What's New in the TRC?

Over the Winter Break in the Brown Technology Resource Center (TRC) LIT staff and student employees worked to upgrade software, equipment, and operating systems. With six pcs, three Macs, and various scanners — including feed and slide/film scanners — the TRC is well-equipped for editing and burning audio, image, and video projects. Several seats of Adobe's Creative Suite and Studio 8 have been purchased along with advanced versions of Acrobat and OmniPage for scanning.

Not sure what these programs can do? With the new upgrades nearly complete, Academic Technology Specialist Donnie Sendelbach, who manages the TRC, is working with student staff to create training documentation for most software programs and to standardize policies and procedures for a smoother operation of the Center where creative ideas can become digitized.

The TRC was created as a training center with specialized programs and equipment for faculty, staff, and students. The guiding philosophy is that TRC staff train individuals on how to use software and equipment, so that these individuals can create their own projects with help on hand if needed. Student staff member Alex Monahov '10 noted that people often leave the TRC "amazed at what they're able to do here."

Faculty with media-based class projects, especially those involving video, are encouraged to send the TRC manager information on the project — including a syllabus and assignment handout — so that adequate staffing can be arranged to help students meet their deadlines. Those creating video projects are encouraged to check out digital still and video cameras from Media Services (x5070) since the TRC computers have already been set up to handle these cameras.

Thanks go to Don Martin, Peter Lynn, and Kenneth Finch '07 for their efforts in upgrading the computers as well as Levi Paul '09, Oleg Buldakov '09 and Mithaq Vahedi '08 for their drafting of numerous handouts in addition to assisting with the upgrades during the Winter Break.

Future plans for the TRC include the creation of an informational web site in addition to holding an open house for the campus. Keep an eye open for announcements on the open house later this semester!