Reservations now required in computer lab

Using a computer in the campus computer lab now requires a reservation. The newly installed software is to assist managing the computer lab’s network. The software change now require students to log in upon entrance and take a computer number.

 Computer Lab Manager Jack Thiehoff searched for other software to suit the computer lab’s network due to the reorganization of the former software, Novell.

 “The reason it was changed was because the district would not renew the licensing,” said Computer Lab Manager Jack Thiehoff. “We used SignUp, because it came highly recommended from universities and colleges across America. The campus has used Novell for ten years, but it has changed because of the phasing out of the company.”

 SignUp is a computer reservation software used to schedule and organize computer usage accordingly.

 The students are required to log in and reserve a computer at the front desk. The computer system will give a student a computer number to work at. Once students find their designated computer, they are required to log in again. From there, they have a time limit of an hour. If it is needed, the students are allowed an extension if their work takes longer than planned.

  Some students are not too eager about the change.

 “I do not like it, I kind of find it annoying,” nursing student Estefani Hidalgo said. “The good thing is we are able to find computers, but the process of logging in, I don't like.”

 Other students feel the same.

 “It's so bad, not good,” said nursing major Janet Bautista. “It was good last semester, and now they choose the computers for us.”

 However, computer lab employees find SignUp beneficial to their needs.

“It allows students who are currently enrolled to be added to the system immediately,” said computer lab instructional assistant J.C. Petty. “The old method required waiting for at least 3 to 4 weeks before a student was completely registered in the system [during the enrollment process].”

Petty said he likes the software because it keeps the computer lab quiet and it makes a better work environment for everyone.

 The lab once had a lot of complaints about the noise levels.

 “Most of the people who made the loud noises had a tendency to disrespect [the lab employees and students], and I do not miss that,”  Petty said.

 For more information visit:

http://www.efc.dcccd.edu/ITC/COMPCNTR/Guidelines.htm