Securing your computer

Walt Mossberg, the Wall Street Journal's technology writer, came out with his fall personal computer buying guide today. In it he also discusses how to secure your computer so that bad guys don't take it over. He has a real nice set of recommendations to follow. He's not paranoid; people really are out to get him and you.

All of these recommendations might sound over-the-top; however, every year I have students who come to me and tell me how their computer is now unusable and that they're now having to re-install their operating system. This is especially prevalent among students who share a computer (in a fraternity or sorority or just off-campus housing). You should set up the security on these computers tighter than ever because you can't trust the computing habits of all the folks who use them. Some of these programs cost money. Spend the money somehow: get a job, get a loan from mom and dad, share the cost among everyone who uses the computer. But somehow, some way, buy the software and get the automatically updating version so that you won't lose all of your work at the end of the semester when all of your papers are nearly done.

I have ZoneAlarm Pro running at work and home at all times as a firewall to stop both bad guys from getting in and bad guys who have already gotten in from sending information out. Once I installed a router with NAT at home the attacks that got through to my computer dropped by way over 90%. To stop viruses I use VirusScan Enterprise since that's what the UM makes freely available to all of us. This runs at all times and scans my computer every night. To stop spyware I run SpySweeper every night; this software recently has contributed much to my peace of mind while using my computer.

In the "I know I'm going a bit overboard but it actually ended up helping" category, I also downloaded Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware. Both of these are quite effective and would (I'm guessing) be just as good as SpySweeper and caught a couple things that SpySweeper didn't to begin with. But I'm currently using SpySweeper and am very happy with it.

My mail program is Thunderbird from Mozilla. It has its own built-in spam filter that works quite well and gets better the more that I use it.

The most important thing that you can do, even if you don't do any of the above, is to stop using Internet Explorer and start using Firefox, the browser from Mozilla. It's fantastic, it's safe, it's easy to switch to. I've even gotten my wife and my mom and dad to switch to Firefox; they were able to do it without a problem. It automatically brings over your bookmarks and whatever else you want from IE. Don't hesitate; do it now; make the switch.

Buying a computer

Walt Mossberg, a very good writer for the Wall Street Journal, has come out with the fall version of his personal computer buyer's guide. If you're in the market for a computer (Windows or Mac), then his guide is a good place to start for recommendations about what to buy.

Below I'll comment on some of his recommendations:

Windows or Mac

I own Macintosh, Linux, and Windows computers (in order of preference). I have used PCs (DOS, then Windows) since 1984 and worked for IBM in the early-to-mid 1980s. I have used Macintosh computers since 1989 and Linux computers since about 2001. I love Macs but had to teach so much Windows-specific software (in the late 1990s) that I had to switch to Windows at work. I've switched to Linux at home and will probably be making the switch to a Mac here at work soon.

Security

I'll write more on this in a later column.

Memory

A hugely important factor in how fast you perceive your computer to be. I recently upgraded my computer here at work from 512MB to 1.25 GB. It's made a huge difference in my day. I have so much memory because I tend to work with a lot of applications at once and keep a lot of windows open at once. (I currently have 10 windows open and that's not very many for me; sometimes when I'm programming I have over 30 windows open.)

Processor

I have AMD processors for my machines at home. They're generally much cheaper than their equivalent (and, yes, I mean equivalent) Intel processors. And, yes, the slowest processor on the shelves is more than enough for your computing needs unless you're a gamer or work with a lot or graphics or video manipulations.

Digital connectors

Having USB 2.0 connectors on the front of your computer is really a great convenience. However, if you don't, buy a 5-foot USB cable and a USB 2.0 1->4 cable connector (so that you'll have 4 USB connections to work with), connect it up to the back of your computer, and lay the 4 connections next to your monitor so that it's easily accessible.

Hard disk

Since I don't do much video processing (I'm learning but haven't had the need to do a lot yet) I don't need more than the 80GB I have in my machine. If you do any video processing, then get the fastest and largest hard disk you can find because this will affect how fast you perceive your computer to be.

