CSS Windows Laboratory
This is a drop-in laboratory that serves all CSS courses that require Windows software and to accommodate software, multimedia, and gaming development using Windows-based tools.
The lab has 33 Dell Optiplex GX280 computers (3.8GHz Pentium 4 CPUs, 1GB RAM, Windows XP). Of these, 28 are deployed in a "standard" desktop configuration, while four are configured to facilitate teamwork, with triple flat screen monitors and special furniture.
The one remaining machine is housed in an "e-podium", along with a variety of audio-visual equipment, and connected to a ceiling-mounted data projector. The e-podium is used for seminars, tutorials, demonstrations, and group design reviews, as well as social activities sponsored by student organizations (such as movie and gaming nights). The Windows Laboratory also has hardware and software for interactive media development on its two XBox 360 consoles.
Software available on laboratory computers includes:
- Microsoft Visual Studio software development environment, including the DirectX SDK, .NET Framework SDK 2, XNA Game Studio 2, andVisioModeler 3
- BlueJ 2, Java JDK/JRE Version 6, Java3D
- 68000 Editor, Assembler & Simulator 5 and EASy68K
- Maple, SPSS, and Matlab mathematics and numerical computing environments
- CLIPS and JESS expert systems shells
- Adobe Suite CS3
- Microsoft Office 2007
- A wide range of multimedia, internet, and other utilities.
Besides the computer and A/V equipment, the Windows Laboratory has a large white board and number of tables and comfortable chairs for group projects, discussions, homework, and quiet study.