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October 5, 2005
Issue No. 69

Table of Contents

• Computing News
  • Assistive Tech Software
    
  • Software Licensing News
    
  • Wireless Access on Campus
    
  • Academic Computing Update
    
  • Recent ATS Projects
    
  • TeamSpace in Meyer Library
    
  • SU Webmaster Resources
    
  • Academic Technology Lab
    
  • ITSS Technology Training
    
  • SU Windows Infrastructure
    
  • ITSS Metrics Online Weekly
    
  • Videoconference Service Ends
    
  • Stanford eCommerce Update
    
  • Bookstore Computer Store
    
  • ALTeC Lab Moved
    
  • Meyer Classrooms Update
    

The public computers in Meyer Library and elsewhere are sporting three new software titles, which may be unfamiliar to most users.

Thanks to a collaborative effort between Academic Computing and the Office of Accessible Education, students using the public clusters in Meyer, Tresidder, the Lane and SSRC Reading Rooms in Green Library, and each of the residences can now use ZoomText, TextAloud MP3, and Inspiration, software previously available only in Meyer's accessible computer lab. (See also Where Did They Put the ALTeC Lab? in this issue.)

So what do they do? Here's a brief overview. For more information and a Quick Start guide to each program, visit http://www.stanford.edu/group/OAE/technology.html.

The software was added primarily to improve accessibility for students with visual and learning disabilities. Like most assistive technology, however, they have features or capabilities that may benefit all users.

ZoomText

Designed for individuals with visual impairments and blindness, ZoomText performs three primary functions: magnify the screen image; read aloud selected text; and change the colors, contrast, and other attributes of the screen image to improve readability. The Windows-only program sits above other open programs and can be used with them.

ZoomText users will find a wide variety of features to improve interaction with what's on the screen, including:

• Magnify screen from 1.25 to 16 times in a selection of resizable window types (e.g., full screen, floating lens, docked); zoomed window also can be frozen.
• Smooth magnified text and images to eliminate that pixilated look.
• Enhance pointer and cursor to make them easier to find (e.g., enlarged, screen crosshairs, flashing circle).
• Change screen colors, brightness, and contrast to improve screen readability and reduce eyestrain via a number of preset color filtering effects.
• Control speech rate of spoken text as well as verbosity (i.e., what is spoken - just selected text, information about that text, text as it's being written, etc.).
• Special DocReader extracts text from documents, web pages, and email and reformats it for easier viewing.

For a list of features and a look at the user interface, visit:

http://www.aisquared.com/Products/index.cfm

Some of these features (as well as features in the programs below) have application beyond the realm of accessibility and can benefit all users, as described in Free Assistive Technology You Already Own from the previous issue of "Speaking of Computers".

TextAloud MP3

TextAloud MP3 is a basic text-to-speech program that can read aloud text from documents, the web, or email. Sitting as a toolbar above other programs, TextAloud can be set to speak any text copied to the clipboard. With the toolbar expanded, TextAloud shows the copied text and highlights the words as they are read. This dual audial and visual feedback while reading can greatly increase comprehension and retention for those with learning differences. It's also great for proofreading documents. We all have a tendency to see what we think we wrote, but it's difficult to overlook a missing or repeated word when we hear that text read aloud as well.

Users can change both the speed and pitch of the synthesized voice to suit their reading preferences. Many students pace themselves at about 220 words per minute when reading text for greatest understanding, but increase the speed to 350-400 WPM when either skimming material or just reading for pleasure (and some people have trained themselves to understand at up to 600 WPM!).

As installed in the public clusters, PC-only TextAloud uses Microsoft's SAPI voices, a far cry better than a 1980's "Speak'n'Spell", but still noticeably computer synthesized. If you wish to download TextAloud MP3 onto your own Windows PC (it's inexpensive - just $30), you can spend an additional $25 and get AT&T's Natural Voices, a speech synthesis engine that produces near-human quality speech. Natural Voices achieves this by concatenating the waveforms of actual human utterances in a wide variety of contexts. The result is synthesized speech that closely resembles the pronunciation and prosody (melody and rhythm) of natural speech. In addition, Natural Voices is available in a number of dialects that interpret text according to different language rules. Thus when the French voice Juliette speaks "c'est la vie", it sounds like "seh-la-vee", not "sest-la-vye".

