Comments on: Ubiquity: Laptop Culture and the Demise of the Campus Computer Lab http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/ Berkman investigators, fellows, research assistants and interns sound off about all things Digital Natives Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:32:40 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Dean Ackles http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/comment-page-1/#comment-9085 Dean Ackles Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:57:46 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/#comment-9085 <a href="http://www.dealerdirecttrans.com/towing-service.html" rel="nofollow"> Orlando Towing Service </a> that is Free when you bring your vehicle for repairs - Dealer Direct Transmission We provide 24 hour towing service for any type of vehicle. Whether you drive a car, truck, motorcycle, motor home, or bus we have the equipment and experience to tow your vehicle quickly and safely. This is a complementary service an it is FREE when your vehicle is towed-in for service or repair. In the event something happens to your vehicle at night, we also provide 24 hour emergency road side assistance. Another reason why you should try us out! Orlando Towing Service that is Free when you bring your vehicle for repairs – Dealer Direct Transmission
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]]> By: Beer of the month clubs http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/comment-page-1/#comment-8450 Beer of the month clubs Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:18:46 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/#comment-8450 Computer labs are information centres and not just places for students without computers to go! It is a nice thought you brought up, however. Out of what I see, a lot of students with laptops head down to the computer labs to work in a good environment, and where internet is fast and free! Sincerely hope that the computer lab never goes out of fashion. Some of the best times of my student life were spent there! Computer labs are information centres and not just places for students without computers to go!
It is a nice thought you brought up, however. Out of what I see, a lot of students with laptops head down to the computer labs to work in a good environment, and where internet is fast and free!
Sincerely hope that the computer lab never goes out of fashion. Some of the best times of my student life were spent there!

]]> By: The Review Site http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/comment-page-1/#comment-8439 The Review Site Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:51:08 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/#comment-8439 Good post congratulations. Good post congratulations.

]]> By: Ken - Singapore Photographer http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/comment-page-1/#comment-8040 Ken - Singapore Photographer Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:31:53 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/#comment-8040 The virtual computer lab might work as well as the physical version, as long as collaborative tools (video/audio/real-time file sharing) are there to complement it.... The virtual computer lab might work as well as the physical version, as long as collaborative tools (video/audio/real-time file sharing) are there to complement it….

]]> By: Jaime S. http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/comment-page-1/#comment-7985 Jaime S. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:23:57 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/#comment-7985 Interesting post! In addressing the issue of whether or not campus computer labs are still relevant it might be interesting to turn to international schools and “labs” in general to see what affordances these spaces provide for groups—students and other—in communities in both urban and rural international communities. Beyond my personal experience with computer labs from undergraduate and now graduate school I do not know too much about how spaces of computer technology are utilized except a bit on the PC-Bangs of East Asia where the businesses have multi-functions and may enable the visitor to eat/drink/sleep/bathe all within the space of a “computer lab” . . .Throughout my studies, the idea that you would drink or eat at a computer was often forbidden and at best a policy that was overlooked but with shifting relationships between technology and users (I think on a basic level I would argue that we are becoming more and more familiar with mixed spaces) it may be interesting to think about how we may alter the construction of computer labs so that they are not, as you quite accurately say, “kind of dismal places to begin with.” Additionally, with the expanding adoption of social technologies, perhaps the computer labs of the future will become campus centers or, especially in urban schools, provide the similar utilities as a grassy quad area to gather and converse. I too have always found labs one of the more productive locations to work on projects, despite personally owning the same technology. As commenter Fitzroyalty implied earlier, there is a social aspect that simply makes labs different. Interesting post! In addressing the issue of whether or not campus computer labs are still relevant it might be interesting to turn to international schools and “labs” in general to see what affordances these spaces provide for groups—students and other—in communities in both urban and rural international communities.

Beyond my personal experience with computer labs from undergraduate and now graduate school I do not know too much about how spaces of computer technology are utilized except a bit on the PC-Bangs of East Asia where the businesses have multi-functions and may enable the visitor to eat/drink/sleep/bathe all within the space of a “computer lab” . . .Throughout my studies, the idea that you would drink or eat at a computer was often forbidden and at best a policy that was overlooked but with shifting relationships between technology and users (I think on a basic level I would argue that we are becoming more and more familiar with mixed spaces) it may be interesting to think about how we may alter the construction of computer labs so that they are not, as you quite accurately say, “kind of dismal places to begin with.” Additionally, with the expanding adoption of social technologies, perhaps the computer labs of the future will become campus centers or, especially in urban schools, provide the similar utilities as a grassy quad area to gather and converse.

