Bits & Bytes

Survive, even Thrive, without Leaving your Computer.

Published in The Aggie on November 16, 2006

The quarter just passed the halfway point and midterms, papers and germs are doing their best to obliterate students' contact with the outside world. Luckily, there are computers.

With the help of these remarkably handy online services, maintain social, academic and even nutritional and hygienic routines from the cozy confines of one's own room.

Stay connected

Access the library from home. Go to lib.ucdavis.edu and click "Connect From Off Campus" on the left panel. From there you can connect in two different ways. Choose "Proxy Server," or choose "Modem Pool" if you are using a dial-up connection. After that, follow the online instructions. If this sounds complicated, don't worry -- the library website will walk you through it. An incredible amount of online resources, academic journals, artwork and scholarly articles to name a scant few are available for research.

Stay connected to campus through MyUCDavis at my.ucdavis.edu and Smartsite at smartsite.ucdavis.edu. Check your e-mail, grades, announcements and course websites, or turn in that research paper electronically.

Miss a lecture? You might be able to download it. Ask your instructor if a podcast is available, but don't forget to get the link. Go to podcast.ucdavis.edu to learn more about podcasting and how to access campus lectures.

Refuel those brain cells

Order a meal online. Campusfood.com compiles a list of participating restaurants in the area. Pick your restaurant, pay for your food and then wait for delivery.

Tackle that never-ending pile of laundry

Have your laundry washed and then delivered to your door! Cleanu.com, run by UC Davis undergraduates, takes care of this tedious chore for you. Choose a laundry package based on your needs and sit back as your dirty clothes are washed, dried and folded by somebody else.

Take a study break

Rent movies online with netflix.com or Blockbuster Online services. These services are great for academic movie-watching, too. They offer a wide selection of DVDs, and unlike the library, they don't impose a due date.

Listen to free, unlimited music. UC Davis students have access to Ctrax, a subscription music service that allows you to download safe and legal music. Student subscriptions are absolutely free for at least a year. Visit getlegal.ucdavis.edu for more information.

Of course, don't forget about your old study-break favorites! On those bedridden and desk-dreary days, youtube.com and Yahoo! Games at games.yahoo.com are always there to entertain you.

Don't worry; you'll see the sun again one day. Until then, happy computing!

Note: This article represents one student's opinions on non-UC Davis website services. Neither IET nor UC Davis endorses these websites or their products.

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