Copy the text to the clipboard, set the desired voice and reading speed, then click "Read to File". Instead of reading out loud, Text Aloud will "read" to an audio file at about 10 times normal reading speed. That file can be burned to a CD to play in your vehicle or downloaded to your iPod or other MP3 player. Imagine being able to listen to research you've collected from the Web, journal articles, an annual report, or reading assignments during otherwise nonproductive time!

A TextAloud plugin for Internet Explorer permits reading of web page text directly without the need to copy to the clipboard. Within Internet Explorer, choose View -> Toolbars -> TextAloud for IE. A new toolbar will appear on the IE toolbar with controls to start and stop speaking as well as to easily change the reading speed and speaking voice.

For more information about TextAloud MP3, visit http://www.nextup.com/TextAloud/index.html. Also, check out demos of the human-sounding voices at http://www.nextup.com/attnv.html.

Inspiration

Available on both the Mac and PC systems in the clusters, Inspiration is a visual learning tool which permits students to create, organize, and present information graphically as well as textually. It is especially beneficial for those of us who are visual learners and who prefer to represent and manipulate ideas in a graphical environment.

Inspiration has two views: Diagram View and Outline View. Each view has its advantages, and additions and changes in one view are instantly reflected in the other. In Diagram View, ideas are represented by symbols or graphics; it is ideal for creating ideas initially, grouping them, and seeing the relationship between them. Outline View, which resembles the linear Roman numeral-type text outlining we learned in grade school, is best for arranging ideas ("topics") in sequence, organizing them, and changing their hierarchy. Moving a topic around is simple: just click, drag, and drop the topic where you want it. Inspiration automatically changes its relationship to other topics. To add content under any topic, simply start writing. These so-called "notes" can be exported later to a word processing application. Virtually every aspect of a topic in either view can be changed to suit the user's preferences: font, size, style, color, and (in Diagram View) symbol shape and type.

Inspiration can be thought of as an "idea processor". Individual ideas can be grouped, rearranged, and linked to help the user better understand interrelationships or to simply get a clearer view of "the big picture". It also facilitates brainstorming ideas in the first place: in RapidFire mode, users can record ideas as fast as they can think (and type), then easily categorize and group them later.

This ability to represent the same ideas in two learning modes, visual and linguistic, makes it an invaluable tool for thinking, composing, and writing.

For a quick tour of Inspiration, visit http://www.inspiration.com/test/dswmedia/quicktour.html. (Note: Macromedia Shockwave required.)

For More Information

If you have questions about computer accessibility and technology accommodations, want consultation on these issues, or just wish to learn more about the intriguing assistive technology available, call Shelley Haven in the ALTeC lab at 725-6173. ALTeC's services are available to students, faculty, and staff who need assistance due to a disability. Students should contact the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) at 723-1066 for more information. Faculty and staff who would like to access the Center should contact Rosa Gonzalez, Stanford's ADA/504 Compliance Officer, at 723-0755 for a referral.

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The mission of the ITSS Software Licensing team is to save Stanford University as much money as possible on software purchases. One of our initiatives toward this mission is to offer software to students for use on personally owned machines.

We currently offer the following products to students:

The next product we hope to offer to students will be IMSL, a Mathematical and Graphical Subroutine Library. This contract should be in place by mid-school year.

For more information about the Software Licensing group, including a list of available software, order forms, and links to other places to get software, see our web site at:

http://softwarelicensing.stanford.edu/

To reach the Software Licensing staff directly, send email to software@stanford.edu or call 724-2424. We are located in the Bambi Modular, 320 Panama Street.

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Map of wireless locations on campus.
Click for full-sized version.

If you have a laptop computer and want wireless access on Stanford's campus, you're in luck. (A wireless network enables laptops users to access Internet resources from locations where wiring is not available.)

The Law and Medical Schools, Engineering, and all the campus libraries have wireless access. Other locations include: the Main Quad, Tresidder Student Union, the Faculty Club, Schwab Residential Center, Cummings Art, Braun Music Center, Dinkelspiel Auditorium, and the Arrillaga Alumni Center Cafe. Some residences, including Wilbur Hall, Stern Hall, Branner Hall, Cowell Cluster and Bob also have wireless access. For more information, see Residential Computing's page on Wireless in the Residences http://rescomp.stanford.edu/wireless/.

