NewResidents

This page has information for new and current residents regarding telephones, TV, and computers: History: created 8/1/06pi, last change 5/29/08pi


 * Telephone service:** We require every resident have a phone on the La Posada private branch exchange (PBX). It is billed monthly. The number is assigned on campus and handled through the service center (dial 0 on campus, 648-8122 off). An existing Green Valley phone number can only be provided as a second line which bypasses the PBX. This requires the resident have a separate agreement with Qwest or Cox who in turn would terminate the number in one of our phone rooms. La Posada in turn would rent lines to the resident for extending that connection to their home. The reasons for the PBX are: better on-campus emergency handling (especially off-hook emergency), on-campus service is isolated from off-campus disruptions, simpler 4-digit dialing on campus, lower expenses through bulk purchases. Use of the phone for computer modems is discouraged because of the emergency services - see FastLink below. A few residents have second lines for fax machines, but this is discouraged. There are other ways to handle fax services - visit a computer Q&A session mentioned below.


 * Television service:** Included in the monthly service fee is a 65 or so channel analog cable TV package. Currently that package is Cox's Basic plus Expanded with channels 23 through 65 under control of the Resident Media Services committee. Random other channels are used by La Posada, e.g. 97 is SunSounds (audio publications), 98 is emergency information (including known TV service issues). The current lineup may be viewed at [|this location.] Channel 5 is the Good Friends Connection campus TV station with a continuous loop of information and notices, including notices about channels 23 through 65. Eventually a digital channel will carry the channel 5 program to provide easier viewing for those subscribing to digital services from Cox - switching between analog and digital is a problem for some folks. Cox has been adding digital channels in their Expanded spectrum. If you have a TV with an analog and digital tuner, periodically scan for channels and you should pick up their current lineup.

The Good Friends Connection began with a grant from Harold and Marjory Margulies. Their efforts led to the creation of what is now channel 5, plus it carried other linear programming including movies and campus-recorded events. With the on-demand system the movies and events were taken off channel 5 giving more viewing flexibility and better quality control. The Good Friends Connection team built a recording studio and acquired and mastered equipment for recording and editing programs.

The Media Services committee of the Residents' Council now runs the services provided through our TV system, including the Good Friends Connection. They control: 1) the channel lineup for 23 through 65 plus Sun Sounds on channel 97 - a lineup more attuned to the interests of residents than Cox's; 2) on-demand commercial-free viewing of stored programs (channels 46-53). The committee's contact information is noted on channel 5.

Cox cable has not announced when they will cease analog cable TV service - which includes our Basic plus Expanded package. Cox is not subject to the federal mandate to convert all analog transmissions to digital by March, 2009. This is because Cox transmits via fiber and wire, not via antennas. We are working in concert with Cox, so there will be adequate notice and alternatives if and when they change their analog service.

Residents may contract directly with Cox for additional services, e.g. HDTV and digital and pay-per-view. The contact is Richard Putman at 954-0976 or email Richard.Putman@cox.com. You may subscribe to any digital TV service Cox offers in the Green Valley area. If you are a resident in La Hacienda (skilled nursing) you must go through Paul Ide at x7901 to subscribe to Cox digital services (due to regulatory constraints). If you are an independent or assisted living resident with a Cox digital converter, you may take that converter to La Hacienda during short stays.

Cox digital services requires a box that blocks and does not forward the Basic, Expanded, on-demand, and other campus-only channels. There are ways to get around that - call the service center for help. Maintenance folks know how to wire A/B switches and equipment.


 * High speed Internet and computers:** The high speed Internet service is called "FastLink". This is a business level service with speeds typically faster than available to residential consumers. FastLink has routers that protect the campus from some off-campus skull-duggery. FastLink has an installation charge and comparatively modest monthly fee - dial 0 to request. There is limited wireless, WiFi, access on campus with secure connections. The La Vista library and La Perla library and Vista apartment 136 (residents' computer room) have WiFi (network name "default") that is not secured.

The on-campus phone number FAST (3278) is a help line for FastLink, and for getting help with computers. Computer help is provided by volunteers working through the La Posada Computer User Group (CUG). The CUG sponsors weekly question and answer sessions. The Activities Calendar notes when and where - Mac Q&A and IBM PC Q&A (everything non-Macintosh).

The CUG oversees freely accessible computers and peripherals across the campus - La Vista library (Mac, WebTV), La Perla library (Mac, IBM PC), La Vista apartment 136 (Mac, IBM PC). These computers are for residents and their guests only. The plan is to provide computers in employee lounges for their use. The CUG offers one on one instruction. The scholarship program, founded by resident Wendell Bowers, oversees some of the computers and offers computer instruction for residents and staff. Through that group there is help with computer-based programs for: Spanish as a second language, English as a second language, GED, and citizenship. The CUG maintains a web site for help with computers and services at La Posada: http://LaPosadaGV.WikiSpaces.com.