As per library policies, the Milton S. Eisenhower Library has spent the past month upgrading approximately two-thirds of its most frequently used computers.
Despite the upgrades, which include faster processors, larger screens, and greater quantities of memory, some students report that MSE computer difficulties remain unresolved.
Upgrades also include front-mounted USB ports and headphone jacks -- features frequently requested by students in the past. Students can now use the new more accessible USB ports to download either a floppy or a USB drive. Additionally, the library will now sell floppy disks for 25 cents and will soon sell USB keys as well. The library hopes to upgrade the remaining third of public computers by the end of this school year.
These changes reflect the library's plan to upgrade their computers every three years in order to ensure their high performance and quality. The three-year cycle of updates has just been put into effect.
"New [computers] are constantly coming out, so it's very difficult to keep up with the technology. And upgrading them requires a lot of money, time and work," said Sue Woodson, MSE's electronic public access services librarian. Woodson said she hopes that, in the future, updates will be implemented on a more regular basis.
The library tested each computer for potential bugs and to ensure that each program runs properly before it is released for public use. Each computer was also tested for applications beyond internet browsers and Microsoft Office. As different departments require specialized software, the library checked with staff from each department to make sure that those programs were usable for students.
"It's so much easier to use the USB drive now that they're in the front instead of in the back," said Nino Torres, who works at the circulation desk.
Senior Caroline Kim added that the computers are now much more useful to the students. "It's not just the internet browsers. Now that the computers have Microsoft Word, students don't have to go all the way to the HAC Lab to print out a paper."
Some students, however, report that despite upgrades, they continue to experience problems with MSE computers.
"Those computers never work for me. They run slowly and there are no programs. I feel like a lot of the problems happen because they use outdated machines," said senor Laird Nelson.
"I went into the library between classes to check my e-mail and it took me fifteen minutes to find an open computer. I looked on several of the levels. They should have a few computers in each building on campus or other accessible places for student use," said Chris Baia, sophomore.
Library staff said they have also benefited from the upgrade in computer systems."Initially I didn't notice the difference that much," said Abha Saraswat, a student who works in circulation. However, once she started using the computers to check out materials, she become aware of the changes.
"The library check-out programs used to be too advanced, too high-tech for our old computers. And they used to crash all the time," Saraswat said. "The system doesn't crash anymore ... and they're not as noisy as before."
"I think they're wonderful. They're faster and nicer. And now if you want to listen to an audio or video file, you can use your headphones by plugging them into the front. Now with so many things going multimedia, it's really useful," librarian Liz Mengel said.
Wireless internet access is now available throughout nearly the entirety of the building as well. There are also more than a hundred Ethernet ports. The circulation desk sells Ethernet cables for $1.00.