Click on the map to see current wireless access locations.

To find out more about wireless access on campus, including what you need to get connected, and how to activate and register your wireless card, see:

http://wirelessnet.stanford.edu/

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Academic Computing has made a number of modifications to their services and facilities to better serve the needs of the Stanford community. The following are highlights of the changes:

Multimedia Studio Relocated

The Multimedia Studio, located on the second floor of Meyer Library, has been relocated from Area 220 (directly adjacent to the Flexible Class-Lab) to the main cluster area, in front of the Meyer Tech Desk.

The Multimedia Studio, Meyer Library, 2nd Floor

This new location not only consolidates all of the second floor services, including digital video capture and editing, image and document scanning, wide-format printing, and media dubbing, but also increases the Studio's visibility to new users and improves support from the Multimedia Consultants.

The Studio is designed to encourage both individual and collaborative work. The soft, natural light from the Meyer Library atrium also makes for a more pleasant work environment.

Office of Accessible Education's Assistive Learning Technology Center Lab Relocated

The ALTeC lab, previously located in the Digital Language Lab on the second floor of Meyer Library, has been relocated to Area 220, directly adjacent to the Flexible Class-Lab. Six Dell Windows PCs and two Apple Macintosh OS X workstations cover a wide-range of needs for students with disabilities. These range from speech recognition to screen magnification to text-to-speech synthesis. Specialized, high-end equipment such as refreshable Braille displays and CCTVs for the visually-impaired are also offered. For more information, please see Where Did They Put the ALTeC Lab? in this issue or you can visit the Office of Accessible Education web site.

Tresidder Union Computer Cluster Renovations and Upgrades

The computing cluster on the second floor of Tresidder Memorial Student Union has been renovated and its services have been upgraded. Fresh paint, a new carpet, new chairs, and stylish artwork combine to provide an improved work environment and facility. The space offers a total of 26 Dell Windows PCs and Apple iMac G5 flat panel workstations. Laptop areas are also spread throughout the installation, some arranged such that students can work collaboratively on both a laptop and a desktop. Finally, six movable, cushioned chairs (two of which have attached tabletops,) are available for more relaxed work. The cluster has full wireless coverage for registered users of the Stanford network.

For More Information

For more information about Academic Computing's facilities and services, see their web site at:

http://acomp.stanford.edu/

See also New Assistive Technology Software on Public Clusters in this issue.

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The Academic Technology Specialist program works with faculty, lecturers, and researchers within Stanford's departments, programs, and schools to advance the application of software and information technology in teaching and research.

The newest member to the Academic Computing team is Audrey Weinland, Academic Technology Consultant for Online Accessibility, who is looking into campus wide issues of online access. In other areas, Academic Technology Specialists have been working with repackaging and repurposing successfully-developed departmental/program site management tools for other applications or with other departments. Michael Gonzalez, the ATS for Art and Drama has recently redesigned the Art department web site using a fully developed site tool put together by Matthew Jockers, ATS for English. In the School of Earth Sciences, Clay Hamilton has been working on repackaging QUAD, a tool previously developed by Media Solutions to be utilized by research groups for simplified maintenance of their own web sites.

Online Accessibility

Audrey Weinland joined the Academic Computing team this spring. For many years she worked in private industry, with such companies as SAP, on following accessibility standards with their software. Her experience has put her in contact with workers from web developers to executive management to ensure that accessibility needs were met for their customers.

In bringing Audrey to our team, Academic Computing is reinforcing a University-wide commitment to ensure that the accessibility needs of all learners are being addressed, particularly as pertains to online education. She joins Shelley Haven, the ATS for the Office of Accessible Education, who has already been working to address many of the accessibility issues from the classroom to the study environment, as well as general learning technology issues. Because the deployment and growth of learning resources on the World Wide Web is such an integral part of a Stanford education, and so much weight is being put on the Web as a source of education, providing special focus on just these resources alone will help to ensure that Stanford is providing learners with accessible materials. See also New Assistive Technology Software on Public Clusters in this issue.