I too have always found labs one of the more productive locations to work on projects, despite personally owning the same technology. As commenter Fitzroyalty implied earlier, there is a social aspect that simply makes labs different.

]]> By: David Husband http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/comment-page-1/#comment-5038 David Husband Sun, 10 May 2009 05:47:51 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/#comment-5038 I think getting rid of computer labs would ultimately be a short sighted maneuver designed for cost-cutting purposes. I make extensive use of computer labs, even though I own a laptop, because I find the social atmosphere congenial, the presence of a larger monitor and a computer keyboard useful, and the ability to print cheaply and easily a better alternative to using my own printer. At my school, the College of William and Mary, we have multiple computer labs across campus which are filled to capacity often throughout the day (30-40 computers in each lab), so that it is often hard to find an open computer. I think that computer labs fulfill a valuable social role by providing a place where students can connect to the internet and access the resources of the online community, while also having access to a community of students around them, as well as the resources of a library and research desk nearby as well. Many students, including myself, sometimes bring a laptop, and thus have two different computing stations, in order to access different programs, platforms, websites, and documents simultaneously... I think getting rid of computer labs would ultimately be a short sighted maneuver designed for cost-cutting purposes. I make extensive use of computer labs, even though I own a laptop, because I find the social atmosphere congenial, the presence of a larger monitor and a computer keyboard useful, and the ability to print cheaply and easily a better alternative to using my own printer. At my school, the College of William and Mary, we have multiple computer labs across campus which are filled to capacity often throughout the day (30-40 computers in each lab), so that it is often hard to find an open computer. I think that computer labs fulfill a valuable social role by providing a place where students can connect to the internet and access the resources of the online community, while also having access to a community of students around them, as well as the resources of a library and research desk nearby as well. Many students, including myself, sometimes bring a laptop, and thus have two different computing stations, in order to access different programs, platforms, websites, and documents simultaneously…

]]> By: retirement communities http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/comment-page-1/#comment-4862 retirement communities Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:37:27 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/#comment-4862 I second the social aspect of the lab. Maybe I'm old school that way. I second the social aspect of the lab. Maybe I’m old school that way.

]]> By: Fitzroyalty http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/comment-page-1/#comment-4688 Fitzroyalty Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:19:35 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/#comment-4688 The social aspect is important. I loved working on my PhD in a postgrad only lab, where we'd chat, eat, write, and wonder if Anais Nin and Jeff Buckley would make a hot couple... doing that physically alone with headphones, facebook and laptop is not the same. The social aspect is important. I loved working on my PhD in a postgrad only lab, where we’d chat, eat, write, and wonder if Anais Nin and Jeff Buckley would make a hot couple… doing that physically alone with headphones, facebook and laptop is not the same.

]]> By: Andromeda http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/comment-page-1/#comment-4629 Andromeda Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:37:05 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/digitalnatives/2009/04/01/ubiquity-laptop-culture-and-the-demise-of-the-campus-computer-lab/#comment-4629 Like the above, I think this is going to depend a lot on the population. For undergrad populations at generally affluent schools, I think it's going to be hard to maintain a rationale for centralized, general-purpose computer labs. But as a commuter grad student, even though I own my own laptop, I use campus labs all the time per Graham's points 1 and 2 above. (I actually use campus computer labs more than I did when I was an undergrad and had a desktop machine, but lived on campus.) I also think that generalized, central-purpose computer labs aren't the only type. I expect department-specific computer labs, with specialized and likely expensive software, to stay important for a while, especially in disciplines where teamwork is common. And (as a library science student) I see more and more computers moving into libraries; this seems like a workspace where people don't necessarily bring their laptop, expect computing resources to be available (some of which may be in-library-only), and, if nothing else, need to be able to look things up in the catalog. I suspect also that campus *printing* facilities will remain important, and those may migrate into libraries as computer labs close. Like the above, I think this is going to depend a lot on the population. For undergrad populations at generally affluent schools, I think it’s going to be hard to maintain a rationale for centralized, general-purpose computer labs. But as a commuter grad student, even though I own my own laptop, I use campus labs all the time per Graham’s points 1 and 2 above. (I actually use campus computer labs more than I did when I was an undergrad and had a desktop machine, but lived on campus.)

I also think that generalized, central-purpose computer labs aren’t the only type. I expect department-specific computer labs, with specialized and likely expensive software, to stay important for a while, especially in disciplines where teamwork is common. And (as a library science student) I see more and more computers moving into libraries; this seems like a workspace where people don’t necessarily bring their laptop, expect computing resources to be available (some of which may be in-library-only), and, if nothing else, need to be able to look things up in the catalog. I suspect also that campus *printing* facilities will remain important, and those may migrate into libraries as computer labs close.

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