Other Questions about Extension Supplied Equipment
Computing Equipment
for REAs
Computing Equipment
for County Offices
Cellular and Push-to-talk
Equipment and Service
Computing Equipment for
REAs
I will continue to be housed in the same office
I have been in for years. Will I be able to keep my desktop computer in
my home office?
Each REA will receive a notebook computer.
Theoretically, there will be no reason to keep your desktop computer. However,
we know there may be practical reasons to keep your current desktop computer.
There may, also, be a need for the use of your desktop in your home county
office.
You may keep your present desktop in your
county office, if the county coordinator approves you to continue to use
this computer. Please keep in mind that CTU will not replace this desktop
for you in the future. Also, Windows 95 is no longer being supported by
CTU. Soon Windows 98 will also not be supported. Continued used of these
older computers may become problematic for you and CTU's support of these
computers.
My home county office will be different than
my current county office. May I take my desktop computer with me?
Each REA will receive a notebook computer.
Theoretically, there will be no reason to transfer your desktop computer.
However, we know there may be practical reasons to transfer your current
desktop computer. There may, also, be a need for the use of your desktop
in your old county office.
You may transfer your present desktop in
your county office, if the county coordinator in your old county office
approves the transfer. Please keep in mind that CTU will not replace
this desktop for you in the future. Also, Windows 95 is no longer being
supported by CTU. Soon, Windows 98 will also not be supported. Continued
used of these older computers may become problematic for you and CTU's
support of these computers.
What is a docking station?
A docking station allows a portable computer
to "become" more like a desktop. The monitor, keyboard, mouse, and network
cable will be connected to the docking station. An REA will connect his/
her computer to the docking station and the notebook will act like a desktop
computer.
See a complete definition on the Webopedia
web site.
Will I have a docking station for my notebook
computer in my home office?
You can connect to the local networks, even
without a docking stations so docking stations are not necessary to be
able to use your county network. Docking stations make connections more
convenient. Also, an external keyboard (USB), mouse (USB), and monitor
can be connected to the notebook even without a docking station.
It may also be necessary for CTU to provide
a docking station for each REA in his/her home county office. We will evaluate
this need on an individual basis one month after the REAs receive their
notebook computers.
I am an REA, I do not want a notebook computer.
I would rather have one desktop computer in my home county office. Do I
have to accept a notebook computer?
No. While we have ordered notebooks for each
Rural and Traditional REA, you may have a reason not to want to use a notebook
computer. Keep in mind, though, it is expected that you check email daily
so you will need to make sure you can check your email in the other offices,
if you do not return to your home office each day.
If, for some reason, you do not think you
will be using a notebook computer, please let us know by emailing Anne
Adrian.
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Computing Equipment
for County Offices
Who pays for computers for full-time county-funded
agents?
CTU is responsible for replacing computer
equipment for REAs, CECs, and core-funded AU affiliated secretaries. Other
staff's computers should be funded by other sources (i.e., county funds,
grant funds, etc.). CECs should consider equipment costs in determining
the costs of employing additional county or grant funded employees.
In some county offices, using slightly
older equipment maybe sufficient.
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Cellular and Push-to-talk
Equipment and Service
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Who pays for cell phone service for full-time
county-funded agents?
Central Extension is funding REAs and CECs
cell phones. Other agents' cell phones should be funded by other sources
(i.e., county funds, grant funds, etc.).
Will Extension employees have everyone's cell
phone numbers?
REAs, CECs, and non-merged specialists will
have cell phones. Cell phone availability for merged specialists in academic
departments will be determined by the academic departments. A directory
of the cell phone numbers will be available to all Extension employees.
Both companies will be providing the phones with most of these numbers
programmed. Additionally, the expectation is that you will supply your
clients your cell phone numbers.
What if Verizon/Southern Linc does not cover
my area?
Part of the evaluation process for selecting
these two companies was coverage throughout the state. Both companies provide
coverage throughout the state with a few areas that have no coverage. Except
in some small patches, either Verizon or Southern Linc provides coverage.
Southern Linc is giving us 15 days to test the phone/radio. If Southern
Linc does not have coverage in your area, you will be provided a Verizon
phone. There are few areas in Alabama that are not covered adequately by
any cellular company. There may be a few areas where Verizon nor Southern
Linc provides adequate coverage, but another company may. If this is the
case, we will consider procuring service from another company. Additionally,
it seems there are few areas in the state that no cellular company provides
service.
Both Verizon and Southern Linc will be
adding and upgrading their towers throughout the state during the next
two years. On the Verizon phones, you can program your phone to access
the new towers by pressing *228. Doing this once a month will ensure you
are getting the best coverage from Verizon.
Will there be training to use the cellular
and push-to-talk technology?
CTU and Administrative Services are trying
to arrange training via web Training by Streaming Video. More information
on this training is forthcoming.
What is the policy on personal use of the
University/Extension funded cell phones?
The official Auburn University policy is "No
personal calls on University-funded cell phones." This policy is currently
under evaluation.
As an employee, can I receive discounts for
my family through either company?
Both offer employee discounts. You must contact
one of the representatives responsible for Auburn accounts.
Southern LINC
William Allbrook
Fleet Management/Unwired 1-800-530-5332
Linda Jones
Direct Account Executive 1-888-219-9174
Tommy Merrick
Direct Account Executive 1-888-395-0519
David Padget
Fleet Management/Unwired 1-877-196-2889 |
Verizon
Rodney Allen
Account Executive 334 703-2505
Melissa Waites
Account Executive 334 750-0225 |
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