Computer Accessories

kpmom2013

10-Year Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2009
Messages
1,944
Our son writes that he would like us to send his wireless mouse and external harddrive. Does anyone know for sure if these types of items are allowed for PC's for their PC's?
 
My son is a 3C 2012 and he got both of those items early on last year. I would think they could have both items. I will probably be corrected! :shake:
 
btw... they have computer accessories for sale in the NEX as well -- external hard disk drives, USB flash drives, CD/DVD media, and other stuff.

If your PC doesn't already have it, he can pick those items up there as well. Check pricing vs OfficeDepot/OfficeMax/CDW/etc.

Encourage good data hygine... Backup backup backup.
-----------
There are some restrictions on external monitors, and speakers for PCs, if I remember correctly ...
Just wanted to include for completeness.
Don't send.
-----------
Just for your info::: At Indoc, I saw the following in the NEX:
You can check/compare. At the NEX, I don't think they pay sales tax:
$13.99 -- Maxwell DVD-R 25-pack 16x (DVD+R also available)
$ 9.99 -- Maxwell CD-RW 10pack (700mb/80 min)
$79.97 -- SimpleTech BlackCherry External USB HDD (320 GB)
$69.96 -- SimpleTech Blueberry External USB HDD (160 GB)
129.99 -- Accomdata 500GB External USB HDD
$99.99 -- Toshiba 320 GB External USB HDD
129.99 -- Toshiba 500 GB External USB HDD
$24.99 -- Sony Microvault USB 2.0 Click (thumbdrive) 4 GB
$39.99 -- Sony Microvault USB 2.0 Click (thumbdrive) 8 GB
149.99 -- Toshiba Portable external HDD 500GB USB 2.0
....
Also, at Nex(for parents who are wondering):
OptiFree Replenish (contact solution), & ReNu, & Saline Solution, eyedrops, Artificial Tears, Visine, Bactine, OFF insect repellent, IcyHot, Motion sickness patches, and 2 kinds of denture care items (although explaining THAT one is beyond me). Toothbrushes, toothpastes, Tissues/TP/Washing detergents...
ALL the school supplies -- pencils/pens/Sharpies/Tape/staplers/staples/whiteout/notecards/paperclips/and more.
 
Last edited:
Encourage good data hygine... Backup backup backup.
This is a good habit to get into to prepare them for sea year. The things that can happen to computers at sea are stunning and only the most imaginative among us would anticipate them. I can think of few things worse than losing your entire sea project.
 
Just be careful with the wireless mouse. Last year's computers were not Bluetooth capable.

At the risk of being repetitive, I'm going to add my voice to the advice that they backup, backup and backup frequently. You don't have to go to sea to have computer problems. Our daughter had problems in the spring. The computer techs asked if there was anything that she absolutely couldn't do without on the computer because their fix might cause her to lose something. Silly girl didn't have a backup and what she lost was everything. They wiped the hard drive. And her external drive had been sitting unused for months.
 
New post on Parents Page says NO additional computer equipment including wireless devices and additional hard drives are allowed for the Plebe class????
 
KP Computer Policy for Plebe Class

Here it is:
Parents - FYI (email sent to the 2013 Class)
Each entering Plebe Class receives a standard set of computer related items. A great deal of thought and effort is reflected in the equipment and software you are each issued. The hardware and software you’ve received is more than sufficient to support your success at Kings Point.

You are not permitted to acquire additional hardware and software. Unauthorized hardware and software discovered during inspections or visits to the Service Center will be confiscated as contraband and disposed in an appropriate manner. Possession of hardware and software beyond what you’ve been issued will result in serious sanctions to include, but not limited to, formal conduct charges and the temporary loss of certain network services and access.

One of the principles guiding the entrance of each Plebe Class is that no Plebe will enjoy the benefits of additional computer hardware and software unless all Plebes benefit in a similar manner. Not all families are in a position to provide their Plebes with wireless input devices, additional hard drives, additional display devices, and so on. Every Plebe pursues a degree, a USCG License, and an Officer’s Commission on a level playing field.

Three final points: First, you are issued a 16 GB flash drive to back-up the contents of your laptop hard drive. You do not need, and cannot have, an additional hard drive. Second, you may not have a wireless access device, or any router or switch, on campus. These devices are prohibited as a matter of federal policy. Third, you may not have a cellular wireless access card or device—another violation of federal policy.

Many of the prohibited items are available for purchase at NEXCOM store on campus. The store merchandising program reflects a broader market. Just because a prohibited item can be purchased at the store doesn’t mean you may do so for your personal use while on campus.
 
So,,,, was the email sent out from DoIT BEFORE this thread was started?
-------
I *LIKE* that they provided a 16GB thumbdrive for backup up data. That is a boon, and new.
But the backup will not be 'real-time'.

I'd hope that DoIT is storing all their data onto the centralized servers... ELIMINATING the possibility of a kid 'losing all their data when the HDD is wiped' by IT.

Regardless, DoIT should be JUST as emphatic about teaching(mandating?) policy on daily backups/realtime backups on the Servers, as well as the habit of using the USB thumbdrive for complete/incremental backups. If the mids AREN'T allowed to set up a backup policy, then DoIT must do it for them. [Historically, they're still not allowed to set the time on their PC, nor do CHKDSK/Defrag (although the restriction on defrag still eludes me). ]

Make/enforce whatever policy you see fit.. but also make sure the kids have AND KNOW HOW TO USE the tools to ensure they don't LOSE ANYTHING!
 
