From Rodman Scholars Program
If you have not yet, you will soon receive some information from the University about computing and some advertisements from "Cavalier Computers", U.Va.'s computer store run through the University bookstore. Although there are numerous convenient places to do computing on Grounds, most students decide to invest in their own computers. Some find that they work better in the privacy of their own rooms and others prefer not to leave their dorm for a computing facility in the middle of the night. Because all Rodman students do not come to college with the same computer experience, the following is a compilation of some terms and information that we thought some people might want to know before buying a computer or software that they will be using for the next four years.
While desktop computers may be more powerful or upgradable, notebook/laptop computers may be more feasible during your college career. Many students like to bring their computers to class or to the library. Having a laptop can also be useful during group meetings in Webb Lounge.
Many of you will already be familiar with the information presented. If this is the case, please just skip down to the section on software.
Hardware
Central Processing Unit
As the name suggests, this is the part of the computer that does all the thinking. It coordinates computer activity by processing instructions and accessing different areas in memory.
While in the past, the clock rate, measured in gigahertz, was the indicator of computer speed, there are now other important factors, such as multiprocessing capability. This allows the computer to work on multiple tasks simultaneously, rather than switching rapidly between tasks. This is accomplished by putting more than one processor, or "core," on a single CPU.
When shopping for a computer, you will see different types of Intel processors. The Core 2 Solo is a single-core processor, while the Core 2 Duo is dual-core. There will also be clock speeds measured in gigahertz. The more gigahertz the processor has, the faster it will be.
Memory
Memory is where the computer stores information for short periods of time while it is running. It is also referred to as random access memory, or RAM. When the computer is turned off, everything in RAM is lost. When a program is running, RAM is used as the computers workspace to do some of the tasks required and to keep items that will be needed quickly. Therefore, the more memory you have, the faster a big and complicated program will run on your machine.
You will want to have at least 512 MB of memory, but in order to run Windows Vista, 1 GB is recommended.
Disk Drives
Disk drives are used to store information permanently.
Hard Drive
This is where all of the computer's programs are stored, along with all of the files you create. The information is held on a magnetic disk within the computer that cannot be removed. Hard drives come in capacities from 40 GB to 100 GB or more.
Floppy Drive
This drive stores data on a removable magnetic disk. These are rapidly becoming obsolete, and many computers produced today do not even have one.
Optical Drives
These read and write media such as CDs and DVDs. Many computers come with CD or DVD burners, and some will even write to the newer dual-layer DVDs. You should look for a computer with at least a DVD-ROM drive, although a DVD burner can be useful for backing up your data.
Networking
Virtually all computers now have wired networking capability. There are networking, or Ethernet, jacks in dorm rooms and in the libraries, but many students like to take advantage of the wireless network that can be found almost anywhere on Grounds. Owners of desktop computers may need to add a wireless card to their computers, but virtually all laptop computers have wireless built-in.
There are many different wireless standards. The 802.11b standard is nearly universal and is used anywhere on Grounds that there is wireless. The faster 802.11g standard, however, is included on most laptops these days and is rapidly being implemented throughout the University. Another standard, 802.11n, has yet to be released in its final revision, although some wireless devices have already started using it. It has yet to be implemented at UVA, as there is no guarantee that the current version will be the final one.
Printer
A printer is not an essential item because you can save your work on some form of removable media and take it to a University facility to print the information, charging to your Cavalier Advantage account on a per-page basis. However, it will benefit you greatly to have a printer of your own. It may be useful to have a combination printer/scanner/photocopier, so you can scan in notes made on projects so you can send them to your colleagues. Printers purchased from Cavalier Computers come with several reams of premium paper.
Monitor
Laptop users have no need for monitors, as they unfold to reveal a flat LCD screen. However, desktop users will need to choose between a bulky but inexpensive CRT display and a flat-panel, easy-on-the-eyes LCD display.
Graphics
The video card controls what is sent out to the monitor. In many full-screen video applications such as DVD viewing, a more powerful video card can be a tremendous asset. These devices have their own CPUs and memory to take a large load off of the rest of the system. If you think you will need plenty of video-rendering power, this may be a wise investment.
Battery
Laptop computers have rechargable batteries for use when an outlet is not available, such as in a classroom. Batteries can last as long as four hours, although half that is more common. If you think you will be spending a considerable amount of time away from an outlet with your computer, you will want to have a powerful battery or maybe event buy a second one. Note that batteries will start to lose their longevity after a few hundred discharges.
Software
There is certain software you will want for your computer. Word, Excel, and Powerpoint are included in most versions of Microsoft Office. you will need Word or an equivalent program to type up papers and responses to submit online. Excel is useful for keeping track of large amounts of figures and making charts. Over the next four years you will be giving many presentations, and you will need to make slides in Powerpoint.
You will also be using Mathematica during your first year, but not very often, so many choose to go to a computing facility such as Thorton Stacks to use the program. You may also hear about a computer-aided design program called Silver Screen, which may be used in the general engineering class. However, as a Rodman scholar taking Synthesis and Design instead, you will not need this software.
Many new computers come with the (relatively) newly released Windows Vista, although you can still find computers with Windows XP. Currently, Vista is still having difficulty interacting with hardware, although that is likely to have changed by the time the next class of incoming Rodmans needs computers. Getting a Mac is another option for students in the College of Arts and Sciences, but sticking with a PC is highly recommended for engineers.
The University Network
You will be given a five-digit University ID consisting of your initials, a number, and a letter (for example, someone named Max Samuel Kerchoff might have the ID mst3k). This ID is used to access anything on the University network, with the exception of ISIS.
Email
While you are enrolled at UVA, you will have an email address with your University ID followed by "@virginia.edu" (for example, mst3k@virginia.edu). While you can access your account from any computer using WebMail, ITC also provided its own standalone application called Mulberry, which is a free download and is installed on all University computers. The email system also provides POP3 and IMAP access, which allows you to use other mail programs such as Outlook Express and Mozilla Thunderbird to access your account.
Home Directory Service
ITC also provides a space on their servers for you to store data. This can be helpful, for example, in computer science labs where you save your code on the server and then access it from your own computer to complete the post-lab activity. It can also be useful if your printer runs out of ink an hour before a paper is due, creating the need to use the printers in a University computing facility.
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