As part of an ongoing effort to understand and meet the needs of our clients, Computer Lab Management (CLM) emailed a survey to a sample of our student clients on 2/10/2005. The survey was sent to 2000 students who used the computer classrooms during the Winter 2005 quarter. There were 176 respondents.

Survey Results and Interpretation

• Computer ownership has almost reached 100%.  Yet the usage in the computer rooms remains very high, which indicates students prefer to use the campus computer labs while on campus.   During Winter 2005 we opened a new  41 seat computer room. However, the wait lines still averaged over 20 people from 10am to 4pm.
• Printing remains one of the most important reasons students use the computer rooms.
• Most student have Ink Jet printers.  Despite a majority of students owning printers, they still utilize campus printing because of quality and convenience reasons.  This makes sense as laser printers are generally higher quality than ink jet printers.  Most students prefer to print out class material while on campus rather than returning home to print.
• As for the last few years almost all students own a computer and most are PCs.  The Winter 04 survey showed a significant increase of the number of students who own laptops.  This trend has continued this year during which laptop ownership (57.5%) surpassed desktop ownership (43.1%).
  
   
• Windows XP has become much more prevalent.  Windows XP use reached 73.6% in Winter 05.  The use of Win9X operating systems has dropped from 42.3% in Winter 03 to 7.5% in Winter 05.
  
   
• Most students (80.9%) have some sort of high-speed Internet access, usually shared with their house mates.  In contrast, only 8.1% of students are still using modems.
• Most student computers have DVD-ROMs and CD-RWs (most likely in a combo drive), floppy drives, and USB drives.  CLM has promoted USB drives as the best means to transfer files so it's good that 83.3% of students have them.
• Most students still email files to themselves to transfer them.  We need to promote mySpace and USB flash drives more effectively.
• As shown in earlier surveys freshman do not use our services as much as other students.  Most likely freshmen prefer to go back to the dorms than wait in line.
• About half of students were aware we are opening the MU Station and 15 Olson at 7:30am now.  But only a small percentage of students actually used the early opening time.
• Student want more flexibility in printing options on campus. A number expressed a desire to be able to print wirelessly and thereby avoid the wait lines.
• Students continue to want more open access stations, especially during peak hours. Although 10 minute stations have alleviated wait lines considerably, students still perceive that wait lines move too slowly.

Survey Details

Computer Lab Management periodically surveys computer room users in
order to make adjustments and meet customer needs. This survey helps us
determine what changes and improvements are most appropriate. We would
like your input to determine what changes you feel would improve our
services. Please answer the following questions by putting an "x" or
text, as appropriate, between the square brackets provided (eg. [x]).
Since a program will automatically tally your responses for later
analysis, please keep your responses between the square brackets provided.

Thank you for your time and input.

Tim Leamy
Computer Lab Management
Classroom Technology Services 
tcleamy@ucdavis.edu

***** Computer Room Survey *****

1. Class Standing: [] First year [] Second year
		[] Third year [] Fourth year
		[] Fifth or more year[] Masters candidate
		[] PhD candidate [] Professional School

2. Why do you use the computer rooms (please mark all that apply)
[] Don't own a computer
[] Don't own a printer
[] Need to access the web (Mozilla and Internet Explorer)
[] Need to check/reply to email
[] Need to print class assignments
[] Need to print class materials from the web
[] Need to access specialized software which is not on home computer
[] Need to access special hardware (scanners, video editors, etc.)
[] Campus computers have faster access to the network (web, email, etc)
[] Campus computers are more convenient than mine
[] Campus computers work better than mine
[] Campus printers are better than mine
[] Class meets in a computer room
[] To access student information (RSVP, grades, financial aid info,
classes enrolled)
[] Other (please describe): []

3. Do you own a computer?
[] Yes
[] No (If NO please skip to question #6.)

4. If you own a computer please answer the following: (If you own more
than one computer please respond for the one you use most often.)

