In an effort to improve the printing technology available to Marquette students, the university upgraded the campus-wide print network for the 2004-'05 school year.

Information Technology Services and College of Engineering students have come together to implement a number of new features and improvements to the printing system.

Originally introduced in 1998 as an answer to laser printing abuse, waste and rising costs, PrintWise was created through the cooperation of ITS, the Office of Residence Life and each college, said Information Technology specialist Dan Smith in an e-mail interview.

The upgrades to PrintWise were deemed necessary because the previous PrintWise technology had become outdated, Smith said.

"The PrintWise hardware was at 'end-of-life' and needed to be replaced," Smith said.

"We saw this as an opportunity to re-architect the system so we could provide increased functionality to students," Smith said.

The system can now automatically enter a document's file name or URL onto the PrintWise network and students can filter out their print jobs at a PrintWise station using their nine-digit MarquetteCard number, Smith said.

Students are now able to send a print job from their personal computer to a PrintWise station by using software developed by Marquette computer engineering students and IT Services.

Students can download this software, from an on- or off-campus computer, at www.marquette.edu/printwise.

Some students — especially those without printers — say they welcome the changes to PrintWise.

"Not having access to a printer of my own, it is nice to have so many printing locations available," said College of Arts & Sciences transfer student Cory Johnson.

"Using your MUID is a good idea for security," said Charlie Weber, junior in the College of Business.

"The ability to install software on my computer that will allow me to type something in my room and pick it up on my way to class is a plus."