Information Technology

Software & Resources

• eSoftware Online Store
  eSoftware offers discounted pricing for some software, like Adobe. You must log in using your campus credentials. Although MSUM does not endorse any computer vendor for personal purchases, we do pass on offers that we believe will be advantageous to the campus community.
• Brightspace Pulse
  Brightspace Pulse is an app you can install on your mobile device to stay connected to your Brightspace courses. Access course content, links, readings, and other resources. Review and submit discussion posts and upload assignments. Get notifications when instructors post feedback. Review your schedule in courses that make use of the Brightspace calendar.
• Kaltura MediaSpace
  A cloud-based web services where one may upload or create and distribute various audio and video media formats.
• LinkedIn Learning
  LinkedIn Learning offers a wide variety of online on-demand courses on a wide assortment of topics, including software tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.), and soft skills training.
• Office 365
  Office 365 provides you online access to Microsoft Office and your own ‘cloud’ storage called OneDrive. The campus license for Office 365 is available to all current MSUM students, faculty, and staff.
• OneDrive
  OneDrive for Business is a personal library intended for storing and organizing your school and work documents. As an integral part of Office 365, OneDrive for Business lets you work within the context of your organization, with features such as direct access to your organization’s address book.
• Read&Write
  Read&Write Gold offers a suite of tools to help individuals of all ages, abilities and learning styles to access digital content. Some features include text-to-speech, screenshot reader, phonetic spell checker, and research.
• Web Conferencing
  Web conferencing software may be used for various types of online collaborative services including classes, web seminars, webinars, webcasts, video conferencing and peer-level meetings.

Educational Discounts

Didn’t find what you want using the options above? Check whether the publisher offers an Educational Discount. Discounts are often available to students and employees of an educational institution.

Hardware

MSUM does not have any specific minimum requirements for student-owned computers at this time. It is generally recommended that you set a budget and then do some comparison shopping to get the best computer available for the price. Since promotions frequently change pricing, it is difficult to give an accurate price/model at any given time. The following are some basic recommendations. MSUM also offers a variety of computer labs across the campus.

System Recommendations

Windows Computers

• Any currently available Intel processor
• Minimum of 4 GB of memory (RAM), but 8 GB is better
• 250 GB hard drive (500 GB or more for graphic or video work)
• The video card should have at least 512 MB dedicated memory - 1GB is better
• Wireless - campus currently has 802.11g or 802.11b access points
• A USB removable flash memory drive for transferring files
• Consider adding Accidental Damage Warranty on laptops

Macintosh Computers

• Any currently available Intel processor
• Minimum of 4 GB of memory (RAM), but 8 GB is better
• Wireless - campus currently has 802.11g or 802.11b access points
• Video graphics with at least 256 MB video memory
• 250 GB hard drive (500 GB or more for graphic or video work)
• A USB removable external drive for transferring files
• Consider adding Accidental Damage Warranty on laptops

Vendors

Although we don't endorse any computer vendor for personal purchases, we do pass on offers that believe will be advantageous to the campus community.

• ByteSpeed
  ByteSpeed has created several basic laptop and desktop configurations with upgrade options. They are a local company with local support. Visit the Bytespeed website to check out the MSUM offers on their website.
• DakTech
  DakTech is a custom computer manufacturer and distributor with over 29 years of industry experience. DakTech warranties bring value and the lowest total cost of ownership for education needs. Check out the DakTech website for more information.
• Dell
  Dell has a discount program for MSUM faculty, staff and students. Visit the Dell website and use Member ID: US8706005. Check out the Dell Special Deals for more discount opportunities.
• MSUM Bookstore
  MSUM students and employees who wish to purchase a Macintosh computer for personal use may receive an educational discount through the MSUM Bookstore. Visit the MSUM Bookstore website for more information.

Computer Lab Information

MSUM offers you access to more than 75 software programs available on computers in our general access labs. Some academic programs require program specific software which are available in certain labs.