Type: [] Desktop [] Laptop

Operating System: (if use multiple select primary one)
[] Mac OS 9 		[] Mac OS X
[] Mac - not sure what version
[] Windows 95 		[] Windows 98 		[] Windows NT
[] Windows 2000 	[] Windows ME 		[] Windows XP
[] Windows - not sure what version 
[] Linux 		[] Other Unix
[] Other 

Printer: [] None [] Ink Jet [] Laser 
[] Other [] Don't Know

Network Connection: [] 56K modem [] 28.8K or slower modem
		[] DSL [] Cable Modem
		[] High speed provided by apartment complex
		[] Satellite [] Resnet
 		[] None [] Don't know
		[] Other: please specify [ ]
		Is your network connection shared with your roommates: [] Yes [] No

Peripherals: DVD-R/RW [] Yes [] No [] Don't know
		DVD-ROM: [] Yes [] No [] Don't know 
		CD-RW: [] Yes [] No [] Don't know 
		CD-ROM: [] Yes [] No [] Don't know 
		Zip drive: [] Yes [] No [] Don't know
		Floppy: [] Yes [] No [] Don't know 
		Scanner: [] Yes [] No [] Don't know 
		USB drive: [] Yes [] No [] Don't know 
		Firewire drive: [] Yes [] No [] Don't know 

How do you usually transfer files from your computer to computers on 
campus?
[] mySpace(in myUCDavis) 	[] Floppy disk
[] Zip disk 			[] CD-RW 
[] USB storage device
[] Email the file to myself 
[] Other - please specify [ ]

5. If you are waiting for a computer in a lab, and one of the other type is
available (ie. You own a PC but a Mac is available) would you:
[] Use the available computer
[] Wait until the type you own is available

6. Did you know that the MU Station and 15 Olson opened at 7:30 am Monday 
through Friday during Winter Quarter?
[] Yes
[] No

Did you ever use the those rooms between 7:30 and 8am?
[] Yes - both
[] Yes - MU Station
[] Yes - 15 Olson
[] No

If yes, what did you use it for? Mark all that apply.
[] Printing a paper
[] Printing class notes
[] Checking email
[] Access the web
[] Burning time until class started

7. Do you have any other suggestions or comments?
[ ]

Thank you for your time and input.

1. Class Standing

2. Why do you use the computer rooms?

Reasons given for "Other":

• Need to download software to zip disk when home internet connection is broken
• printers print on both sides of the paper which my printer does not do
• prefer to use CLM's printers since i get 200 copies
• to kill time
• forgot to print out at times
• FREE PRINTING
• library databases
• i spend a lot of time at school and can't access home computer
• faster double-sided printing for class notes
• more convenient to print in computer labs than to run all the way home to use my computer
• emergencies
• Printer ink doesn't smear when I highlight my printer ink does cause it's an inkjet.
• To work on assignments in between class
• to register for classes
• to print so that I don't use my own ink
• save on printing on own paper

3. Do you own a computer?

		Percent
Yes	174	98.9%
No	1	0.6%

4. If you own a computer please answer the following:
Note: all the percentages reported for this question are of the students who own a computer, not all students.

What type of computer do you own?

	Number	Percentage
Desktop	75	43.1%
Laptop	100	57.5%

What type of operating system do you use?

Operating System	Number	Percentage
Mac OS 9	1	0.6%
Mac OS X	13	7.5%
Mac-not sure	2	1.1%
Windows 95	1	0.6%
Windows 98	7	4.0%
Windows NT	1	0.6%
Windows 2000	10	5.7%
Windows ME	5	2.9%
Windows XP	128	73.6%
Windows - not sure	3	1.7%
Linux	4	2.3%
Other Unix	0	0.0%
Other	0	0.0%

What type of printer do you own?

	Number	Percentage
None	37	21.3%
Ink Jet	109	62.6%
Laser	17	9.8%
Other	3	1.7%
Don't know	7	4.0%

What type of network connection do you have at home?

