UC Davis Information & Educational Technology

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Get Creative in the Media Labs

Posted on December 1, 2004

Wouldn't it be awesome if you could scan some photos to send home to your friends? How about spicing your class presentation with video or sound? Or maybe recording your own music? What if I told you that you could do all of this and more – for free?

The UC Davis computer labs are more than just ultra-fast PCs, Macs, and printers; the two Media Labs, located in both Hart and Meyer Hall, offer a unique array of hardware, software, and media services. As a UC Davis student, you are entitled to use these services as much as you want, free of charge. Read on to learn what kind of stuff is waiting for you in Hart and Meyer Halls.

HART HALL MEDIA DISTRIBUTION LAB

You're probably familiar with the labs at 1101 and 1102 Hart Hall. If you missed a video shown in class, you might have watched it at 1101 Hart. You could have even taken a class in Hart 1102. Both rooms comprise the Hart Media Distribution Lab, which features lots of neat things that are unique to this lab.

HART 1101
  • Watch videos: View videos and DVDs that have been shown in classes; however, they cannot be taken out of Hart 1101. For a list of available films, visit video.ucdavis.edu. Videos available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Copy cassette tapes: If your instructor places a cassette tape on reserve, or you have a tape you'd like to copy, you can utilize the cassette recorders.
  • Sit-down Multimedia: View DVDs and CD-ROMs on 16 sit-down Mac stations. They also provide Internet access restricted to .edu addresses only. (No Geckomail, though!)
  • Access the Internet: Standup PC and Mac stations allow you to browse any Web site as well as use any function of the computers and print.
HART 1102

This lab is a Multimedia Classroom, meaning it features lots of spiffy software, but is often used for classes. Unfortunately, student entry is restricted while classes are in session. As of summer 2004, Hart 1102 features Macintosh G5 computers—the fastest computers on campus! The following list includes some of the software on the Macs:

  • Adobe Illustrator CS: Create and edit graphics and drawings.
  • Adobe Photoshop CS: Edit and enhance photos and graphics.
  • Adobe InDesign CS: Produce publications, documents, and Web sites.
  • Macromedia Dreamweaver MX: Develop your dream Web site!

MEYER MEDIA LAB

The Meyer Media Lab is the mac daddy of all campus media labs. Nestled next to the Arboretum, Meyer may seem a little far, but the best media lab on campus is only a short bike ride away. Like Hart Hall, Meyer Hall contains a Multimedia Classroom, located at 1131 Meyer, which features the same software as Hart 1102, although there are PC computers instead of Macs. 1154 Meyer Hall, the Meyer Media Lab, is where all the great stuff is located on both Macs and PCs. Care to find out what it has in store for you?

  • Record music: The Audio Room features a music keyboard, mixing board, and software that allow you to create music, edit sounds, and otherwise manipulate audio.
  • VHS to DVD Transfer Machines: Copy old VHS tapes to DVD for free! You must bring your own DVD, but there is no limit to how many transfers you can make.
  • Make movies: Use iMovie or Final Cut Pro to create and edit films for academic or personal use.
  • Create a Web site: Try using helpful programs like Macromedia Flash MX, Macromedia Dreamweaver MX, and the full Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Color Printing: Print in color for $1.50 a sheet.
  • Other great hardware and software: Flatbed scanners, DVD recorder, CD-R/RW and DVD-R drives, Garageband, iTunes, and more!

Aggies, ask not what the Media Labs can do for you, but what you can do in the Media Labs. For a complete listing of software, as well as lab hours, visit http://clm.ucdavis.edu/rooms/.

This column is provided to you by the student writers of Information and Educational Technology. For questions and comments, please contact ietpubsjr@ucdavis.edu.

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