Adapting Site Management Tools to Fit ATS Needs

Departmental Web Site Tool: Michael Gonzalez, ATS for the Departments of Art and Drama, recently deployed a successful redesign of the Art department web site by repurposing a fully developed departmental web site tool developed by Matthew Jockers, a fellow ATS and Consulting Assistant Professor for the Department of English. This represents a recent successful transfer and application of technology from one ATS' work to another's. Matthew developed his original site for the English department using php/mySQL tools to distribute the process of the maintenance of the departmental web site and provide faculty with tools to maintain their own information as presented on the site.

While the project was in development, Michael approached Matthew about the prospect of repurposing the package for use in a second department, thereby sharing resources. Michael, also an ATS with experience and background working with php/mySQL tools was able to repackage the installation for Art, and making some small modifications to the code and structure with advice from Matthew, recently deployed the new site.

To compare and contrast the two sites that use Matthew's tools, visit the Department of English and the Department of Art and Art History web sites.

QUAD Web Site Management Tool: Previously working with Stanford Media Solutions, Clay Hamilton has been involved with the ATS program for the School of Earth Sciences for just over a year now. Academic Computing has retained the code from a number of software projects from Media Solutions among them a web site management tool, known as QUAD, already employed by some programs at Stanford. Earlier this year, Clay was approached by research groups in the School of Earth Sciences seeking a simplified solution to maintaining web pages that share information about multiple research projects maintained by their groups. Because maintenance of such information can involve numerous users who are at times in different sites and locations, there is a need for a simplified solution. Although QUAD was originally designed for departments and programs, Clay is working to repackage a subset of the site-management tools (written largely in php code) and build a set of basic templates that will fit the needs for research groups, allowing multiple users to maintain the information in a single web space.

For More Information

For more information about the Academic Technology Specialists Program, contact Peter Chen at ptchen@stanford.edu or see their web site at:

http://academiccomputing.stanford.edu/atsp/index.html

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TeamSpace is a 2-6 person collaboration environment located in the 24-hour accessible lounge in Meyer Library. TeamSpace is comprised of a host-client pair. The host computer is used to control a shared community display. Users then connect as clients from their laptops, utilizing client software.

See also New Assistive Technology Software on Public Clusters in this issue.

TeamSpace: A Collaborative Environment in Meyer Library

The TeamSpace collaboration software allows multiple users to simultaneously work on a number of documents, cut and paste from various sources, and edit a central document of interest while using their individual laptops and two 40" displays available in Meyer. In addition to this, each user is able to "take control" of the shared display. Users can simultaneously distribute copies to any one or all of the team members who are logged on.

TeamSpace is a major component of Academic Computing's overall effort to meet the changing needs of the Stanford University community. As faculty and course projects increasingly require collaboration in the classroom, it becomes increasingly important to offer collaborative technologies outside the classroom that provide similar capabilities. Hence, TeamSpace has become an extension of certain classroom environments such as those in Wallenberg Hall.

With the availability of the newly-installed TeamSpot host/client software from TideBreak, ease of installation and use has increased along with the addition of new features. This has created a stable and reliable environment for collaborative work. Academic Computing is seeking active partnerships with departments and classes in all disciplines as it looks for TeamSpace and other services to support the out of classroom experience of the student.

The Academic Computing TeamSpace web presence is located at:

http://teamspace.stanford.edu/

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The Office of University Communications, which maintains Stanford's main web site, offers a set of resources and style guidelines for webmasters of departmental or other official Stanford web sites. The "Stanford Web Guide" is available at http://www.stanford.edu/webguide/. It includes templates appropriate for creating a departmental web site, downloadable Stanford graphics, information about web site accessibility, and a list of additional resources.

Examples of web sites that have been built using these resources are:

http://events.stanford.edu/

http://stanfordvideo.stanford.edu/

http://dalailama.stanford.edu/

University Communications has also teamed with a web development vendor, Wired Moon, to offer affordably-priced packages using these official University templates. For more information, please refer to the "Resources" section of the Web Guide.

Finally, all departmental webmasters and web designers are encouraged to join the SU Webmasters interest group. This group meets regularly to discuss issues of interest to the maintainers of university web sites. To join, send an email to majordomo@lists.stanford.edu with the text "subscribe su_webmasters".

