Issue date: 9/21/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Photo by: Melissa Blakely / Photo Editor The recent addition of Samsung LCD monitors in the John C. Pace Library helps students get a clearer idea of their future. [Click to enlarge]

If you need a computer and are low on cash, the people at ITS can help you get a good deal on a new machine.

 

The University of West Florida's Information Technology Services has a staff that will help you find and purchase a computer with the features you need to fulfill your educational needs.

 

Helping people find a computer is the job of M. Regina Davis, ITS help desk manager.

 

"What we do is work with students on a consultation factor and provide the student with the best possible advice on what their needs require," Davis said.

 

The program has been in place for six years, but there are no numbers to see how many people it has helped.

 

"It is hard to tell how successful the program is because the students do not come back and say, 'I loved your advice, so I got exactly what I wanted,' " Davis said. "But for the most part, it has helped them."

 

Davis would like the program to be promoted and talked about more so students can be aware of the program we offer.

 

"There just are not enough people that know about what we do to help people find a computer so I would like to spread the word more," Davis said.

 

Some students on campus such as junior special education major Desirae Celiberti are not aware of what ITS does to help students find a computer.

 

"If there is such a program, I have not heard about it. - UWF should contact students to let them know about it because I am sure students would want to know," Celiberti said.

 

Buying a computer online is the best way to go, but buying from a store is good as well, Davis said.

 

"I personally prefer online, but not everybody is comfortable buying online. So, I also recommend buying from - the big chains like Best Buy and Circuit City," Davis said.

 

However, Davis warned not to be intimidated into making a purchase by a salesperson.

 

"I'll send them to Circuit City, but I will always tell them not to succumb to the pressures if they're not comfortable and to come talk to me about all the details before purchasing the computer," she said.

 

Buying a computer for $299 is not always what it is cracked up to be, Davis said.

 

"I will always tell the students to check out the specs when they see a deal like that because the most a person can do with that type of computer deal is the very basics like write a paper," she added.

 

The staff does not recommend spending money on a lot of extras.

 

"I usually like to base the type of computer a student will buy on their basic needs. So if their major is literature, then all they will need to do is write papers. But if their major is graphics, then they will need a computer that is a little more hefty," Davis said.

 

Students sometimes will get a computer given to them by their parents or grandparents and will bring them in to be inspected.

 

"When we get computers brought in to us, we will usually tell the students what they can do to update them and make them perform better," Davis said.

 

"Although we usually get people interested in buying a computer calling us on the phone for advice, there are also interested buyers that attend UWF orientations as well," Davis said.

 

"We are part of orientation when the new students come in, and a lot of parents will stop and ask us about computers and how to purchase them. So, we will give them phone numbers for them to call," Davis said.

 

Patricia Rademacher, a health education graduate student, is interested in the program.

 

"I would be very interested in getting advice from ITS on how to buy a computer, if I were in the market to buy one," Rademacher, said.

 

ITS does not plan to stop this service anytime soon.

 

"This is a service that ITS will keep providing for the students, and it does not take any money to run it," Davis said.

 

 "UWF has a contract to do a lot of business with vendors such as Gateway and Dell," Davis added. "And as a result, students are qualified to receive a 10 percent discount when they purchase a computer."

 

"Sometimes if you save $50.00 to get a better deal, but you get yourself two year's worth of support nightmare, it is not worth the $50.00 savings so look at what you are buying and call us to ask us," Davis said.

 

For more information, contact the ITS Service Centers at 474-3024, or go online at ITS.uwf.edu.

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