Students Have Varying Computer Needs

STUDENTS WILL HAVE VARYING COMPUTER NEEDS AT OHIO STATE

     COLUMBUS -- Students and parents can find plenty of
advice about computer purchases at The Ohio State
University.

     University Technology Services (UTS) notes that the
basic need for most students is a computer that can run
word-processing software for written assignments.  Beyond
that, Internet access is more and more crucial for students
who, for example, want to receive grades from the University
Registrar via e-mail or who need to surf the World Wide Web
for a class project.

     The university offers technology services for students
living on and off campus. 

     HomeNet enables students living off campus to connect
to campus computing services from home.  It includes e-mail,
World Wide Web and news reading capabilities, as well as
related network services, for Windows and Macintosh.

     For the most efficient use of HomeNet, a computer must
meet the following minimum requirements:

     Windows (IBM and compatibles)
     -- 486 or better processor (a Pentium processor is the
     recommended purchase)
     -- Windows 3.1 or later and DOS 6.2 or later
     -- 6 megabytes (Mb) of memory
     -- 14 Mb free hard disk space (complete package)

     Macintosh
     -- any model that can run System 7.1 or later (a Power
     PC processor is the recommended purchase)
     -- 8 Mb of memory
     -- 11 Mb free hard disk space (complete package)

     HomeNet also requires a modem.  UTS recommends a
14,400-bps or faster external modem.  UTS advises against
internal modems for HomeNet use because they can cause
hardware conflicts and difficulty in configuration and may
not support all of the service