For more information, please contact Scott Stocker, stocker@stanford.edu.

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The Academic Technology Lab (ATL), located in Meyer Library room 181 is a resource center for faculty and TA's interested in integrating technology into their teaching.

ATL consultants provide training and support for the development of instructional materials including interactive presentations, digital audio and video projects, DVD creation and web sites. Faculty also receive assistance integrating technology tools into their courses. ATL staff provide consultations for web-based forums and Stanford's online learning management system, CourseWork.

Upgraded Video Compression Software

The ATL has recently upgraded software. We now have the Sorenson Squeeze 4.1 Compression Suite. This suite is the first full-featured compression application to incorporate High Definition (HD) encoding for a variety of video formats including - MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, QuickTime, RealMedia, and Windows Media 9. The Suite also compresses the highest-quality video for Macromedia Flash files.

Sorenson Media has added the Sorenson AVC Pro codec (also known as H.264) to the Sorenson Squeeze 4.1 Compression Suite. This codec offers unparalleled encoding efficiency by creating the high-quality video at roughly 70 percent the standard MPEG-4 codec!

While most compression tools are cumbersome, with steep learning curves, Squeeze is easy to use and requires no in-depth knowledge of the complexities of compression technology. Squeeze 4.1 reduces digital video to a fraction of its original size, allowing ATL patrons to pack more onto CDs and DVDs or prepare files for use on CourseWork or other web sites.

New Web-Based Scheduling System

In addition to new software, the ATL will be implementing a new web-based scheduling system. The new scheduler will allow patrons to reserve stations and appointments with consultants from an easy to use, online calendar style reservation system. For more information, please go to:

http://academiccomputing.stanford.edu/atl/

ATL hours are Monday-Friday from 1:00-3:00. When scheduling your appointment, please include a brief description of your project in the summary field.

For More Information

For more information about the types of projects faculty have completed in the ATL, please see:

http://academiccomputing.stanford.edu/atl/showcase.html

For more information about the ATL, visit the Academic Technology Lab web site or contact us at 725-5522.

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ITSS Technology Training Services offers hands-on classes, lectures, drop-in sessions, one-on-one training, online courses, special classes on request, and computer lab rentals - all to meet the various training needs and levels of Stanford staff and faculty.

Some people can and like to take hands-on training, others absorb information best via lectures. Some people want individual instruction, at their own desk, when their schedule permits; others find online, self-paced instruction very convenient to take - at work or at home. Some groups need special classes just to address their needs, or need to rent a facility in which to hold their own training sessions.

Technology Training Services can meet all those demands. When you plan your mix of training for the year, check out the web sites below.

Lectures and Hands-on Classes

For more information about our on-campus, scheduled lectures and hands-on classes, go to:

http://techtraining.stanford.edu/courses.html/

(STAP and department funds may be used to cover any fees.)

Free, Drop-in Sessions

The free, drop-in, lecture sessions are:

• Noon-time Tech Express Sessions
• Friday afternoon Tech Briefings

The web sites list upcoming topics and you can subscribe to their mailing lists to get email announcements about future topics.

Customized, One-on-One Training

To request customized, one-on-one training, go to:

http://trainingbyappointment.stanford.edu/

(STAP and department funds may be used to cover the fee.)

Self-Paced Online Courses

Online resources include over 1,000 self-paced IT courses and thousands of IT books to answer your training needs around the clock.

http://techport.stanford.edu/

Take a sample course before signing up (STAP and department funds may be used to cover the fee.)

Specialized Instruction

To inquire about setting up a special class for a group, call 723-4291.

Classroom Rentals

If you need to rent a computer lab (PC and Mac) or the Turing lecture hall, go to:

http://techtraining.stanford.edu/rental

More Information

For general information, go to:

http://techtraining.stanford.edu/

You can also call 723-4391.

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Stanford's Windows Infrastructure is offered by ITSS for University departments to manage users and computers in the Windows environment. When using a shared Windows domain, this service is free.

Among the 25 departments and schools already using this service are: the Graduate School of Business, the School of Medicine, Humanities and Sciences, the Office of Research Administration, Internal Audit, and the Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources(SULAIR).

