Minimum Computer Standards

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Minimum Computer Standards

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Minimum Computer Standards

Here are system recommendations for those wishing to connect to the Otterbein network (typically through residence hall connections) as well as for people wishing to connect to Otterbein systems from off-campus locations.

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If you're shopping for a computer, please refer to the Academic Discount web pages.

The table below contains three recommendations. The column labeled Minimum Acceptable reflects an absolute minimum system configuration and should be used only if there are absolutely no other options for you. Given the processing speed, memory and hard drive requirements of many computer applications, the Better column is a more realistic configuration - and is highly encouraged for both on-campus and off-campus use. The Best column reflects a typical high powered machine and will be more than adequate for four or five years of academic use.

Important Note:

If you're bringing a computer to campus, it is vital that you bring all original software installation discs (not copies) as well as all license certificates and installation documentation. Original installation software and license information is usually required if your computer experiences any problems or sluggish performance. The ITS Department cannot "loan" you any software. If you bring this material to campus with you, it will save you the headache of having to buy new software or retrieving it from home. Macintosh users can get Internet access to all resources as Windows users, but need to use the Firefox Browser for Blackboard. Windows 2000 will no longer be allowed access to the Otterbein network beginning Winter Quarter 2008 due to Microsoft dropping support.

	Minimum Acceptable	Better	Best
Processor:	Intel Pentium III (or equivalent) 1.5 GHz or faster	Intel Pentium IV (or equivalent) 2.5 GHz or faster	Intel Core 2 (or equivalent) 2.5 GHz or faster
RAM:	256 MB	512 MB	1 GB or 2 GB or more
Free (Unused) Hard Disk Space:¹	20 GB	40 GB	80 GB or more
Operating System:²	Windows 2000 Professional	Windows XP Home	Windows XP Professional Windows Vista
Office Software:³	Microsoft Office 2000	Microsoft Office XP	Microsoft Office 2003 Microsoft Office 2007
All Systems Should Have:	CD or DVD drive Network interfaces⁴ and CAT-5 Ethernet cable⁵ Adobe Acrobat Reader software⁶ Internet Explorer 6 (or higher) with all security patches and updates installed (see Microsoft's download site for more information), Cookies Enabled, Java enabled, security set on Medium (not High). Please note that the AOL browser will not work with the Blackboard system. Using the AOL browser with certain Blackboard features, such as online tests, will cause serious problems and may jeopardize your test scores. If you are an AOL customer, you will need to use an alternate browser. Virus protection software⁷
Off Campus Connections:⁸	For off-campus Internet connections: Cable modem, DSL, satellite, ISDN, employer LAN or other high speed Internet access. Telephone dial-up connections are strongly discouraged. Connections should not be routed through proxy servers.
Optional:	802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n wireless network card⁹

¹ If you are taking courses that involve recording and/or editing digital audio or composing graphics, you should have at least 120 GB of hard drive space as a minimum. If you are taking courses that involve recording and/or editing digital video, you should have at least 200 GB of hard drive space as a minimum.

² All Operating Systems should have all critical updates and security patches installed, current virus protection and a spyware remover. Residents should bring the original installation disks to campus. Important Notes: Installations made with pirated copies of Windows (or unauthorized duplicate use of legitimate CDs) may not be able to install the latest critical updates and patches - in those cases users should reinstall Windows with a legitimate licensed copy. Information Technology will not support an operating system that is no longer supported by its manufacturer. You will not be allowed to connect to the Otterbein network unless you are using one of these operating systems. (Mac users can connect to all the network resources through the Internet.)

³MS Works is not supported. MS Office and other software can be bought at discounted academic prices from the bookstore and other academic discounters. Users of MS Office 2007 and 2008 should save files in previous file formats or they may not be viewable by users with prior versions.

⁴ Network interfaces come in a variety of styles: 1) as a card installed inside of a desktop computer, 2) as a PC card for use in a laptop computer, and 3) as a USB device. Any of these are acceptable.

⁵ ITS no longer provides Ethernet cables. If you are living on campus, bring a cable that is long enough to go from your computer port to your computer. These cables can be bought at most computer and office supply stores - as well as the Otterbein bookstore. In most cases, a 20 foot cable will be long enough.

⁶ Acrobat is available at www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/.

⁷ All computers connecting to the Otterbein network will be provided with free McAfee Antivirus if no other virus protection is installed and/or current. All prior versions of any virus protection need to be removed prior to installation of McAfee or you risk corrupting your operating system.

⁸ Some employers block certain types of Internet traffic. If you're having trouble connecting to Otterbein computer networks while at work, check with your employer's IT department.

⁹ Wireless networking is available in the Campus Center, Library, Battelle, Towers, Roush, Cowan and the Science Building. Students may not set up wireless routers or access points. At present, wireless service is not available in the residence halls. Residents must still bring a network adapter and Ethernet cable if they plan to use the network in the residence halls. Wireless networking is an option and not a requirement. However, laptops are encouraged for portability. Ease of wireless use, and ease of walk-in service if needed.

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