Council on Academic Computing

April 22, 2010

Meeting Summary

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Computer-Based Humanities Scholarship

The Office of the Provost currently is exploring how to incorporate computer-based analysis into humanities scholarship. Towards this end, Dr. Klinzing invited Alison Stones, Professor in the Department of History of Art and Architecture, to speak before the Council. Dr. Stones uses computing approaches in her studies of illuminated manuscripts. She has collaborated with the University's Digital Resource Library (DRL) to create publicly accessible searchable databases of images of medieval art and architecture, which are interlinked through keyword access to her website. Dr. Stones’ completed DRL-medart projects offer images of the architecture and sculpture of the Benedictine Abbey of Vézelay and the architecture, sculpture, and stained glass of the Cathedral of Chartres.

Report from Computing Services and Systems Development

Jinx Walton, Director of Computing Services and Systems Development, discussed updates and changes to computing systems:

• CSSD launched a service entitled Pitt Mobile, which enables the University community to access essential Pitt information and services on their mobile devices.
• CSSD is exploring the use of VMware to enable departments and researchers to establish virtual servers within the existing University computing infrastructure.

Ms. Walton also mentioned:

• Updates to the University portal
• High-performance clusters at RIDC Park