By Nicole Kobie
Odds are, you will use a computer while on campus. Regardless of why you need to use university computers, you’re taking up space.
Understandably, there are more people than computers on campus. Stupidly, everyone on campus wants to use them at the same time. This leads to lineups, a regular phenomenon at the major labs–the Info Commons at Mackimmie Library, the Elbow Room in Science Theatres, the Tri-Faculties MicroLab in Social Sciences–and often the smaller, department specific labs. If I didn’t have Gauntlet computers to use, I’d spend the next 300 words encouraging you to buy your own computer, and go back to the suburbs to write your papers.
With that said, the Info Commons (2LB) has the worst lineup problem, particularly during the day and at end of term. I’d like to think the Commons is popular because of the helpful staff and the large number of quality computers, but I have a sneaking suspicion it’s because students don’t know about the other labs.
The Elbow Room (ST 142) is a small, strangely shaped place hidden behind the Science Theatres lecture halls that’s especially busy between classes. The Tri-Faculties Microlab (SS 018)–and I’m sorry to do this to regulars–almost always has computers available, unless it’s booked for a class. As well, most departments have their own labs with differing levels of accessibility and the added bonus of student lab supervisors playing Warcraft.
Printing prices vary, from a nickel to ten cents a page. Printing at the Commons requires your id card; you can put money on it at the front desk. The Elbow Room features a few computers with free dot-matrix printing.
You won’t be spending all your campus computer time writing essays and doing research. Walk into a lab at any given time and half the users will be checking their e-mail. As well, it’s likely that at some time in your U of C career, you’ll walk past a computer screen of naked people doing nasty things. The good folks at Information Technologies have come to the conclusion that some students may have to look up porn (or play computer games) for their classes, therefore, it won’t be assumed that you’re doing it for pleasure. In other words, you won’t likely get busted for it, though, keep in mind your fellow students will think you’re a freak.
Get your IT Account Today!
Signing up for a U of C it account got much easier over the summer. Mostly because Frosh students couldn’t figure out how to work Telnet–they kept trying to use their mouse, silly kids–it now has online registration. IT accounts not only offer a free ucalgary e-mail account, but are often required in order to sign into certain services and some computers. See www.ucalgary.ca/it/register/