Wells Computer Accomplishments and Ongoing Projects, 1994-95

(September 1, 1994-April 15, 1995)

1. established a full connection to the Internet for WELLS.EDU
2. set up our own Wells email server (henry.wells.edu)
3. installed Windows-based software for email and other Internet services
4. installed direct network (Ethernet) Internet connections to 17 computers in the Library, including 8 new 486 computers purchased with the 50th reunion gift of the class of '43
5. built a dial-in server in Main Building with ten high-speed modems, permitting up to ten users to dial in to the Internet from campus buildings not yet on the network, and from homes
6. created a suite of Internet programs that have been installed in a consistent group ("Wells Net") on Windows-based computers throughout the campus (17 computers in the Library, 5 in faculty computing clusters in the academic buildings, 10 in administrative offices, 2 in faculty offices); prepared and began distributing a take-home version with installation instructions; prepared a DOS-only email program for older computers and installed it in 2 administrative offices; prepared a dial-in email program for the Macintosh, and began installing it on administration and faculty computers (4 so far).
7. set up WELLS.EDU accounts for many more students, faculty, administrators, staff, and offices than were previously served; currently there are 435 accounts on WELLS.EDU.

Other work: prepared a grant application to Xerox for faculty computers, training, and support.

1. completing part C of the Phase One implementation, providing Internet access to the computer labs in Macmillan, the Development office, and perhaps other offices and classrooms on the ground floor. Networking the computer labs will expand the number of student-accessible Internet computers from 9 to 38, give potential 24-hour/day access, and relieve the pressure on the computers in the Library's Online Information Resource Room.
2. completing the three-stage planning process that was begun in spring and summer 1994. Stage one (vision statement) has been completed with the document Connections: Enhancing the Wells Experience through Information Technology sent to the Board in the Fall. Stage two (functional specifications document) is in draft form with some areas still needing completion, particularly regarding administrative computing. Stage three (technical specifications document) providing dollar figures useful for Development fund raising must still be written.
3. creating an on-going structure to help set computing priorities at Wells. Immediate issues include: when and how should Wells begin to set up a World Wide Web server; what new equipment should be purchased; how can current users and equipment be best supported?

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