ANDREW NOSTVICK OP/ED EDITOR
A new computer in the Vogel Library is making it convenient for students to print documents quickly.
The computer, which is located on the counter of the printing room on the second floor, allows students to print without ever having to log on to the network. Librarian Jean Donham said there is only one log-in required for the flash drive. It was installed earlier this month.
“We see many students come into the library, especially early in the morning, to print a paper or a PowerPoint handout as they head off to class,” Donham said. “We asked ITS for a solution that would make that stop quicker and more convenient for our students.”
Donham said the process involves inserting a flash drive into the computer workstation in the printer-copier room, opening the document on a flash drive and click print.
A pop-up window will appear and that's when the login and password have to be entered. After that, the process ends the same with swiping the card. Donham said print costs will remain the same.
“We are eager to get the word out to student that this is worth a try,” Donham said.
Why it was brought in
The computer was brought in by ITS because students sometime want a way to print something off quickly.
“We decided maybe what we can do is put in a workstation that could be strictly for printing that would already be logged in, that would take on that login step, which is rather slow and just remove that out of the equation,” Gary Wipperman, director of ITS said.
Student Michael Stevenson said the new computer, which he has used a couple of times to print papers for, is a great addition and a great resource to use.
“As we all know logging into the computers can sometimes take more time then we have,” Stevenson said. “This is a computer that is already open, all you need to do is insert your flash drive, open the document, and send it to the printer.”
Stevenson said he's had no issues with the printer and that it is a quick and easy way to print documents.
Wipperman said this is something they would want to have in the long term. Right now, ITS plans to only have one computer, but they have thought about adding another if demand requires it.