Kansas State University

search

IT News

Tag: newtech

Dell product demonstration March 4

Representatives from Dell will be coming to campus for the Dell Future State for Client Computing event 2-5 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, in the Cottonwood Room at the K-State Student Union.

Join the Dell account team as they show off some new Dell notebooks and desktops, and present on the direction of future products and technology in the client space.   Continue reading “Dell product demonstration March 4”

First of 50 new basic technology classrooms

Information Technology Services, under the direction of Ken Stafford, CIO, provided funding for 50 new basic technology classrooms over the next two years. The first room, Willard 122, was completed by the Information Technology Assistance Center (iTAC) in late May.

The install includes a projector, a simple control panel, switching equipment and sound amplification. The new system based on new digital standards allows for HDMI, VGA, Component and Composite inputs.

Willard 122 new technology classroom installed in May
Willard 122 new technology classroom installed in May

Continue reading “First of 50 new basic technology classrooms”

New oversize scanner in MDC handles 5'x7' media

The Media Development Center has recently added an oversize scanner to the lab. The copy stand mount can accommodate artwork measuring up to 36 inches by 48 inches. Larger works measuring up to 5 feet by 7 feet can be mounted to the wall and digitized.

Continue reading “New oversize scanner in MDC handles 5'x7' media”

Umberger tech classroom upgrade this summer

The Umberger 105 (Williams Auditorium) classroom is undergoing a major renovation. Periodic updates will be provided throughout the summer. An October move-in date is anticipated for the new space.

Last weekend the construction crew began demolition. The technology was pulled, and chairs are being removed (see photos below).

photo of chairs being removed from Umberger 105 classroom due to summer renovation

Continue reading “Umberger tech classroom upgrade this summer”

QR codes (+ free tools): Quick access to all kinds of data

Image of QR code for K-State IT Help Desk URL
QR code for the website of the K-State IT Help Desk

K-Staters may have noticed some funny-looking images of black-pixeled boxes popping up around campus lately, notably in Hale Library. So, what are they used for and what can you do with them?

These are “QR codes” or Quick Response codes (also known as QR barcodes). This technology allows the public to access information fast through graphical links.

QR code readers

To access the information behind a QR code, you first need to download a free QR reader to your smartphone and then scan/capture (take a picture of) a QR code. (Some smartphones may come with a QR reader already installed.) Here are a few that seem to work well:

  • For the iPhone, RedLaser is a free, general purpose barcode reader app.
  • For Android smartphones, Barcode Scanner is a free app that has received positive feedback.

For more choices, do a Google search for “QR code reader”. Continue reading “QR codes (+ free tools): Quick access to all kinds of data”

Free tool: Stickies (color notes for your desktop)

What it is: Software that provides virtual “paper notes” on your desktop

What it does: “…yellow rectangular windows onto which you can put some text notes. Once created, they will stay on screen until you take them away. Just like a real sticky piece of paper.” (developer’s description from the Stickies homepage)

Continue reading “Free tool: Stickies (color notes for your desktop)”

Departments: Need a quick tech tip or demo?

Need a quick tech tip at your next department meeting? Request a session with technology staff from the Information Technology Assistance Center (iTAC). They can give a 15- to 30-minute presentation on topics such as:

Faculty/staff: What’s at the Tech Showcase March 1 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Ticket image for the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Showcase, March 1, 2011

More than 200 faculty/staff have registered to attend the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Showcase 10 a.m.-1 p.m. today (Tuesday, March 1) in the K-State Student Union Ballroom. Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided.

Walk-ins are allowed, so faculty who only have an hour can still drop by to learn about IT tools and resources their colleagues are using. The first 200 faculty/staff to enter the ballroom will win a Varney’s gift card.

Continue reading “Faculty/staff: What’s at the Tech Showcase March 1 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)”