Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Day 3 (August 5th, 2013)

Today was an important day for the Project. We went to buy the computer and accessories. In May, members of the IEEE Student Club of Bridgewater-Raritan High school researched computers, printers, and accessories, available in India and within the budget. Based on this list, we compiled a list of potential computer and printer models. We checked the internet and asked our neighbors for good computer stores in the Kolkata area. We heard many recommendations to check out a place called "E-Mall". We were told that it was a mall, full of only computer and electronic stores. Hearing that the stores in the mall were all reliable, we decided to check it out.

Upon arriving at the "E-Mall", I was amazed at how large and modern the building and stores were. Companies like Sony, Samsung, Toshiba, HP, Dell, Apple, and many others each had their own stories in the mall. We spent time walking around looking for which shops sold desktops. It was pretty tough to locate desktop sellers because most companies and consumers are trying to shift to smaller devices like notebooks and tablets. We finally found that Dell and HP each still sold desktops.

We checked out the Dell shop first, but left after realizing that they didn't have much variety and their desktop screen was too small. We proceeded to the HP store and found a nice desktop with many available options. We selected a computer with a 23 inch screen option. The larger screen would be useful in the Paushi library so that many students can view it. The CPU was a basic 2 GB RAM, 500 GB HardDrive; typical of the average desktops being sold in 2013. The computer came with Windows 8 pre-installed, but we bought Windows 7 software, as Windows 8 has a very different GUI in comparison to its predecessors. It would be easier to learn with Windows 7. We also bought Microsoft Office to teach the students the basics of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. We also purchased a Black&White HP OfficeJet printer so that the students can learn the basics of printing. We bought basic accessories like speaks, a wireless mouse, and a power extension as the power outlet in the library is not in a convenient place in relation to where we plan to place the computer. Finally we purchased a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) to protect all the electrical items from power surges and current losses that accompany the Indian Monsoon season.

After purchasing all of the items, the employees of the HP store installed Windows 7 and Microsoft Office for us. It was convenient so that we wouldn't have to deal with the hassle of installing all the software. Following the installation, we brought all the parts back to my Kolkata house to do a "test set-up" and to make sure that the printer and internet worked, which they all did.

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