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
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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
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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."