UC Davis Information & Educational Technology

Bits & Bytes

Looking for Tech Help?

Published in The Aggie on October 3, 2006

Skip the search and go straight to the source.

When it comes to getting tech information, students tend to live by the Google philosophy: If you don’t know it, Google it. After all, life is a lot easier if you only have to remember one URL, right? But Google has a tendency to provide too much information and does not know that as a UC Davis student you are entitled to certain privileges and free tech services.

So instead of wading through Google lists or taking your chance on the “feeling lucky” button, use these campus tech URLs for quick reference:

  • Class is about to start and you forgot to print your paper. Find computer lab locations and hours, and see how many free pages you have left to print this quarter. Chances are the computer rooms will be busy, so you’d better check to see how many seats are available right now. clm.ucdavis.edu/rooms
  • You’re not so good with computers, and you need help… or you are good with computers, but yours doesn’t seem to like you at the moment. Ask computer questions and get answers, fast.itexpress.ucdavis.edu
  • Computer broken? Whether it’s smoking and flaming or just won’t turn on, get it fixed at a discounted rate on campus. desktop.ucdavis.edu
  • You just finished a week’s worth of work. You feel good now, but you’d probably cry if you had to do it all over again. Don’t let a virus take that away from you. Protect your files and information with free tips, services, and software. security.ucdavis.edu
  • You have a little time before your next class and want to check your e-mail. Connect to the wireless network on campus. wireless.ucdavis.edu
  • Need a laptop or digital camera for class? Rent one for free. Check rates, equipment availability, and reserve equipment online. cts.ucdavis.edu/services/av.html
  • You’re working on a large presentation, and you need to scan and edit photos… and maybe edit some video footage… and burn it to a DVD… Okay, so you need to do your whole presentation… by tomorrow. Equipment and software is available for your use, free, at the Meyer Media Lab. meyermedialab.ucdavis.edu
  • You’re assigned a group project and your group can’t find time to meet. E-mailing back and forth is such a hassle, but you can’t think of an alternative. Sign up for an interactive web site for your group, where you can chat, create  schedules, post announcements, and edit your work together, all on your own time from just about anywhere. It’s surprisingly easy with SmartSite. smartsite.ucdavis.edu
  • For the latest news in student computing, updates, tech tips and tricks, check out the Student Computing Guide—the Google of campus technology. scg.ucdavis.edu.

So this year, skip the search. Go straight to what you need. After all, it’s there for you.

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