If you're coming back to campus this Fall, you'll notice something a little different about the Krieger Lab in the first floor of Krieger Hall. Now the front of the lab hosts the brand new Hopkins Technology Store. The Hopkins Technology Store serves as an on-campus Apple retailer, complete with Apple-certified student staff. In addition to Apple products, the store also carries a line of Dell computers and computer accessories.
The computers on sale at the Hopkins Technology Store are part of the Mobile Computing Program (MCP), meaning they're available to Hopkins students, faculty, and staff at discounted rates. I know a lot of freshmen buy computers through the MCP, but it's not a bad option for returning or graduate students either. One of the great things about the MCP is that computers bought through it come with a three-year warranty and you can have them serviced on campus as well as get a loaner laptop to use while yours is being fixed. I used this when I had a laptop I bought through MCP, and it was a huge help.
You can check out all the products Hopkins Technology Store offers on its website and also become a fan on Facebook to keep up-to-date about the latest products and deals.
The go-to place for Hopkins students to catch up on new technology developments, helpful hints, and interesting science research.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Restart Launched!
Returning students of Johns Hopkins:
You’ve been here for 1, 2, 3, even 4 years now. You know the ropes – building and classroom locations, the best places to eat and have fun, how to study effectively. So when you have technology issues on campus, you know where and how to take care of them…right?...
… Well just in case you need a little refresher, Restart (restart.jhu.edu) has all of your Hopkins technology resources compiled into one place. From where to purchase computers and accessories to troubleshooting your internet connection, Restart has the information you need and tells you where to go. For those of you familiar with JumpStart, which is geared towards freshmen, Restart serves a similar purpose but is more appropriate to the needs of upperclassmen.
So check it out, and even a veteran like you might be surprised to learn something new about technology at Hopkins!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Working at STS
With the school year starting (too) soon, many students think about looking for part-time employment during the school year. Working as a student not only provides some money for school (and fun), but also valuable experience beyond the scope of your education.
One of the things we're really proud of at STS is that the work we do is done almost totally by students. Every year, especially in the Fall, we hire new students to come work with us. Generally, we don't require any specific skill set, just that you be flexible and willing to learn. One of the great things about working at STS is that you get paid to learn new skills (and then use them and teach them to others). We hire people to fill a wide variety of positions: graphic designers, writers, web application developers, web designers, 3D modelers, etc. You can find a full listing of our positions on our website. We'll also be at the job fair in a couple weeks.
To give you a taste of what it's like working at STS, I'll share a little bit about my experience. I went to the job fair as a Freshman, looking for a job that would help me make a little money to help me pay for school. I signed up to interview with STS as a writer/editor. I came in for an interview and was offered the position. My managers decided, though, that they needed me to do more layout and graphic design than writing. So, I spent my first semester or so learning Adobe Indesign and Photoshop. During my first couple years working at STS the project I spent the most time on was the Jumpstart guide (back then it was a pdf, not a website). Even though I had never been interested in design before, I learned quite a bit.
The summer after my Junior year (which included studying abroad for a semester) I decided to stay in Baltimore for the summer and work at STS full-time. By that time, the Virtual JHU project was in full-swing and so I started to learn how to use Google Sketchup so I could help out with the 3D modeling. I spent that summer learning more than I ever wanted to about some of the buildings on campus, but I had also learned a new skill.
I kept modeling and helping with other projects through my Senior year. After I graduated (class of 2009) I decided to keep working at STS at least through the summer (we regularly retain students for up to six months after graduation). That led to the offer of a full-time position, which I decided to accept. Not only did I do more modeling, but I started managing our modeling and design teams, giving me even more valuable experience.
It's hard to believe that putting my name on a piece of paper almost five years ago would open up so many doors for me. As it is, I'm going to be leaving STS to pursue further studies in China. I'm very grateful, though, for all the experience I've gained working here, and I'd definitely encourage you to apply for a position.
As if you needed any more reason to work at STS, check out this video our students made a few years ago:
One of the things we're really proud of at STS is that the work we do is done almost totally by students. Every year, especially in the Fall, we hire new students to come work with us. Generally, we don't require any specific skill set, just that you be flexible and willing to learn. One of the great things about working at STS is that you get paid to learn new skills (and then use them and teach them to others). We hire people to fill a wide variety of positions: graphic designers, writers, web application developers, web designers, 3D modelers, etc. You can find a full listing of our positions on our website. We'll also be at the job fair in a couple weeks.
To give you a taste of what it's like working at STS, I'll share a little bit about my experience. I went to the job fair as a Freshman, looking for a job that would help me make a little money to help me pay for school. I signed up to interview with STS as a writer/editor. I came in for an interview and was offered the position. My managers decided, though, that they needed me to do more layout and graphic design than writing. So, I spent my first semester or so learning Adobe Indesign and Photoshop. During my first couple years working at STS the project I spent the most time on was the Jumpstart guide (back then it was a pdf, not a website). Even though I had never been interested in design before, I learned quite a bit.
