UND laptop

[beetle]

What computer do you aviation guys have to use for your classes. What is the model and make?

[StrangerDejaVu]

Originally Posted by beetle

What computer do you aviation guys have to use for your classes. What is the model and make?

It's a Dell Latitude D820. Yes, it's pricey. No, you don't have a choice whether to lease it or not. And no, it's probably not going away. I use mine all the time, and I think this model is better than the ones before it (cept maybe the Gateway in '03/04)

[Stinger]

I haven't had a single problem with my laptop yet, which is a major step up from the older laptops that I have heard just sucked. Although I do hate Cisco Clean Access Agent that does absolutely nothing.

[TXaviator]

decent laptop if it didnt crash about 70% of the time after it coming back from being in standby (when you close the lid)

seen a buddy running vista on it and it seems pretty quick

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by Stinger

I haven't had a single problem with my laptop yet, which is a major step up from the older laptops that I have heard just sucked. Although I do hate Cisco Clean Access Agent that does absolutely nothing.

I deleted that crap off my computer the first hour I got the laptop.

[Dugie8]

You guys need to start a coup de tat with those things! Worse program idea, implementation and continuation ever!

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by Dugie8

You guys need to start a coup de tat with those things! Worse program idea, implementation and continuation ever!

I agree. Bad use and overuse of "technology", not to mention that it violates the law of diminishing returns.

[ZUKO]

I am excited to get rid of this POS. There is no point in the laptop program except to make $$$$$.

[the_dmn8tr]

Originally Posted by ZUKO

I am excited to get rid of this POS. There is no point in the laptop program except to make $$$$$.

or to provide us with some expensive software...

Have you seen how much a Flitestar subscription costs?

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by the_dmn8tr

or to provide us with some expensive software...

Have you seen how much a Flitestar subscription costs?

...which I've never used for the entire time here at UND, not even in any classes. I will have been here for 3.5 years and in May when I graduate I will have never been required to use it in any aviation classes. Biggest ripoff ever. Not worth it.

And the Warrior Vector software can be loaded on a PC in the CBI lab for our use - it doesn't need to be on every aviation laptop. Then again, it's only $99. There's no other software that is expensive other than the Flitestar crap that we're forced to have.

[ZUKO]

Originally Posted by the_dmn8tr

or to provide us with some expensive software...

Have you seen how much a Flitestar subscription costs?

They could provide us with fancy software by charging us a fee for the software rather then making us lease a laptop. When do they actually teach us to use Flitestar? Why do I need it? They could easily accomplish the same things by charging a student a one time fee for said software and be done with it. If your computer is not one of the 98% of computers that they are compatible with then they could use a computer lab.

[AngelFuree]

...not to mention the fact that flitestar is strictly prohibited for x-country planning.

Half-

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by ZUKO

They could provide us with fancy software by charging us a fee for the software rather then making us lease a laptop. When do they actually teach us to use Flitestar? Why do I need it? They could easily accomplish the same things by charging a student a one time fee for said software and be done with it. If your computer is not one of the 98% of computers that they are compatible with then they could use a computer lab.

They NEVER teach you how to use Flitestar at UND (some teachers I've heard give you a brief intro to it in class).

Ask yourself this question: Can you become a professional pilot without knowing how to use Flitestar?

If you answered the question, you'll know why you don't need to be forced to add an additional unneccesary cost to your education (plus interest and applicable loan origination fees).

[ZUKO]

Word.

[UAL747400]

Originally Posted by AngelFuree

...not to mention the fact that flitestar is strictly prohibited for x-country planning.

Half-

I used it all time for the IFR portion of 325. That's it though. It was strictly "prohibited" during 222. As it probably should have been since it's your intro to x-country operations in the IFR environment.

When I'm back home, it's either this or duats flight planner or the AOPA one when I fly. Call me lazy if you want. You still have to plan for alternates, emergencies, ect...

It's still not worth the cost since I can do the exact same thing with the DUATS planner. Sure it's not some super cool graphical display with weather and TFRs overlayed, but it still works.

[Stinger]

So far I have used Flitestar for every cross country, stage check, and briefing for 102. I just copy everything from there over to the nav log. And speaking of stage check, I have been on my stage 30 for the past two and a half weeks and went out to the airport at 8:00am for a quick review of ground-ref and the ramps weren't plowed yet. I have been weathered so much since November, but oh well-it'll get done this week.

[Dugie8]

What I don't get is why you have to use that specific laptop, well I take that back, I know why. The support staff they have over in Ryan (I think thats the building) couldn't find a hard drive with a map and a magnet! Simply including the cost of the laptop with the program (just like your flight costs) would allow students to buy what they wanted in terms of specs and brand. The only thing specific was Jepps poor excuse for flight planning software (and the last time I planned a XC was for my 323 stage check). Duats is free, has/had a nice graphical interface and works great!

Skrammy's ego is in the way of any change though, good luck knocking over that elephant!

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by Dugie8

What I don't get is why you have to use that specific laptop, well I take that back, I know why. The support staff they have over in Ryan (I think thats the building) couldn't find a hard drive with a map and a magnet! Simply including the cost of the laptop with the program (just like your flight costs) would allow students to buy what they wanted in terms of specs and brand. The only thing specific was Jepps poor excuse for flight planning software (and the last time I planned a XC was for my 323 stage check). Duats is free, has/had a nice graphical interface and works great!

Skrammy's ego is in the way of any change though, good luck knocking over that elephant!

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Blue Side Up]

We used flitestar in 414 CFI and i am using it again in 411 International and Long Range Nav. i still do not agree with the laptop program though.

[Booker]

I was in the very first class to "use" the laptops, and we had the exact same complaints you guys do. Sorry to hear the program hasn't evolved much, despite the grandiose plans the administration kept spouting in the early days.

[Dugie8]

Originally Posted by Booker

I was in the very first class to "use" the laptops, and we had the exact same complaints you guys do. Sorry to hear the program hasn't evolved much, despite the grandiose plans the administration kept spouting in the early days.

Punk biatch!!!!!

[oktex88]

I have heard of a couple of people being able to get out of being forced to get an aviation laptop. Honestly, UND tries to say you need it because it has all these special programs on it. Well, the only program you really need is AIMs and it can be downloaded from online. The problems with my laptop include: keyboard keys falling off, taskbar and start menu freeze and a nvidia video card error popup, laptop screen sometimes won't come on after I open back up the screen and I have to restart the laptop for it to work.

[BuickCFI]

so glad i don't have UND craptop now. the HP i just bought 2 weeks ago is almost the same specs as the UND craptop for a fraction of the price.

and when i got in on the craptop program it was 500/semester and 250 for the summer!

[Booker]

Originally Posted by Dugie8

Punk biatch!!!!!

Say again, over? The laptop program was a crock when I was there, it sounds like it's still a crock today, and I bet it will continue to be a crock as long as AS is in charge of the program. In my opinion, it's just another way for CAS to maximize revenue.

[Dugie8]

Originally Posted by Booker

Say again, over? The laptop program was a crock when I was there, it sounds like it's still a crock today, and I bet it will continue to be a crock as long as AS is in charge of the program. In my opinion, it's just another way for CAS to maximize revenue.

Double "Punk Biatch! "


he will figure it out here in a minute folks...