University of Connecticut Computer Center
UCC DDD Letter #52
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Status of Standard Husky Workstation Project

Date: December 24, 1997

Revised: March 22, 1997 (Revised to correct WWW addresses)

The program to install standardized Husky PC and Husky Mac workstations across the University is now several months old. As of December 12, nearly 500 Husky Workstations (PCs and Macs) have been installed, with more than 90% of them connected to the University network. (See the accompanying charts for a graphical summary which includes data through November). A survey form was distributed to Husky Workstation owners asking them to rate their satisfaction in several categories including the site survey and installation process, quality of the hardware and software, and overall satisfaction with the program. The results of the survey indicate that the great majority of Husky Workstation owners understand the need for a standardized workstation and are, so far, satisfied with the program. A paper detailing UConn's early experience with this project entitled, "Standardizing Desktop PCs: Consistency or Bureaucrazy?" was presented recently at the CAUSE National Conference on Computing in Higher Education in San Francisco. The text of this paper may be found on the Husky Workstation Web Site noted below. The following points provide additional information about the Standard Husky Workstation program.

Husky PC and Husky Mac Home Page

The Standard Husky Workstation has its own World Wide Web location within UCINFO for information. This is the source for current information about: Access the Husky Workstation Home Page at: http://vm.uconn.edu/~wwwiss/bulk.html

or through the Computer Center Home Page ( http://vm.uconn.edu/~wwwucc/). 

Select:
 
      http://vm.uconn.edu/~wwwucc/
           - Index
             - H
               - Husky PCs and Macs

New Standard Husky PC

A new standard for the Husky PC has been recommended by the Standards Special Interest Group of the University Computing Committee and approved by University management.

The new desktop standard is the HP Pentium 166 Mhz, 16 MB RAM, 1.2GB hard drive, 15" monitor, 8X CD ROM, Windows 95, MS Office Standard for Windows 95, UConn standard software (e.g., TCP 3270, Netscape, FTP, McAfee virus protection), installation, and 3-year, on-site hardware warranty. Cost is $2,903.

The new minitower standard is the HP Pentinum 166, with the same basic configuration except for a 1.62GB hard drive. Cost is $3,083.

Price reductions on the "Old" Standard Husky PC

The "old" standard Husky PC will be available while inventories last at the following reduced prices.

Price reductions have also been taken on the 17" monitor ($290) and the 16 MB RAM upgrade ($250, subject to change).

New Standard Husky Mac

The standard Husky Mac has undergone a change since the program's beginning with the Macintosh 7200 replacing the Macintosh 7500 as standard. Current cost of the Macintosh 7200 is $2,498.

Another change in the Standard Husky Mac will be occurring shortly after the first of the year as the Mac 7200 is phased out. Check the Standard Husky Workstation Home Page regularly for change announcements, pricing, and configuration specifics.

Warranty Maintenance Service for the Husky PC

The standard Husky PC is protected by a 3-year, on-site warranty for the system hardware. If a hardware problem occurs, call the number listed on the front of the Husky PC. This will result in a having a technician from Integrated Systems Analysts or ISA (the outside vendor who performed the site survey and installed the Husky PC) coming on-site within 24 hours to diagnose the problem. If there is a hardware problem and no significant changes have been made to the Husky PC which would invalidate the warranty, the ISA technician will fix the problem or provide a loaner within 48 hours.

However, if the problem is not found to be related to the Husky PC hardware, a service call fee will be owed to ISA. If ISA is requested to proceed to diagnose and correct non-hardware problems, the service call fee will be absorbed into the first hour of charges. Payment will then be owed to ISA at their hourly rate.

Warranty Maintenance Service for the Husky Mac

The same basic terms and conditions apply to the hardware warranty for the Husky Mac as for the Husky PC. However, the service provider is the UConn Co-Op. If a problem is found not to be related to the Standard Husky Mac hardware, a service fee will be assessed for the on-site visit and the first thirty minutes of work. If the Co-Op is requested to proceed to diagnose and correct the non-hardware problem, an hourly rate will be charged with payment by transfer voucher to the Co-Op. Check with the Coop for specific information on their service fee, as well as their hourly rate.

What's Covered Under the Hardware Warranty

The extended on-site warranty is intended to cover problems that may occur with the :hp2.standard hardware:ehp2. that came with the Husky PC or Husky Mac. Some changes can be made without invalidating the warranty. However, changes should not be made without receiving an authorization from the maintenance vendor (ISA or the Co-Op).

For the Husky PC, send an email message to uconn@nl.ct.isa.com describing the change you wish to make, e.g., adding 16 MB RAM or a second hard drive. Be as explicit as you can in describing the change you wish to make. An E-Mail response will be sent either approving or rejecting the requested change. If approved, save the E-Mail message as verification.

For the Husky Mac, send an E-Mail message to coopadm2@uconnvm.uconn.edu Please provide the same information as noted above for the Husky PC and proceed in the same fashion.

Keeping current on versions of installed software

The Husky PC or Husky Mac was installed with current versions of the UConn software such as McAfee Virus Protection and Netscape. These will not remain current for long. Be sure to download new versions of these packages so as to retain currency. Consult the Computer Center Home Page under Services/Network/ Personal Computers - PC and Macintosh for directions for Netscape and McAfee. In particular, every effort should be made to remain current with the McAfee virus protection software which frequently changes.

Access the UCC McAfee Home Page at: http://mirkwood.ucc.uconn.edu/McAfee/McAfee.html

Although the Standard Husky PC Program is thus far a success, problems have and will likely continue to occur in a project of this size. Problems regarding purchasing procedures should be directed to Gary Weller in the Purchasing Department (486-4970). Questions related to implementation may be directed to Marilyn Milsop (486-1336).

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Page last updated on 03/22/97.
Mail comments to: wwwucc@uconnvm.uconn.edu