Q: What is the Laptop Project?
A: Several schools including Journalism and Mass Communications have initiated an innovative project to use laptop computers in the classroom and on campus. Students in these disciplines will be required to purchase a laptop computer beginning Fall, 2003. At that time, many classes numbered 100 and above will begin using computers as a regular part of the curriculum.
A group of JMC students has done an analytical study of the project. To view it, click here.
Q: Why do JMC students need laptop computers?
A: Computers are ubiquitous. They are essential tools for education. Assignments can be handed out, researched, written and turned in all on the same computer.
Laptops are portable. They can be carried to and from your house. You can take class notes on them and communicate with your fellow students all day long.
Laptops are already essential for most mass media professionals. Journalists, photographers, pr consultants and advertising executives use them every day. It only makes sense to get ready now.
Q: What do you mean by “have access to a computer?” Must I buy a new one?
A: You may meet the requirement with any laptop computer, new or old, that can connect and authenticate to the wireless network and utilize the software applications required for the curriculum. Your advisor will be able to explain the specific system requirements for the program in which you are enrolled. These are the minimal JMC hardware requirements. Apple Macintosh G3, G4 computers and comparable PC brands such as Dell Inspiration and Latitude and Compaq computers meet these standards. You should have at least 512 MB Ram, a 40 GB hard drive, wireless access card (Apple Airport card for Macintosh, Cisco for Windows computers) and a Ethernet Card.
Minimum software requirements include Microsoft Office Suite (This software is available at a special purchase price arranged by the Chancellor's Office. Call the Spartan Bookstore for details (408-924-1800.) and Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, GoLive, and LiveMotion (Educational pricing is available. Visit the Adobe Education web site for details. Some courses may require additional software.
Q: If I'm eligible for financial aid, can I use those funds to pay for a computer?
A: The purchase of the computer must be a requirement of the participating
department of the College in order for students who receive federal and/or
state financial aid funds to include the purchase amount in the Cost of
Attendance, or student budget. Students must present proof of this
requirement to the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office by submitting a
budget adjustment form, signed by a department representative. A reasonable
allowance, as determined by the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, will
be used to adjust the budget. The Financial Aid Office web site is located at http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/finaid.
Q: Are there any loan or rental programs available to acquire a computer?
A: The Associated Students has a rental program. For more information, you can e-mail the organization.
Apple Computer is offering interest loans as low as 9.99% for qualifying students. Students may defer principal payments for up to 24 months. There are no pre-payment penalties for the Apple Instant Loan (managed by MBNA). Visit Apple's education web site at http://www.apple.com/financing/leases/education for additional details and to apply for the loan. Spartan Bookstore will facilitate student orders using the approval code generated through the enrollment/approval process. Loans may also be obtained through credit unions or banks.
Q: How can any one computer, even a brand new one, meet the needs of every SJSU course?
A: No computer is likely to meet all the needs of a sophisticated computer user. The need for specialized systems in certain courses is one reason why SJSU will continue to operate many of its computer labs. Your personal computer should support the bulk of your usages—such as creating projects, transferring files, writing papers, using the Web, e-mail, etc.—but you can expect to use SJSU systems for special purposes or to learn alternative systems.
Q: What equipment do I need to connect to the wireless network?
A: Your laptop computer must have a wireless access card that utilizes 802.11b protocol, the most common wireless standard. San Jose State will publish a list of specifications that will significantly increase the options for purchasing wireless access cards. Generally, wireless access cards cost between $80 and $150.
If you have a Macintosh computer, the Apple wireless card will be compatible with the network. If you have a Windows computer, until specific brands have been tested with the wireless access points, the best suggestion is to purchase a Cisco wireless access.
Q: What are some other computer standards?
A: Your computer should run the Macintosh operating system, (version 9.2 or higher, preferably OS X+) or the Windows 2000(or higher) operating system. Your computer should have an Ethernet card.
Q: What devices would you not recommend?
A: Cell phones, Palm Pilots, etc. that can access the Internet will not be satisfactory. These devices lack the software, large display, convenient keyboard and audio capabilities that a standard personal computer provides.
Q: Does SJSU have a purchasing agreement with anyone?
A: While you are free to buy or lease a computer from any source you choose, the Spartan Bookstore offers a wide range of computers from major manufacturers, including Apple, Compaq, Gateway, IBM and Toshiba.
San Jose State has negotiated very attractive pricing on laptops from Apple Computer. The prices currently being offered for laptops are available by calling or visiting the Spartan Bookstore and from the Wireless Network Project office, 924-3605. Prices are subject to change each quarter.
Q: Does SJSU help students acquire computer skills?
A: The Spartan Bookstore will provide, "out of the box, on your lap, and onto the Internet" training with every computer sale. Courses in computer applications are offered regularly by various programs on campus. The Adobe Education web site has excellent tutorial materials.
Q: Is there a specific Internet Service Provider needed for the wireless project?
A: No Internet Service Provider is required on campus. Students will be able to access the Internet through the Wireless Network and through traditional wired access points. Services provided by SJSU include an e-mail account and access to the email account from a web browser. To apply for a SJSU email account, visit http://www.sjsu.edu/unixaccounts.
Q: Will I need a special account to access the Wireless Network?
A: Yes, you will need an email address from SJSU that follows this pattern,
__________@email.sjsu.edu, _________@athens.sjsu.edu _______ jmc@sjsu.edu. This means you already have a SJSU UNIX account that will allow you to authenticate to the wireless network.
If you do not have an email address that follows the pattern shown above, visit http://www.sjsu.edu/unixaccounts to apply for a SJSUemail account. This free UNIX account will provde a username and password that will be used to authenticate to the wireless network.
Q: What hardware and software is needed?
A: All students taking 100 level or above courses will be required to have a laptop computer starting Fall 2003. Minimal hardware requirements for the computer are an Apple Macintosh G3, G4 computers. Comparable PC brands, such as Dell Inspiration and Latitude and Compaq computers, may also meet these minimal standards:
512 MB RAM
40-gigabyte hard drive
Wireless access card (Apple Airport or Cisco)
Ethernet Card
The minimal software requirements are:
Microsoft Office Suite (This software is available at a special purchase price arranged by the Chancellor's Office. Call the Spartan Bookstore for details (408-924-1800.)
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, GoLive, and LiveMotion (Educational pricing is available.)
Visit the Adobe Education web site for details.Other pieces of software to consider are a virus protection program (sometimes bundled with hardware), and a web browser. Both Netscape Navigator Communicator and Internet Explorer, the two most popular web browsers, are available for free.
