UC Davis Information & Educational Technology

Bits & Bytes

Wireless printing on the go

Published in The Aggie on January 24, 2007

The wireless network is a huge invisible bubble of Internet access. For laptop-toting students, this network allows printing papers from the Quad, the library or at the Coho during lunch. This printing mobility translates into smooth sailing in and out of the computer rooms.

The service

Five busy campus computer rooms, located at 177 Memorial Union, 15 Olson, 75 Hutchison, 1154 Meyer and 1101 Hart, are now equipped with a handful of high-speed printers boasting wireless connections. Anyone using a laptop within the campus wireless network can access and connect to the campus printers. And students can, of course, still use the desktop computers in the labs.

Reduced need for campus computers and faster printing equals shorter lines and less congestion.

"At the MU Station, there used to be up to 20 students waiting in line at the busiest part of the day," said Lindsay Johnson, computer room consultant supervisor. Now students walk in, pick up their work and go on their way -- it's a faster, more efficient system.

IET introduced wireless printing last fall and saw measurable success. Trends during the pilot program showed spikes in use, which prompted the department to expand the wireless printing program from two labs to five starting this winter quarter.

How to do it

1. Configure your laptop to access the wireless printers. Go to wirelessprinting.ucdavis.edu and follow the instructions under "One Time Setup."

2. After your computer is configured, log in again at wirelessprinting.ucdavis.edu and choose a printer.

3. Send your work to print.

4. Drop by the lab at your convenience.

5. Give the CRC your login ID; he or she will release your print job from the queue and you'll be out the door in minutes.

Have questions on how to configure your laptop? Call IT Express at 754-4357 for a walk-through.

Visit wireless.ucdavis.edu/maps.cfm for an online copy of the wireless map.

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