Progress of the Gaming Lounge.

[shanew]

Here is a quick update of how the gaming lounge is coming along:

Last week, we removed all the old computers from the lab, and have been doing a refresh of the lab. The lab has been painted, the wall plates replaced, and the lighting has been changed from one single switch that controlled all the lights together to two separate circuits. One of the two lighting switches now operates lights 1, 3 & 5 together and the other switch lights 2 & 4. This will give us more control over the amount of light that we have in the room. We also have plans to place blinds on the rear window, and some vinyl signage on the top two rows of the front glass wall (above and to the sides of the doors). This should also help in blocking out some of the ambient light.

We have built and tested several of the gaming lounge systems already, and they are performing quite well. They are running all the Valve/Steam games that we have at full specs, with no problems (We have consistently run the Counterstrike Source stress test at 286fps).

The configuration of the gaming lounge systems consists of the following hardware:

Processer: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
Memory: 4GB
Video: ATI Radeon 4890 with 1GB RAM
Hard Rive: 250GB SATA
Optical: None
Keyboard: Logitech G11
Mouse: MX518
Power Supply: BFG 550 Watt

It looks like We will start building the remaining systems later this week, and start getting them set up in the gaming lounge shortly there after. Following that, we will need to image them, and do the server side configurations. We are aiming to have the gaming lounge completed and opened for the Fall 09 quarter.

Shane

[ksit001]

might be a good idea to let people on warcraft host games online?

[shanew]

It is something we can certainly look into. As it stands now, CNC does not allow for it, but it is something we will discuss with them and see if that change would be acceptable for the gaming lounge network.

Shane

[shanew]

We spoke with CNC recently about being able to host games. They are willing to look into allowing it for the gaming lounge (however the policy for hosting from the reshall rooms will not change).

We are also working with them to let the gaming lounge computers straight through the packet shaper, which should improve gaming network performance for the lounge.

[jyap005]

wow those are some nice specs. looking forward to it in the fall!

[ksit001]

how bout sound cards for the computers? motherboard sound sometimes suck and cause massive lag =/ what mobo is the computer based on

[shanew]

For now, we only have the built in sound cards. The motherboards are standard for the Dell Optiplex 755 yet we have not experienced any lag due to the sound cards so far.

I do not see upgrades to the sound cards as an option for the foreseable future due to the current status of the state/school budget. I am just very thankful that we were able to get the equipment at all and that we will be able to finally launch it this Fall!

I think you will all be very happy with both the equipment and the project as a whole.

See you in September,
Shane

[shanew]

The Escape went live on 9-24-2009. If you are a resident of AI, Pentland, Lothian or Glen Mor, you should stop by and check it out.

[long005]

I tried going in but the card scanner does not register and I am not allowed access.

Is there something I am supposed to sign up for prior to this?


I am a resident of Lothian if that information matters.

[shanew]

If you are a resident of AI, GM, LO, or PH, you should have access. If you find that you can not get in, I would recommend that you go up to the card office at the Pentland RSO and have them make sure your card has access to the Escape.

I will also notify Access Control that some people are having issues and ensure that the card office at the RSO knows that these residents should have access.

Shane