In making network use as appealing as possible,the University faces a number of considerations,from whether the system will be accessible for IBMowners to whether the FAS budget should absorb thecosts of providing access to individual users,says Martin.
Depending on the number of network featuresdesired, hook-up costs can range between $30 and$250, says Richard S. Steen, acting director ofFAS computer services.
"Our hope is that everyone agrees on the levelof networking required. Our hope is that it can bedone with as little direct charge as possible,"says Martin.
Many, however are not worried that there willbe a lack of demand for the services. Brennerpoints out that more than 750 members of the Classof '95 signed up for e-mail accounts at theScience Center computer room despite last year'sabolition of the computer portion of theQuantitative Reasoning Requirement.
Martin, too, is optimistic on this count. "Oursense is that if everyone were tied in they'd useit," he says.
But no matter what the demand for the services,Martin points out that the implementation of anycomputer networking plans will be contingent uponfinding funds in a time of financial difficulty.Last year, FAS ran a deficit of $11.7 million.
"We don' write checks. We makerecommendations," Martin adds.
Nevertheless, University administrators andcomputer experts alike seem confident thatHarvard's first steps toward reclaiming leadershipin information technology are imminent.
"It will not be long before under-graduates intheir rooms and faculty in their offices can tapinto the [library] card catalog and a whole rangeof information," says Rudenstine.