F.A.Q.

Desktop Computing

How do I get a computer or an upgrade to my computer?

The college is committed to ensuring that all full-time faculty and staff are equipped with a suitable desktop computer. All new, full-time faculty are allocated a desktop computer upon arrival. In addition, the college expects to follow a multi-year equipment-replacement cycle through which each faculty member's PC will be upgraded or replaced periodically. Direct all requests for computer equipment, including software applications and accessories, to your department chair or director. If the request cannot be funded from the department budget, it can be endorsed and forwarded by your chair or director to the Provost's Technology Committee for possible funding from annual college-wide budget allocations.

My office PC is old. When can I get a new one?

BC tries to replace PCs on a 3- to 4-year cycle. If you believe yours needs to be upgraded now, ask your department chair or director to contact ITS on your behalf.

Can I get more advanced computer tools at work?

If your work requires it, ITS can usually supply:

• CD-RW drives
• Zip drives
• Graphics software
• Modems
• Storage upgrades
• RAM upgrades
• Dreamweaver (web authoring software)

Check with your department before making a request. Departments have been supplied with:
• Scanners
• External DVD/CD-Writers (Burners)
• Laser printers


Why doesn’t BC use XP OS (Operating System)?

We do. All new PCs are being installed with XP Professional OS. But please remember a few things:
• XP requires more power than most older BC PCs have
• XP is incompatible with many of the software packages and versions in use
• XP is far more susceptible to security intrusions and has contributed directly to virtually all recent virus/worm infestations at BC


Why aren’t all MACs being upgraded to Panther OS (10.3)?

MAC OS 10.2, and now 10.3, have significant incompatibilities with industry standard networking and e-mail tools. Apple has acknowledged the problems, some of which have “workarounds” (you can work around them). Also, 10.3 requires expensive upgrades of many software packages.