Tech Tips: Equipment Loaners

Need some tech?  We have you covered …

• Did you ever leave your laptop at home and you need to get some work done?
• Or maybe you’re presenting on campus and you don’t have the adapter they told you to bring …
• Or you have to give a presentation off-site after-hours and you are responsible for bringing a projector…
• Or <insert tech emergency> …

Relax.  You have options. 

But first, here’s our Tech Tip of the Week –

Have ever opened a Word doc or an Outlook email message, then questioned the use of a particular word? Maybe a definition would be helpful. 

Good news – it’s easy!  If you are using Outlook, try it with this word:

antidisestablishmentarianism                                                                                       

• Highlight the word
• Right click
• Select the Smart Lookup option from the menu
• You’ll see a window to the side that gives you the definition and suggested use

Yes, it’s fun to play with, but this little tool could come in handy when you need a quick reference. 

Tech Loaners

Forget to bring something with you to campus?  As a member of the DUSON community, you have several options for getting the technology you need for short-term use.  Just stop by the IT Service Desk – we have the following items available for check-out:

• Laptops
• Headsets
• Web cameras
• Adapters (HDMI, VGA, etc.)
• Projectors
• Video/Digital cameras
• Audience Response System “clickers”

DUSON students are allowed same-day, on-site loaners and with faculty approval, multi-day use.  Faculty and staff can have multi-day use by default, both on- and off-site.  We like to have a two-day notice for loaners, but we understand that this is not always possible.  Everything is first-come, first-serve.

Check it out – we’re here to help.

Need a charge?

Maybe you don’t need a loaner, but you arrived to campus with only 7% charge left on your phone or tablet?  We have what just what you need.  Stop by the Service Desk – we have a charging station where you can plug in and charge your device during class, a meeting or a study session.

Any other options for tech loaners?

Maybe we don’t have exactly the tech you need in our loaner library.  You have other options. 

Students, faculty and staff can borrow A/V equipment from The Link, located in Perkins Library, lower level 1.  You can borrow the following equipment to use both on and off campus:

• High definition video camera
• Tripod
• Shotgun microphone
• Phone charger(s)
• Laptop charger (Mac, Del, Lenovo)
• Various USB cable sizes
• iPad Mini 4
• Ti-84 Plus CE
• GoPro Hero 3

They also have premium equipment kits that have multiple parts, requiring extra care in handling:

• GoPro Hero 5 recording kit
• DSLR camera kit
• Makerbot Mini 3d Printer

Keep in mind that while OIT can provide some setup and configuration help, it’s up to the borrower to obtain training and support from the manufacturer.

Going deeper…

Please feel free to recommend technology that you’d like to see us provide.  We’re open to your ideas and look forward to getting your feedback.  Just ask – we’ll help you find the answers. 

Have any questions about this or other tech used at DUSON?

As always, if you have any technical questions or problems, please contact your IT Service Desk at 919-684-9200, or email to citdl@mc.duke.edu.