Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Re-Invention Centre for Undergraduate Research

May 1, 2009

The Reinvention Centre is on Floor 2 of the Abercrombie Building, several flights above the library. A collaboration between Warwick University and Oxford Brookes, flagflying ‘Research as learning’.

With that in mind, I thought “I could read a book up there and hear myself think!”

As part of the Space to Think campaign, it certainly meets that measure well. A spacious, plushly furnished state of the art lab all for undergraduates. Well carpeted, its acually um…just like a rather good modern conference centre. And if you’re an undergraduate its all there for you. Seemingly, no library card need be on your person.

In many ways, it delivers the ’study ability’ function the library is supposed to. Upon arrival, a girl blaring loudly on her mobile phone and three nattering.That said, it is laid out largely with group space in mind. There are two studewnt groupmeet rooms, one for AV purposes and one with the more traditional but retro boardroom feel. Booking is advised for the rooms in busy periods, if free you can just colonise right in.

The noisy vending machine needs thrown out an open window as its permeating the room louder than you’d think.
A thumbs up from this one and well worth a visit. If you want to teach your group the value of study, treat them there. But please, please, don’t fuck it up.

Have a cup of tea

March 15, 2009

There are Brookes shops and cafes, 3 at Wheatley, 9 accross Headington, and 2 each at Harcourt and Marston Road. Most of them offer a cup of hot water for 30p. By carrying a food bag full of tea bags with you you can get a fresh cuppa on campus for half of the usual price. And the fact conviction of this idea prevents me stating just how many times staff have said “Oh, I’ll not charge you for that”.

Theres one exception, were an SU shop has a label reading 55p. This was large cup only. I forget which campus.

Or you could always carry a flask. They do some nice recyclable flask-cups at a few of the campus-shops with first refill free.

Firefox in Pooled Computer Rooms

March 15, 2009

I’ve had difficulties with this since about June of last year. I’ve let the Computer Services staff know, but the style of their response seemed to indicate I am alone in this problem.
I’d be interested in knowing if anyone else has difficulties with this. I have found that by opening Internet Explorer, and on top of this activating the Firefox link I can surf with the browser of my choice.