Opal’s House Computer Lab Update
Hi Essie,
I write to give you the latest news from the lab and to let you know the status of the video surveillance system installation. I also need to cover a logistical question.
THIS WEEK WE PLAN TO:
- Finish Open Office installation (1 computer left, Marcia)
- Finish printer acquisition & testing
- Make final decisions about which computers will go where
- Run, test all computers
- Determine how to test network topology and test it-use 8 port switch
- Firm up monitor & keyboard selections
- Clean all computers
With regards to the video surveillance system installation, we received more information from Pass Security. They faxed us the minimum requirement details needed to get the system going. I’ve attached a copy of what they sent in a pdf file.
You will see from the fax that the surveillance system needs to be tied to a network. You will also see that one computer will need Microsoft Windows 200 Server software and the other will need Microsoft Windows XP SP2. We can do our best by providing a computer with the necessary hardware, but regrettably, we cannot provide the required software.
Once you’ve secured the software needed, Pass Security will install their video surveillance specific software. From what I understand, this should come at no additional cost to Opal’s House since you already purchased the system. Tony Rusteberg was the representative I spoke with @ xxx/xxx-xxxx ext. xxx.
We also wanted to touch base about our dropping a cable from the intake room to the basement to get the computers networked successfully. Is there an existing hole in the wall at this point? If not, we will need to create a small one (unless the ISP has already done so) for the cables. If there is an inconspicuous area that works well for you, just let us know. We will pack our drill.
Please let us know your thoughts when you can.
Thanks Essie.
Response
First, let me apologize for not getting a reply to you sooner. In reference to dropping a cable down to the basement, whatever you need to do will be okay. I don’t think there is a hole but I want you to feel free to do whatever you need to do. I have not been able to open up the pdf file from Pass and Tony is the person that I have been working with, he is a really nice person.
Also, if you could ask Professor Martin if he was able to “solicit” his church members to come down to Opal’s House, (I thought I would just throw that in). Take care, if you need anything else just let me know.
Response
Hi Martin,
Hope you are scheduling in some break time this week. Anyways, you will see from the forwarded message that Essie had a question about whether or not you were soliciting any of your church members to help out at Opal’s House.
I am sending her a reply today with a rescan of the pass security fax and other information. Did you want me to mention something to Essie on your behalf re: her question about church member assistance?
Just let me know when you have a moment.
Response
Hi there Essie,
Thanks for your reply. I’ve rescanned the Pass Security doc. The file might have been too large last time. It is attached here. Just let me know if something goes awry with transmission.
It turns out that we were able to add Microsoft Windows XP SP2 to your laptop; however, this alone might not be sufficient enough to run the video surveillance on it. The document lists 512 MB of RAM as a minimum requirement, but the laptop has 256 MB. I’ll bet Tony can advise further on that.
We will be providing an additional computer that might operate as the Video Surveillance System Server. Note that it will need Microsoft Windows 2000 Server or later installed on it to function in a Server capacity. I’m sorry that we don’t have this software.
I’m not yet certain about where things stand with Martin’s church members. Thanks for mentioning that. I’ll let you know as soon as I know anything more about this.
We wish you a Happy Holiday!