Bytes 'n Bites is a casual forum for discussion of technology issues for the Binghamton University community. Bring your lunch, your questions, your comments.

This week's topic is: Preparing for Fall Semester in the Pods
Now is the time that faculty make text book selections and begin thinking about their fall semester courses. Now is also the time for ITS to plan changes in the Pod classrooms and open computing labs that will take effect in fall semester. This Bytes ‘n Bites session is an opportunity to discuss planned changes so that we avoid nasty surprises at the beginning of the semester.

Text books that come with software that faculty want to use in a computer classroom need special attention. There are some key questions about such software that need to be answered.

• Is the software compatible with our public lab multi-user environment?
• Does the software expect a specific version of the operating system, the Office suite, or some other software?
• Is the software licensed for installation in a public lab environment?

Some courses, especially upper division and grad courses, require access to specialized software. Most of this specialized software is not available in every Pod classroom. Some is available in our new Virtual Desktop environment. ITS needs to know what faculty are expecting students to use so that we can try to accommodate them. Last minute requests are difficult to accommodate and lead to frustration for all involved.

Join the discussion. Bring a colleague.

• When: Noon – 1:00 pm. Tuesday, April 14, 2009
• Where: Lecture Hall 5