Tech fee declines UWICK subsidy

A recent decision by the Student Technology Fee (STF) committee not to subsidize the cost of the UW Internet connectivity kit (UWICK) highlights the doubts that the software kit is as needed as the emphasis on the kit alludes.

The UW software guide describes the kit as a way to "communicate with others using e-mail, search the World Wide Web, and protect your computer from viruses."

Even though the connectivity kit allows a student to quickly and easily configure a computer to link up with the UW system, all the software tools on the CD are available for free, which is not as advertised as the kit itself.

Computing and Communications recently submitted a recent proposal the STF committee to subsidize the kit with $138,000.

The committee declined the proposal for two main reasons, according to Gorkem Kuterdem, president of the STF committee.

First, since the tech fee is supposed to be exclusively for students, UWICK could not receive money because faculty and staff can buy it.

Secondly, Kuterdem said the biggest problem seemed to be a lack of need by the student body for the kit.

"The original Windows did not have what's called a TCP/IP stack. That's the software you needed to run the Internet in the first place," said Kuterdem. "At the time [before Windows 95], UWICK was a necessity."

Eight years ago, students could not download programs if they had no access to the Internet in the first place. Modern operating systems for both PCs and Macintoshes all offer integrated Web browsers, which allow Web surfing.

"The one positive argument for the kit is that it's pre-configured," Kuterdem said.

Computer-savvy students could very easily download everything they need from the Computing and Communications Web site, said Oren Sreebny, assistant director of the department. However, the kit is designed for easy installation for students with limited knowledge.

"It's much easier to be up and running with the kit," Sreebny said.

The kit also contains the latest versions of Internet Explorer and VirusScan. These programs are easy for someone with a broadband connection to download, but Sreebny explained that the kit could save time for students with slow modems.

The price for the kit is set at the beginning of the year when Computing and Communications estimates how many CDs will be produced. Some of the price is reflected in licensing fees and a minimal cost for the kit's construction.

However, most of the money goes to paying for the technical-support desk, which is run by undergraduates.

"We try to set the price to recover the cost," said Sreebny. "The biggest cost is the salary of our staff, and at the moment, we're losing money on it."

Approximately 5,500 kits were sold at all University Book Store locations, reported Brian Nelson, manager at the UW Electronics Store. He said the bookstore does not seek a profit from distributing the CD.

Sreebny hopes the sale of the kit can continue to not only fund the technical-support desk but also ensure students will be able to access the UW network no matter what kind of machine they may be using.