MARCH 17 2000 THE BEHREND BEACON PAGE NEWS Behrend computer labs receive upgrades by Ryan Flaherty staff writer As the world of computers picks up speed, so does Behrend with its latest hardware. The computer science division at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, has recently received several upgrades in the Linux and Computer Science Networking labs. Both labs are receiving new hardware, which helps to equip some of the fastest, most up-to-date computers. The Linux Lab will receive two new high end servers and five workstations, which will run off the new servers. With these new workstations, some of the older computers in the lab will be phased out, "although they have had good use over the years," stated Mr. David Shaffer, lecturer in computer science. The only problem would seem to be how to get multiple use out of only five Linux workstations. Fifty copies of X Win 32 have Bt,hrend studentreceives local recognition for public service announcement remainder of his COMMU 383 Audio-Visual Police Department was eke "very graehma by Liz Hayes Production class. Every year'the chairman in helping Manley)• complete-the project" news co -e ditor of the Network contacts local college Hanley mentione professors and informs than of the details of While a group of studentafrom Edinboro Leo Hanley, a sixth semester COMB A the contest. However, Hanley was the only University of Pennsylvania`wok , first place student at Penn State Erie, The Behrend Behrend student to participate in the contest. in the contest and it is their video that has College, was recently recognized by the Hanley's PSA, which was only 30 seconds been aired on local television stations, Northwest Regional Highway Safety long, was tided "DUI: You Can't Afford It." Hartley received an Award of Merit forthe Network for his production of a public The video followed the life ; of a young man, creative concept of Ids PSA. service announcement (PSA) on drunk presenting clips of his life at different ages. thutley received nc•tificatiori of Ids award driving. He was shown at a very young age, asking back in December; not lonB after the Last semester Hanley learned of a contest his mother for lunch money. Later on he asks deadline for the contest. He teemed hi s sponsored by Network that invited college for movie and grocery money. The finale of award certificate in January. students to enter their PSAs on the topic of the production shows the young man calling The PA`Alcohol Safety Control Council drunk driving. In mid-November Dr. his mother, asking her to bail him Out of jail holds this contest annually, and Hartley Michael Simmons, an associate professor after he has been arrested for DUI. This main " plans to participate . rigalrf , :•Aho, ti '*) B of English at Behrend, introduced the character was portrayed by Ryan Cannon, interested in anotber:conteit that Aceepts contest to Hanley, as well as to the another Berhend student. ilre.wrideriiie ,PSAsotrAirrgpreotevitirs-::i. i ts • ;:`, , • been purchased and will be installed on Windows-based operating systems. This program will give a computer using Windows the ability to access Linux. "Our mission is to have twenty five students use Linux at once," stated Shaffer. Shaffer also explained that the new servers are duel Xeon and Pentium 3. Both servers have duel processors, 550 MHz, and 512 MB of RAM. The five new workstations will be about 500Mhz with 128 MB of RAM. The Linux Lab is located in room H 139, next to the regular lab most students are familiar with in the Hammermill Building. The room is primarily used by computer science classes and faculty members who use the Linux machines for research. However, it is also available to anyone who wishes to set up a Linux account. In the Networking Lab, the new hardware consists of three new servers and upgrades for six computers. Future additions are still being considered in order "... to keep a more current status," stated Mr. George Dudas, instructor of computer science. The Networking Lab is used by 300-400 level CMPBD classes as well as in independent study courses. Some of this new equipment is available now, while more is be expected to be available next month. Another topic carefully being considered is the introduction of a computer science major at Behrend. "We are studying the approach and offer to computer science and informational sciences," said Dr. Roger Knacke, director of the School of Science. This means no promises are being made for the major at this time, but it is being examined. Most students who start this major at Behrend usually transfer to University Park to finish. `Too many students are transferring to UP, and we hope to keep those students," Knacke explained. Behrend Housing and Food Services to undergo many renovations On-campus residents at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, may be happy to know that Housing and Food Services has many projects currently underway to improve residence life, as well as several ideas for the next few years to better serve the campus community. Renovations, new buildings. and technological upgrades are all planned to hit Behrend, and with an ever-growing student population, expansion will continue to he an issue of importance in the coming years. Future residents of Niagara Hall will be blessed with a "gift from above," as a new roof will be installed this summer. According to Mr. Ed Mulfinger, director of Housing and Food Services, this will be the 3rd roof tor Niagara, a building that has survived 30 years of student residents. Two apartment buildings, Arial and Packet, will also receive new roofs. The half-million dollar project for Niagara will also include new furniture, the painting of the rooms, and a renovated lobby. Lawrence Hall will receive a number of upgrades during the