Office of Medical Education

Technology Expectations

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The College of Medicine requires that medical students’ computers meet the recommended specifications and enhanced warranty configurations described on the Academic Computing in Medical Education guide located on this page. An entry level system, an intermediate system and a portable system are detailed on this page. The basic model guidelines will not change, but the prices are likely to lower for these systems as they become more mainstream technology. To take advantage of getting the best technology for the lowest price, we advise holding off any computer purchases until just prior to school starting or just after classes begin unless there is a pressing need to get a new system immediately.

Why are there multiple systems to choose from?
We have found that each system offers different advantages. A desktop computer offers students a more affordable option during the basic science or first two years of medical school. This could serve as a home base for network access and instructional applications and, during the clinical years, as a home base for a palmtop computer. A more advanced desktop system will not become obsolete as quickly as a less advanced model and has added capabilities, while not required by the COM, are certainly desirable to a more advanced user. A laptop computer is more mobile, an advantage during the clinical years, and can also serve very well during the basic science years filling the role of a desktop computer.

In addition to a computer system, you will likely need a printer. Good printers typically sell for approximately $200. The Epson Stylus series and Hewlett Packard DeskJet series are good printers. Other reputable printer companies include Lexmark and Canon.

In order to transport large files and applications, we recommend that you purchase a mass storage device since presentations and distributed curricular software often exceed the capacity of diskettes. Standards at the College of Medicine include Iomega ZIP 100 and 250 MB drives. The ZIP drive is an affordable common media device that is standard in many newer systems. In addition, CD writers can store 700 MB of data that is universally accepted and can be used as a mass storage device. While CDs offer a cheap and reliable medium to transport files and for permanent storage, once written to, CDs are single use items. Once a data CD is used for storage, the files cannot be altered on the CD and no other data can be appended to the CD. This is not that bad of a disadvantage as it first appears. As mentioned before, the price of data CDs are very inexpensive, so stored files can be edited on a computer and the appended file can then be copied onto a new data CD.

The College of Medicine distributes a free software starter set to new medical students on CD. This software includes the standard network browser, e-mail browser, multimedia enhancement software, communication and operating system utilities and the available curriculum software. Students should acquire other productivity software such as the Microsoft Office Suite, which is available from the UK book and computer stores. UK student software tends to be updated regularly, and new software is developed during the course of the school year. Students will have access to new software as it becomes available. Other curricular materials are available on the Internet, and the student is expected to be able to access these on-line materials. Local workstations, the laptop network stations and home internet access can accommodate these needs.

Students who do not purchase a recommended machine need to have access to a computer that meets or exceeds the specifications of the recommended machines. However, caution is advised when buying ‘no-name’ systems. In the past, both manufacturers and stores have gone out of business, leaving students without technical support, necessary upgrades, equipment options or recourse. Students must make sure that his or her machine's manufacturer or retail outlet offers at least three years of warranty support and a service department for problems. The Academic Computing in Medical Education (ACME) group cannot guarantee that a system not meeting the capabilities of the recommended systems or not manufactured by a quality company will work with the standard software.

Palm Pilots and Other Personal Digital Assistants
Currently, the College of Medicine does not have a standardized policy regarding Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) handheld computers. This does not mean that the College ignores the value of PDAs and plans to implement a comprehensive plan for PDA use in the future. Many current medical students own a handheld computer and use them as reference sources, messenger/e-mail repositories and ready-application devices to assist with their duties in clinical settings. Current PDAs are in two groups, one that uses the Palm Operating System and the second that uses the PocketPC Operating System. Both the Palm OS devices such as the 3COM Palm Pilots, the Handspring Visors and Sony Clie, and the PocketPC devices such as the Cassiopia, the Jordania and iPac are used by our students. The Palm OS devices offer the advantages of being inexpensive, easy to use and having a multitude of software already developed for them. The PocketPC devices offer greater flexibility, more powerful applications and have already been designed for networking, wireless or otherwise. It must be stressed that PDA devices are best used in a mobile environment when other resources are not available to the training physician and would best be purchased just prior to the clinical years. More advanced PDAs are currently being developed at cheaper costs, so waiting to purchase a PDA just prior to the clinical years is advantageous.

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Internet Service Providers (ISP)
The College of Medicine strongly recommends that you subscribe to a reputable and reliable internet service provider. One of the most popular and affordable Internet service providers at UK is the QX online service provider.

• QX - $14.95 per month, includes an e-mail address. This is a bare-bones setup, tailored for people just needing network access without any additional services (no setup fee).

Another option for home network access is though ‘broadband’ technology such as DSL and cable modem services. The Insight digital cable TV company currently offers a discount to UK students who have subscribed to one of their Digital Gateway TV packages.

• Insight Broadband - $27.00 per month if a digital cable TV package is subscribed and includes six e-mail addresses and 10 MB of personal Web space. You should check for availability and any setup fees in your area.

Other Internet service providers include Earthlink, AOL, Prodigy and Iglou. Be aware that not all Internet access providers can support mail services of the University of Kentucky with Outlook or similar Web browsers. But, as the UK mail system is able to be accessed though a standard Internet browser, this should not be a problem. To be certain, please inquire to the prospective ISP about their ability to do this, as your primary e-mail contact will be using the UK “@uky.edu” system.

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Technical Support
Students who purchase the recommended machine will experience high levels of stability in machine performance and the reliability of on-site service provided by the manufacturer.

Changing Technologies
Computer models change very frequently. The models available at the time of writing may or may not be available in May, June or July. New computer models and hardware/software bundles representing better values can be expected throughout the spring and summer. New models generally have added features at the same cost and tend to drive down the price of previous models.

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Technology Assistance
Should you have questions of a technical nature regarding your choice of a computer, please call 859 323-3580, visit College of Medicince Learning Center — 807 S. Limestone or e-mail Darrin Burchell, manager of the College of Medicine Student Computing Facilities at djburc1@uky.edu.