Frequently Asked Questions about the Collaboratory
Q: What is the Collaboratory?A: The Collaboratory is a workspace designed to encourage faculty and graduate students in our department to make use of available technology to improve teaching and research activities.
Q: May I use the Collaboratory computers when no one is on them? How do I get in the room if the door is shut?
A: The main Political Science office has a key, as do Dave Redlawsk and Howard Sanborn. As with any other office, just make sure the door is closed and locked behind you if you are the last one to leave. Please be aware that computers may be reserved for use from time to time, so users without reservations may be asked to come back later. Reservations are for specific projects or experiments and are not otherwise needed to use computers in the room.
Q: What are some things I can do in the Collaboratory?
A: There are many possibilities. To list just a few, you can
- Capture video from tape to computer
- Edit or splice digital movie and sound files
- Create CDs or DVDs for audio-visual presentations
- Create and edit still images
- Create and perform experiments
- Perform statistical analyses
Q: Who do I contact to check out one of the available computers or the projector for use in the department or on the road?
A: Contact Carole Eldeen. For information on the technical aspects of what's available, contact Howard Sanborn. Computers on loan are for short term use and are subject to recall if the hardware is needed for projects in the Collaboratory.
Q: If I have questions or problems with the hardware or software in the Collaboratory, or on a Collaboratory computer I have checked out, to whom in the department can I turn for assistance?
A: Howard Sanborn is the department's TA for technology assistance under Dave Redlawsk for the 2006-2007 academic year. He can be reached via email at howard-sanborn@uiowa.edu. His office hours (in 323 SH) for Fall 2006 have yet to be announced.