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Every two or three weeks during each academic year, NTR partners with the Student Life Center of CCP to help students and other CCP folks to acquire low-cost computers. The deal includes a two-hour orientation, free dial-up Internet service, and a free flash drive. Total price for everything here: $195. The Internet service alone is worth about $100 per year.
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This information and some of what follows below also appear on the flier (PDF, Summer '11 version) we distribute on campus.
The Computer
As of Fall 2010, these are the specs of the computers CCP people get from this NTR program:
- Pentium 4 desktop.
- Windows XP Pro.
- 512 MB RAM (memory).
- 17" color monitor (CRT).
- Keyboard and mouse.
- CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive.
- Speakers.
- Ethernet (local network) card.
- 56K modem (built in).
- 40 GB hard drive.
- At least half a dozen USB ports (for printers, flash drives, cameras, MP3 players, etc).
- The Microsoft Office software suite (Word, Excel, etc).
- Typing tutor.
- Maintenance software, e.g., IOBit Defrag, Advanced Windows Care, anti-virus, etc.
- Free unlimited Internet (dialup). We guarantee that it will be available to you for at least a year. This service is not supported by advertising, so it shows no ads. Use of this service requires a standard phone line in the home.
- A three-year guarantee. NTR does the repairs right on its own premises only 5 minutes walk from CCP. We fix anything except smashed computers, water damage, or anything else truly horrendous. We'll restore your computer to where it works as well as when you got it, even if your neighbor tried to put a failed "upgrade" on it, or if children tried to "feed" the computer graham crackers or popsicle sticks. Repairs are free but may take a week or longer. We can't guarantee recovery of lost data.
The Orientation
In a two-hour instructional session held at NTR, attendees get to "meet your computer":
- We walk you through the process of setting the whole machine up, so that when you get home, you'll know how to rig all those wires and start operating the machine right away.
- You open the computer up, and we give you a tour of its innards. This is good for, among other things, having a better idea of how to add memory, new drives, etc.
- We show you how to keep your computer running longer without problems: How to defragment your hard drive. How to run other maintenance programs to keep you safe from viruses and spyware.
- And we're certainly happy to answer questions. Do bring questions! Our instructors are true experts, so this is a chance to get answers to questions that you have long had.
How to Sign Up
This NTR program is for people with any category of CCP ID card: students, faculty, staff, etc.
- First, go to the Student Life Center. That's in room S1.19, which you'll see on the first floor as you walk back toward the Coffeehouse.
- The front desk person will take your name and then instruct you where to go to make the payment at a CCP cashier.
- Bring the receipt back to the Student Life Center, and the staff will give you a map to help you find the orientation session.
- Don't forget to get the map. No one at CCP will be able to help you find NTR if the student activities staff are not there.
- Show up at NTR, on Brandywine Street, on the date and time you selected.
- Free parking is provided in the lot adjacent to the NTR building, but not in the lot on the corner of 16th St. (The corner lot is private and restricted to monthly parking only. They will tow you away if you park there, and you'll have to pay to get your car back.)
If you'd rather talk on the phone with somebody before registering, here's the number for the front desk of Student Life: 215-751-8164.
What Other Attendees Have Written About This
“Very helpful and insightful.” JO, Aug ‘10
“An excellent experience.” NM, Jun ‘10
“Instructor was great, very helpful and patient. (I) was glad they showed how to change out RAM.” AW, Jun ‘10
“Teacher did very good with the workshop. I am happy with all the knowledge that he help me with. Overall everything went well.” TW, Jun ‘10
“Very informative, excellent presentation. Q&A were answered well.” SB, Apr ‘10
“Was excellent. Instructor very knowledgeable.” YC, Apr ‘10
“Very good presentation. Very interesting workshop.” VT, Apr ‘10
“He presented the information in a planned format and friendly manner. He answered questions, as silly as some were. I learned how to open up my computer and its basic functions in a manner I'd never known. I have a better understanding on maintenance and computer storage (RAM). Keep up the good work.” RJ, Apr ‘10
“Thank you for your concern in reference to my computer knowledge.” LR, Apr ‘10
“Good. Learned a lot.” CC, Apr ‘10
“This workshop was very informative. I learned finally where the motherboard was and what ROM was and how to upgrade. I want to come again so I can understand more about how a computer is built.” JF, Apr ‘10
“Very good class.” JT, Mar ‘10
“Very well given! I now know more, well, a lot more, about maintenance on the computer.” MW, Mar ‘10
