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Show LIFE B7 Quick Response codes not so quick to be used IT solutions By JON HOWARD Life Writer Filling the desks in classrooms across campus, students with laptops sit and quickly power up to sneak a peek at the latest Facebook UVU REVIEW ONLINE SUMMER 2011 DEAN'S LIST IS AVAILABLE NOW WIKUVIENEIttal CHRISTINA RUTH/UVU REVIEW QR codes allow companies to use the latest technology to reach their consumers. DID YOU KNOW QR Codes can be used on... •The back (or front and back) of your business card •Your brochures and other marketing materials •The sides of trucks and trailers •Product tags and packaging •Convention and event nametags •Restaurant menus •Event ticket stubs •As your boarding pass in the airport •Point-of-sales receipts QR Codes can be linked to... •Facebook •Linked-in •Twitter account •Personal website •Installation instructions •Sources for replacement parts and service •Directions to your business •The process for hiring your professional services •Valuable coupons and special offers •Recommendations for free products and services •Free mp3 downloads •Customer feedback forms These pixilated squares pack a lot of information that can be accessed by any smartphone By GLORIA KAJO Life Writer With social media over taking traditional media, everyone seems to follow trends on Twitter, status updates on Facebook and Linkedln updates, but there is one aspect yet to be fully explored. The square, pixilated bar-code type graphics, which can be found on just about anything, are becoming more popular. Quick Response, QR, codes stand as a useful social media tool used all walks of life, but not many know how they work. They are 2-D codes that can be scanned by most smartphone cameras to get information from a different location on line. QR codes are just like the barcode used by most stores to track inventory, but its slightly different because it has more storage capability. The codes are now used to link people to the digital content of a particular item or story by corporations, churches, advertising agencies and newspapers, including UVU Review. In short, it can be used by anybody who can create the codes. Chris A. Oakeson, the HR business partner for Henry Schein Practical Solutions, happened to be at UVU for the career fair and had made use of QR codes in her corn- pany. "It is an effective technology and it allows for faster and better information access," Oakeson said. It is an effective technology and it allows for faster and better information access. AA Chris A. Oakeson I HR business partner for Henry Schein Practical Solutions The code saves the stress of writing down excessive information that is important. Instead of hauling a bulky newspaper down the hallway to class, people can easily scan a QR code and quickly access the entire story their phone screen. "I think it's cool if you have a smartphone," said Abraham Tashman, a sophomore Accounting major from Jordan. "But since I don't have a smart phone and don't have money to buy one, I think its still cool, but I can live without it." Even with the downside of this technology, which is limited to smart phones, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedln have taken advantage of it, because any phone that has data plan can access them. Junior Josh Child, a Business Management major, doesn't see the value in them. "I never really see the need to use it, I just Google everything," Child said. McKay Bird, a junior Accounting major feels it can be helpful in places that Facebook and Twitter cannot help. "I used it at Best Buy to get detailed information, price check and compare prices of products. I think it's really effective," Bird said. There are two simple steps to getting the QR codes up and running, and it takes less than two minutes. First, download the QR code reader on your smartphone for free, and then start scanning any code to get the information you want. QR code generators can also be downloaded to create a personal code to link people to websites, or any information to share from the Internet. Codes can be made to share a video, link to a Facebook page, or even share an entire e-book. Custodial workers quietly and consistently keep the campus running smoothly By ERIC WOOD Life Writer Wheels squeak and rattle as a cleaning cart passes over the floor tile. Occasionally, suds dripping from the windows fall on the freshly vacuumed carpet. Long before classes begin, while many students still sleep, desks are arranged, trashcans are emptied and the walls are even washed. The school is maintained - ready for another day. As a branch of the Facilities Department, Maintenance and Custodial Services provides UVU with the behindthe-scenes work that keeps our campus well groomed and running smoothly. As the university has grown it has taken on more custodial staff, comprised mostly of students working their way through school. UVU reports 60 full-time custodians, with an additional 120 part-time workers. The custodians' job includes taking care of every inch of the school's two million square foot campus. The entire school's upkeep is maintained daily, with groups working in "team cleaning units," each assigned specific roles in different sectors of the university. Custodial work has been Robert "Bob" Cheatham's occupation starting around 1968, and he is currently the manager of custodial services at UVU. His career with UVU custodial services began in 1984 and he has been manager since 1992. Cheatham cited the size of the campus as the reason behind dividing the workload. "It would be too much for someone to have even one job that covered the whole campus," Cheatham said. Not only are the UVU custodians effective in their work, they are also dedicated. Cheatham described one scenario when their numbers were down by 40 workers and yet they still got the job done. Cheatham recognized the fact that individual workers in his department don't always get the thanks they deserve, but he did mention that President Holland has gone out of his way to continually acknowledge the actions of the custodians. "Usually," Cheatham said, "custodians are one the least appreciated and most underpaid workers." Maintenance issues across campus that fall under the department's jurisdiction include cleaning, moving furniture, restroom upkeep and taking care of spills and accidents. Because custodians have to take care of all of these issues individually, their work orders are often backed up and it takes a while for them to get to every request. The Custodial Department, however, appreciates its interaction with the other departments and staff in their work. Despite the hard tasks, Cheatham appreciates the bonds that he makes with the workers in his department. He has enjoyed several occasions where past student workers gave him a warm greeting even years after their employment. Even new students with parents who worked for Cheatham will say hello on behalf of their parents. "The custodians' job is to keep the school healthy," Cheatham said. Part of this good health, Cheatham asserts, is communication. He keeps an open door policy with his department, welcoming anyone to address issues throughout the day. news feed before instruction begins. Many are disappointed, however, when login errors prohibit immediate Internet connection. Letting out a sigh, the students replace the laptop with their trusty notepad and pen to commence taking notes. This situation is replayed numerous times daily across campus, but it doesn't have to be this way. The technicians at the IT help desk, located in the basement of the Browning Administration building, can not only help with login errors, but also provide a laundry list of services that would normally only be found at a place like Best Buy. Upon entry to the doors, you will find a long desk with a few fellow students eagerly waiting to assist you. The room seems small upon initial entry, but a tremendous amount of technical conversation can be heard, indicating a furious work ethic occurring behind the shelves filled with computer parts and diagnostic equipment. The problems with laptops not connecting immediately to the Internet, said Nick Olsen, a consultant in the IT Department, stem from user ID verification. "They are easy fixes that can be done here at the help desk," Olsen said. Laptops are not the only hardware the IT technicians can help you with. Other devices, such as smart pads, iPods and iPhones, also known as iOS devices, can be serviced in a matter of minutes. Consultations for services provided are free to any student. All hardware and software install and repair services provided from your big box retailers are available at the IT help desk - at a much lower price than Best Buy. "We are lifetime geeks," Olsen said. "Unlike big box stores that hire employees with almost no experience and hand them a manual to complete the task of service for your computer." Even with the access to these "lifetime geeks," most students are unaware of the office and what it provides. The IT help desk usually has one or two students waiting at a time, but the wait time is relatively fast for simple login errors. "We really don't have an advertising budget that covers us to promote on campus. Most students we get to come in here are from word of mouth," Olsen said. The "computer aggressive" staff, as described by Olsen, are available five days a week, but hours will soon expand with the hire of a new technician to work weekends. In last week's issue, the article entitled "Women's resource center reborn," the distinction wasn't made that the Women's Resource Center and the Women's Success Center are two separate organizations on campus. We apologize for the confusion. |