QUESTIONS

COMMENTS & RESPONSES COMPILED BY:
Professor M. C. Rosen
Chief Technology Officer
U.Va. School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS)

For Specific Questions related to the School of Engineering and
Applied Science, please contact:

Professor M. C. Rosen
Telephone:     (434) 924-1414
E-mail:  rosen@virginia.edu

For General Questions including Dormitory Computing Issues, please contact the: 

ITC Help Desk
Telephone:     (434) 924-3731
E-Mail:  consult@virginia.edu
Web:  http://www.itc.virginia.edu/helpdesk/

For Back-to-School PC specials, please contact: 

U.Va. Cavalier Computers
Telephone:     (800) 759-4667or (434) 924-4447
Web:      http://www.cavcompbts.virginia.edu
E-Mail:   BTS-Questions@virginia.edu

"Are computers required?"

U.Va. has no formal requirement – but a very strong recommendation – that students have their own PC, and we provide some guidance for those bringing a PC or making a purchase.  However, on grounds there are currently computing labs outfitted with all of the software needed to do your homework...so if you don't buy one, sufficient resources are available for you to do your work. (There are some early stage discussions, though, about remotely delivering certain course software to the student-owned computers and eliminating the desktop systems that comprise U.Va.'s public student computing labs.)

This past year, over 99% of the SEAS 1st Year students had their own computer.

"Should I buy a laptop or a desktop model?"

Last year, 97% of the engineering students chose laptops.  Laptop ownership vs. desktop has risen steadily (up from 94% in 2006,  89% in 2005, 79% in 2004, 64% in 2003 and 37% in 2002).

Laptops and tabletPC computers can also take advantage of U.Va.'s wireless Ethernet network infrastructure. The newer models often build in the popular WiFi (802.11 b/g) which works with U.Va.'s wireless network.  Upgrades to 802.11 a/b/g are occurring in some University locations.

"What software should I buy?"

The software selected for the 1st year engineering courses runs under Microsoft Windows.  Microsoft Vista or Windows XP is recommended.

We use engineering calculation and other software packages in the first year program.  We bundle the software with the class textbook, or provide for attractive educational-priced editions.  It's therefore best to get your software after you arrive at U.Va. 

If Microsoft Excel is not bundled with your PC, it is available under the new U.Va./Microsoft Campus Agreement subscription license.  Our students can obtain a license for the Microsoft Office suite, or obtain a license to upgrade their computer from XP to Vista at no additional cost.  Installation media will be available for $10 at Cavalier Computers effective 8/23/08, which is the computer sales outlet at the University Bookstore:

Web:      http://www.cavcompbts.virginia.edu
Telephone:     (800) 759-4667or (434) 924-4447
E-Mail:   BTS-Questions@virginia.edu

"I am interested in knowing what kind of power I will be needing.  Since this will be my only computer, I obviously want it to be a good one, but I also obviously don't want to spend too much money in the process.  Do you have any advice or suggestions?"

A PC laptop or tabletPC running Microsoft Windows Vista or XP would be the most compatible.  I also usually recommend getting a computer that is upper mid-range where you can get the best package price deals.  (The "just"  released models with the latest processor usually sell for price premiums, but quickly get outdated too.)

"Do the U.Va. dormitories have wireless Ethernet ?  Do they have 100 Base-T Ethernet capabilities?"

All residence halls have wireless Ethernet coverage.  All dormitory rooms are wired for 10-BASE-T Ethernet.   Speed upgrades to the hardwired network in the dormitories are in process.  A detailed list of locations and coverage is found here. 

"Can I purchase a PC at the University of Virginia?"

Cavalier Computers will be contacting you with their Back-to-School specials.  They sell the Dell laptop computers selected by U.Va. under contract. These systems are "Net Ready" for use in the dorms.  Other models are also available.  If you would like further information, they can be reached at:

Web:      http://www.cavcompbts.virginia.edu
Telephone:     (800) 759-4667or (434) 924-4447
BTS-Questions@virginia.edu

"How do I make my PC Net Ready and make the connection to the dormitory Ethernet LAN and wireless ?"

If you purchase one of the DELL systems under U.Va.'s Back-to-School program, they are already "Network Ready," and nothing further is necessary.

If you purchase or bring another model PC with a working wireless or wired  Ethernet connection, you will need instructions on how to set up your computer to connect to the U.Va. network. You can find these instructions on ITCWeb (http://www.itc.virginia.edu/wireless/cav-gateway.html) or check with ITC staff and Computing Advisors at the residence halls on move-in Saturday or call the ITC Help Desk at (434) 924-3731.

"I already own a Macintosh computer. Will a Mac present software conflicts?  (I intend to purchase, just to be sure, a Windows emulator.)"

"What is Apple's Boot Camp ?"

If you were to bring your Apple MAC computer, you could use it, at a minimum, to meet your communications needs (E-mail, Internet access, etc.) and possibly too for the Excel spreadsheet work.  You could then go to our PC Labs to work on the Mathcad engineering calculation software that we use in the first-year program.

Only a small number of our students have Macs, so our experience is limited-- We are aware of some cases that have had  positive and others that have had negative experiences.  Last year, the count was 6% for ownership of Macs.

A copy of Microsoft Vista and the Office suite will be available under the Microsoft Campus Agreement to run on Macs.

[1] Running Windows under virtualized environments on Intel-based Macs including Parallels, VMware Fusion,  or software under Codeweavers CrossOver on Mac OS X is an unsupported option. Software versions are updated each year;   An earlier release of Mathcad worked last year.  Some software will work well.  There is no guarantee that all the Windows-based software or your devices will work correctly in that mode.

If you don't want to get a PC now, you don't have to.  You can bring your MAC, and if it looks like things are working out for you, great...  if not, you can use the School's computers or decide to acquire a PC at a later point.

[2] Information on Boot Camp, for dual-booting Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X:

Ref:   Apple Bootcamp-  Home Page  and  Installation Guide/FAQ

"I still have questions.  Who can help me?"

For General Questions including Dormitory Computing Issues, please contact the: 

ITC Help Desk
Telephone:     (434) 924-3731
E-Mail:   consult@virginia.edu

For Back-to-School specials, please contact: 

U.Va. Cavalier Computers
Telephone:     (800) 759-4667or (434) 924-4447
E-Mail:   BTS-Questions@virginia.edu

http://www.cavcompbts.virginia.edu

For Specific Questions related to the School of Engineering and
Applied Science, please contact:

Professor M. C. Rosen
Telephone:     (434) 924-1414
E-mail:  rosen@virginia.edu