review printer policy.

JB Ongoing

Move of projector from BT1.05 to BK0.11

SG noted that IS did not have a responsibility for AV equipment, other than the software on the attached PC. As a favour, he had attempted to facilitate the transfer of the ceiling projector from BT1.05 to BK0.11 but had had to give up when the keys to unlock it could not be traced.

JB agreed to raise with FITC who had the responsibility for supporting AV equipment in the Faculty.

JB -> FITC Now with SG

Research student PCs

It was noted that some of the research students who had finished their 3 years of normal registration were still in possession of both a PC and a laptop. MA agreed to chase them to ensure that at least one machine was returned immediately and that a date in the near future for the return of the other was agreed. MA Partially completed. JB to talk to Ajit.

Lab opening hours

SG noted that IS staff normally finished work at 5.15 but that some classes were timetabled in the LG labs until 6pm. He had arranged overtime cover for Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays that would allow the labs to stay open until 6pm, however this might not be possible to sustain in the event of staff illness.

After discussion, it was agreed that there was no longer a pressing need for the LG labs to remain open after 6pm. Most software used by SOC students would be available in the open access areas of Portland and Richmond Buildings and Frewen Library. Anglesea labs were also open until 9pm.

   

XP rollout

JB and MA had noted that several staff and research students were still using Windows 2000. Those users need to ask the Helpdesk to arrange for someone to come over and do the upgrade to XP.

Staff who report jobs to the Helpdesk that are not fulfilled within a "reasonable" time may raise the matter with SG.

It was noted that XP upgrades are done by a central team within IS, not the faculty support team.

   

New NAL objects

Staff who make requests to the Helpdesk to have new software installed as a NAL object should cc their request to SG. This would ensure that the installation is scheduled appropriately into the plan of work for the NAL team.    

Any other business

      

Date of next meeting

 Wednesday 8th November at 1000 in BK1.07    

Last updated by Dr Jim Briggs of the School of Computing at the University of Portsmouth.