“Very thorough, and instructor answered all questions. Very pleased with all aspects.” AB, Mar ‘10
“Very precise and informative. The presenter spoke slowly and explained all aspects in an understandable manner. I liked when he allowed me to open, disconnect, and reattach the RAM, hard drive and disk drive. I feel like I could build a computer if I wanted.” HM, Feb ‘10
“Very informative, great learning experience, seems like a great starter computer.” ST, Feb ‘10
“Instructor is very knowledgeable and informative with the presentation. He is patient when it comes to questions asked. I am comfortable with the computer now. He made me feel confident about using and caring for my computer. He provided many options for single uses of things concerning the computer. Having many resources makes me assured that I can care for my computer more competently.” DC, Feb ‘10
“The presentation was such a treat. The information, time and attention (in constructing the PC and presenting it) was ideal. The patience of the presenter coupled with the comprehensive familiarization with the PC was great. It helped to curtail the anxiety one usually has when dealing with PC issues.” BT, Jan ‘10
“The presentation was very enlightening. The instructor was very well informed and prepared.” JS, Jan ‘10
“Very informative and made me comfortable to take apart and put together [the computer].” RG, Nov ‘09
“It was very informative and I learned a lot of new computer jargon. Instructor not only showed me how to operate my computer, it was very hands-on.” MT, Nov ‘09
“Very informal! Presented well and detailed.” TR, Oct ‘09
“Instructive, very informal and patient. Nice guy.” LM, Oct ‘09
“Presenter was very knowledgeable and clear with explanation and care of the computer.” CG, Oct ‘09
“It was very hands-on and informative.” AC, Sep ‘09
“The workshop was great. I learned how to use my computer better.” PB, Aug ‘09
“Excellent teacher and program.” LJ, Jun ‘09
“I did receive some valuable information about computers that I did not have any prior knowledge of. The instructor was extremely professional and knowledgeable.” MC, Jun ‘09
“Very knowledgeable, and kind.” RG, Apr ‘09
“A terrific opportunity and experience. Thank you.” CF, Mar ‘09
“Excellent, please continue program! Thank you!” EM, Mar ‘09
“Very good instructor.” EW, Feb ‘09
“I learned a lot about the simple things that make a computer run or stop running. Now when something is wrong I can check it out for myself instead of throwing it out.” CB, Aug ‘08
“I thought the instructor was very helpful and easy to understand. He made my experience with computers one of less fear.” TB, Mar ‘08
“It was great! Easy to understand and very valuable! I'm sure it will save me time and money.” LP, Mar ‘08
“Wonderful, really helped me to understand some things that eluded me before. Instructor was really nice and informative.” LA, Feb ‘08
“The presenter was very explanatory of the various tools available in the PC. I was very pleased with his demeanor and helpfulness." DH, Mar ‘08
Instructor “did an outstanding job! Learned a lot about the inside work of this computer & programs.” JO, Jun ’08
“Nice introduction to the working of computer.” GT, Jun ‘08
“Very knowledgable and helpful.” MJ, Jan ‘08
“Very helpful.” JB, Jan ‘08
“My father and I learned a good amount of new things. For example, learning to open the CPU and replacing parts and closing it.” SL, Jan ‘08
Instructor “understood and answered every question asked, he was obviously very knowledgeable in this field.” BL, Jan ‘08
“I learned more about hardware.” AP, Jan ‘08
“He was very good and knows just [what] he is doing.” SB, Feb ‘08
“Professional and pleasant.” JS, Jan ‘08
“Teacher was great and explained things easy.” SB, Feb ‘08
“I thought the class was very informative.” RS, Feb ‘08
“Everything was excellent.” AA, Feb ‘08
“Presentation was well organized. All of the information given will be essential to my learning.” NF, Apr ‘08
“The instructor was very patient. Also, he spoke with clarity. The instructor enjoyed instructing the class. I learned so-o-o much from him during the time that I spent in his presence.” CW, Feb ‘08
“I thought that the presentation was presented well and with a wide range of knowledge.” BB, Apr ‘08
“Very knowledgeable, patient, friendly.” GC, Feb ‘08
Instructor “was an excellent presenter. He demonstrated excellence in all areas of teaching. He is a very knowledgeable person in his area of profession.” RH, Feb ‘08
“Excellent on explaining any concerns that I had.” TC, Feb ‘08
“The presentation was excellent and very easy to follow.” PS, Mar ‘08
“Excellent, there was not a question he did not have an answer to. I feel very confident.” MJ, Feb ‘08
“Very detailed info on basic instructions on how to look inside the computer.” HW, Mar ‘08
“Instructor was very informational and relatable.” JS, Feb ‘08
Instructor “is an excellent & very personable instructor. He has made an outstanding impression on me! Very knowledgeable about all aspects of computer. His tutorial is great. I will recommend several individuals.” IA, Mar ‘08
“The presentation was very informative. It was nice doing business with you guys.” MS, Apr ‘08
