Dear Editor,
I wanted to compliment your team on the new, reduced format for the print version of the IT Times. In the past, the paper sometimes seemed a little daunting. Now, with less paper and less technical information in the print version, it's much more inviting. I can go directly to the online stories when I need more detail. I might suggest that you print brief summaries of the stories in the paper version, rather than having the opening paragraphs in print jumping to the remainder of the story online. Otherwise it's a very innovative hybrid of old and new technology.
    Jan Conroy, Director, Editorial/Design, Public Communications

 
Dear Jan,
We appreciate your comments and agree with your suggestion for running summaries of the stories in the print version of the paper. Beginning with this issue, stories that are not run in their entirety in print are run as abstracts.
    Donna Justice, Editor

 
Note: The following letter was originally posted on the Technical Support Program listserv, as was the editor's response.

Dear Editor,
I'm intrigued by the new format you've adopted in the March 2000 edition of IT Times (Volume 8, Number 5).

First, I really do appreciate the fact that your new format combines print with Web publishing. Being able to access up-to-date and in-depth information over the Web is a real plus. Being able to pass a URL on to a client in my department will be much easier than trying to dig out the old paper copy from under an increasingly tall pile of paper and find the appropriate article. I ended up doing that a lot during the modem bank transition times. Thanks!

About space for the new Instructional Technology center... Has IT considered locating the center in the former Pacific Life facility in South Davis? That would place the center conveniently close to IT's other client service units that I use.

I found a lot of valuable information in the extended Web versions of the articles. Especially in Robert Ralston's "Do You Really Need That?" and Bethany Faith Daniels' "UC Davis Gets Wireless Data Service." I'm always one to encourage the saving of trees; so I find your new format intriguing. I hope others will follow through and read the Web edition, too. I'm glad you've made the Web links very obvious by setting them off in black boxes at the end of each article in the print edition.

Thanks for trying something different.
    Paul Waterstraat, Geology

 
Dear Paul,
We appreciate the time you took not only to read the issue but to share your thoughts and observations on the new format.

We have received a lot of positive feedback on the new format, particularly at the Campus Service Fair. Like you, many people have noted the convenience of having additional, in-depth information on the Web along with a "condensed" version of the paper in print. On your question about the location of the Instructional Technology and Digital Media Center (ITDMC), please see John Bruno's response (below).

Once again, Paul, thanks so much for taking the time to let us know what you think. Everyone in IT-Information and Events appreciates your efforts.
    Donna Justice, Editor

 
Dear Paul,
The short answer to your question about the location of the ITDMC is we considered all on-campus space available to us. The purpose of the ITDMC is to provide faculty with convenient access to services in support of instruction and research. Locating the Center as close to the core area of the campus as possible will increase faculty's ability to drop by the facility and consult with staff and technicians between classes or before office hours. In addition, Surge II happens to be the building where most staff providing these services are already located. All in all, Surge II seems the most logical option considering space issues, the need for convenience, and quick access to a range of services.
    John Bruno, Vice ProvostŠInformation and Educational Technology