[UCIMC-Tech] update on finance computer/PD computer issues

[JOY]

Thank you for keeping us updated Chris.

I personally cannot thank Brian enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That data represents a
lot of work so this is very, very good news to me.

Obviously, my vote is yes to spend some GenOps money and/or AM office
expenses for a new computer and software. I'm eager to get to work. I was in
the midst of a few projects in addition to the deadlines I previously
mentioned.

I still have ~$300 in genops that I've been saving for office equipment or
furniture, etc. It is money that instead of getting paid for work I've done,
I've set aside for purchases for the finance office. That is how we bought
the printer. We could use that towards this. Too, the last time finance
approved the purchase of an upgraded finance computer (about 3 years ago) we
got one donated, so we never spent that money.

Joy

On Mon, Jul 19, 2010 at 7:23 AM, Chris Ritzo <chris.ritzo at gmail.com> wrote:

> Brian has recovered all the data from the old finance computer disk.
> He's opened a few PDFs & other docs with no problem.
>
> Next step is to get the new machine together and install required
> software. **Can we get consensus on the list to spend some GenOps
> money and/or AM office expenses for a new computer and software?**
>
> Chris
>
> On Sun, Jul 18, 2010 at 3:15 PM, Chris Ritzo <chris.ritzo at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > All,
> > I just conferred with Brian Duggan on IMC Tech's next steps for the
> > situation with the Finance computer and corollary issues. This
> > hopefully will be a summary so that everyone knows where things stand.
> >
> > Data Recovery:
> > The hard drive in the finance machine is dying. Brian has been making
> > every effort to recover data from the drive and will provide me with
> > an update later today. What folks need to understand about this is
> > that it simply takes a lot of time. System recovery tools are slow,
> > and it simply just takes time to try multiple strategies to get data
> > off of failing hardware. I hope to have a good report later today.
> >
> > Hardware & Software Replacement:
> > Tech is also preparing cost estimates for both software and
> > replacement hardware for this machine and will propose that GenOps
> > money be used to pay for replacement hardware, a licensed copy of
> > Windows, Quickbooks, and MS Office. The machine is not suitable to
> > simply be upgraded, echoing Mike Lehman's comment, and as such we're
> > recommending new hardware be purchased in order to properly run
> > Windows 7 or Windows 2008 Server Edition.  Brian Duggan is putting
> > together a comprehensive item list with costs for the required
> > hardware & software. In addition to what's been discussed already in
> > this thread, we will need to include costs for Antivirus and
> > Anti-Spyware software in order to properly secure this workstation.
> >
> > Why Windows 2008 Server?  We've been told that multiple people will
> > need to be able to use Remote Desktop to access this machine,
> > potentially at the same time. This is not supported by Windows 7
> > editions, only the Server edition. It requires the initial license and
> > additional licenses per multiple Remote Desktop user. Additionally,
> > it's not clear whether Quickbooks actually supports multiple Remote
> > Desktop users accessing its data files at the same time. It would be a
> > cost savings if we simply said that only one person can access the
> > machine remotely at a time. We could then just buy one copy of Windows
> > 7. Is it an absolute necessity for Joy, Jason and Wayne to be able to
> > log in remotely at the same time?
> >
> > Program Director Computer:
> > Joy has mentioned the incompatibility of files coming from Americorps
> > in Word and Excel format. I have asked that tech be provided examples
> > of these files to confirm this incompatibility before pursuing an
> > additional Windows workstation. This was the first time that the tech
> > group had heard about this issue, so we want to see if we can avoid
> > additional purchase costs by providing training. It's our preference
> > to support open source software whenever possible, but if these are
> > truly incompatible files we'll move toward support whatever is needed
> > for the program director to open, edit and use these files without
> > needing to use the bookkeeper's workstation. Some of these files are
> > on the drive that Brian is recovering, but I have asked Carol and Joy
> > for copies that may be available in email in-boxes, on the PD computer
> > or elsewhere.
> >
> > I will provide an update on this on behalf of the Tech group as soon
> > as we have more information. Please let us know if there are issues or
> > questions. I echo Joy's call for consensus via the list on allocating
> > GenOps funding to resolve this situation quickly and appropriately.
> > Everyone should know that Tech is actively working on doing just that.
> >
> > Chris R.
> >
>



-- 
Joy Davis
UCIMC Office Manager
202 S. Broadway Ave., Suite 100
Urbana, IL 61801
imcbooks at gmail.com
217.344.8820
www.ucimc.org
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