Memory card slots

I don't worry about this because both my video camera connects via IEEE 1394 and my digital camera connects via USB.

Ethernet connection

Gotta have it if you're going to have cable.

Video system

He hints that you should get a separate video card with its own memory and processor. Do it. It doesn't really matter which one (again, unless you're some kind of video or gaming wizard) or how cheap it is --- just do it.

Audio system

Yep, spend the extra money for good speakers. I have a nice set of Yamahas at home. Here at work I have some fairly nice Sennheiser HD 570 headphones.

Monitor

Along with memory, this is where I spend my money. Here at work I have a 19" flat panel. I just traded in my old 20" CRT monitor for this one so that I could have the extra real estate on my desktop. At home I have a beautiful 21" CRT monitor. It's huge but it has a beautiful screen.

Mass storage

I just got an HP DVD-RW drive that works just great. Took out my CD-RW when I put it in because I didn't have the need for both.

Where to buy

I've bought every way possible --- big stores, small local shop, Web. They all work for me --- and you can get good computers from each --- but I prefer the last two because they allow you to get exactly what you want.

A side note: I recently installed Windows 2000 SP2 at home. After doing so I could, effectively, no longer access the Internet. I did every possible thing I could think of for about 2 weeks. Nothing. Finally, I realized I needed to do a complete backup of my computer. For backups I normally copy the files I need to my Linux machine at work --- but since I didn't have Internet access I couldn't do that. So I decided to install a DVD-RW and back up my files that way. I installed a $99 HP drive so that I could make the backups and...I now had Internet access. Why? I have no idea. So, I fixed my Internet access problem by installing a DVD-RW drive. Make sense? No. Am I glad it's fixed? Yes.

No one really understands computers, no matter what anyone says.

Appropriate and worthwhile extra-curricular activites

I am in a position in which I hear a lot about the extra-curricular activities of students. Let's see...

• I read about their activities on their applications to the business school.
• I hear about them when talking to them in my role as advisor.
• I used to read applications for jobs when I worked in the real world.
• I read applications for positions that I hire for in my current job.
• I read resumes of current students.

Given all of this, I consider myself something of an expert on the "formal" extra-curricular activities of college students. In my position as BBA Program Director, students ask my advice about what extra-curricular activities are most worth their time. This is certainly a fair question given all the demands on a student's time.

Joining lots of clubs to make it look like you're active doesn't fool anybody. What looks impressive is to do something in which you have to have a plan and carry it out, preferably over a long-term period. Activities like the UM Solar Car Team are at the top of the list, especially if you are a manager or coordinator of some type. A real job, even if it's part time, that you've held for years is also good, especially if you've earned some promotions over that time. Having a series of positions in a fraternity or club is okay, but it is more impressive if you've coordinated events that have goals and you've worked over time to meet them. Being an officer of some club isn't all that impressive, but if you specify that you put on some event like the BBA Games that required coordination and communication with many other contributors, then it becomes much more impressive.

In addition to building a resume, another (even better) reason for participating in extra-curricular activities is because you want to. Wow. What a concept. This leads you to build a network of friends who have the same interest as you which, in turn, leads to the possibility of life-long friendship. Which is one of the real reasons that college life is such a really great thing.

#1 ranking in WSJ in 2004

Though this ranking relates specifically to the MBA program, it has a lot of relevance to BBAs. Why do I say this, you ask? We sell recruiters on the "one-stop-shopping" nature of the University. If they want MBAs, we got 'em; if they want BBAs, we got 'em; if they want engineering students, we got 'em; ditto for LS&A, computing, English, etc. Having a BBA program makes the University more attractive to recruiters than it would be otherwise. And it's not like the BBA program is the weak sibling of the bunch: it's always ranked in the top 3 or so of any list that I've ever seen.

