User services implications for client/server transitions

The Client lServer model of computing and sofiware services is rapidly being adopted on a widespread basis. Taking advantage of the power of desktop computers, mature networks, and the new chip architecture in server-level computer systems, client /server offers a broad horizon for a wide variety of computing services. The switch to client/server requires some fundamental rethinking of what services to deliver, how to deliver them, and the purpose of the computing center in this new configuration. This paper ad~dresses the implications of client Iserver on academic computing services with emphasis on a smooth transitwn from more traditional support to that appropriate to users of client /server systems. It broadly addresses the importance of the involvement of user services staff and user testing in the fundamental decisions about which services to provide, the choices of software to provide these services, and the architectural details of client I server set-ups. It further describes some of the changing user needs and expectations. Finally it addresses speci$iis about how to take advantage of client/server to maximize staff time and enhance the curriculum. Examples will be taken from a variety of environments and architectures, but will fmus primarily on Unix and Macintosh systems serving Macintosh clients.