University students, faculty and staff can learn the ins and outs of technology on campus during TechPawLooza today.
The event, hosted by the University’s Information Technology Services, is being held in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom in the Student Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
It is a one day event where people can be immersed in technology on campus, said Sheri Thompson, communications and planning officer for ITS.
“We have a good mix of students, staff and faculty from all around campus,” Thompson said. “They are going to show different ways technology is being used; we have a class presenting a project on the elderly using video games to stay young.”
While some students simply attend, others will participate by representing companies.
“We will have a group of students presenting about Spotify,” said University Student Support and ITS Enablement Coordinator Michelle Lategano.
Lategano is also one of TechPawLooza’s coordinators this year.
“We want to show people what’s available out there,” Lategano said. “People use technology everyday, but sometimes take it for granted.”
One demonstration in particular will help demystify Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 8.1.
“We are going to show people how it will make their lives easier,” said Angel Best, core brand manager for Windows 8.
Participants will learn about new features of Windows 8.1, including SkyDrive and Live Tiles. Undergraduate students will conduct the demonstrations on Sony Vaio and Microsoft Surface RT devices.
Windows 8.1 comes with the familiar Microsoft Office suite pre-installed, including Microsoft Outlook. SkyDrive, which is a cloud storage service is similar to Google Drive, according to Best. This allows users to store large amounts of data without eating away at hard drive space.
Live Tiles allows users to personalize their screen with different applications, including social media. The virtual tiles automatically update, showing the latest data available from the app.
“They won’t have to log in,” Best said. “They can have it continually live feeding.”
Each participant will be able to enter a raffle for a $75 Visa gift card. Other vendors in attendance will also have freebies and other prizes. The first 1,000 visitors will receive goodie bags with t-shirts and totes.
Vendors attending include Dell, Adobe, Cengage Learning, AT&T, WolfVision, Campus Federal, and many more.
ITS funds this event with the vendor registration fees, not the Student Technology Fee, Lategano said.
“It inspires people to make use of technology in different ways,” Thompson said. “Students can be inspired to do something great.”
“We want to show people what’s available out there … people use technology everyday, but sometimes take it for granted.”