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Governance Minutes ArchiveJanuary 6, 1988
MINUTES Computer Committee Newman Library Board Room January 6, 1988 3 PM PRESENT: Jim Thomas, Don Allison, Jeffrey Birch, Randy Crockett, David Goodyear, Bob Heterick, Jim Hicks, Katherine Johnston, Harry Kriz, Tom McAnge, Jim Montgomery, John Hoernemann (for Al Steiss), Mike Williams, Michael Leahy ABSENT: John Burton, Sharon Crawford, Ray Dessy, Dennis Jones, Joan McLain-Kark, Vernon Shanholtz, Paul Torgersen, Jeffrey Wilcke, Christopher Chenard VISITOR(S): Sam Hicks, Sandy Birch, Rosie Higdon AGENDA ITEM 1: MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 4, 1987 MEETING A motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the minutes of the November meeting. AGENDA ITEM 2: COMPUTING CENTER REPORT (WILLIAMS) System usage facts (comparing July-December 1986 to same period in 1987): o CMS (interactive) usage has increased by more than 40%. o VMBatch usage has increased by a factor of 7. Some depart- mental usage of VMBatch has increased by a factor of 35. o 42% of all CMS cycles are under VMBatch (VMBatch is used ex- clusively by science applications.) o Connect time is up by only 2%. o Page printing (3800 laser printers) has increased by 80%. This is a problem because costs are not fixed. o IMS usage is up 30%. o This year's total charges are up only 10% despite the dra- matic increases in usage. Second and third shift computing has increased and giving us a more effective use of the fa- cility. Most of the increase in charges has come in the En- gineering School accounts. A rate adjustment was effective January 1, 1988. The rates have been adjusted to correct an over-recovery situation. Two changes were made: (1) CPU charges were reduced (daytime rate reduced by 25%), (2) Shift differential changed (evening and night discount factors were changed from .5 and .25 to .33 and .11 respec- tively). The ratios affect CPU and connect time. The CADCAM system (VM3) is now totally saturated the last half of each term. The CADCAM system must be moved to a larger processor if the situation is to be remedied. The VAX systems are similarly saturated. An upgrade for the VAX systems is being negotiated. It is projected that the large VM systems will be saturated within one year. Upgrades done synchronously with the move of the Computing Center to the Corporate Research Center could pro- vide substantial savings. In response to questions, it was noted that additional memory for the personal computers in AJ and Hillcrest has been ordered and that accounts for recognized student organizations can be estab- lished through the Computer Accounting office. AGENDA ITEM 3: APPLE COMPUTER VIDEO (HETERICK) The committee viewed a video of a John Scully presentation on computers of the future. AGENDA ITEM 4: DISCUSSION OF CENTRALIZED VS DISTRIBUTED COMPUT- ING The committee, in a wide ranging discussion, touched on many is- sues relating to distributed computing. Some of the points raised included: There are no rigorous guidelines concerning what should be proc- essed on the mainframe computers versus what should be processed on personal computers. Choices are generally based on economic or pragmatic factors relating to the user department. Different word processing applications may lead to microcomputer-based or mainframe-based solutions, depending on factors such as avail- ability and compatibility of printers, whether the document must be shared or distributed electronically, technical symbol re- quirements, etc. One factor that influences the amount of centralized computing used by a department is the size of its computer allocation. This is a limited resource. Computer allocations are distributed through the same decision making chain as ordinary operating budget allocations. The effectiveness of distributed printing was discussed. Compat- ibility is a critical issue. While printing on the IBM 3800 la- ser printers costs the University less than doing so on office laser printers like the IBM 3812 or HP Laserjet, other issues like higher quality output, convenience and personnel time are encouraging their widespread adoption. It was suggested that a comprehensive information center be es- tablished to support microcomputer users. It was noted that the area PC user groups provide much of this kind of support. Lim- ited personnel is currently the limiting resource. The inherent conflict between centralized controlled equipment and software purchasing and the needs of the academic community to experiment and make their own decisions was discussed. AGENDA ITEM 5: ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA None A motion was made, seconded and passed to accept the revised wording of the resolution on software rights previously discussed and to recommend the proposed policy to the University Council. The next meeting will be held on February 3, 1988 at 3 p.m. in the Library Board Room. The meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
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