With uni returning next week and the iPhone 3G being the device to have (although I am sure Super Monkey Ball won't help in the procrastination department!), I thought I would share this quick tip I used with my first generation iPhone during last semester.

Particularly during the first few weeks of classes, having quick access to your timetable (and usually also a map if your campus is anywhere near the size of UQ!) is essential. I always hated looking like a dork digging around in my bag for it, so came up with a better solution...

First you will need to get your timetable onto your computer somehow. I usually type it up in Pages as I find it a lot easier to read then the spreadsheet file you can download from the website. Make sure that when typing the timetable, it all fits within the screen (ie. you don't have to scroll).


You then need to grab this as an image. The best method is to to hold the command () button + the shift button and then press 4. A pair of cross-hairs will appear on your screen. Trace around the edge of the timetable. Once you release the mouse a new picture will appear on your desktop. While at this step, it might be a good idea to also grab a map of your uni campus if readily available. Note: If you are a UQ Student, click here, for other universities, check their website.


Next up, it's time to import these images into iPhoto. Open it up and simply drag the images from the desktop onto it's dock icon. This will automatically import them. For easy access now and later, I recommend creating an album named 'Uni' or something similar and placing these two images into it. My personal preference is to place the timetable image first, as I tend to want to see it more than the map. Note: You can also create a folder somewhere on your Mac, place these two images into it and later sync that folder, but I have chosen iPhoto over this method as a lot of people use it as their digital photo hub.


Finally, it's syncing time. Connect your iPhone to your Mac and open iTunes. Click on the Photos tab on the sync screen and make sure you have your newly created album selected to sync. Press the magic button and wait patiently while your hard work is transferred.


Unplug your iPhone and presto! You can find your new timetable and map in the photos section of your iPhone. It is now easily accessible any time with a few taps and without the need for an internet connection. You can of course also take advantage of all the cool multi-touch features like tapping to zoom in and panning around - both of which are incredibly useful for using the map. This method also of course works on the iPod touch.

Uni was much more fun without something like this - get lost? can't find class? running late without excuse?

Solution = Go to pub!

heeeey nice idea! I am always getting lost on campus (I blame caffeine deprivation)

why dont you just use ical and sync the calendar to your iphone/ipod touch for the timetable?

PDF export of campus maps also works well and is good for jailbroken devices.

I personally find iCal to be a bitch for looking at info like location etc.

That would be sooo useful for UQ! Too bad I don't have a iTouch device. Back to rocking up to the stand up computers in the library to see if the timetable has changed!

Hehe, I'm an engineer and only have to go three days this semester :P

Haha, that's not my timetable, that's the one I did for a friends iPod Touch last semester, he had the worst timetable as you can see!

I only have 3 days this semester too

Great idea Andrew, I like the idea of loading the map, especially for UTS Sydney (massive campus with maps only up in the admin building). I think I might stick with iCal though, at least it's pretty easy just to hit the class your after and get further details of where it is. The alarm function will definately come in handy as well.

What would be really useful at UQ is a way to use the internet through these devices without having to go through the god awful web based account login every time you take it out of your pocket!

Hear Hear!

That's what I'd do too. I do it for high school at the moment.

Good write-up anyway

I'm sure your work-arounds will be really cool.

However for those who would love to have the real experience of touch magic at their University I suggest you point your Student Unions and IT departments to this:

ACU Connected: Mobile Learning - Abilene Christian University

and for a demonstration movie on how it could work check out these videos:

Videos - Abilene Christian University

Its a bit cheesy but...

drool away.

Actually thats a good timetable, usually BScs are spread all over, but the pracs there are only 2hrs, 3hrs is the norm so good to see UQ dropping standards once again. First cost cutting measure every time is to drop practicals/tutorials as it means you don't have to pay someone or spend as much on materials, nevermind that science degrees have higher HECS for that exact reason.

By 3rd year I used to have 4hr pracs.

Anyway I've been to UQ many times, for study and these days as part of my job, and I can't beleive full time students still don't know how to get around there....I figured it out map free in one visit.

can you please post some screenshots from the iphone

Man, I graduated from UQ at the end of '96, but I still instantly recognised some of the room numbers in that timetable, long before I read any of the text in the article.