What about Skype headsets

I'm confused! Previously, the CIO had posted on the parents page that parents could send the PC's a Skype approved headset. Has this now changed? I already sent one, but my PC doesn't know if he can load Skype.
 
zonker, as usual you are so right. My PC is not a real 'computer wiz', although he seems to have picked up the skills he needed during his high school years. He is accustomed to using his USB drive to transfer data between his PC at home and the PC's at school, so I'm not sure he is in the habit of regularly backing up. One more item to remember to talk to him about . . . .
 
The parent's page post did say Skype was approved and recommended good headsets, but something later said no Skype (it may have been on the forum). I bought a webcam for our computer when I "understood" Skype would be their approved form of IMing. I'll find another use for it :shake:
My PC confirmed they were told no skype.
 
a little over 2 weeks ago the big worries were if the PC's could survive the grueling PT, IT, Regimental training, dehydration,sleep deprivation, and the H1N1, and now ..... thumb drive crashes!!!! my oh my relax a little.... funny stuff gang.... later:bang:
 
Here it is:
Parents - FYI (email sent to the 2013 Class)
Each entering Plebe Class receives a standard set of computer related items. A great deal of thought and effort is reflected in the equipment and software you are each issued. The hardware and software you’ve received is more than sufficient to support your success at Kings Point.

You are not permitted to acquire additional hardware and software. Unauthorized hardware and software discovered during inspections or visits to the Service Center will be confiscated as contraband and disposed in an appropriate manner. Possession of hardware and software beyond what you’ve been issued will result in serious sanctions to include, but not limited to, formal conduct charges and the temporary loss of certain network services and access.

One of the principles guiding the entrance of each Plebe Class is that no Plebe will enjoy the benefits of additional computer hardware and software unless all Plebes benefit in a similar manner. Not all families are in a position to provide their Plebes with wireless input devices, additional hard drives, additional display devices, and so on. Every Plebe pursues a degree, a USCG License, and an Officer’s Commission on a level playing field.

Three final points: First, you are issued a 16 GB flash drive to back-up the contents of your laptop hard drive. You do not need, and cannot have, an additional hard drive. Second, you may not have a wireless access device, or any router or switch, on campus. These devices are prohibited as a matter of federal policy. Third, you may not have a cellular wireless access card or device—another violation of federal policy.

Many of the prohibited items are available for purchase at NEXCOM store on campus. The store merchandising program reflects a broader market. Just because a prohibited item can be purchased at the store doesn’t mean you may do so for your personal use while on campus.


Holy hell....!!!

If they actually hold true to this (which they probably won't, since Mids ALWAYS find a way to get around this kind of stuff, and Weiner always blows this stuff out of proportion)...i'm glad i got out when i did :thumb:

Big changes in the last month (along with that new liberty policy)
 
Hmmm, last year they got an 8 GB flash drive. I thought that was big. As I recall, we were able to give her the wireless mouse for Christmas and the other items were a birthday present in the early spring and she had to hold off on using them until recognition.

She is definitely in trouble if they come back and try to enforce this on upperclassmen.
 
While as a whole my basic sentiment is similar to USMMA13NY, I personally think the policy about external hard drives and the basis for it (treating everyone the same and some kid may not be able to afford it) is pretty foolish. I say that because when my kid lost his computer last year, his external hard drive saved his butt.

The crackdown on things though are a direct result of abuses by a now disenrolled former member of the Class of 2012. A really smart tech savy kid who will no doubt graduate in about 18-24 more months from Texas A&M and be quickly snapped up with a high starting salary by some high profile tech firm. He is that good and smart, but also a total scofflaw whose efforts apparently exposed not just USMMA but also DOT servers to hacking.

In any case, this sort of stuff is a pendulum, it'll swing back and forth, my advice is console yourselves and your PCs that in general Darwin was right - stupidity on a grand scale tends to be self limiting.
 
Coming from the IT world, the ban on external hard drives except for the USB 16GB drive is probably more of a knee jerk to getting hacked than "Level playing field". There are IT headaches that start and end with well meaning decision makers that don't know one end of a line cord from the other! That said, if students back up their homework and assignments, 16MG should be sufficient.

Don't worry about backing up the software the school gets them, that can always be reloaded even if it is a pain. Just make sure they treat the USB drive with respect. Putting them through the wash (for example) is only slightly less desired than cuddling them up with your refrigerator magnets! USB drives don't last forever in your pockets. I now wear mine around my neck at work (making a somewhat nerdy fashion statement to be sure) and I have gotten almost 3 years thus far out of it.
 
Putting them through the wash (for example) is only slightly less desired than cuddling them up with your refrigerator magnets! USB drives don't last forever in your pockets. I now wear mine around my neck at work (making a somewhat nerdy fashion statement to be sure) and I have gotten almost 3 years thus far out of it.
Baxted's wife here - Now if only he had the same respect for his cell phone ear piece. I fished that out of the dryer yesterday.:rolleyes:
 
LOL

Baxted's wife~Thanks for the laugh......I only hope my DS keeps track of his drive much better than his cell phone that went through the wash.
 
Back
Top