T E C H N O L O G Y

• Don't Forget Your Crayons, Pencils, And Your (Computer) Notebook, by Gary Schanman, MBA1

What You Need

Don't Forget Your Crayons, Pencils, And Your (Computer) Notebook

by Gary Schanman, MBA1

First of all, welcome to the U-M. But I digress. Let's talk about what you need here at Michigan next year.

Should I buy my own computer?

Yes. Sad but true, without your own computer at the UMBS, you will have a very difficult time conveniently getting your work done. The computer lab has 169 computers dedicated to student labs and instruction. Included are 11 network laser printers. However, these computers are for full- and part-time MBAs, BBAs, and Executive Education use. What this means to incoming students is that the computer lab experiences an average of a 30 minute waitlist most days between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. This can be quite upsetting if you have no other options and a paper is due!

As current students know, there are "quick stations" where you can print out work and check e-mail for up to 15 minutes. This is somewhat helpful, but these lines fill up quickly as well.

On a good note, the computer labs have a great amount of graphical, statistical, word processing, and presentation software for you to use that will help many times during your education here.

Well, what kind of computer?

There are serious issues to be considered when you buy your computer. They are quite expensive and become obsolete fairly rapidly. The school suggests a Windows 95 laptop model with at least a 100Mhz Pentium processor and 16MB of RAM (800MB Hard Drive). An essential feature is a modem adapter. Based on my experience, this would be completely adequate. Due to the relatively low price for memory, you may want to negotiate 8-16 more MB of RAM when you buy the computer. Even if you want to upgrade later, there are some cheap sources in Ann Arbor once you arrive. Remember, you will always sacrifice power and portability with price. Compared to desktop models with similar features, laptops will cost on average about $1,000 more. Regardless of portability, having a modem has been the most useful addition to my computer by allowing me access to the B-school and Internet from home.

Windows-compatible systems are much easier to have at school than Macs. I don't mean to offend all of you Mac loyalists, but business in general runs on Windows and so do we at Michigan. If you won't give up, there are about 15 Macintosh computers at the lab--and if you don't mind transferring files, a Mac will work.

Why a laptop?

Having a laptop was not essential for me before MAP. At that point I realized how necessary it was for me to have access to my computer files at all times. The same will be true for you if you meet your class groups in a neutral (non-desktop) environment like the lounge or if you plan to travel on an international school project. Although the B-school assigns all MAP groups one laptop, it is not usually the most advanced model available.

Having your own laptop will also help you to avoid the long computer lab waits. Currently, there are five Ethernet ports for laptops that are never all being used. Ethernet adapters give you (and your laptop) full access to the network. In addition, all the 15 Macintosh computer ports in the lab also have hook-ups to the network (for PC and Macs!). That's 20 extra LAN hook-ups in total. You may find it best to get a combination Ethernet/modem PCMCIA card so you can take advantage of both dial-in and network connectivity.

New this year, the B-school offers 20 wireless Ethernet adapter cards that students can check out of the library which connects them to the network remotely in the library, student lounge and computer lab. They can be checked out with a student ID card (M-Card) and come with directions. If your computer runs on Windows 95, configuration will be almost automatic. One disclaimer: I have never done this myself. From what I hear from students, the results are mixed. Many say that their laptops wouldn't configure correctly. However, if you have a brand name computer with licensed Windows OS software you should be able to have it up and running. If you still have problems, computing services can help you.

What other features should you consider?

CD-ROM/Multimedia: The first thing I wanted in my computer was a CD-Rom drive. Well, guess what? I really don't use it much on a daily basis. The best use for me has been to load programs onto my hard drive fast. In the end, you could probably get away without one if money is an issue (which it usually is). The same recommendation holds true for speakers and multimedia capabilities. Having a sound card is good, but other than for personal enjoyment, they are not essential for the B-school experience.

Printer: Having a printer is very important since it will (once again) keep you from waiting at the computer lab. However, whether you buy a laserjet or not is your choice. Non-laserjet printers now offer good quality and color for a fraction of the price as laserjets. For everything except resumes, this format is adequate (and color never hurts!).

In general: you should really think about what your personal preferences are when deciding. Ask yourself, "Is the screen size/clarity important?" "Do I really need to carry my computer around?" "What kind of mouse do I like to use?" "What size/configuration of the keyboard works best?" Answers to these questions will help you price out the best choice for you.

Any ideas where to buy one?

I would go through mail order to avoid taxes (sometimes). I used PC Mall and got a great deal. If you are curious about what's out there, you can check the U-M website for special deals on hardware and software at www.umich.edu/~wwwitd/sales/. Since the B-school renovated last year, there are people in computing services who can point you to some old equipment you can buy as well. Check the B-school web page for phone numbers (or check your summer pack).

How do I get 'hooked up' at U-M?

The first thing to know is that you need a "uniquename" login ID before you can access anything! (You'll be adding uniquename to your vocabulary in due time.) Incoming students will receive a package from computing services with a form to pick the name. Don't forget to send this in! If you do, you will be forced to get online at Angell Hall at the beginning of the year with everyone else from the University who forgot. Send back your uniquename choice ASAP. You'll have enough to think about.

Once connected with a uniquename and pine e-mail password (also included in sent correspondence) you should be set to get e-mail at the B-school and access the software in the labs.

To get hooked-up from home you need to have appropriate networking software. For those of you with Windows 95, you most likely have dial-in software. E-mail hook-ups from home are easily explained in literature available in the upper computer lab (Called: Connecting to the NAS server). However, if you do not have networking software (Win 3.1 or Mac), free disks are available for hook-up at Angell Hall on the main U-M quad (near State Street). Either way, instructions take you step-by-step on how to connect. I highly recommend that you download a Netscape browser from the Internet and use this as your interface for receiving and sending e-mail. This is free for students.

At the B-school, all students have an monthly account balance of $10 of service usage. This can be used for e-mail, surfing the web, printing, M-track (online B-school network for resumes, job search etc.) or other services. This amount is put into your account on the first business day of each month. You may accrue up to two months ($20) of ITD Computing Allocation funding in your UMCE Individual Account. Based on very low rates, this amount is sufficient to carry most of you through without a problem (e.g.: Internet connections run 44 cents/hour in certain off-peak times). However, if you are worried about your balance, you can set up a special account for $25 (deposit) which will cover you if you go over the $10 allotment. For more information, check out the Information Technology Department home page at Michigan.

Hopefully, this will get you all thinking (and answer a few questions). Next year I'll tell you some additional ins-and-outs to help you get on your feet fast. Till then, if anyone out there has questions over the summer, I can be reached at schanman@umich.edu. I would be happy to hear from you.