In a recent article about printing on campus, you voted on what you’d like to learn more about. The votes are in! Special software took the top spot, followed by equipment checkout (we’ll cover that in a future article). Read on to learn more, and to cast your vote in our next poll.
First, a quick recap: What are InfoLabs?
InfoLabs are computer labs, and there are over 20 lab locations throughout campus (including Media Centers in some residence halls). But they’re more than just computer labs — they offer a variety of free services to faculty, staff and students.
A few caveats
As you learn about software, keep in mind that:
- Software is available at most locations. The Business Library, Social Work Library, and MERIT Library may not have the same software available. Please check their websites for more information.
- Some software is only accessible on Windows or Mac machines.
Software at a glance
Note: this is not an exhaustive list. Visit this page to see the full list of software offered.
| Software type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Standard productivity software | Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Teams and VLC Media Player |
| Creative arts and design | Adobe Creative Cloud, Audacity, Final Cut Pro, and Inkscape |
| Programming and software development | Eclipse, Python/Anaconda, Xcode and Notepad++/BBEdit |
| Data science, math and research | MATLAB, RStudio/R, SPSS/SAS and ArcGIS Pro |
Why use InfoLabs software?
- It’s free! Pay $0 for special software. Skip the expensive subscriptions and limited free trials.
- Find your space: With over 20 lab locations, there’s likely a lab nearby. See our full list of locations to find a lab near you.
- Pro tip: Save your laptop. Have you ever had your laptop fan kick in and it sounds like an airplane taking off? Use our computers for heavy-duty rendering or complex data processing, and save your laptop for lighter projects.
We want to hear from you. Please take our quick one-question poll
Your response gives us insight into the InfoLabs program.
What’s your primary reason for visiting an InfoLab?
- I need special software.
- I need a quiet place to focus.
- I need to print or use physical equipment (e.g., scanner).
- I prefer working on a large monitor.
- I’m working on a group project.
- I need to check out equipment.
- Something else
What’s next?
Look for an article in next month’s TechNews about the equipment checkout program offered through InfoLabs.