It was the first week of classes, and scores of students realized that—oh no!—they needed software for their computers. And they needed it soon.
They rushed into the Computer Showcase in the Union, in search of a deal and a quick way to cross one item off their to-do lists.
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Greeting many of them was Phil Harding, manager of the Computer Showcase, which is part of Information Technology Central Services. As the campus shifted into high gear in recent weeks, Harding and his crew were busy helping hundreds of students.
“I think I need, um, Windows XP Pro,” a student said tentatively on Tuesday morning, the first day of classes. Harding asked her a couple of questions, told her that was, in fact, what she needed, and soon she was on her way. Next!
A student with an open checkbook knew exactly what he needed—Microsoft Office 2003—and he paid Harding and left quickly. Then Harding helped a staff member with the register tape, then he answered another employee’s question about bundling and integrating, then he helped the next person in line, and the next.
Harding likes the fast pace, and he knows it is important for his health to remain busy and active—even more so than for most people. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease of the autoimmune system that often affects mobility.
Exercise helps those with MS maintain strength, balance and muscle tone, which can help control the spastic movements often associated with the disease. Regular activity also helps prevent the fatigue that accompanies MS. In addition to his job, Harding works out at a gym and rides a recumbent tricycle to maintain his health.
Harding has held this job for the past 14 years. In 1988, the Showcase began renting the space in the lower level of the Union, then moved there permanently in 1993, with an expansion in 1995.
In that time, Harding has learned a thing or two about making the first few weeks of school run efficiently. He hired just the right number of temporary staff members this year and ordered almost exactly the right amount of software.
“This year—knock on wood—we only ran out of Windows XP Pro for one afternoon, and then it came in the next afternoon,” he says. “We planned really well.”
Students can buy software at prices much lower than in most stores because of a license the University pays each year. Harding and the rest of the staff are happy to offer suggestions and provide guidance, even if the shopper chooses to buy somewhere else. Software also is available for discount purchase by faculty and staff, “but they tend to stay away at this time of the year,” Harding says.
During the past two weeks, people moving into residence halls had a flurry of questions for Harding and the rest of the Showcase staff, made up of four permanent and 10 temporary student employees.
“How much does XP Pro cost?” “How many times can I install this software?” And: “I have a virus on my machine; can you help me?”
They can. Indeed, much of what the Showcase does is rid computers of viruses, particularly after several months of the cagey pests wiggling their way into computers throughout campus and the rest of the world.
In spite of the workload, as of the middle of last week, Harding said the staff was caught up completely.
Harding and others have worked hard to get the word out to students and parents about the Showcase. Still, there are some people on campus who don’t know about the store or its lower prices on many software packages.
“They’re missing out,” Harding says.
