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

[JOY]

Jason agreed via text to me so I think we have consensus from active finance
members to go with the proposal.

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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