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From: tmp@j.cc.purdue.edu.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.edu
Subject: Re: some questions
Message-ID: <3649@j.cc.purdue.edu>
Date: Mon, 23-Mar-87 10:02:20 EST
Article-I.D.: j.3649
Posted: Mon Mar 23 10:02:20 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 25-Mar-87 02:21:55 EST
References: <338@ndsuvax.UUCP>
Reply-To: tmp@j.cc.purdue.edu.UUCP (Tom Putnam)
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Lines: 33

In article <338@ndsuvax.UUCP> ncmagel@ndsuvax.UUCP (ken magel) writes:
>
>     ... How does
>a rather poor institution with a large service load in Computer Science as well
>as degree programs in that area procure the software ( e.g., spreadsheets, 
>word processors, programming language processors, operating systems, etc.) to 
>support courses?  

If you are talking about the "introduction to computing for non-majors" I
would suggest you look into one of the packages of textbook/software that
the major publishing houses are beginning to put together.  The student
buys the textbook and the software in a special package.

For instance, there is a course here at Purdue which teaches 700+ students
per semester.  This is done using two labs with ~20 student workstations
each.  The students use the McGraw-Hill text Sanders:  "Computers Today".
They buy a special version of Ashton-Tate's Framework and a workbook that
goes with the text.  I don't remember the cost of the package, but it was
reasonable in comparison to other textbook prices these days!

Framework provides word processing, spreadsheet, data base management, and
graphics all in one package.  The special version of Framework has some
limits compared to the full version (like 10 pages per document for word
processing).  Nothing prohibitive.  Each student has his/her own copy, so
there is much less concern about pirating software.

I have heard that other publishers are planning or alread have similar
packages.
-- 
Tom Putnam                              Assistant Director
ARPANET: tmp@j.cc.Purdue.EDU            Purdue University Computing Center
 BITNET: PUTNAMT@PURCCVM                Mathematical Sciences Bldg.
  Phone: (317) 494-1787                 West Lafayette, IN 47907