The Information Screens

We have 18 screens in the IC that we use to show important information about services in the IC, as well as adverts from other parts of the University.

Using software by Onelan, we are able to create layouts with different zones to display our content. Each layout can be scheduled to play at certain times of the day/week and each zone has its own playlist. The playlists can hold pictures/photos, flash files, web pages and movies. All of our content is created in-house and much of it is web-based as we display a lot of real-time information.

The Main Layouts The priority during the day is to display information about IC services, together with current status reports on PC availability and room bookings. In addition, we are happy to display content on our "News" screens from all University departments, the Students' Union and any other body formally affiliated with the University. See the link on the right for further information about advertising on our screens. Adverts sent to us by other departments show in rotation with our news in the News Layout. To see photos of all our layouts, follow the link at the top of the page. The Content What Where When Updated Additional Information Guide to PCs available in the IC All screens Levels 1 – 6 One screen Level 0 24/7 every 2 minutes We call it a guide because when the IC is busy, there are usually people queuing for available PCs. Once the number of free PCs drops to single figures, the guide is less meaningful because finding a PC then becomes more about being in the right place at the right time. To help people decide whether to look for a PC in the IC or go to a computer room nearby we stop displaying the numbers once they drop below a certain figure and instead display a message warning that we're very busy and finding a PC will be difficult. PCs available on Campus Wall-mounted screens Levels 1 - 6 8am - midnight every 2 minutes A much clearer indicator than the guide for the IC since the other computer rooms don’t have such a high turnover of use. If it says there are 20 PCs free at St. George’s IT Centre, there will be! The Message Board All screens Levels 1 - 6 One screen Level 0 24/7 at least once a day If we have something important to tell you, it will go here. When we don’t have anything specific to say, we use it to tell you how to get the most out of the services and facilities in the IC. Today's Group Room Bookings - All Level 0 24/7 every 10 minutes All of today's bookings of the group study rooms. It shows the username of the person who booked the room and the time of booking, plus next availability information. Any available slots are highlighted in green. Today's Group Room Bookings - Now and Next Business Unit screens Levels 1 – 4 24/7 every 10 minutes Same as above - but only current and next bookings for each room. Travel Information Level 0 4.30pm - midnight Weekdays All day at weekends. as per the YourNextBus website - usually every 30 to 60 seconds YourNextBus (provided by the SYPTE) information for the bus and tram stops around the IC. If an expected arrival time is displayed in minutes, the bus has a live tracker on it so it should be fairly accurate. Otherwise, it just shows the scheduled time. Campus Map Level 0 Midnight to 4.30pm Monday to Friday every 2 minutes Animated map of the campus showing where the other student computer rooms are, together with opening hours and capacity information. Also shows the live PC availability information for those rooms. News 24/7 Level 0 24/7 when necessary Displays adverts for the IC, CiCS, Library and other University departments, together with scrolling BBC and Union News feeds and a local weather summary. News Bulletins Wall-mounted screens Levels 1 - 6 5 minute bulletins On the hour when necessary Same as above. News Bulletins Business Unit screens Levels 1 - 4 5 minute bulletins On the half hour when necessary Same as above. Night Schedule Wall-mounted screens Levels 1 – 6 Midnight to 8am. when necessary Displays full-screen adverts from around the university interspersed with photos of Sheffield and the surrounding area.

Last updated: 11 February 2011