2006 Jerry Award Entry for
Fox Valley PC Association

Prize Use:

If the Fox Valley PC Association is a fortunate recipient of a Jerry Award, we would like to apply it as a gift for OLGC School towards the purchase of new LCD monitors to replace some of the very old CRT monitors presently in use in the PC Lab

Project Description:

Project conceptualized during discussion in June 2006 between the OLGC PC Lab Instructor and FVPCA President. An opinion was sought as to what type of PC should replace the 28 aging machines used in the school’s PC Lab. The use of volunteers to help install the computers and implement the project was suggested as the only realistic economical way to have the Lab up and running by the start of school by August 2006.

Members of the FVPCA were invited to participate at the next general meeting on June 17, 2006. The entire membership was subsequently invited via e-mail to participate. Eventually eleven FVPCA members plus the lab instructor and her husband volunteered.

25 refurbished Compaq EVO SFF PCs were delivered to the school on July 6, 2006. A meeting was held between the School and the FVPCA to clarify the project goals and determine timeframes.

The project presented itself in three phases:

Phase I: Prepare 8 machines for teacher training on 8 Lab machines. Train FVPCA helpers and install images, performing necessary tasks to individualize machines on network. Additionally, remove old equipment and replace with refurbished equipment. (Completed on July 22nd)

Phase II: Prepare 28 PCs for the beginning of school, install enhanced images and perform necessary tasks to individualize machines on network. (Completed on August 12th )

Phase III: Perform specialized tasks, install “new” 3Com switches in wire closet, relocate proxy server, “tweak” lab PCs and complete any tasks in final preparation for school. (Completed on August 19th)