University Times

Computing Services and Systems Development (CSSD) last week opened a new computer lab in B-40 Masonic Temple.

The Computer Productivity Lab has 50 Intel-based computers. There are 20 workstations with the Linux operating system and 30 workstations with the Windows 2000 operating system, all with 17-inch flat screen monitors. Two Xerox black and white laser printers also are available.

The productivity lab provides machines equipped with word processing, productivity, and graphics and math software to support students preparing papers, reports or documents.

"This is the first lab to have the Linux-based operating system," said Jinx Walton, CSSD director. "Recent Linux development efforts have focused on improving the suitability as a general purpose desktop operating system."

Walton said the pilot program is designed especially for students who do not need the full suite of software currently available in the other campus labs.

The Linux operating system is an open-source, Unix-like operating system. Currently, Linux is used extensively as a server platform for tasks such as web serving, file sharing and database hosting.

Software for the Linux machines includes:

* Open Office 6.33;

* Netscape Navigator 4.76;

* Mathematica 4.1.0.0;

* Matlab 6.1.0.450, Release 12.1, and

* General Unix programs and utilities.

Software for the Windows machines includes:

* Pagemaker 7.0;

* WordPerfect 2000, and

* Microsoft Word 2000.

The lab is open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursdays; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.