When it comes to ICT, the bar is set high for Delft University of Technology. So why are the TU Delft’s central library’s computers underperforming, embarrassing relics from ICT’s Stone Age?
Good working computers are indispensable for enabling first-class student achievement. Yet, computers at the TU’s central library fail to meet students’ needs, and consequently many students are demanding better performance from the library’s computers.
In this age of mounting integration of information and communication technology in the education system, students increasingly rely on ICT for finding information, conducting research and writing academic papers. Providing state-of-the-art computer facilities at the university’s library is vital. While most TU students are satisfied with the computer facilities at their own faculties, the central library’s facilities are routinely condemned.
Orlando Mendez, a computer science graduate student from Mexico, says the computer facilities at his faculty are better in every sense: “In terms of hardware, software and web applications, the TU library’s computers are simply out of date.” Vishal Mehta, a SEPAM graduate student from India, agrees, saying, “The difference between the faculties and library’s IT facilities is like that between heaven and earth.” Mehta proposes a total rearrangement of the library’s system.
The main complaints about the library’s computers are that they are extremely slow, have keyboards that make it difficult to type, you cannot use memory sticks for ‘mass’ storage nor log on to your TU account, and the Internet system is very slow. Mendez, however, nuances the latter point by saying: “The bandwidth the TU has for its network system is more than sufficient. This system is however slowed down by the obsolete hardware system and browsers installed.”
Given the library system’s details . Pentium II 300 or Pentium III 700 Mhz processor speed and respectively 32 or 64 MB SDRAM memory size . it’s hardly surprising that the system is outdated and, moreover, already exceeds by three years the standard lifespan for such computers. According to Mendez, the library’s plan to either opt for new computers or a client/server system architecture like that at the faculty libraries will not work. “It can be useful to choose for a client/server system. The computer hardware nevertheless clearly needs to improve now and later in order to be compatible with increasingly demanding web content and software,” he says.
A comparison with the central library of Eindhoven University demonstrates that while Eindhoven’s computer system also suffers from hardware problems, these problems do not effect the computers’ processing performance. Rik Luiten, a Technology & Policy student at the University of Eindhoven, says the Internet connection at Eindhoven’s central library is perfect: “Files larger than 5 MB are transferred in a split second.”
TU Library spokeswoman, Merida Steba, says that last year the priority was to improve the working environment of the primary process of the library, which means that the computers at the faculty libraries and the hall of the central library are renewed. Steba: “We’re also in the process of enabling access to TU Delft’s wireless network in the central library’s hall, group rooms and computer lab.”
Given the rapid pace of ICT development, it is understandably difficult for the university to constantly spend the money needed to keep up with the latest technologies; but nevertheless the university is obliged to provide the best possible ICT facilities in order to enable student achievement. Mendez: “Web content is becoming highly interactive. If the web browser isn’t up to date and doesn’t contain the right plug-ins, you’re not able to see video’s or even open a page. I think a renewal of equipment would be beneficial and in some cases even necessary.”
Good working computers are indispensable for enabling first-class student achievement. Yet, computers at the TU’s central library fail to meet students’ needs, and consequently many students are demanding better performance from the library’s computers.
In this age of mounting integration of information and communication technology in the education system, students increasingly rely on ICT for finding information, conducting research and writing academic papers. Providing state-of-the-art computer facilities at the university’s library is vital. While most TU students are satisfied with the computer facilities at their own faculties, the central library’s facilities are routinely condemned.
Orlando Mendez, a computer science graduate student from Mexico, says the computer facilities at his faculty are better in every sense: “In terms of hardware, software and web applications, the TU library’s computers are simply out of date.” Vishal Mehta, a SEPAM graduate student from India, agrees, saying, “The difference between the faculties and library’s IT facilities is like that between heaven and earth.” Mehta proposes a total rearrangement of the library’s system.
The main complaints about the library’s computers are that they are extremely slow, have keyboards that make it difficult to type, you cannot use memory sticks for ‘mass’ storage nor log on to your TU account, and the Internet system is very slow. Mendez, however, nuances the latter point by saying: “The bandwidth the TU has for its network system is more than sufficient. This system is however slowed down by the obsolete hardware system and browsers installed.”
Given the library system’s details . Pentium II 300 or Pentium III 700 Mhz processor speed and respectively 32 or 64 MB SDRAM memory size . it’s hardly surprising that the system is outdated and, moreover, already exceeds by three years the standard lifespan for such computers. According to Mendez, the library’s plan to either opt for new computers or a client/server system architecture like that at the faculty libraries will not work. “It can be useful to choose for a client/server system. The computer hardware nevertheless clearly needs to improve now and later in order to be compatible with increasingly demanding web content and software,” he says.
A comparison with the central library of Eindhoven University demonstrates that while Eindhoven’s computer system also suffers from hardware problems, these problems do not effect the computers’ processing performance. Rik Luiten, a Technology & Policy student at the University of Eindhoven, says the Internet connection at Eindhoven’s central library is perfect: “Files larger than 5 MB are transferred in a split second.”
TU Library spokeswoman, Merida Steba, says that last year the priority was to improve the working environment of the primary process of the library, which means that the computers at the faculty libraries and the hall of the central library are renewed. Steba: “We’re also in the process of enabling access to TU Delft’s wireless network in the central library’s hall, group rooms and computer lab.”
Given the rapid pace of ICT development, it is understandably difficult for the university to constantly spend the money needed to keep up with the latest technologies; but nevertheless the university is obliged to provide the best possible ICT facilities in order to enable student achievement. Mendez: “Web content is becoming highly interactive. If the web browser isn’t up to date and doesn’t contain the right plug-ins, you’re not able to see video’s or even open a page. I think a renewal of equipment would be beneficial and in some cases even necessary.”
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