Re: Power Macintoshes with Dos/Windows Compatibility

[rcsmeyer@umslvma.umsl.edu (Suellen Meyer)]

Denise, we had the same thought last year when we upgraded our computer
lab.  Part of our department used DOS machines and part Macs, and we wanted
both segments to be happy.  We ended up buying 18 PowerMacs and two
PowerMacs with DOS/Windows capability.

We've had nothing but problems with the hybrid machines -- so much so that
they are now known as the schizophrenic machines.  Sometimes they open
easily on the DOS side, but more often they do not and we cannot tell why
they are unhappy.  Sometimes students try to print (all the machines are
networked to two laser printers), and they can't.  When that happens, we
transfer to the Mac side and usually --but not always -- can get them to
print.  We've gotten to the point that we discourage students from using
them at all.

Others might have had better luck with these machines.  Maybe if we had had
better training in using them, we'd be happier.  But training is another
problem since the machines fall between Mac and DOS experts, neither of
whom have been able to help us much.

Suellen Meyer
St. Louis Community College-Meramec
St. Louis, MO





I apologize in advance for those who will receive this message on more than
>one discussion group, but here goes . . . .
>
>I have been tossing around the idea of upgrading the computers in our Writing
>Center to Power Macintoshes with DOS/Windows compatibility.
>
>I was wondering if anyone else has that set up for a classroom or a Writing
>Center and what problems exist with it.
>
>Presently we have 15 DTK (IBM-compatible, 386's) and 7 Macintosh LC's.  Both
>are used regularly.  Also, our faculty is split--3/4 use IBM's, 1/4 use
>Macintoshes, and all the College of Liberal Arts labs are Macintosh.
>
>I would appreciate any feedback you can give me.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Denise Pani
>
>enpani@alpha.nlu.edu
>
>Director,
>The Writing Center
>Northeast Louisiana University
>Monroe, LA 71209