The summer after my Junior year (which included studying abroad for a semester) I decided to stay in Baltimore for the summer and work at STS full-time. By that time, the Virtual JHU project was in full-swing and so I started to learn how to use Google Sketchup so I could help out with the 3D modeling. I spent that summer learning more than I ever wanted to about some of the buildings on campus, but I had also learned a new skill.
I kept modeling and helping with other projects through my Senior year. After I graduated (class of 2009) I decided to keep working at STS at least through the summer (we regularly retain students for up to six months after graduation). That led to the offer of a full-time position, which I decided to accept. Not only did I do more modeling, but I started managing our modeling and design teams, giving me even more valuable experience.
It's hard to believe that putting my name on a piece of paper almost five years ago would open up so many doors for me. As it is, I'm going to be leaving STS to pursue further studies in China. I'm very grateful, though, for all the experience I've gained working here, and I'd definitely encourage you to apply for a position.
As if you needed any more reason to work at STS, check out this video our students made a few years ago:
Monday, August 16, 2010
Building Virtual JHU
So, how do we make all those buildings you see in Virtual JHU? Here's a quick run-down:
The primary 3D modeling program we use is Google Sketchup. Sketchup is convenient for a couple reasons. For one thing, there's a basic version that you can download for free. (Right now we're using the Pro version, which you have to pay for.) Unlike other 3D modeling programs, learning Sketchup is pretty easy, and it is remarkably powerful given how easy it is to use. The other thing that's nice about Sketchup is that it integrates very well with Google Earth, which is what we're using to present Virtual JHU. If you're interested in 3D modeling at all, I highly recommend getting started with Sketchup. Google has also come out with a tool called Building Maker, which is the quickest way to make buildings for Google Earth.
The first step for modeling any building for Virtual JHU is getting the floor plans. We are deeply indebted to the Office of Facilities Management for providing floor plans to us for Virtual JHU. Once we have the CAD drawings for each floor, we import them into separate Sketchup files. (The ability to import .dwg files is only offered in Sketchup Pro now.) We then pull up the walls outlined in the 2D floor plans to create a basic model of the floor, finishing by adding a floor slab underneath.
Once we have made models for each individual floor we stack them on top of each other in a single Sketchup file. Then we make a roof for the model based on photographs, first-hand observations, and (sometimes) measurements. At that point we've built a model that looks roughly like the real building (except very plain).
The next step is to begin photo-texturing the model. When we started modeling the buildings currently in Virtual JHU we took photos of each individual feature of the building (windows, doors, brick, etc.), used Photoshop to crop them, and then positioned them on the model in Sketchup, tiling materials like brick and marble siding as necessary.
This process resulted in models that were high in detail, but also in file size and are a drag on users' graphics cards. That's one of the reasons we have to continue to work on increasing the performance of Virtual JHU.
To help with performance, one of our programmers wrote a script that removed interior geometry from the Sketchup models, enabling us to present exterior-only versions for all the buildings (until you "open up" a building to see its individual floors). The script caused some issues with some of the models, damaging their materials. (You can notice some pretty significant issues with some of the buildings.)
To solve this problem, now once we have a building stacked we create a shell made of simple planes, on which to apply the textures. This reduces the geometry in the exterior-only versions of the models without having to use the "gutting" script. We have also been trying to use lower-resolution imagery that isn't quite as detailed.
So there you go, that's how we make our models in a nutshell. I'll leave other parts of Virtual JHU to another post. If you have any comments or suggestions, we'd love to hear them.
The primary 3D modeling program we use is Google Sketchup. Sketchup is convenient for a couple reasons. For one thing, there's a basic version that you can download for free. (Right now we're using the Pro version, which you have to pay for.) Unlike other 3D modeling programs, learning Sketchup is pretty easy, and it is remarkably powerful given how easy it is to use. The other thing that's nice about Sketchup is that it integrates very well with Google Earth, which is what we're using to present Virtual JHU. If you're interested in 3D modeling at all, I highly recommend getting started with Sketchup. Google has also come out with a tool called Building Maker, which is the quickest way to make buildings for Google Earth.
The first step for modeling any building for Virtual JHU is getting the floor plans. We are deeply indebted to the Office of Facilities Management for providing floor plans to us for Virtual JHU. Once we have the CAD drawings for each floor, we import them into separate Sketchup files. (The ability to import .dwg files is only offered in Sketchup Pro now.) We then pull up the walls outlined in the 2D floor plans to create a basic model of the floor, finishing by adding a floor slab underneath.
Once we have made models for each individual floor we stack them on top of each other in a single Sketchup file. Then we make a roof for the model based on photographs, first-hand observations, and (sometimes) measurements. At that point we've built a model that looks roughly like the real building (except very plain).
The next step is to begin photo-texturing the model. When we started modeling the buildings currently in Virtual JHU we took photos of each individual feature of the building (windows, doors, brick, etc.), used Photoshop to crop them, and then positioned them on the model in Sketchup, tiling materials like brick and marble siding as necessary.
This process resulted in models that were high in detail, but also in file size and are a drag on users' graphics cards. That's one of the reasons we have to continue to work on increasing the performance of Virtual JHU.
