Computer systm available
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Previously limited to a few,
computer assistance is now
available to all Capitol Campus
students and faculty—and it's
free.
The new system is called IN
TERACT—a computing tool
that can benefit the novice and
expert alike. Whether you're
doing a dissertation, a research
paper, or running a computer
program, INTERACT can help
make your Job easier.
Terry Majzlek, Operations
Coordinator of the Computer
Center says, "Everyone is eligi
ble to use the INTERACT
system. Faculty approval
and your tuition payment are
all you need to start."
While gaining your pro
fessor's approval in general
may be difficult, a minor re
quest for computer time should
be easy to obtain.
"It's rare that a faculty
member will not allow his class
to use the computer," Majzlik
said. Each faculty member is
allotted two computer account
numbers for each class. One is
for course preparation and the
other for the class.
Once you have an account
number, computer literacy is
not far away. The job you in
tend to use the system for will
determine how quickly you get
the hang of it. Few people
realize the many different ways
INTERACT can be used. As
Terry Majslik puts it, "any ap
plication of the system is okay
• work: •
The Computer ('ehter riere is
directly connected to a mam
moth central computer at
University Park. The memory
bank there contains a vast store
of knowledge. This extensive
pool of information is at your
fingertips when using IN
TERACT.
While the computer can't
think or reason, it can do
almost anything else.
A student operator, who is in
charge of the Computer Center
at night and on weekends, said
the system can be used as a
"powerful word processor."
Dissertations, term papers, or
any paperwork nightmare can
be organized better and com
pleted quicker with IN
TERACT. Computer program
ing is also easier with this new
system. "Since you access IN
TERACT through a video ter
minal it means no more slaving
over the keypunches," said a
pleased business student.
Speed, organization, and a hi
tech appearance all make this a
super system.
Making yourself into a super
operator is a snap with all the
training aids available. The
bookstore will soon have the
PSU Guide To Interact. This
open-ended manual is written
on the premise that the reader
has never used INTERACT
before. After a quick scan of
chapter three, you can be using
the word processor function like
a pro. The rest of the manual
deals with programming in IN
TERACT's command language
which is abbreviated English.
"Everyone is eligible to use the Interact system. Faculty ap
proval and your tuition payment are all you need to start."
Terry Majzlek
computer center operations
Another aid to learning the
system is the INTERACT
workshop. It consists of three,
two-hour classes. "We had a
nice turnout for the workshop
this time," says Majzlek, "and
we plan to run it again next
term."
If you missed the workshop
and can't find a manual, there's
still another way to learn the
system. Just sit at the video
terminal, log-on to INTERACT
and type H E L P.
The computer itself will in
struct you. It's a student's
dream, a teacher that doesn't
give homework and refrains
from using wry humor.
In computer circles the IN
TERACT system is known as
an editor. This allows you to
enter and manipulate informa
tion as you see fit. The storage
, t
,
'A
t
t'
.
Photography by Sheryl A. Machita
capacity of INTERACT is on
par with the rest of its
capabilities. Information
entered into the system will re
main there for up to 99 days.
This data is stored in an in
definite number of files. Each
file contains 40,000 bits of infor
mation. This means you can
store enough information in the
system to fill an entire en
cyclopedia and keep it there all
term.
This comprehensive computer
system's value was best sum
marized by a grad student in
Urban Studies at work on his
dissertation. When asked if he
was familiar with other com
puter languages such as
COBAL or FORTRAN he said:
"No, just INTERACT." "Once
and done, it's the only com
puting system I need."
New Senators elected
Elections for Junior Senators of the Stu
dent Government Association were
held on October 19. A swearing-in ceremony
was held on October 21 in the Gallery
Lounge. A reception followed.
The newly-elected Senators are: Glen
"Buck" Buckfeller, Junior Senator of
Business Administration; Joe Oddo, Junior
Senator of Public Affairs; Mike McMaster,
Junior Senator of Science and Technology;
Keith Shollenberger, Junior Senator at
Large; Brian Burdette, Junior Senator at
Large; Cindy Lyons, Junior Senator at
Large; and Mary Ford, Junior Senator of
Humanities. Congratulations!!
The new SGA Constitution passed. Copies
can be obtained in the Student Government
office at W-110.