What to do with your college-bound students

For many years, I have been asked by the parents of college-bound students how to help them prepare for their child's next step, "My child is going to X University next fall. What computer should I buy for her/him?"

The First Question In Reply

Colleges and universities typically specify which hardware platforms and software suites are required by students in their various schools. If a student is attending a school for Engineering, that student may have a different set of requirements than one who will be studying Art or Marketing. In fact, the students may be expected to purchase their systems through the university on account of the fact that they may have special pricing arrangements for their attendees or may have a preconfigured system available at a specific vendor due to particular needs borne by the students.

Do not immediately presume that your child will need a "PC." Some schools may have Macintosh computers on their list of requirements. Many schools that focus on the graphic arts prefer to use the "Mac" inasmuch as it is designed to work well with design programs and usually have high-end graphics support to display the work better. If, on the other hand, your child will be in a general course of studies, there is the possibility that your child may have no particular specifications from the school. When this happens, it is incumbent upon your student to solicit the information from his/her counselor during the orientation session. Many students attend these sessions weeks or months before they actually attend the universities or colleges. If your child "forgot" to get this information in person, pressure him/her to contact the school and/or faculty to help identify any special needs that will need to be addressed.

What If...?

Your child has attended the orientation session and no information was given. He/she has already contacted the school and the faculty in the chosen discipline, yet nothing has been advised and no one would give any specifics to help you determine what needs to be purchased. Well, here are some additional thoughts to entertain...

• Does the school have a local computer support company with which they are aligned for sales and service? Are they available on campus? Are they reasonably priced?


• Does the school have its own on campus support facilities for all students on the hardware/operating system that your child wishes to use? Are they reasonably priced?


• Is there anyone in the college, student or graduate, that is willing to share his/her insights on what will be the most appropriate technology for your child?


• Is your child adept and technologically savvy enough to be, to some extent, self-sufficient? (Maybe your child will organically grow a business like Michael Dell.)

I Guess "No" Was The Answer

If your child's school provides little feedback and you cannot locate a "friendly" alumnus, then the ball is in your court. Do you know if your student will be requiring a high-end computer or will a simple one do? If your child has a specific course of study, contact a local business and ask if they have any suggestions. Most will be willing to give answers to a few directed questions for the sake of good will and community service. If you have no idea, you may wish to go down the middle ground and buy a computer now with a generic set of tools -- Word Processor, Spreadsheet program, and presentation suite. One of the most popular offerings is the Microsoft Office Student and Home Edition. This software is significantly discounted to NON-COMMERCIAL users to grow their needs in the business world. If you wish to save even more money, you may be able to use the OpenOffice.org suites. These applications are available online FREE OF CHARGE.

If your child will be in a dormitory, you may have a choice between a desktop computer and a laptop. Keep in mind, a desktop will provide greater value in terms of the features and price, BUT it will not necessarily work best for your child if he/she needs to use the computer in a classroom environment, a library, or "on the road." Laptops are more popular in the academic environment, but because so many people have them, you must make sure to protect what you do have due to its ability to become lost and never recovered.

Some Things That You May Do To Protect Them...

Your child's laptop is a generic tool. It will be difficult to distinguish it from another students if there is a dispute, so how can you protect your/your student's system?

• Albeit a visual deterrent, laptop locks (cables that attach to the device) may reduce the likelihood for theft. A laptop should not be left unattended for a number of reasons, but if you must turn your head, this may help.


• Put a log on password on the computer. By limiting the access to the contents of the computer, your child may limit unauthorized access to his/her work or security controls on the machine.


• Laptops have a miraculous way of growing legs and jumping off of desks or leaping from knapsacks and attache cases. When you purchase the machine, consider spending extra on an accidental protection policy in addition to the warranty. This way, if the machine should be dropped and the screen breaks, it can be replaced without extensive issues and be promptly restored to functionality by the manufacturer or their support representation.


• Acquire a laptop that uses a fingerprint (biometric) control for log in. Although a bit overboard, this, too, may help reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access. Be advised, however, that if the system is dropped and experiences system corruption, access to the computer may be compromised.


• Laptops are now protected like cars using Lo-Jack. You can pay for a subscription or buy a system with the ability built-in. In the event of a theft, your child contacts the Lo-Jack phone number (or equivalent) and has them enable the "beaconing" feature. Very often, if the machine is online, it can be located within a distance of 33 feet. Often, this may be enough to recover the device.

All of the above may be considered, but none are required. Nothing is a replacement for vigilance when it comes to maintaining and retaining your prized possession. In addition to concerns about theft, your student should also consider two critical items:

• Backup - Make a copy of the important documents on a media or site that will not be compromised in the event of loss or "infection."


• Data Security - Software installed on the computer to reduce the likelihood of infection while the user accesses the Internet, opens files, or reads e-mail. Security software may be provided as an accommodation from the school or should be purchased from either the vendor online or though a local merchant (e.g., bookstore or superstore). These programs will often include Antivirus, Anti-SPAM and a Firewall application to protect your work.

A Final Word...

The laptop that your child acquires for school may have his/her personal touch or preferences involved. We have repaired computers for students, as well as businesses. Some are pink with pink carrying cases, others are studded or labeled with band names. This is your child's opportunity to be expressive in addition to functional. Try to be flexible when he/she wants a color that doesn't meet your fancy, it may prove helpful if they ever need to distinguish it from another should the theft rate rise at the school.

When shopping for a computer, have your child play an active role in the selection process. He/she may like having a wide screen or might prefer to use a number pad on the laptop keyboard. Others may want an eraserhead to navigate while others prefer a mouse. Not only should you visit stores for the "hands-on" experience, but visit websites of the major vendors to get a feature/price comparison. Don't be too shy to call the vendor to negotiate for a more competitive price on their product. Best of all, your child will be learning to become an independent and contributing member of society. Give him/her as much encouragement as possible, afterall, this is your legacy.

If you have found this to be helpful, we'd love to get your feedback. If you have a subject that you wish to learn more about, please feel free to contact us at fred@tech4now.com. We also have a super website offering a plethora of resources from which to benefit both personally and professionally--visit it at http://www.tech4now.com/. Thank you.