There were a number of problems we came across in our work at Community Concepts. The first was the difference between what we thought we would be doing and what Christina wanted us to do. Multi-media training was no longer on the agenda. Instead:

• Christina wanted 11 donated computers; the number was eventually reduced to nine.
• The computer that controlled the lab’s printer had a virus.
• No Internet was available.
• The computer lab lacked ventilation and air conditioning, making it a challenging environment to work in for both people and machines.
• Christina didn’t want the computers to have administrative accounts or passwords.
• There were some challenges in the communication involving what Christina wanted and what we could do (i.e. install unlicensed software).

Below is a summary of some specific issues and how we dealt with them:

• Networking
  The arrangement of the network when we walked into Community Concepts was very confusing. It was as if there was no logical thought behind the network structure. With the guidance of TA Chris Ritzo, Elizabeth jumped in and began trying to figure out what computers connected to which switch and if the switches were even connected to each other. We spent half a day reworking the entire system and another morning reconfiguring firewalls so that the computers would be able to ping each other. After arranging the network correctly the computers gained the benefit of being able to use a print server. A network map is attached to this page. Slide1.jpg The aspects of implementing the print server are explained below.
• Printers
  Before we came into Community Concepts the computers could only print to one printer that was shared computer to computer. Because the network was in disarray many computers could not print. The computer that was directly connected to the printer and had the responsibility of sharing the printer also had a virus on it and needed to be completely wiped. After Brooke wiped the computer we made the choice to set up the print server so the other computers would not rely on one computer being on to share the printer. Now all the computers in the building are networked to print to the main printer, with the office computers also having their own printer and the two downstairs computer having a default printer in their room. The downstairs computers are still using a computer to computer shared network printer, so the computer nearest to the printer must be turned on to use that default printer. One problem we were not able to solve was that the two mac computers did not have the drivers needed to connect with the main printer. We hope future groups can work on solving that problem.
• Administrative passwords
  We convinced Christina to let us put administrative passwords on the computers and allow a non-password protected “restricted user” account. The general restricted user account name is “The Village Theatre” with no password and the administrator account name is “Admin” with the password of “theatres.”
• Driver issue
  One of the computers at Community Concepts had contracted a virus and Christina instructed us to wipe the whole thing, as mentioned above. After wiping the computer and reinstalling Windows 2000, the monitor driver, audio driver, and Ethernet (network) card driver had to be installed. This is not a complicated task, just an annoying one. Elizabeth started the task, but was reassigned to help Chris configure all networking issues, so Brooke took over. Instead of taking apart the computer to actually look at the names of each part needed, (which would have also worked–to physically look at the network card, the VGA card, and the audio card) she looked at the information provided on another computer, which was the same make and model of the one that needed drivers. Lots of note taking and internet searching happened, and finally the three drivers were found using the Internet on Sara’s laptop, set up in Christina’s office with a Verizon Wireless connection (Thanks Sara!). The drivers were then transferred through a USB flash drive from the laptop to the computer. (Nancy and others from another group had previously conquered this task in Champaign, therefore Brooke knew what to do by following their lead.) Problem solved!
• Web Site
  Originally we had wanted to help configure hosting services to get the Village Theatre website live. This was beyond the scope of what we could do. All the files are saved on computer 13 and on the new iMac that was installed, as well as on a CD. Christina has the procured the domain name of thevillagetheatre.com and would like help from a future class to find an appropriate web hosting service.