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Personal Computer Usage for 2009-2010
During 2009-2010 Bishop McNamara will again provide its sophomore, junior and senior students with the option of bringing personal computers to school and connecting to the Internet via our wireless network. In order to avail themselves of this opportunity, the student needs to have an appropriate personal computer (see specifications), a signed copy of the Diocesan Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), a signed copy of the School Liability Disclaimer, evidence of adequate virus protection, a functional firewall and a valid account on our network. Students using personal computers will have Internet access at the same level as students using McNamara resources. Access to printing and file storage on the McNamara Network will be limited to students who are using McNamara computers. Students are advised to have access to "thumb drives" or other such portable devices to allow for file transfer and storage.
All students will receive network logins on orientation day (August 22). Students with new personal systems or systems that have not been registered on our network will be connected to the Internet during their respective lunch hours on the first 3 days of school (August 25, 26, 27). At these times, students with the appropriate devices, software and documents will be certified and furnished with explicit instructions on how to connect. Students who are unable to complete this task on their own will be assisted by a member of the McNamara technology team. While reasonable care will be taken to assure that a connection is made and no harm is done to the students' system, the responsibility for the success of the connection and the integrity and functionality of the system rests solely on the owner. Attempting to connect to the Internet using another network or without certification will be considered a serious violation of the AUP.
Computer Specifications - A modern laptop capable of making a wireless connection using the 802.11 b/g (wireless g) protocol and running a copy of Windows XP Professional or better (Vista). Macs running OS X or better are known to reliably connect to our network, but are outside the scope of our support.
Contact Jim Frogge (jfrogge@bishop-mcnamara.org, 815-932-7413) or Sam Thomas (sthomas@bishop-mcnamara.org, 815-932-7413) with specific questions.
FAQ
Why can't I bring in my Windows 98 computer?
Microsoft operating systems like Windows 98 and earlier are no longer actively supported by Microsoft and present a significant security risk for the user and our network. With older operating systems it also becomes more difficult to assure reliable operation, which is a key in an active academic environment.
I don't have a wireless card, can I just plug into the network?
Our current infrastructure allows for several hundred computers to be connected wirelessly but does not provide for this kind of connectivity in a wired environment.
My battery is old and only lasts an hour or so, will there be places for me to charge my system?
As a general rule, there is no system in place which would allow for the ready recharging of laptop batteries. Science labs are a clear exception but the activity in the lab may preclude the use of the outlets or desk space. Students are advised to come with their systems on full charge with power saving modes enabled and to power down their system when it is not in use. An extra battery may be a useful investment.
Can I use my computer anytime, anywhere?
While the network signal permeates our building and is "on" 24 X 7, there may be situations where a teacher, administrator or proctor may choose to limit access to the Internet and/or personal computers. These people are responsible for establishing an environment where learning is optimized and in some cases this environment may be Internet and/or computer free.
Many sophisticated users have found that selectively “turning off” Internet connectivity can make them more productive at certain tasks.
Can I use my computer to take notes?
As a general rule the answer would be yes, but using a computer solely as a note taking device would seem like a waste of resources. As in all other classroom situation, there may be exceptions which will be announced by the person in charge of the given activity.
Can I use my computer to take video/audio?
There may be legitimate educational activity which would require the recording of audio or video within the school day. In advance of such recordings the students should secure the permission of the person(s) to be recorded and the person supervising that activity.
Can I use my computer for email? During class?
Personal email should be done outside of school hours. There may be class related activities which would require in school use of email and these should be approved by the class supervisor before action is taken.
Am I allowed to IM?
General use of an IM client is prohibited by our AUP.
I am running a “packet sniffer” program to browse data packets that are being transmitted throughout the building. Am I in viloation of our AUP?
Yes. Use of any program which compromises another user's privacy is strictly forbidden.
Will I have access to my social networking site (MySpace, Facebook, etc) ?
MySpace and other social networking sites are prohibited by our AUP.
Can I use a web proxy to circumvent blocking of certain sites?
The use of web proxies is prohibited by our AUP and is easily tracked by log examination. There is no such thing as truly anonymous browsing.
My computer connects at school but will not work at home, what should I do?
While we can offer general advice on connecting at home, we are unable to assist in that endeavor. McNamara cannot be responsible for home connectivity, availability or use.
Why can't I use my Linux laptop?
We lack the expertise to actively support such activity but users with the proper skill may avail themselves of our network.
What constitutes evidence of "adequate virus protection"?
An installed program (Symantec, McAfee, Avast, AVG, et cetera) that is properly updated.
What constitutes a functional firewall?
The base firewall included in Windows XP and above or some third party addon such as Zone Alarm will suffice.
I am a Cubs fan, may I use my computer to watch the game or get updates on scores during class?
Passive viewing of nonacademic video is not allowed.
I am a huge fan of Internet radio (Braimdamage, et alia) may I listen during class.
Passive listening of nonacademic audio is not allowed.
Software
In the area of software, what does my child need for 08-09?
While there may be rather sophisticated needs for any given student, most students require only the three applications that commonly comprise a traditional office suite; word processor, spreadsheet, presentation graphics. There are a number of products that provide these options (Microsoft Office, Open Office, Corel Office, et cetera) and as one might expect, there is variation in price, style and usability. The most important aspect seems to be compatibility of files and all modern office suites allow for the creation of files in a number of different formats.
At McNamara the most common suite of applications is Microsoft Office. Faculty are using the tablet version of MS Office 2007. There is wide student use of both MS Office 2003 and 2007. A number of vendors sell academic versions of both at significant discounts over base price. Be aware that some of these versions do not include MS Outlook which is Microsoft's email and calendaring application. Most students do not currently use Outlook but future patterns (09-10 and beyond) may be very different. If/when McNamara goes to a 1-to-1 computer initiative, MS Office is the most likely candidate adoption.
Corel Office is also used by a significant group of students. WordPerfect is the word processor of this suite and is often ranked as superior to MS Word. There are some practical problems with file compatibility, but they are easily resolved if a user pays attention to their audience. The price is lower and you generally get more than with MS Office.
Open Office is the Open Source alternative to commercial office suites. It is free, file compatible with MS Office (the dominant player), standards compliant and comes with a drawing program. This document was created in Open Office.
Many students have experience with MS OneNote and find it a generally useful organizational and collaborative tool. It is not currently in wide classroom use but all faculty have installed versions on their tablets.
Chicago Tribune's Guide to Choosing a Laptop 2007 2008
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