1993-1994 Academic Catalog

The College recognizes that students must live and work in a society where computers and computer networks are an essential part of everyday life. To equip students to function effectively in this environ– ment, Cedarville has developed and launched CedarNet, the campus-wide computer information network. Utilizing hardware and initial technical support provided by IBM, this network promises to revolutionize the way the students receive, send, manipulate, and process information. Students using the network can: • take notes and write papers more efficiently make written assignments look better and communicate more effectively communicate electronically with their professors, friends, and classmates manage, display, and analyze data by using data base, statistical, and spreadsheet software complete special assignments which make specific use of network features search library holdings for personal and class research projects, papers, or presentations, even when the library is closed enhance personal Bible study • create illustrations for class, personal, or ministry presentations master course content or skills through individual, self-paced study • learn skills which will help them do better as a student and obtain a better job upon graduation Access Access is the key to any effective information system. The network is designed to provide both the hardware and software that members of the college family needs to obtain and use information. All students and faculty have access to the network. However, because of the locations of the computers, individual access may vary. Residents of Brock, Lawlor, Maddox, Printy, and Willetts Halls access the network from computers in their rooms. Commuters and students from other residence hall areas access the network from the public computer laboratories. To enable all students to take advantage of the net– work, the public laboratories, with a total of 90 sta– tions, are conveniently open to the students. IBM 386SX's or compatible 486DX's with 4MB a 3.5" floppy drive, 40-100 MB hard drive, VGA color monitor, and MIDI compatible sound board are located in the residence halls and public laborato– ries. Output devices include 24-pin near letter quality dot matrix printers the residence halls and 12 laser printers, 2 color inkjet printers, and one thermal color printer in the public laboratories. Because of the specific interface boards required to operate on the network, along with the software licensing guidelines, students may not use their own computers on the network. Software includes: On-line library catalog and periodical access WordPerfect for Windows (word processing) Quattro Pro for Windows (spreadsheets) FoxPro, dBASE IV, Paradox (data bases) Harvard Graphics Rightwriter for Windows WordPerfect Presentations Pagemaker (desktop publishing) Toolbook, ObjectVision 2.0 (visual programming and hypertext) C + + for Windows Pascal FORTRAN COBOL Minitab for Windows and DOS SPSS WordPerfect Office (e-mail) LOGOS (Bible research) Faculty may also specify or produce their own software for specific courses or projects. The network has been designed so that most users will be able to learn the network on their own via tutorials and help-screens which explain how to use the programs. Additionally, computer assistants in labora– tories and in the residence halls will be available during certain hours. Faculty using specialized soft– ware typically orient students in their respective classes. Students find that utilizing the network is the best way to learn how to use it.