To help with performance, one of our programmers wrote a script that removed interior geometry from the Sketchup models, enabling us to present exterior-only versions for all the buildings (until you "open up" a building to see its individual floors). The script caused some issues with some of the models, damaging their materials. (You can notice some pretty significant issues with some of the buildings.)
To solve this problem, now once we have a building stacked we create a shell made of simple planes, on which to apply the textures. This reduces the geometry in the exterior-only versions of the models without having to use the "gutting" script. We have also been trying to use lower-resolution imagery that isn't quite as detailed.
So there you go, that's how we make our models in a nutshell. I'll leave other parts of Virtual JHU to another post. If you have any comments or suggestions, we'd love to hear them.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
New Video Content Added to Virtual JHU
We've just added some new video content to Virtual JHU for some of the dorm buildings. The videos come from the Hopkins CRIBS series produced by Hopkins Interactive. In the series, current Hopkins students show you around their dorm rooms, giving you a little glimpse of life at Hopkins. Hopkins Interactive produces a number of videos like this and also has students who write blogs. Apart from actually coming to the campus itself and living there for a few days, I think that the best way to find out what it's like at Hopkins is by visiting their website.
Over the next couple of weeks keep an eye out for more videos like these popping up. We'd also love to hear your feedback about what you'd like to see in Virtual JHU.
Over the next couple of weeks keep an eye out for more videos like these popping up. We'd also love to hear your feedback about what you'd like to see in Virtual JHU.
Monday, August 9, 2010
HopkinsGroups on Collegiate Link
This year the Office of Student Life is debuting a new way for student groups to be active online with a Collegiate Link site replacing the old jhu.mystudentgroups.com site. The new site features a virtual flyerboard and a crisp design that is definitely superior to the old site. If you are a leader of a current JHU student organization you should definitely register on the new site if you haven't already.
For anyone looking to join a student group, HopkinsGroups is the first place you should look. You can search for a specific organization, browse over a dozen categories, or (if you have a lot of time) look at every student organization at JHU. Each group can post a description of their activities as well as contact information so you can get involved right away.
If you already belong to a student group you can "join" that group on Collegiate Link and then add the My Involvement Facebook App to your profile so you can tell your friends about the activities you're passionate about. You can also create a transcript of your extracurricular activities to share with potential employers.
For anyone looking to join a student group, HopkinsGroups is the first place you should look. You can search for a specific organization, browse over a dozen categories, or (if you have a lot of time) look at every student organization at JHU. Each group can post a description of their activities as well as contact information so you can get involved right away.
If you already belong to a student group you can "join" that group on Collegiate Link and then add the My Involvement Facebook App to your profile so you can tell your friends about the activities you're passionate about. You can also create a transcript of your extracurricular activities to share with potential employers.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Facebook Settings 101: Application Settings
So this is the third and final post about Facebook settings, and this one deals with application settings. As I mentioned before, it's almost impossible to avoid applications on Facebook, and even if you could, you probably wouldn't want to: there's guaranteed to be at least one app out there that you'd want to add to your profile.
The Application Settings page itself is pretty straightforward. One thing to notice is that there are some applications that you can't remove (like Events, Links, and Photos) and some (many) that you can. Clicking on "Edit Settings" opens a window where you can set preferences for how you interact with each application. One of the most important settings is whether or not you want a box for that application to appear in your profile and who you want to be able to see that box. Clicking on the X next to an application will remove it from your profile.
If you're like me, you don't actually look at your Facebook profile very often. Moreover, when you look at the Application Settings page it only shows Recently Used applications by default. If you want to do a little bit of tidying up (which is a good idea), select authorized from the drop down menu next to "Show". This will show all the applications you have authorized to be part of your profile. Chances are you have at least a few applications in that last you haven't updated in a long time or are out of date. I was really surprised how many applications I had authorized.
When you use social networking sites like Facebook, remember that it's ultimately your responsibility to protect your personal information. If you don't actively use settings to keep yourself safe, then you're asking for trouble. With a site like Facebook, it's also important to make sure you understand the latest changes to privacy policies and the various settings. If you have any questions about using Facebook or other social networking sites, let us know.
The Application Settings page itself is pretty straightforward. One thing to notice is that there are some applications that you can't remove (like Events, Links, and Photos) and some (many) that you can. Clicking on "Edit Settings" opens a window where you can set preferences for how you interact with each application. One of the most important settings is whether or not you want a box for that application to appear in your profile and who you want to be able to see that box. Clicking on the X next to an application will remove it from your profile.
If you're like me, you don't actually look at your Facebook profile very often. Moreover, when you look at the Application Settings page it only shows Recently Used applications by default. If you want to do a little bit of tidying up (which is a good idea), select authorized from the drop down menu next to "Show". This will show all the applications you have authorized to be part of your profile. Chances are you have at least a few applications in that last you haven't updated in a long time or are out of date. I was really surprised how many applications I had authorized.
When you use social networking sites like Facebook, remember that it's ultimately your responsibility to protect your personal information. If you don't actively use settings to keep yourself safe, then you're asking for trouble. With a site like Facebook, it's also important to make sure you understand the latest changes to privacy policies and the various settings. If you have any questions about using Facebook or other social networking sites, let us know.
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