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Locations • Dana Porter Renovations 2008

Main Floor Feedback - Computers/Internet/Wireless

"Love the availability of computers and work spaces. It seems more spacious and efficient."

"The new lighting features are great. Just make sure that you maintain them and replace the bulbs when they burn out or it will look terrible. Two other things: a lot of the computer keyboards are disgusting and really slimey, and it's difficult to type; and the garbage facility at Browsers that's built in to Graphics is pretty much a failure because its too small. Its kind of obvious since the huge yellow garbage bin was brought in anyways."

"It seems cold, but a better layout! Took long enough! There should be better computers for an advanced university like ours! The internet is the most frustrating-it should be faster!"

"The extra computers are great. I like how easy it is to hook up a laptop almost anywhere on the main floor (except for the cafe, which is sad), and how the tables face windows. The black, gray and red colour scheme isn't all that great though. When you're a stressed out student, the last thing you want to be confronted with is an angry colour scheme and a cold stone floor. The large windows and comfy chairs do kind of make up for that though. But yeah, pick more relaxing colours next time."

"It looks amazing! Did a really great job, but the internet on the main floor computers is painfully slow."

"Love it. Much more convenient with the extra computers. Much brighter & fresher! Could you renovate the whole library?"

"It is very nice and much more appealing as a place to study. Before the renovations, I rarely went to Dana Porter, but now I go there much more frequently! The major appealing factors are the power outlets and ethernet outlets available."

"Looks great, I like the desks w/ plugs on top and the increased number of computers."

"It's great. There are a lot of computers and areas for study. Looks fantastic. Very modern."

"I'm so happy to have the main floor back. It's really nice. There are a lot more outlets and it's a great place to study. It's beautiful and spacious."

"It's a lot cleaner. The appearance is refreshing and new. There is also more available seating and outlets for laptops."

"I think it is great - I love the new computer work stations and the the comfortable chairs by the windows. It looks sleek and modern and yet comfortable. My only complaint is that since the weather has turned cold it is always cold on the main floor to the point that I have to wear my winter coat indoors."

"It's very nice, I like the group collaboration computers, that's a great idea. The glassy wall is also neat with all of the different languages. The main area...the massive grey floor...it's a bit...not nice. Someone should paint a few of the tiles a deep red or something, it loses a lot of atmosphere from that big grey stretch."

"Get rid of the wasted space! Put in more of those sick computer workstations with the booth!!!!!!"

"The computer spaces are awesome! So much space."

"It's great! My favorite place to study now. Great facilities, including nice layout with a lot of computer terminals. I wish there were more group tables though!"

"The computers don't work anymore... It takes almost a minute to load pages now. It's been that way ever since the renovation. So looks good but unusable? About sums it up."

"The internet is so slow and never works on laptops. "

"More computers needed!!!! A lot of wasted space! And the internet is insanely slow!"

"It seems like the space could have been used more effectively without sacrificing aesthetics at all. Getting rid of/reducing the 'open look' could have significantly increased the number of computer terminals and study space available. I do like the computer terminal desk dividers that are on some of the desks."

"I love all the new computers, and the work stations. The only question I have is that it feels like there is a lot of wasted space in the front area, could that area have been used to make a bigger coffee area?"

"It looks great and flows so much better. There is lots of room for meeting groups. The internet on the main floor computers is painful slow. why is it soo slow. it is meant to be a quick way to look stuff up (ie books, profs email etc) but it actually takes so much longer."

"It's very nice. I like the modern look & feel. I find the internet connection a bit slow. And I wish there were more desks for people with laptops."

"Looks great but where did the study rooms go? Are there less computers on the main floor now?"

"Amazing. Looks how all UW should, new and flashy. Love more computers. Love hole punch. Very impressed!"

"WiFi signal is really bad in the new sofa area."

"The new floor looks nice. It's a nice change from previous. Although, was it necessary? I don't really see more places to study. The new computers are nice."

"Great job, very eye-pleasing style and good colour combinations. Just one suggestion - there is one large round table with a large computer screen next to circulation desk - it would be great to have more than just one of those so more than one team could work at at time. Cheers and thanks for your work ."

"It looks great. BUT the internet connection is REALLY slow, to the point where it makes it impossible to be productive because you have to wait so long for pages to download."

"Looks great... needs more faster computers..."

"Great but internet is extremely slow on this floor compared to other floors on DP. Also we need more computers and desks especially next to the wall left of the entrance."

"Love the natural lighting!!! Love studying here day or night. Gets noisy sometimes...Needs more computer stations maybe?"

"Excellent renovation but MORE PRINTERS and computers for student use!!!"

"Lack of computers. Poor wireless signals. Nice looking though."

