Hardware and Software Requirements

All students are required to own a personal computer for the duration of enrollment in the School of Library & Information Studies.

Hardware

Students' computers must meet or exceed these minimum specifications:

On-Campus Students:

• Laptop or notebook computer
• 2.0 Ghz Core Duo Processor or equivalent
• 2 Gigabyte (or more) RAM
• 120 GB Hard Drive
• 10Mpbs (or higher) Network Card
• CD-RW or DVD +/- RW
• 802.11 b/g Wireless Network Card
• Audio input and output capabilities
• USB 2.0 Port

Recommended by not required

• Headset w/attached microphone Note: An attached microphone prevents feedback and any echo effect

Distance Students:

• Desktop -or- Notebook Computer
• 2.0 Ghz Core Duo Processor or equivalent
• 2 Gigabyte (or more) RAM
• 120 GB (or larger) Hard Drive
• 10Mbps (or higher) Network Card
• DVD +/- RW
• Connection to the Internet (Cable, DSL or other high speed connection)
• Audio input and output capabilities
• USB 2.0 Port

Recommended

• Headset w/attached microphone Note: An attached microphone prevents feedback and any echo effect

Software

Required Software for All Students

• An office suite
  • Microsoft Office 2007 - Windows
  • MS Office 2008 - Mac
  • OpenOffice
• Antivirus or Computer Security Software (McAfee, Symantec, Avast, etc.)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader or FoxIt Reader
• Web Browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera, etc.)
• Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
• Data Exchange Software (SSH Secure Shell Client ( NOTE: Due to licensing restrictions Secure Shell Client can ONLY be downloaded on campus), CuteFTP)
• Multimedia Player Software (Windows Media Player, Real Player, QuickTime, VLC)
• File Compression Software (WinZip, ZipIt, Stuff it -- Mac OS X has file compression built in.)

Additional Required Software for School Media Students

• Chalk & Wire

Important Notes

Students may choose between Macintosh or Windows computers. The School of Library & Information Studies does not impose any make/model requirements.
We recommend some additional hardware items:

• A high-speed (Cable or DSL) Internet provider if you live off-campus
• An inkjet or laser printer
• An Uninterruptible Power Supply

Students who own Mac OS Computers will need PC emulator software for some courses.

If you own a Power PC Apple Macintosh (older), you will need MS Virtual PC in order to participate in some classes.

If you own an Intel Apple Macintosh (newer), you will need one of the following:

• Virtual Box (Recommended) (free to download)
• Parallels
• Apple Bootcamp (comes with Intel Mac OS X systems)
• vmWare Fusion (free to download)

Instructors may require additional software for specific classes. Some common software programs we use in the College are:

• SPSS
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Dreamweaver MX

The College Help Desk maintains a short list of free software applications
Currently enrolled students are eligible to download free Microsoft software through the MS Academic Alliance program.

Help with Chalk and Wire

 Last updated: May 14, 2011 by Graduate Student Services
Content Provider: Graduate Student Services