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DSU helps set up Tech Center at State Fair

            For those technological people who attend the South Dakota State Fair, Dakota State University, South Dakota Rural Electric Cooperatives, Midcontinent Communications and Gateway have teamed up to provide a computer lab with live web casts from the Touchstone Energy® Technology Center at the State Fair. DSU assisted with the set up of the computers in the lab, ensuring the server is correctly set up and the lab stations have an image that Gateway/Rural-Electric staff can easily regenerate.

“We devoted some time to assist with the setup of the Technology Center at the State Fair again this year,” said David Zolnowsky, DSU Director of Computing Services.   “We’ve been doing this for several years now as a demonstration of community support.”

            DSU personnel provide technical support and a server, the South Dakota Rural Electric Association provides space in the Touchstone Energy Technology Center as well as some support personnel, Midcontinent has provided the Internet connection and Gateway has provided the 16 computers for the lab and two computers for the web cams.

            “The computer lab is set up to provide people an awareness of the Internet,” said Roger Wubbena of East River Electric Cooperative. “It’s a great resource to answer questions as well as a great opportunity to get instruction.”

            Brad Bell, DSU computer support specialist, says DSU has worked in conjunction with these companies to show people about new technologies.

            “We basically set up the labs for networking and are responsible for the design development of the network,” said Bell.

            “We really appreciate the people at DSU,” said Wubbena. “They were willing to share the information we needed to provide the equipment to improve the project.”

The lab has been a great success so far this year as several people come to see what’s going on technology wise. “There hasn’t been a time I’ve seen when the computer labs weren’t packed,” said Bell. “They’ve had to kick people off to allow others to use the computers. It’s been busy from open to close.”

            The hours for the computer lab are from 9am to 8pm each day of the fair. To view the Technology Center live via web cam go to the East River website at www.erepc.com.