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Category: $Savings

Gift ideas, big and small, on K-State technology wishlists

IT staff have a wide range of items on their wishlists, from fun and entertaining technology to a Cessna Citation jet with new-tech features. If you’re still searching for that special gift, these ideas may help.

This list was compiled from K-State IT staff who answered the question “What tech gifts would you like to receive or give this holiday season?”

  • HEXBUG Aquabot with Fishbowl ($14.99). K-State staff said: “When adults get fascinated by a cute little 3-inch fish swimming around in its own bowl with real water (it’s water-activated), just imagine how much kids will love it. I even want one.”
  • Fitbit health/activity trackers (from $59.95).  From the website: “…products and experiences that fit seamlessly into your life so you can achieve your health and fitness goals.”
  • Sentry Turret USB Desk Defender ($29.99). From the website: “Strike fear into the hearts of your enemies (or coworkers) with your very own Turret Desk Defender, powered by USB. When it detects movement, the wings open and it will announce the acquisition of a target…”

Continue reading “Gift ideas, big and small, on K-State technology wishlists”

K-State Shred Day saved trees, improved information security

photo of 15+ boxes of paper materials received for secure disposal during K-State Shred Day
Boxes of paper materials received for secure shredding at K-State Shred Day, Oct. 15

K-State’s annual Shred Day collection on Tuesday, Oct. 15, removed 7,820 pounds of paper from campus departments for secure disposal. Document Resources Inc. is the contract vendor for secure recycling. Papers are shredded into tiny particles, then compressed into large bricks before recycling.

“Document Resources estimates that we saved 68 trees today by recycling waste,” said Rebecca Gould, iTAC director and coordinator of the Shred Day event.  Continue reading “K-State Shred Day saved trees, improved information security”

Secure disposal options for paper, eWaste throughout the year

K-State’s annual Shred Day is past, but departments don’t need to wait for the next event in October 2014.  Secure disposal of both paper and electronic media is available throughout the year to K-State departments.

A. Secure disposal of paper documents. Departments can contact Document Resources, 785-537-1222, to make an appointment to collect sensitive papers for shredding. Information is available at doc-res.com about their services and community events.  Continue reading “Secure disposal options for paper, eWaste throughout the year”

Departments: Only two weeks left until Shred Day Tuesday, Oct. 15

Documents to shred include scantron forms; greenbar grade sheets; rosters printed from K-State Online, iSIS, etc.; student papers with personal identity information and grades; data with credit card information; personnel files; other sensitive papers with identity or financial informationDepartments on the Manhattan and Salina campuses have about two weeks to finish collecting papers for free, secure disposal on K-State Shred Day. The event is Tuesday, Oct. 15: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Manhattan campus, and 10 a.m.–noon Salina campus.

Departmental contacts must bring a signed authorization document giving permission to Document Resources, Inc. to accept, destroy and recycle materials. Electronic media and wet or contaminated paper will not be accepted. See below for drop-off and pickup times.   Continue reading “Departments: Only two weeks left until Shred Day Tuesday, Oct. 15”

Two portable green screens available for checkout by K-Staters

by Phyllis Epps

Smaller green screen with male sitting on chair in front of screen
The smaller green screen, which reverses to blue, works nicely for close upper-body views.

Equipment checkout in 213 Hale Library has added two large, portable green screens for K-Staters to check out. Each screen can be leaned against a wall or other support for videotaping, or users can check out a backdrop stand. LED lights, available from checkout, can be used to provide additional lighting.

The smaller screen, shown at right, is a 5-foot by 7-foot reversible green screen + blue screen. The larger green+blue screen, which is 7 foot wide by 9 foot high with a 7-foot deep floor overlay, is shown below.

Continue reading “Two portable green screens available for checkout by K-Staters”

Technology classes include iPad, photography, cybersecurity at UFM Community Learning Center

Those who want to learn more about technology this fall can tap into the UFM Community Learning Center’s low-cost classes at www.tryufm.org, where the philosophy is “everyone can teach, everyone can learn.”  UFM is a creative educational program serving Kansas State University, the Manhattan area, and the state of Kansas.   Continue reading “Technology classes include iPad, photography, cybersecurity at UFM Community Learning Center”

5 video-editing laptops available for checkout to faculty

by Phyllis Epps

Five mobile video workstations are available for faculty to learn how to edit video.  Three Dell XPS laptops, and two Mac Pros, have been equipped with video-editing and screen-capture programs that include Adobe Premiere, iMovie, ScreenFlow, Camtasia and Vegas Pro 12.  The laptops are provided by the Media Development Center, 213 Hale Library. Continue reading “5 video-editing laptops available for checkout to faculty”

Media Development Center fall 2013 schedule starts Aug. 26

The Media Development Center, 213 Hale Library, switches to its extended fall semester schedule on Monday, Aug. 26 (but closed Monday, Sept. 2, for the Labor Day holiday).  Fall hours are

  • Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
  • Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Saturday noon-5 p.m.
  • Sunday 1-10 p.m.

Continue reading “Media Development Center fall 2013 schedule starts Aug. 26”

NVivo 10 software download and customized online trainings available for K-State faculty/staff and graduate students

Faculty, staff, and graduate students at K-State have a site license for NVivo, a data analysis tool used with qualitative and mixed methods research.  This license gives them free access to this multi-modal data management and analysis tool. Four customized and interactive webinars have been scheduled for Fall Semester 2013.

Continue reading “NVivo 10 software download and customized online trainings available for K-State faculty/staff and graduate students”

Equipment Checkout website updated with photos and more details

The Equipment Checkout website (sponsored by the Information Technology Assistance Center) has been updated with photos and more details on all the equipment available for checkout to K-Staters, including digital and still cameras, videorecorders, audio recorders, laptops, sound systems, and more.   Continue reading “Equipment Checkout website updated with photos and more details”