Moving off center
C. Collins, W. Miller, Frances M. Blake · 1989
A computer center as a concept is in many ways in anachronism. Gone are the days when legions of students and faculty would march diligently to the building on campus that was the sole source of power for their research or instruction. In the building were housed not only machines but friendly people and wizards who could help researchers meet their goals.For most computing on campus, there no longer is a center—physically, intellectually, or spiritually—that encases computing and its myriad support functions. In some cases, the castle is in a state of decay.What has risen in its stead are tens or hundreds or thousand of cottage industries—small-to medium-sized computer centers in faculty offices, student labs, and departmental offices. In some instances, they have appointed their own king or queen, but often the support system for that person is very weak.The revolution is complete. The days of massively central computer centers and services are gone. Yet what mechanisms exist to 1) help build strong cottage centers and 2) help create strong support systems between the cottage centers and with the remaining central computing services?