Computer problems must be addressed
Lindsey Faber & Josey Harris
Student Columnists

> February 16, 2001

This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.” You are probably as familiar with this phrase as you are with a printer that won’t communicate, first degree burns if you’ve ever actually used your laptop on your lap or whirring, clicking or strange noises, in general. These problems are probably intensified when you leave your computer on for extended periods of time. If you identify with any of this or have any other problems to complain of, you’re probably a 390E user. You’ve complained to your roommate, your suitemate, your RTA and your professor when you couldn’t get that web page that you needed. But now is the time to take it to the next level — complain to a higher authority!

Believe it or not, the University is as concerned about your problems as you are! We are quick to blame them for what we aren’t getting for the amount of money we pay each year, but it’s time to stop blaming Wake and start taking action. The University is simply the middleman in our computer agreement with IBM. IBM sells the University the computers and Wake gives them to us. The University needs strong evidence of a problem with a computer model before any changes can be considered, individually or collectively. The information Wake needs is a description of exactly what problems you are having with your computer and how prevalent they are.

In a few short months, the senior 390E users will be leaving the University and the Help Desk for good. No longer will there be someone ready and willing to help you when your computer crashes and loses that valuable document, no longer will there be free repairs made on your computer and no longer will you be able to pay for replaced parts with Deacon Dollars. Any problems you have with your computer become your own. Last year’s seniors may have had the option to trade in for a newer model, but the Class of 2000 didn’t take advantage of this, and now the trade-in program is in jeopardy for the Class of 2001. Basically, as it stands right now, we are each about to become the “proud” owner of a 390E computer that is no longer under warranty!

This can’t wait until May 21 — we have to do something now! So, here’s the plan. On February 15th, at 4 am we’re all going to storm the IS building. No, just kidding … all that we really want to do is encourage you to let Wake Forest know how you feel about your computers. Call them (x4357), e-mail them at issc@wfu.edu (subject: 390E issues), visit the Help Desk, hire a skywriter, do whatever you feel is necessary to let them know what your problems are and what you expect the University to do about them. The University wants you to be satisfied with the computer program, but until they hear otherwise they will go on believing that we are satisfied.