	Number	Percentage
56K modem	13	7.5%
28.8K or slower modem	1	0.6%
DSL	82	47.1%
Cable Modem	32	18.4%
High speed provided by apartment complex	17	9.8%
Satellite	0	0.0%
None	8	4.6%
Don't know	5	2.9%
Other	5	5.6%

Other network types given:

• wireless (5 responses)
• Comcast High Speed
• T1

Are you sharing the network connection with your roommates?

	Number	Percentage
Yes	114	65.5%
No	31	17.8%

What type of peripherals do you have at home?

	Yes	No	Don't Know	Percentage of "Yes"
DVD-R/RW	61	76	8	35.1%
DVD-ROM	126	25	5	72.4%
CD-RW	129	18	8	74.1%
CD-ROM	142	9	4	81.6%
Zip Drive	33	85	15	19.0%
Floppy	101	46	1	58.0%
Scanner	55	79	5	31.6%
USB drive	145	5	12	83.3%
Firewire drive	42	33	61	24.1%

How do you transfer files between campus and home computer? (Allowed multiple responses)

	Number	Percentage
MySpace	58	33.0%
Floppy Disk	30	17.0%
Zip Disk	3	1.7%
CD-RW	16	9.1%
USB Storage Device	54	30.7%
Email the file to themselves	119	67.6%
Other	9	5.1%

Other transfer means

• FTP (2 responses)
• SFTP
• SSH to the kemper computers
• AOL AIM
• iPod
• Own server
• smart disk
• I put the information on my website
• This has been a problem for me. I would email but I use Outlook for email which downloads my mail from the campus networks. Therefore without paying special attention to keep an email on Geckmail I don't have access to my emails (expect for ones not yet downloaded to Outlook and since Outlook downloads upon exit that is rather difficult) from campus computers.

5. If you are waiting for a computer in a lab, and one of the other type is available (ie. They own a PC but a Mac is available) you would:

6. Did you know that the MU Station and 15 Olson opened at 7:30 am Monday through Friday during Winter Quarter?

Did you ever use the those rooms between 7:30 and 8am?

If yes, what did you use it for? Mark all that apply. Percentage is of clients who used early opening times.

