Minutes of 10/28/98 Meeting
Present: G. Allen, M. Belsky, G. Blievernicht, J. Eulenberg, D. Forro, M. Hestenes, M. Hudson, T. Hwang, J. Renuk, R. Wittick, C. Wisniewski.
Guest: Jacquelyn Lowman
1. The meeting was called to order by Eulenberg at 1 : 36 p.m.
2. It was noted that the ATC WebKeeper needs to update the site's membership list.
3. The committee's undergraduate representative, Chris Wisniewski, was introduced. A freshman in the School of Agriculture, Chris is interested in computer assisted farming. Welcome, Chris!
4. APP&R ideas.
Library: Forro reported that library personnel are in the process of formulating their requests. One possibility is a set of wireless laptops that use a centralized 900 MHz broadcast server. Such a system was recently described in "Closing the Gap."
OPHS: Hudson reported that Adaptive PCs have now been installed in both OPHS and microcomputer labs. We are therefore ready for training to begin. There is also always a need for software updates, with campus-wide licenses. He will also request a site license for Dragon Naturally Speaking. To Belsky's question regarding the laptop requested for real-time services, Hudson replied that it is expected within about a week.
Broadcast Services: Blievernicht reported that there have been no discussions yet. Hudson asked to have Housing Services' menus spoken as well as written and to have the Degree Navigator web site made more accessible.
Book digitizing: Lowman expressed a continuing need for converting books and other documents into machine-readable, searchable form. Eulenberg noted that there is currently no campus-wide service doing this. Hudson has been working with Michael Seadle (Libraries), digitizing some audio books and beginning to digitize regular books using the Kurzweil OCR system. In response to Hestenes's question regarding copyrights, Hudson replied that the law has recently been relaxed considerably to permit producing an alternative format for a user needing access.
5. Allen asked for opinions regarding Proposition A in the upcoming election. Hudson prefers "handicapper," as it has allowed MSU to maintain a leadership role, whereas moving to "disability" will put us back into a follower role. However, he does not know how he will vote. Renuk agreed with Hudson's position. Belsky said tat she does not like "handicapper" because she is constantly having to explain what it means to people outside the state of Michigan.
6. The meeting was adjourned (Hestenes; Blievernicht) at 2:43 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
George Allen, Recording Secretary
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Last updated 21 April 1999.