Computer selections

[Unregistered]

Hi guys,

My grandson will be a UAZ freshman this year. He is majoring in Math and Software Engineering.

I was wondering if the sages active here could recommend the min setup he should have for a laptop.

He has sent a number of emails to the Comp dept but none of them have received the courtesy of a reply.

Thanks,

[jharriso]

Here is a link to our standard computer recommendation cheat sheet: http://www.oscr.arizona.edu/downloads/computer_recommendations_2007.pdf

In terms of software, that will be a department and class specific thing, having either Office or Open Office is a good bet. Other than that, I would recommend getting a hold of the syllabi as soon as possible by keeping an eye out on D2L or the professor's websites, and go from the recommendations there. D2L, if you or he have yet to encounter it, is the UofA's online course management system, which he will likely be using a lot as a freshman. It can be found here: http://d2l.arizona.edu. If he has a NetID, he should be able to log in to see when his classes are put up.

[picch]

By software engineering, do you mean computer science? If so there are a few things that your grandson might want to download before he comes to school. They are all free.

1) Eclipse (www.eclipse.org) is an open-source software framework written primarily in Java. In its default form it is a Java Integrated Development Environment (IDE), comprised of the Java Development Toolkit (JDT) and compiler (ECJ). Users can extend its capabilities by installing plug-ins written for the Eclipse software framework, such as development toolkits for other programming languages, and can write and contribute their own plug-in modules.

I pulled that description off Wikipedia since it was a better one that I had origionally written. But in short it's a free very powerful software development suite that most CS Majors use.

2) TextPad (https://sitelicense.arizona.edu/textpad/) is another program for developing programs. It is not free for home use however when he takes his first CS class, the instructor should give him instructions on how to obtain a special TextPad license from the CS department (for free) that does allow home use.

3) Java JDK (http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp) is a package that needs to be installed on your grandson's so that way he is able to develop Java programs.

[Unregistered]

Many thanks guys, much appreciated.

This is the type of information I was looking for.

We do have a copy of the "cheat sheet" but the notation therein re contacting relevent departments for spoecific requirements is what prompted our search.

From your comments I assume the CS dept has no "unusual" recommendations.

On another, somewhat related matter:

In reading this forum I notice you have a repair center on campus. Is this service brand and/or warranty related ?

Thanks again,

[dparm]

The repair center on campus is for authorized for Gateway and Apple warranty repairs. They can look at other computers as well, but are not authorized to perform any sort of warranty work.

This is why many students choose Gateway or Apple -- they don't have to go anywhere or wait for technicians should problems arise. The repair center is not actually run by OSCR, but rather, the UA bookstore.

[picch]

Many thanks guys, much appreciated.
From your comments I assume the CS dept has no "unusual" recommendations.


Nope. None that I know of

[Unregistered]

Once again, I really appreciate your assistance.

Thanks.