Furthermore, if recruiters come here for MBAs and like the Business School, they are (more than likely) also here recruiting BBAs and enjoying the services of our top-notch Career Development office. Speaking of which, the high-quality service of OCD is shared by BBAs and MBAs alike. All of the corporate relationships and alumni and data that are available for MBAs are naturally available to BBAs. This means that you are the beneficiary of services that wouldn't be there were it not for the fact that we have to support such a large number of students (BBA, Day MBA, evening MBA, MAcc).

Thus, while this ranking isn't for the BBA Program, students in that program benefit from it.

BBA Games 2004

The Fourth Annual BBA Games, held on a not-too-cold, not-too-hot Friday afternoon (9/17/04), were a complete success, at least in the eyes of this observer.

After getting everyone through registration, the games began with competitions among the sections. There was the world's largest kickball games, with dozens of fielders spread throughout the outfield. A couple beach volleyball games were being contested with the ball only going over onto the railroad tracks a couple of times. Sections were also competing in football and ultimate frisbee. A jousting pit was available for those students with some real agression to take out on their "friends".

While this was going on --- actually, during all events throughout the day --- the recruiting tents were filled with lines of students and tables of interested companies. Students got plenty of loot as well: lunch, a BBA Games t-shirt, a Nalgene bottle, lots of software from Microsoft, and the big giveaway, an X-box from Microsoft.

A big "thanks" should go out to Mike Phillips and all others involved with putting on such a well-run event.

BBA Orientation 2004

Jeff Rich (BBA 1982), CEO of ACS, a company that specializes in outsourcing, gave a highly enjoyable and motivational speech to wrap up the 2004 BBA Orientation. After discussing how he has led his company to the Fortune 500, he discussed what Michigan means to him and what he looks for in new hires. He wrapped up by describing why BBAs are the best ("they're more fun") and then answered questions from students for 30 minutes. Mr. Rich is a strong supporter of the School and the BBA Program, donating much money and time to the School. All in all, it was a great ending to an informative three days of activities.

On Wednesday night new students were welcomed at a buffet dinner on the Portico by the BBA Ambassadors, senior BBA students who volunteered to help junior BBAs through their first year at the Business School. The program that night included Associate Dean Gene Anderson who highlighted many of the exciting activities going on with the School and the BBA Program.

On Wednesday night, Thursday morning, and Friday morning, Professor Kim Cameron talked with the BBAs about self-awareness, learning styles, and time and stress management. Students had filled out computerized instruments over the summer and brought the results to these lectures; Professor Cameron helped them interpret the results and learn about what makes each individual unique and what the overall make-up of the incoming class is. The highlight of Professor Cameron's sessions was an activity in which students were moving all around Hale Auditorium, sorting themselves into groups based on leadership styles.

Thursday afternoon Professor Paula Caproni started the students on several hours of activities that built up their team work skills. Students broke up into their sections and were led through the activities by their Ambassadors. These sections are going to be important to them because it is in these groups that they will take their core courses while they're in the Business School. Students got to know each other by engaging in some activities, including writing team resumes and then sharing them with each other. Each section also came up with their own motto which they later shared with all the sections in front of a highly energized crowd. We ended Thursday's activities with a dinner (highlighted by a very cool chocolate fondue fountain) and a human scavenger hunt.

On Friday morning after Professor Cameron finished his presentation, three BBA alumni from the 2002 and 2003 graduating classes --- Nicole Ernst, Erin Goss, and Molly Stafford --- spent some time addressing the new BBAs. They spoke for a few minutes each and then answered questions from the students. They each provided wise counsel concerning how students should focus their attention, become involved, and learn to love group work. These alumni are already great role models for our current students and demonstrated to the students, by their presence and how they conducted themselves, the possibilities that lie before them.

Mr. Rich's presentation wrapped up the orientation. We believe his presentation and the orientation itself energized the students, got them acquainted with their fellow students, and prepared them for the coming challenges of their time in the BBA Program.