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>Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2000 14:19:36 -0700
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum     <[log in to unmask]>
>From: Reply to <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: iMacs but not another platform discussion please

Update To those ...
-- who run Mac labs &
-- who look to upgrade their pre-iMac Mac labs &
-- who still want to go with Macs &
-- who are allowed to continue with Macs:

More than a year ago, some controversies around the Apple iMac 
computer raged on this list. Luckily, the issue has quieted down, and 
with this message I do not want to relight that fire  . One of the 
questions back then was: Is the iMac a viable and reliable lab 
computer?

The 6 vintage iMacs in our lab (September 1998, Rev A/233 MHz, 
ejectable CD-ROM drive tray) have yet to fail (after two years of 
often heavy "abuse" by thousands of students). Software problems 
encountered were OS/ROM related and were fixed as soon as the 
respective ROM update was applied. We were under severe fire for 
having  bought iMacs before my university issued a policy stipulating 
that no iMacs should be bought at all. Two years later, student labs 
can and have purchased iMacs but my university's ITS people do not 
support them (which has not been a problem for our lab because there 
has been no need for support).

Department heads still may not buy iMacs for faculty.

That was brief, and non-controversial (in terms of the Win vs. Mac 
debate, right??
-- 
Dr. Bernd Conrad
Associate Professor of German
Computer Assisted Language Learning

Northern Arizona University
Department of Modern Languages
BOX 6004 BLDG. 23 ROOM 108
Flagstaff, AZ., U.S.A. 86001-6004

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