8 computers Sheet1.pdf (23.8 KB)
Narrative summary:
All but one (CA-DO3) have a version of Adobe CC2015, 2017, or Production Premium CS6. Various shortcuts were sprinkled around, but I’d presume that with the license there’s a full product installed. To my surprise that was the case on LS-D02 Lasersaur complete with video editing Premeire. Also, there’s a chance DM-D03 is registered with two licenses as both CC2015 and CS6 are indicated in the shortcuts. Adobe upgrades can be beastly to manage, so that’s not an absolute - a shortcut may not have cleared properly. It will take extra doing to figure it out.
I know various committees have advocated at their own expense to buy the software, so I will refrain from opinion on how it should be arranged except to say this might not be the most efficient use of the 7 licenses listed. (And of course, I’ve made a list of how I would shuffle it if that’s something DMS decides. 
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The keyboard on LS-D02 was compact. I found it at first amusing and then later annoying since my fingers wanted to land in the wrong places. I’ve seen several extra keyboards at the space. If it bugs anyone else, I’d think a keyboard an easy thing to change.
The RAM for CA-DO1 could stand to go up from 8 to 16. That on CA-D03 registers as 9, which is a funky number for RAM and likely a configuration issue - but it would benefit by a bump to 16 as well.
In Digital media, it might make sense to have both machines at 32. Right now only DM-D02 has the bonus number. DM has a third machine for the scanner that I didn’t touch.
Laser is sporting some fine equipment. It should serve them well for as long as the hardware lives or until a new laser demands an upgrade.
Monitors look good, too. The only one with a two monitor arrangement is the Annex - CA-D02. That monitor is also a pen pad. DM would probably benefit from a second monitor for each editing machine.
Like RAM, hard drives might need some attention. If I recall correctly, some programs cache to the hard-drive, and having less than 50 gigs of free space might cause performance lag, but to be honest, I’ve not kept up with the details.
The Windows license on DM-D03 wants to be activated. Not sure that it matters, but that’s the message.
That leaves the Windows licenses. I think CA-D02 (Annex) needs to go to at least 8.1, but if you are doing that, then 10, especially to help with log in and lock down. It functions differently than the other machines for log in, and the desktop is a dog’s breakfast of images and files saved there.
I interviewed what I’d label “sophisticated” users in both CA and DM. Both indicated the machines they were using (CA-D02 and DM-D02) were working well for them. Both users had pushed both the software and the hardware to full use, and neither experienced problems.
To me, that means processing speeds and video capabilities are fine for all 8 machines since they are relatively identical.
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In summary:
A few sticks of RAM. DM ram can go to a machine in CA if it’s paired, otherwise:
CA - 16 x 2
DM - 32 x 1
A keyboard, if anyone else weighs in on wanting it for Lasersaur.
Two extra monitors for DM (not as important as RAM or maybe even upgrade hard drives, but would certainly improve the ease of video editing.)
Upgrading the Windows licenses. Windows will still allow free upgrades to 10 for all their products for assistive technology users:
(I don’t claim that upgrade recommendation to be absolute, though. I made smooth upgrades at home on three machines, but everyone seems to have a story.)
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Gonna leave another component of this on the CA thread about a digital graphics machine. Will edit to link back when it’s done.
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Edit: Here’s the link - https://talk.dallasmakerspace.org/t/graphics-computers-opinions-and-ideas/18160/84?u=clk75201
One idea I forgot! Each of the work stations listed would really benefit from a monitor shelf that lets a keyboard slide underneath it. (batting my eyes at the woodworkers) That would give a user putzing room at the desk when needed.
