Computer decision to make at school...

[AntaresVI]

So i work for the school newspaper, and we're stuck working on first-gen imacs that are all crapped up, and the tech department is A) clueless and B) refuses to fix/upgrade.

Secondly, these machines are the school's. The newspaper recieves no funding from the school, but we use their equipment. Unfortunately, this means we have (very) limited space on their server and they lock every machine, rendering them pretty much useless when a problem arises (such as having to change printers, transfer files from disks to the server, and using the internet).

Anyway, I'm the tech manager and I have to draft a proposal to be submitted to the PTO to ask for funds to buy our own stuff. Right now, we have nothing. We want 7 computers, one for each section of the paper

The school uses Macs. (ugh...), and in any case we will still have to be dependent on them for Internet access at the least.

I have come up with two solutions: Macs or PCs. Try not to let this get into the old mac/pc debate, i'm on the pc side but u use what works best in the situation. Anyway, that said, here they are.

1) Mac.
In this scenerio, I would propose buying 7 eMacs. Because we're doing layout and graphic design, i'm going with the 700mhz (which i still consider to be waaaay slow), 512 megs of ram, and 40 gig HDDs. Total per system: $1,324.00
Also, I would get a hub/switch to connect us to the school network. We would still use their printer, server, and internet. We would not have to buy new copies of Pagemaker or Photoshop.

UPSIDES: compatibility with school, ability to use existing software/network resources, no retraining of newspaper staff.
DOWNSIDES: school can lock and password-protect our comps because they're on their network, we have to use school printer, server.

2) PC.
In this one, I would propose buying 7 Dell Optiplex machines with 1.7 ghz Celerons, 512 megs DDR, windows XP, and 7200rpm 20 gig HDDs. Also included are 17" flatscreen CRTs. Total per machine: $1,067.00
In addition, I would buy one Dimension with 512 megs of ram, a 2ghz P4, and an 80 gig HDD to act as our file server. This would be extremely beneficial, because it would give us much more room to archive copies of the paper, allow us access to the server (the school hides theirs), and give us another machine in a pinch. total cost $839.00.
In this scenario, we would need to purchase copies of Pagemaker, Photoshop (or other photo editing tool), and Word. We would also need our own printer (which would be good because the school refuses to fix the one they let us use now, making us have to print proof copies of the paper on 8"x11" paper).

UPSIDES: Faster, more powerful, we get our own network that they can't restrict, cheaper per system, more upgradable in the future.
DOWNSIDES: We need more equpiment (server, network stuff, printer, software) Have to retrain staff to use PCs (probably shouldnt be too hard)

Opinions? If you vote in the poll, please leave a response...also, if u have any alternate ideas let me hear! Thanks.

edit: its a high school.

 

I'd go with #2 - from prior experience, it's much better to have your own server and your own machines than to rely on the school to support theirs. Plus, if something goes wrong with your 'server,' you can troubleshoot it right there. #2.

 

[rudder]

decent point JuMpR629, but since it is just a temp job for Lerocks, what if the next person comes in and not as computer savy? It would be best to let the school manage the computers.

 

[Orsorum]

Who does #2 work for?





Sorry.

 

[ggavinmoss]

I'd go for #2.

I ran a newspaper on PC's using PhotoShop and PageMaker and had few problems with the PC setup.

-geoff

 

[notfred]

I'd go with option #1 jsut because you don't want to have to retrain everyone to use PCs. It may seem simple to you now, but you haven't tried to train them yet. I remember trying to teach my mom how to use a windows machine...

"I put in a floppy but it didn't do anything" ( was expecting floppy icon on the desktop)

"How do I eject a disk?" (Was used to dragging the disk to the trash)

"What's the keyboard command for copy?" (It's command+C on the mac, not control+C)

She never really grasped the concept of windows explorer, after being used to the macintosh finder.

There's lots of stupid little things that you don't want to have to teach everyone to do over.

 

[arod]

If you go with option 2 Is STRONGLY advise getting lower MHz P4's than 1.7 celerons. Celerons suck, I work for computer support and we have too many calls about slow performing celerons. Your gonna get a better machine with a P4 1.5 or 1.6 Ghz.

 

[ATLien247]

Where did you get those prices?

Your State's Department of Education should have contracts with different vendors to get you a good price. And don't forget about tax exemption.

 

[AntaresVI]

Yeah, i had thought that, atlian...I need to look into that more in-depth, i only heard of this today

 

[777php]

If you check the hot deals forum you'll see a deal involving Dell 4550's with P4's @ 2.4 Ghz with CRT's or LCD's fof under $600!
If you add ram and hard drive space you can still get each machine for waaaay under $1000.

 

[Soybomb]

Your school could probably get a discount on the hardware and software, but in all fairness you need to factor in the costs of the adobe software and word for the machines that need them. Of course I would argue that you could find a free word processing package to use instead of word too. If you do layout like I did I just wanted a plain text file to insert anyway, so as long as the text editor has spell check it covers your needs

 

[narzy]

pagemaker and photoshop even w/ acidemic pricing is gonna really hurt you. I priced it out under a maps agreement to 400 bucks a machine, driving your system price from 1000+ to 1400, with as you said for the macs you already have the licence. also macs are IMO better with adobe products then PC's, macs at 700 mhz still challenge a 1.4 - 1.6ghz machine x86 archtecture, its all in how its built and for graphics and layout work, newspaper stuff, go mac. as you said its more cost effective in the short term, and in the long term, its compatible with the schools existing equipment, and does not cause a headache for moron IT staff when you get out of that school and students that replace you may or may not have the same knowlage about computers. B/W laser printers are dropping in price and a good HP 1100 (?!) isn't going to set you back much. Don't think that just because you go PC your not going to get locked down in the school network, in reality they may put more strict control over the PC's because of what they are.

as for a file server, eather buy another Emac (they will work great) or throw together a weak linux box.

in other words go with the school, it will make it easier on everyone. and if they try to lock down the machines kindly explain how they can kiss your...well...you get the idea.

if the newspaper owns the machines the access to the machines resources should be handled by the newspaper staff, the network, PC or Mac is and should always be managed by the school. mac or PC.

 

[SgtBuddy]

I'd go with #1.

Macs are built for a few things. Publishing is one of them. Why not get an extra Mac as a fileserver?

Since Macs use ATA hard drives, you could get an eMac and put in a nice 120GB WD drive. (I am not very Mac literate, so correct me if I am wrong)