7. Do you have any other suggestions or comments?

•  If computers were available more often I would use a computer lab more often but it seems that there are never enough computers available. Also the labs tend to be a little dirty if they were cleaner I would be more inclined to use them.
• Thank you for maintaining the labs. They are very well run.
•  Suggestions: staplers would be nice. Bolt them down to prevent theft. Install Linux computers in lab. Maybe the general public will take to them. My overall comments for the campus labs is that they are excellent. The computers are top of the line in excellent condition. They serve their purposes well to the student community. The CRC staff is excellent and as a student in computer science I hope that my opinion is taken as an expert opinion. I understand many of the problems they must troubleshoot on a daily basis and they always perform well. Great job the computer labs are one of the many things we can be proud of at UCD
• bring back the 200 page limit. 100 is definitely not enough.
•  we need more computers and printers!
•  Can the University have a lab that can print color copies?
• i wish the 100 copies we are allotted included photocopying
• increase the amount of paper that we can print out. with all the science classes putting their lecture online it is impossible to keep it 100 pages.
• It would be nice to have more computer rooms on campus equipped with Graphic Design/Publishing/Media software. Meyer is the least accessible room on campus (farthest from the main campus area) and Hart's Media Lab is always occupied with classes.
• if there's a 10-minute time limit it needs to be enforced
•  Make it easier & cheaper for my department to enable wireless access throughout offices -- currently 4 grad students/office & only one network cable!!!
•  I would really like some wireless printers in the library or other computer rooms. I don't use campus computers for anything else and it would save time if I could just print from my own computer.
• I THINK IT'S BRILLIANT THAT THE CAMPUS OFFERS THIS COMPUTER SERVICE TO THEIR STUDENTS. IT REALLY MAKES THINGS MORE CONVENIENT FOR THE STUDENTS WHILE SAVING THEM MONEY FROM BUYING COMPUTER INK.
• You need more PCs Macs are the worst invention know to man and there should be a greater percentage of PCs to Macs considering everyone has a PC. Also you should allow students to print 200 pages a quarter like before. We pay over $7000 in fees a year there has to be money to cover the cost of the extra printing.
•  It would be nice to be able to have a computer just for printing. It would save a lot of time. I usually come to the campus labs to print lecture notes or practice exams ect. But since the labs are usually full and everyone is priniting stuff you have to a wait a bit for it to print. So then I decide to check my e-mail ect... and get distracted and then my quick 5 min run to the lab to print something out turns into 20 plus mins. It would be nice to be able to just send it from home to a lab to print or something and then pick it up. Or if their was a few quick print computers per lab where you got 5 mins or less to send what you need to the printer and have one printer deignated to the quick print.
• more enforcement on 10 minute quick access computers would be nice and some chairs or stools to sit on during those 10 minute stations as well would be nice.
• We really need more labs. I know there was a new addition for the lab  in the new building but all the labs are clumped together in the middle  of campus. We need an open lab close to or in the Silo.
•  More computers would be nice because sometimes the lines get really long and I have to wait. Sometimes I won't even get the chance to use a computer before my class because there are so many people.
• Despite the campaign promises of many ASUCD senators I hope that the CRC can show them that it really isn't feasible to have staplers chained to a wall AND that printing from off-campus IP addresses would turn the CRC into paper babysitters OR even if they had cover sheets would only waste much more paper.
• dont let people talk on AIM in the lab!!!!! also i would like to see more strictly inforced time limits on the standing stations(especially in the MU station)
• More mac's would be nice. Also If I could upload papers to a central print station (from home or laptop) then go there and swipe my ID in order to print I would never use the computer lab.
• Higher the printing limit to 200 page again
•  EVERYONE DOES A GREAT JOB IN THE COMPUTER ROOMS BUT I FEEL THAT THEY NEED TO ENFORCE THE 10 MINUTE RULE ON THE STAND UP COMPUTERS BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE TEND TO STAY A BIT LONGER THAN THAT AND THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN LINE JUST NEED TO PRINT SOMETHING FOR THEIR CLASS THAT STARTS IN THE NEXT 5-15 MINUTES
•  With all the computer rooms so spread out around campus it would be nice to have an informational handout that shows where each station is and the hour it is available and what kinds of services are available (eg; scanners color or black and white printers etc.).
•  make a mandatroy sign off after the 10 min for stand ups sometimes i do burn time on a stand off but i get off within 10 when there is a line not all students do so even after a warning.
•  MORE COMPUTERS the lines are too long
•  The computer labs on campus are scarce and overpopulated. Specifically more computers should be available in Shields Library for internet access word processing data analysis printing etc. While wireless access is available and wireless access cards can be checked out these are old. When I attempted to use my laptop with WinXP I could detect a wireless connection but XP insisted that I use a driver that was more current apparently preventing my browsers (both IE and Mozilla) from accessing the internet (a problem I have never had before with other cards). Plus its just a hassle to bring a laptop to campus when computers should be readily available and data transfer is so easy via USB devices and online data transfer (myspace or email). Standing email stations are fine for the MU but labs like the one in Hart Hall need to be available AT ALL TIMES and in MORE PLACES for student use rather than being used for teaching labs. Expand the computing power of the library!