"Wireless Internet has not worked at all. PDF files never print or take too long."

"You need EXPRESS computer stations on this floor! People spend hours at the stations. Wanted to check ACE--had to go to several floors."

"It needs more computers."

"A lot of wasted space in front of the main entrance--could have been used for more computers or couch area. Overall it's good."

"Eh, lame. Too flashy. Needs more computers! Not enough functionality."

"The computer workstations are way too comfortable that people don't leave when they finish, or they just stay for a day. It's hard to find an available workstation to get emergency use."

"I love, love the look and how the computer stations are not all clumped together in one spot. Much more aesthetically pleasing. Can we redo DC?"

"Looks great! There's an abundance of computers but not enough single seating area for studying."

"It is very posh and spacious. But where are the rest of the computers? Also, you should put some sculptures or art in the big space when you first walk in."

"The library main floor is very spacious and some space could be used for seating, books or computers."

"Need more places to sit and study quietly. More computers. Chairs are comfortable although not enough tables. Glad there are more plugs to charge computers, there should be more of that across campus."

"I think it is ok but I feel there is too much space in the middle which could have been used for more study space/computers."

"Very modern but too much empty & unused space. We need more couches, desks and computers!"

"I like it a lot! It's very modern, simple to navigate & I really like the open-concept feel. I like how the computers are sit-down & that there are many more of them. Nice use of colours too. Great job! Definitely what DP needed.
P. S. It's too cold in here! Turn up the heat! Thanks."

"It's nice. But we still need more computer stations."

"The environment is perfect, except the smell, also more computers are set up, but still not enough for all students."

"It looks great, but the overall set up doesn't flow very well & it feels a little awkward. There still aren't enough public computer terminals in the DP. I searched all floors for a good 30 minutes today, trying to find a free computer so I could look up a call number. I gave up and walked over to arts lecture hall to use one there, eventually."

"It looks so nice now. I love how it looks and the layout of the main floor. Computer seating area is the best place for me to study!!!"

"Its really nice but the internet in all of the library stinks. Please work on that!"

"Great, but why is the internet soooo slow?"

"I have been at waterloo for six years now and I think the main floor looks just amazing. It was a much needed renovation and it is great to see that the study spaces are accomodating students' needs such as comfortable chairs and laptop plugs etc. Looks Great!!!"

"It's great, but why is the wireless signal at all of the study desks near the windows so weak? "

"Express computers on the main floor are needed as people use the computers with chairs for longer periods of time. Many people simply wish to check their email or UW-ACE in between classes. "

"I like it. I think it is spacious and it provides a social - study environment. I also think the access to computer workstations has improved. However, I would like to see the "new books" shelf up and running soon - and faster internet connections for both wireless computers and the PC stations."

"Not enough computers! Already they are all used up all the time."

"Love the fact that there are tons more computers on the main floor. Great new updated look with nice furniture-very roomy! The only thing is that the front looks very bare....perhaps adding some art work or a display of some sort would make it less "cold" looking. "

"Its good but there's alot of wasted space in the middle of the floor. Perhaps put more computers? Or even make a whole floor (3?) basically a computer floor. DP main floor is hot though!"

"The place is a massive improvement. However, there's a lot of wasted space near the circulation desk area (near the new computers to the left of entrance. This space can be used to put more computers as I think there is still an insufficient amount of computers!!! Furthermore, I've noticed there are 3 printers but just 1 swipe card machine. What's the point of having 3 printers with just 1 swipe card machine? Should increase to 2 swipe card machine."

"Need more computers and NEW computers, whose keyboard is not difficult to type on since keys have become hard."

"Gorgeous - really brings up the aesthetic appeal of our library for visitors and prospective students. Good choice of colours. More computer stations could have been beneficial, however I find they fill up quickly."

"Need more seats and more computers."

"I like it, very open, very contemporary. I like the new arrangements / layouts and more outlets!"

"The floor when coming in is very slippery when wet. The increased number of computers is great. Some more study tables would be wonderful."

"More computers and places to sit. Too much empty space."

"It looks great! I especially love the automatic doors and the new computer stations. I do have two suggestions though. First, the cafe (Browsers) could use more seating. Secondly, the foyer right before you reach the information desk is too empty. Perhaps a waterfall or artwork such as some statues would make it feel less barren. Otherwise, I think it's great!"

"Great! I love the open space around the entrance. Could have more computers on the main floor. Otherwise, great study environment."

"I'm glad Browsers is back so I can get a cup of coffee on this side of campus in the evenings. It's got the new library smell. The floor is pretty. It's good there are more computers."

"I like it, it's very nice. Extra computers are handy."

"Way better! So glad it is finally open. Many plugs in spots in cafe an asset. Way to go! So suits UW."


January 7, 2009