<eaLab is one of the most touted features of the new Weitz Center for Creativity. The new house for PEPS, the space also features a whole host of rooms with the latest computer technology and software.
“Getting to work there during the first few weeks of the term has been a blast,” ITS computer management specialist Yasin Dara ’13 said. “It’s an awesome environment.”
The IdeaLab includes not only the computer lab and PEPS office, but also the Photo/Video Studio and high-end Video Finishing Room. In the computer lab, the computers have two screens with a sticker inviting students to come use them: “Play with me!” The computers allow students to return to their saved projects days later to finish their work, as opposed to other campus computers which often restart, losing work not saved to the scratch disk.
In addition, there are a host of other office hours and tutorial sessions scheduled to help students work on their current projects and learn new skills to apply to future projects. Office hours will include appearances by librarians, the Career Center, the Writing Center, Speakeasy and Academic Technologies, as well as Tucker MacNeill, the Media Lab specialist.
The IdeaLab is home to Wacom Intuos tablets, electronic keyboards and other fun gear to help students create better-polished projects than previously accessible. Besides the large amount of electronics, it’s a great place to just have fun.
“I think it will really give students an opportunity to play around with technology, so they can use it outside of an academic setting,” Yasin said.
The IdeaLab combines the garage inventor with a high-tech atmosphere to create a space that is inviting and free-spirited. It will hopefully be a place for students and faculty alike to improve their understanding of computers as well as develop related skills and knowledge from the many resources the IdeaLab has to offer.