•  STAPLERS!!!
• every time I use a computer it ends up not having access to what i need. Like being in the library and not being able to check email or print journal articles. Or being in Hart Hall and not being able to access external sites...even though I was doing research thru the library homepage. I get so nervous every time I have to use a school computer lab because I do not understand the systems of where to stand in line what time to go what computers will have a printer...we need more information about our options
• i think that where the design classes are taught one more color printer should be available. also due to the fact that i do not know where teh hutchinson lab is to make color copies
• Excellent computer resources!!
• The main problem isn't usually the technology it's getting to the computers. In many of the classes only a few computers are needed. Even though we have the same number of computers now as 4 years ago the distribution is much worse. A lot of machines can be taken up by som class resulting in a 40% decrease in availability.
•  I really appreciate the availability of print labs and the help I've gotten from the people who monitor them! When my personal printer is out of commission or I discover a last-minute error in a paper it really helps to be able to use computer rooms.
• ACCESS TO PRINTERS FROM MY LAPTOP!!! PLEASE!!!!
• Sprecialized course software should be available in more computer rooms.
•  Ammount of sheets allowed to print is not acceptiable because all of my teachers require that we print out papers in class and for class on campus that far exceeds the ammount aloted. Having a computer room that limits student access to the point where they are not usable to contact their teachers or access assignments (Hart Hall) and having this policy in order to control student behavor (keep them from checking their emails frequently) is stupid and overly controling when in theory the computer labs are to aid students and they should be trusted to use them as they best see fit. Saying that staplers are not provided with the reason that they are too expensive to maintain is unbleavable when students are trusted and allowed to use thousands of dollers of equiptment in the same room.
• I really like the fact that you have computer labs in so many different places on campus :) What I also like is how we're allowed to print up to 100 pages for free.
•  Square brakets are annoying to type in. I feel constrained. Boxed in. Caged.
• It would be helpful to have more computers available for printing papers quickly
• I would like to be able to install and use a special font for linguistics when I'm at one of these campus computer. Also please supply staplers.
•  maybe have more 10 minute computers so people who just want to print something real quick will be able to do so...or have one hour limits maybe.
•  wish there are directions in the new SSH buliding to point out where the computer lab is i had to ask walk all over the buliding and ask people
•  You guys are doing great! Thanks for the hard work.
•  Please install Pascal on Macs as well.
• As a graduate student I have my own lab computer and department computer  labs so my input to this survey may not be representative of the entire class body
• Would help to have a lab with Minitab open on weekends
• If is crucial for the computer room attendents to enforce the 10min use only computers. Most of the time attendents knows there is a line but does not regard to enforce current use on the 10min computer to leave. Its frustrating how the attendents are so timid. Other suggestions is to offer classes or seminars for powerpoint excel basic office programs to complex programs such as adobe photoshop webpage designs etc. We are emerging into a techno era and slideshow or overhead projection with transparancy are not enticing and engaging for presentations in the classrooms.
• We should be allotted more pages per quarter or professors should have to limit the number of pages they post to the web. Every quarter just about everyone I know including myself has the need to print more pages than are offered.
• I would like to see more computer labs on campus
• The labs need to be cleaned and swept more often (at least the ones in Kemper)
• It might be helpful to have another printer in Hart because there are times when printing is V E R Y slow. Having even one more printer would help alleviate that problem.
• Do not allow people to install Instant Messenger on the computers. Block that site and the express AIM site. It wastes EVERYONES time when someone is monopolizing a computer to go on instant messenger. It baffles me that this problem is yet to be solved.
•  We need more computers in the library
• Acrobat Reader has issues when printing 6 pages per sheet: they end uip in a really funky order. Also I remember the Macs in 1102 Hart used to have the full version of Adobe Acrobat which was great but when the new G5s got put in they no longer had it. Also can any Macs in the CLM system start up in MacOS 9 anymore or are they all exclusively MacOSX now? Kudos for opening up a new room in SciLab but I think it should be publicized even more heavily. The "CRC Locator" poster on the bulletin board in Meyer Media Lab is hilarious; they should be posted system-wide.
• put more mac computers in all the labs.
•  more printers please
•  COMPUTER STAFF IS ALWAYS VERY POLLITE AND HELPFUL. THEY REALLY TRY TO KEEP THE PLACE CLEAN.
• having a print room for wireless users. allowing wireless users to print as well instead of having to wait for a computer to just print something.

Comments: labmanager@ucdavis.edu URL: http://clm.ucdavis.edu/pubs/survey/student-w05-1.html Last reviewed: Mon, 11-Apr-2005 Last updated: Mon, 11-Apr-2005