updated April 2002
No, the department cannot loan you a BMW.The LCD projectors are called ``beamers'' to distinguish them from the simpler ``overhead projectors'' which project transparencies. The latter can be checked out from the staff in the departmental office, ECOT 225.
A beamer together with a laptop computer is a good way to make a presentation using Acrobat Reader or PowerPoint, a demonstration of some software, or do some other computer display in the classroom. The beamer casts a bright image of the computer display onto a screen or wall.
Beamers are signed out from ECOT 215. The two (as of Apr.2002) beamers will work with any modern (2001 or later) computer, including the department's two Mac G3 laptop computers. Beamers and laptop computers are checked out on a first come, first served basis. Stop by ECOT 215 and sign up for the needed materials on the clipboard that hangs on the bookshelf just inside the door, and to get the beamer or laptop. Contact fast@newton if the door is closed, or get someone from the office to open the door.
The Mac laptops (two, as of Apr.2002) have basic display software; Acrobat Reader, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Netscape, QuickTime, etc. (The DVD player, however, will not work with projection.)
Be careful with the beamers; they must be allowed to cool after use, before they are moved. While hot, they are even more fragile than when cool. Instructions for starting up the beamer, and shutting it down afterwards, are taped to the top of each beamer; follow instructions slavishly or risk early burnout of the very expensive lamp!!!
date: hours: 5 April 2002 163Beamer 2
date: hours: 5 April 2002 70