Clifford Russell, systems analyst at the University of Maryland's Electrical and Computing Engineering Department, was on hand to learn more about Sun's Sun Ray thin client. His department has 25 thin clients in a laboratory, but there's interest in using them for staff as well, increasing the total number to around 200 clients.

The goal 'is to get as many moving parts off the desks as possible,' said Russell, who believes replacing PCs with centrally managed thin clients will reduce support costs.

Despite his interest in thin clients, Russell has concerns about Sun, particularly the company's service and support. 'We felt we were taken for granted. They need to do a better job with service and support with us,' he said.