UCD Interactive Map
About Us
The OMC or Orientation Mapping Centre was established on the 10th of June during the 2007 summer break.
We were commissioned for 10 weeks to build an interactive map of UCD (Belfield) aimed towards orientation.
This map was to be created to initally supplement the existing paperback map used for orientation and if successful, in terms of its ability to provide useful information without vast technological complexity, replace it.
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The Map
Built using the latest in WEB2.0 technology, our map is both accurate and state of the art. It is interactive, cutting edge and most importantly - easy to use.
The map includes full and accurate building outlines, as well as the outline of UCD Belfield as of 2007. Each outline is a doorway to information: containing useful hints, tips, floorplans (for room navigation), pictures, virtual tours and much more.
This map contains a full index: prospective students have but to click on the name of the building they need to go too and are shown the way.
Our built-in pictures give them a face to put to the name, so they know what to look for, not just where to look.
As UCD moves into its golden era of technology so should the services UCD provides: a fully interactive online map that can be accessed anywhere and navigated by anyone.
This map is what orientation has been looking for.
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Who we are
The OMC is co-ordinated by Paul Alexander and Robert Mathews, both are stage 2 Geography students with an interest in bettering UCD and making it a student friendly environment to pursue academic excellence.
We believe that orientation plays a significant part in attracting prospective students, while the tours are a great way to show students UCD, there needs to be a way for them to see it themselves, at their own pace, in their own time.
Navigating UCD during that first week in September can be a nightmare. If students miss the tours provided by Orientation Guides, they're in serious trouble. The existing maps available are comprehensive, but they aren't so student friendly. Our map can be used by anyone at any time. Tutorial rooms in Arts aren't displayed anywhere, and thats just not good enough for a new student who is told to go to "G204" or "F311". Unless the student has the courage to ask someone, they are going to panic - the last thing 1st year students need! Our floor plans allow them to see where the room is, how to get there and where to go if they need help
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Who's Involved?
A number of different groups and individuals contributed to the creation of this map, some willingly and knowingly, some unknowlingy.
The following groups contributed to the OMC map:
- UCD GPEP, School of Geography Planning and Environmental Policy
- Media Services, UCD IT Services
- OMC, Orientation mapping Centre
- UCD BUILDING SERVICES
- UCD IT SERVICES
- GOOGLEMAPS
- JAVA Tech support
and finally all those who have supported us from the begining, fellow Geographers that have offered nothing but kind words and advise along the way in particular: Dr. Niamh Moore, Dr. Mary Gilmartin, John Matthews of AVC, Dr. Joe Brady and Dr. Gerald Mills
We also wish to thank the prospective students and numerous guests to the college who inspired us to start all this.
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