University Computers = WTF

[fat bastard]

When i started here two years ago, i had a choice of using the computer labs in my halls, off the Psychology dept, in the Irvine building, Butts Wynd or in the Library. I assume there are more but these are were the main/obvious ones.

Since moving out of halls in second/third year, they have closed the psych lab, stripped half the computers out of the library and have classes most of the time in butt's wynd/irvine. For someone who doesn't have a laptop, i think this is taking the piss.

Is there any explanation for this? (other than the obvious staggeringly high costs of... leaving computers in a room)

[Bryn]

Psychology was because they were renovating the whole department. I don't know if now that they have nearly finished it will be returning.

Other than that, I think taking out half of the computers in the library is actually in response to the people that DO have laptops with wireless broadband capability and would prefer to use them. Previously, plug sockets in the library were a practically non-existant resource.

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http://bryn.ipfox.com

[fat bastard]

i understand that library/laptop thing, but can you not use them on any desk? why remove so many computers?

[Bryn]

I said that: plugs. You can use them on any desk, but even with a full-charge on a good laptop battery, you won't be able to use it for more than an hour and a half.

Quoting fat bastard from 17:31, 16th Oct 2005
i understand that library/laptop thing, but can you not use them on any desk? why remove so many computers?

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http://bryn.ipfox.com

[fat bastard]

ah, right. still, you'd think more plugs rather than less computers would be the way forwards

[ARTooD2]

That would involve rewiring the library surely.

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Many Bothans died to bring you this information...

[Campbell]

i sense that i am somewhat alone in my distress

[fat bastard]

fair enough but do you not see my point? even a little?

[Ben Reilly]

Quoting ARTooD2 from 17:38, 16th Oct 2005
That would involve rewiring the library surely.

No, it wouldn't. There are a number of things happening with level 2 of the library, part of which will be more sockets and more computers.

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University of St Andrews Clothing - http://www.standrewsclothing.com

[Prophet Tenebrae]

I don't think it's so much of an issue, I'm just guessing but I think that the year on year stats would show that the number of students with computers is increasing.

Given that and the cost of updating/maintaing various computer labs and so on - it seems acceptable that the uni reduces its spending in that area.

I'll wager that the computers in the library would be less busy if people stopped using them to check their e-mail/fill time between lectures/read the sinner and/or daily mail. If they had people going around with some kind of stun baton to get those cunts out - you'd have plenty more computers.

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[Cain]

Quoting ARTooD2 from 17:38, 16th Oct 2005
That would involve rewiring the library surely.

it would just need buying more trailing sockets.

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I hold an element of surprise

[Ben Reilly]

Quoting Prophet Tenebrae from 20:41, 16th Oct 2005
I don't think it's so much of an issue, I'm just guessing but I think that the year on year stats would show that the number of students with computers is increasing.

Given that and the cost of updating/maintaing various computer labs and so on - it seems acceptable that the uni reduces its spending in that area.

I'll wager that the computers in the library would be less busy if people stopped using them to check their e-mail/fill time between lectures/read the sinner and/or daily mail. If they had people going around with some kind of stun baton to get those cunts out - you'd have plenty more computers.

More than 80% of students have access to their own computer. The proportion of those that are laptops are increasing all the time.

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University of St Andrews Clothing - http://www.standrewsclothing.com

[rob 'f*ck off' wine boy]

The next person I see on facebook in the library when all I want is a pc with which to print out an essay will be horribly stared at and most definitely frowned upon. Then I'll go cry.

[DrAlex]

Quoting rob 'f*ck off' wine boy from 21:21, 16th Oct 2005
The next person I see on facebook in the library when all I want is a pc with which to print out an essay will be horribly stared at and most definitely frowned upon.

Only the next one? Because otherwise I'll have to stay out of the library...

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http://standrews.thefacebook.com/profil ... 71d2255dff

[Prophet Tenebrae]

I have to say it really is ridiculous that people basically dick around on those PCs while there is a queue of upward of 30 people who likely want to print their essays.

Perhaps some kind of exclusively essay printing area?

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[Tweedle-Dum]

Simply use your overdraft to buy a laptop.

Then cry yourself to sleep over the amount of Debt you're in.

Repeat when laptop breaks.

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Live by the sword, die by the arrow.

[Light the Rag]

I print my essays in the union - the queues are much shorter.
That's in the General Office - not the bar.

[Paranoid]

Couldnt comment about the status this year (I've left), but I always went to the Maths or Physics lab in my last two years. Either the lab on the right as you enter the main doors of Physics (it had about 2 classes a day in it), or the larger Maths one (just before you get onto the bridge joining Maths and Physics, it had more practical classes in it, but they didnt seem to care when I came in and used a computer for 15mins or whatever...but as I say that was last year!

Quite surprised that the library took away computers, especially considering the amount of use they tend to get (regardless of wireless capabilities now in place) I only got a laptop for the first time a month prior to graduating!

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..I've got this pain down all the diodes on my left side...

[Clonion]

What would really help at the moment is if they fixed all those computers that aren't working. Any queue I've seen in the library this year has been shorter than the number of computers not working.

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"If I want to quantify anything, I measure it against Clones. There is nothing you will ever encounter in life you haven't seen in some form in Clones"
Neil Jordan

[flarewearer]

surely one of the basic problems is that the library building in st andrews just isnt big enough to be a library, study centre and computer centre all in one go. If you put in more computers, you have less room for study desks and book storage, and of course the opposite happens. The last 2 university libraries iv'e been to have awesome moving bookshelves with wheels and levers and handles so only the row of books you need into is open, saving tons of space. Of course, the problem here is investment... And as we all know the university is far too busy trying to squeeze money out of its halls to bother with upgrading the library.

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