Public Site Software Maintenance

IT builds and deploys a new "system image" for all public site computers at the start of Fall, Spring, and usually Summer semesters.

The most effective way to make sure that the software you need in a classroom will be there when you need it is to notify IT of your needs well in advance, so that it can be included in the semester-starting image.

Semester-Starting Software

The process for determining software to be installed in public sites normally begins in late March for Fall semester, late October for Spring semester, and early February for Summer semester. At that time, IT begins collecting information from scheduled instructors about their needs for the upcoming semester. A deadline for response is established, normally at about 5 weeks before classes start.

All recommended software is included on public site computers whether or not an instructor has specifically requested it, unless a recommended product is identified as "not installed in public sites".

Only recommended software is installed on computers in mediated classrooms and presenter computers delivered to classrooms.

Instructors who need software that is not supported by IT in computer classrooms, the mobile computer classroom computers (MCLab) or in the Stat Lab, i.e. software that is not on the recommended software list, are responsible for furnishing IT with the media to be used for installation and with proof of enough licenses to cover intended use. The latter should include all Macintosh or Windows systems in Technopolis if students will be expected to use the software outside of class.

IT will inform an instructor within one month if there is a reason that requested software cannot be installed in the requested public site.

The list of software that will be installed is finalized about five weeks before instruction will begin, and software is normally installed on all classrooms systems and Technopolis by about a week before the start of the semester.

During-Semester Additions by IT

IT will add software to computer classrooms, MCLab, the Stat Lab, Technopolis and student group study room computers after a semester has started when all of the following conditions are met:

• The install can be done at a time other than during the seven-week period beginning 5 weeks prior to the start of instruction for a semester and ending 2 weeks after the start of instruction.
  
• The software is needed for a class offered at ASU's West campus or for a Category I or II event.
  
• There are at least 10 business days between the request to IT for installation and the proposed use.
  
• The software is provided, with proof of license and installation instructions, at the time of request. Enough licenses must be provided to cover all same-platform computers in the classroom or site. If the software is to go in student group meeting rooms, licenses for all of the group meeting rooms must be provided.
  
• IT agrees that it can install the software without unduly risking stability of the classroom, lab, or meeting room systems.

To request that a specific software application be installed please send an e-mail to . Provide the name of the application and a contact name and phone number, and specify the site(s) -- the specific computer classroom, MCLab, Technopolis, or student group meeting rooms -- that will need the software.

Instructor Self-Installs

IT does not customize the software on the presenter computers in mediated classrooms, because the maintenance of different configurations for that many computers is prohibitively expensive of resources.

If you are an instructor at the West campus and you want to self-install computer software in a mediated classroom, you may complete and submit a Request for Software Installation Privileges in Classrooms form. The privilege comes with the following guidelines:

1. Honor software license restrictions. Do not install software that is licensed for your own computer only, unless you uninstall it after every use. Clearly, if it is installed both on your own computer and on a classroom computer (where someone else can use it), there should be two licenses.
   
2. This privilege is very powerful and can be used to create problems on all classroom computers and on the network. Restrict your use of the privilege to only your own needs. Protect your UserID and password. Change your password if you think it may have been compromised.
   
3. Be aware that IT makes regular changes to the classroom systems, and cannot be responsible for maintaining user-installed software and files when making these changes. Be prepared to install software every time you need it, just in case.
   
4. Accept responsibility for the reliable functioning of the computer for those who will use the classroom after you. Call IT immediately if an installation you have performed is causing the computer or other applications on the computer to stop functioning or to function incorrectly. IT will not troubleshoot your application, but will restore the computer to its standard system image.
   
5. If you like, call the IT Help Desk to ask for assistance in installing and testing the software on a non-classroom computer before you try installing it in a classroom.
   
6. Use the software installation privilege only for legitimate University business. For more information, see the Property Control System Policies and Procedures Manual Section 902.