NESFA's Computer-Related Needs

We need to create a detailed list of NESFA's computer-related needs, to use as a baseline for determining what services and equipment are required to meet them. This issue was discussed at an open meeting of the Computer Committee at the Other Meeting on October 24th, 2004.

This is a draft which is undoubtedly still missing some important items. Please send substantive comments to the geeks[at]nesfa.org mailing list and notice of typos and other nits to dave[at]daveanderson.com.

• Internet access
  • a sufficiently fast and reliable network link
  • a firewall
  • secure access to software and data at the clubhouse from member's homes
  • protection against malware
    
  • what else?
• general resources
• all cluhbouse computers networked
• spare wired connections for transient computers
• wireless access for transient computers
• protection against malware on transient computers
• all (except perhaps specialized) printers available to all permanent and transient computers
• what else?
• general use
  • office suite
  • tools for Internet access
  • ability to read Macintosh ZIP disks
    
  • what else?
• Desktop publishing
  • Instant Message
  • Boskone (and other) flyers and progress reports
  • Boskone program book / souvenir book
  • the NESFA Press catalog
  • packaging data to send to a printer (Zip100, writable CD or DVD, what else?)
  • bulk label printing
  • what else?
• Treasury
  • accounting software (interoperating with sales software) [Peachtree]
  • spreadsheet [Excel]
  • computer-printed checks
  • what else?
• support NESFA Press
  • scanning originals
  • printing content
  • editing content
  • layout of content
  • editing images
  • printing images
  • producing EAN (?) barcode images
  • PDF checking tools
    • test that all needed resources are embedded in the PDF file
    • what else?
  • packaging data to send to a printer
    • create & test PDF file
      
    • (usually) place it on an FTP server
    • what else?
      
  • an appropriate selection of fonts
  • a light-duty FTP server (for making books available to the printer)
    
  • what else?
• support NESFA sales
  • sales software (interoperating with Treasury software) [Peachtree]
    
  • spreadsheet [Excel]
    
  • one-off label printing
  • postage calculation
  • interaction with Publishers' Storage
  • what else?
• support Boskone
  • badge production
  • software for room layouts
    
  • at-con needs
    • Office (also used by newsletter & misc.)
      • two computers
      • USB hard drive w/ copy of relevant parts of 'N' drive
        
      • one fast printer
      • all networked
    • Program
      • one printer
    • what else?
      
  • what else?
• support the NESFA Index
  • database and report software [FoxPro, R&R]
    
• label production
  • bulk labels
    • database software
    • mail-merge software
    • what else?
      
  • one-off labels
    • specialized label printer?
    • what else?
      
• web site
  • updating software
  • checking software
  • backup software
  • ability to upload files
  • ability to edit files in place
  • ability to run programs and scripts against some or all files
    
  • logging / statistics
    
  • what else?
    
• ecommerce
  • create useful reports of sales (at the store website)
  • process sales reports (at the clubhouse)
  • what else?
    
• email communication
  • mailing lists
  • aliases
  • spam and malware checking
    
  • what else?
• MCFI IRC
  • two systems in meeting room with IRC client
  • what else?
• what else?

• Computers which travel to Boskone, etc., must have proper print queues, etc., restored immediately when they return.
• We should standardize our hardware so as to require as few different types of consumables as practical.