Brown University - Computers

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Computers are a necessary tool at Brown. All papers, research, and communication revolve around having access to computers. The Center for Information Technology helps students adapt their own computers for use in the University network. Every Brown student has a University e-mail account, server space, and full access to most of the University’s computer software and hardware. All of this is in addition to the electronic research tools available through JOSIAH, the library Web site server. The CIT also holds free group and individual training sessions to help students use specific software that the University makes available through their network. Network security is high, which has the positive effect of keeping viruses and junk mail away from people’s inboxes, but also has essentially cut off illegal file sharing on the University’s network.

While many students get by without a computer, the majority of students either bring a computer or purchase one from the Brown bookstore’s computer center or a private company soon after they arrive. The fact that most students have their own computer decreases the traffic at the clusters at all but the busiest times of the year. If you are buying a new computer, a laptop is your best bet—it takes up less space in the cramped freshman rooms and gives you the freedom to bring your computer to any of your favorite study spots. Brown’s wireless network also gives students the chance to access the Internet with their laptop in certain places on campus. In general, Brown’s computers offer more resources than most students could ever desire, and the school continues to expand its computing facilities, taking advantage of new technology as it becomes available.

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Students Speak Out

BroCN says: Brown University 2016 Undecided

The network is great. Brown does a... The network is great. Brown does a fairly good job of making sure the community doesn't have access to our over-the-top WiFi speed, so for better or worse we benefit from it. Computers are always available in the SciLib, but bringing your own computer is really a must. 12345 Computers: March 05, 2009 Report

BroCF says: Brown University 2016 Physical Sciences

The computer clusters are crowded... The computer clusters are crowded at certain times of day, but you can find a free space somewhere most of the time. It's definitely worth having your own computer in your room though. And there's free wireless everywhere on campus. 12345 Computers: March 03, 2009 Report

jzee says: Brown University 2016 Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Computers in the SciLi are always... Computers in the SciLi are always crowded. Bring your own computer, but if you don't have one, it should be okay. WiFi is great pretty much everywhere. 12345 Computers: March 03, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

I’m a Mac user, and I’ve found... I’m a Mac user, and I’ve found that there are fewer resources available to me. 12345 Computers Report

Anonymous says:

Definitely bring your own... Definitely bring your own computer. The computer clusters are accessible and generally easy to use, but in college, everything depends on e-mail—you need to be able to access it at any hour. 12345 Computers Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Brown has a pioneering computer science department. One interesting ongoing project on campus is the Cave, an eight-foot cubicle where high-resolution stereo graphics are projected onto three walls and the floor to create a virtual-reality experience. The Cave is used for medical, archeological, artistic, and creative writing projects.

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