Jacksonville State University - Mimosa Yearbook (Jacksonville, AL)

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We accept cost, control frustration, then call computers magic Computer coup is complete In an age where the invasion of U FO's is a major concern, wc allow ourselves to be invaded by a different alien. Once there were few of these creatures. Then they began entering different facets of our lives, Wc read about them in newspapers and magazines. We saw them at the box office. Now we sec them here. Before we knew it, they became an integral part of our lives. You may be wondering what invaded our world. It is the computer. In 1930 Vann-war Bush, an American engineer, developed the first analog computer. However, it wasn't until the 50’s that computers became popular in business. Businessmen use computers for bookkeeping and accounting and to record money deposited and withdrawn. JSU now uses them for many administrative tasks frequently each day. Each semester students may stand in line hours to register for classes. But that is much better than the method used before computers. Students would gather in Leone Cole auditorium, along with professors and advisors. They might stand in line all day without getting their desired classes. Some became so frustrated they burst into tears. It was utter bedlam! Along with registration, computers arc used to operate the new campus phone system. Each library fine and parking ticket is recorded and billed by computer. If one ventures to the third floor of Bibb Graves, he will sec many computers, as it houses the computer science department. They have even invaded our food world: in the cafeteria your meal tick- et must be punched into a computer! It’s easy to see computers have taken over our campus. Everywhere wc go we encounter a computer or the product of one, Scott Green, a junior computer science major, says, “The university has become virtually dependent upon the computer. When it goes down, everything stops That statement is so true. Perhaps you have experienced a time you were unable to register because the computer was down. However, the occasions are few. In fact. JSU is the showcase university for IBM. When a university wishes to purchase an IBM system, they come to look at our system. According to Randall Harper, a systems analyst, a number of universities purchase software from us. He said the Upper Division at Gadsden Slate is tied into our main system, along with the Calhoun County government. Computers are used so often in the computer science department that a new SIO lab fee has been implemented to offset the cost of supplies and maintenance. That fee is small compared to the $22, $45. and 565 other universities charge. Wre encounter computers at every stage of our student life—in the classroom, the mail center, the phone system. We may even feel invaded because these aliens have taken over our campus, but Kim Harris, a freshman art major, sums it up when she says, computers are an asset. Even students on slender budgets can afford computers now and begin to benefit as they learn. Judy Padgham processes hundreds ot schedules during registration each semester in addition to her duties as Certification Clerk. 16 Campus Life: Computers -

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Campus Life: Traditions 15

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In addition to labs in Bibb Graves, the tab in Merrill, maintained by academic computer services, gives CIS majors computing time. Linda Brock, of SAGA, uses a microprocessor to read a magnetic strip and determine the number of meals left on students' meal tickets. In the basement of Bibb Graves. Greg Brown, systems technician for Tel Plus, uses a computer to process phone bills for students. The microcomputer lab. with approximately 20 micros, allows practical. hands-on experience for students studying computer science. Campus Life: Computers 17