In order to make your best product selections, you need to do some comparison shopping. In this section you can apply what you have considered in the previous sections. Be sure to emphasize curricular needs as mentioned in previous sessions. The product of this session is a list of compared items needed to implement the hardware, software and network parts of your TUP.

In the following Reflect section, you will have a tech coordinator review your list and provide you with feedback that you can share with other participants.

Step One

Referring to your TUP, make a short list of hardware and software that will address your schools' needs. In some cases, this will be only two or three products; in others such as instructional programs, you may have to select from a large number of contenders.

Step Two

Visit sites below to obtain technical specifications for the items on your list. Be sure to obtain similar specifications as you compare items.

Hardware

• ZD-Net Hardware Reviews and Analysis
• PC Magazine's Hardware & Peripheral Labs
• ZD-Net's Editor's Choices for Best Hardware
• Desktop Computer Systems
• Storage Devices
• Monitors
• Printers
  

Software
• ZD-Net
• PC Magazine's Software Lab
• Networking Operating Systems
• Network Software and Utilities
• Business Software
• Office Suites
• Education & Reference Software
  

Networks

• Reviews & Analysis:
  • ZD-Net Network Solutions
  • ZD-Net: Networking Software
  • Networking Operating Systems
  • Network Server's and PC's
  • Network Software and Utilities
    
• Comparisons:
  • Top 10 Network Servers: Prices and Comparisons
  • Feature Comparisons of Differing Networks
  • Top 5 Workgroup Servers - Performances
  • Dedicated Servers vs. Desktop PC's
    

Step Three
Visit some of the sites listed below to obtain prices. Again, be sure you are comparing similar items to identify the best deals.

Hardware
• CAUSE (links to most large computer corporations).
• Net Buyer
• Egghead Online: Hardware
• Desktop Systems
• Hard Disk Drives
• Monitors
• Printers
  

Software

• Net Buyer
• Egghead Online: Software
• Software Direct
• Upgrades
  

Networks

• Net Buyer
• Networking
  
• Step Four
  Make a list ranking your preferred software, hardware, and network items. Compare at least two items in each category of component by listing the pluses and minuses that occur to you.

Page author: David Georgi and Jeff Carter
URL: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/EDTEC596R/session11/apply.html
Last updated: February 20, 1998