Some of the benefits of the Windows Infrastructure are:

• 24x7 (around-the-clock) monitoring and maintenance by trained on-call support staff.
• Designed from the ground up for high availability (100% service uptime to date).
• Security based on University and Government security guidelines.
• Automated identity management based on SUNet ID for single sign on capability.

If you would like to learn more, please visit their web site at:

http://windows.stanford.edu/

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Each week, to measure ITSS performance against key client satisfaction indicators, ITSS captures and publishes a number of service measures. You can find these metrics at:

http://www.stanford.edu/services/itmetrics/

The topics measured include:

• Help Desk resolution speed and efficiency,
• Performance of the PeopleSoft and Oracle applications and their related reporting environments,
• Network stability,
• Telecommunications order processing efficiency, and
• Campus desktop security deployment.

While these service measures are published weekly, ITSS also provides links to historical performance trends and uses these measures to identify areas of necessary attention. The target measures, which ranges from system availability percentages to days-to-process orders, were set as "stretch goals", which are possible to be achieved with effort, and which will produce an excellent customer service experience. The goals are reviewed on a regular basis to make sure they remain effective targets.

Questions or comments about ITSS performance and availability metrics can be directed to the ITSS Customer Satisfaction team, at itss-survey@lists.stanford.edu.

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In April 2005, a marketing questionnaire was sent out to all clients who used the ITSS Videoconference service over the past twelve months to gather input on the usage, technology requirements, and economics of maintaining the existing service profile. The results of that questionnaire indicated a strong preference for a desktop videoconference solution that could be conducted from an office computer over on-site videoconferencing.

With the availability of videoconference technology at the desktop, the high cost of maintaining and upgrading the videoconference equipment, and the low volume of usage of the videoconference room, ITSS made the decision to discontinue its videoconference service as of June 30, 2005.

ITSS has provided alternative solutions for videoconferencing:

http://www.stanford.edu/services/vc/

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On July 1st, the Controller's Office assumed functional responsibility for the eCommerce @ Stanford service. This is a major milestone for the service as it has been a key goal for Stanford's eCommerce strategy since the project began in 1999.

http://ecommerce.stanford.edu/

eCommerce @ Stanford will be under the direction of the Commerce and Banking Services department which is a division of Student Financial Services. Allison Baird-James is the Associate Controller in charge of Student Financial Services. Jano Kray, formerly with IT Services, has moved to Student Financial Services and will continue to direct eCommerce @ Stanford.

A top priority for eCommerce @ Stanford is to complete a rigorous certification process under Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance standards. The Payment Card Industry now requires proof of compliance annually. This certification is required of all University departments that accept credit card payments. Failure to comply may result in severe fines and penalties.

The initial certification process will help shape the future strategy for eCommerce at Stanford. To facilitate the future strategy, an eCommerce strategic advisory committee will be formed with members from the Controller's Office, Internal Audit, IT Services, and the User Community.

If you have questions regarding the PCI Compliance Project, please contact Jano Kray at 723-6205.

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As Fall Quarter begins, whether you're a new student or just returning to Stanford for the new school year, be sure to drop by the Stanford Bookstore Computer Store. Stanford students, staff, faculty, and departments can purchase computer products and software at discounted prices. The Computer Store is also a great place to find ideas for gifts.

Products

The Computer Store carries a variety of items that you may want to consider:

• Hardware from Apple, IBM, Dell plus a host of other computer-related products from major manufacturers. To receive the best pricing, new and returning students are encouraged to make their purchases at the bookstore.
• Software at academic pricing for Macintosh and Windows-based systems from vendors such as: Apple, Adobe, Borland, Macromedia, Mathworks, Microsoft, and Symantec.
• Peripherals and supplies such as Palm handheld devices, mobile phones, ink and toner cartridges, cables and laptop accessories.
• Video games for Playstation 2, Xbox and Gamecube.

Other Services

In need of computer repairs or memory upgrades? No problem! The Stanford Bookstore Computer Store Computer Service Center repairs Apple computers, in or out of warranty. The Computer Service Center can also facilitate non-warranty PC repairs.