summer of 2001. Mulfinger stated that electrical upgrades, new furniture, and a new roof are some of the big improvements in the works. The hall will also be fitted with card access to the building, a feature that will soon spread throughout the residence halls. Construction of the new Trippe Hall and the Bad manners get you nowhere by Harvey Mackay If your mother was anything like mine, good manners were important to you growing up. Please and thank you were just the beginning, followed by respect, tact, patience, consideration, and all the other topics Emily Post reminded us were so important in a civilized world. Today, I consider myself incredibly fortunate that she and my dad took such pains to impart these values to my sister and me. Recently, a business associate and I were at a crowded deli in New York. Several people were in line ahead of us when a table opened up. MN,' associate grabbed my arm and headed for the table. I was shocked and embarrassed at the rude behavior. "What about all those people ahead of us?" I asked. "Harvey, you're in New York now," he explained. I suddenly lost my appetite. Good manners are never out of style or out of date, although lately, I'm seeing less and less of them. My theory is that, as business in general becomes more impersonal, people become less concerned with the long term ramifications of their actions. You can now do business by cell phone, fax, Internet, or e-mail and be essentially anonymous. You've probably been put on hold, paced through a phone menu, pressed every button, transferred to several incorrect departments, and nobody but the machine knows or even cares. There's little pressure to be polite, just businesslike and efficient. Sadly, it soon becomes the rule rather than the exception. As customers do business farther away from home, the likelihood that your next-door neighbor is also your banker or grocer or school principal lessens. We lose some of the sense of community that helps us behave civilly even when we are disappointed. Customer loyalty is at an all-time low. Consumers are shopping wherever it's conve nient, in part because the same products are available at many outlets, but also because the stores aren't enticing them to come back. Could it be we're not getting the kind of treatment we want? Well, business may have changed, but people haven't. They still have feelings, and they'd like a little consideration. The best part is that it's so easy to do. (And free!) I'd like to start a campaign to return good manners to business. I'd like the folks on the other side of the cash register or order book to see me as more than just another account. I don't necessarily want to get personal. I just want to he a person. I'd like to leave the transaction feeling like a valued customer who is worth their best behavior. Exhibiting good manners does not make a person appear to be weak or wimpy. Rather, it demonstrates that person's maturity and ability to appropriately respond to business situations. Who would you rather have working for you, the sales rep customers look forward to dealing with or the bulldozer who'll stop at nothing to get the order? Bad manners are bad business. Wouldn't it be great if all your meetings and appointments started on time because nobody was late? Punctuality is just good manners. The voice on the phone identifies herself before you have to ask? Wow! What a concept! Somebody actually reloaded the copier paper after using up the supply? This is starting to sound too good to be true. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, "What we need in the world is manners ... I think that if, instead of preaching brotherly love, we preached good manners, we might get a little further. It sounds less righteous and more practical." More simply put, good manners are like a road map for society. They help us navigate tough situations. We don't have to backtrack because we haven't taken wrong turns. We will reach our destination without the road rage. Mackay's Moral: Good manners are free, but they are also priceless. Bestselling author Harvey Mackay is a nationally syndicated columnist and has been named one of the top five speakers in the world by Toastmasters International. (This space provided by Friends of The Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would be done unto.") by Rob Wynne associatc editor renovation of Perry Hall is expected to be completed within the next five years. The new hall will be built next to Ohio Hall, and the infrastructure is already in place. "It's going to be an exciting decade," stated Mulfinger. He also spoke of computer system upgrades and quicker Internet connections planned for the residence halls so as to prevent bottlenecks. Three-year-old Bruno's will also be receiving an addition. Thanks to all of the healthy eaters on campus and $lO,OOO from University Park, Bruno's will receive a salad cooler to accommodate its increased sales. Work has begun already and the new cooler will he in place soon. Mulfinger stated that University Park's Housing and Food Service provides very generous funding for renovation projects, and that Behrend has been given $.5 million dollars this year for such projects. Mulfinger, who has served 22 years in Housing and Food Services at Penn State, said that he has a fine work crew. He explained that there are about 175 people employed by Housing and Food Services at Behrend. These employees work at Dobbins, Bruno's, and Behrend's catering service As Behrend continues to grow, Mulfinger and his crew will seek to keep up with the growth and provide the best service possible to the students. He stated, "everything's growing and we're challenged to keep what we like at Behrend, and stay focused on the welfare of the students."
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