In addition, the Computer Service Center stocks memory modules to upgrade computer systems and offers on-campus pickup and delivery at no charge for Stanford departments. Other customers are welcome to use the drop-off window, which is located on the main level of the Bookstore.

The Computer Service Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For details, contact the Bookstore at (650) 725-6136, extension 338.

How to Purchase

When purchasing a computer system, software or supplies through the Computer Store, individuals may pay with cash, check, or credit card. Eligibility requirements vary depending on the purchase. Please contact the Computer Store for eligibility requirements. Campus departments must use an online Standard Purchase Requisition form, which should be forwarded to Procurement. Departmental orders totaling less than $1500 can be purchased with a Stanford Purchasing Card (VISA/MasterCard) or Rapid Purchase Order (RPO), which can be faxed (325-3476), or brought into the store and used like cash.

For More Information

To learn more about the Stanford Bookstore Computer Store, drop by the Bookstore, located in White Plaza or call (650) 725-6136 extension 456 or (800) 533-2670. Visit the Computer Store Web page to see available hardware, software and peripherals:

http://www.stanfordbookstore.com/

The Stanford Bookstore Computer Store

Fall Quarter Hours

Monday - Thursday 8:00am-8:00pm

Friday 8:00am - 7:00pm

Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm

Sunday 11:00am - 6:00pm

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by Shelley Haven

The Assistive Learning Technology Center (ALTeC) computer cluster has moved! For the past few years, the ALTeC accessible computer lab has shared space with the Digital Language Lab in the 280 corner of Meyer Library's second floor (closest to the bookstore). Now we're along the window wall in the 220 Area outside of the Flex Lab/Classroom (the corner closest to Cubberley). See also Academic Computing's Technology Services and Facilities Update in this issue.

Perhaps the most visible of these resources is the accessible computer lab. See also New Assistive Technology Software on Public Clusters in this issue. The ALTeC lab's current accommodations include:

• Physically accessible Macs and PCs with large screen monitors;
• Software for speech recognition, text-to-speech screen readers, screen magnification, and assistance with studying and writing;
• Alternative input devices such as specialized keyboards and mouse substitutes;
• Ergonomic computer workstations with electrically adjustable work surfaces;
• A refreshable (dynamic) Braille display;
• Scan-and-OCR stations; and
• CCTV video magnifiers.

ALTeC's services are available to students, faculty, and staff needing assistance due to a verifiable disability. Students should contact the Student Disability Resource Center at 723-1066; faculty and staff should contact the ADA/Section 504 Compliance Officer at 723-0755 for a referral. For demonstrations of the technologies, questions about computer accessibility and technology accommodations, or consultation on these issues, contact Shelley Haven at 725-6173 or rmhaven@stanford.edu.

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The Meyer Library classrooms have been upgraded for ease of use to faculty and students, and ease of support by Academic Computing staff. With these upgrades, the classrooms offer a reliable and effective environment for instruction.

Rooms 182, 183, and 184

All three classrooms on the first floor of Meyer Library have seen major upgrades to their projection systems. Rather than adding more media devices, these changes were focused on reliability and ease of use. All Smart Panel projection control systems are identical in layout and operation. Along with the standard DVD, VHS, and desktop computer sources, a dedicated laptop input is available in all three rooms. The desktop workstations themselves have been standardized as Dell Windows PCs with the full suite of cluster applications. Finally, the projectors themselves have been replaced as well and are brighter, lighter, and more reliable.

As before, rooms 182 and 184 are lecture-style classrooms. The former now features a combination of the tablet-armed wooden seats with four movable workstation tables, and Room 184 retains its complement of wide movable tables.

Room 184, Meyer Library

Finally, room 183 still features 17 Dell Windows PCs.

Room 143

Room 143 is now controlled by the University Registrar's Office.

Language Lab Seminar and Classrooms

The projection systems in both Language Lab spaces have been upgraded to offer the same ease-of-use as the first floor classrooms. Additionally, the sound systems in both rooms have been improved to provide high-fidelity audio reproduction for language classes.

To Schedule Use of Meyer Classrooms

To schedule the use of, or to get more information about, one of these classrooms in Meyer Library go to:

http://academiccomputing.stanford.edu/rooms/index.html

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