<p>Just wondering if theft is a huge problem at UCLA of laptops, cell phones, iPod, et al. Obviously, I'm not going to do something stupid, like leave my dorm door open all day while I'm at class, and my laptop in plain sight on my bed. But do most people bring some sort of laptop lock or something like that?
Also, curious as to how prevalent digital versions of textbooks are. I see that the UCLA bookstore has them on its website. Is it worth it to get a Kindle or some sort of tablet?</p>
<p>It’s not a huge problem but it does happen at times (like the recent one: [Students</a> Left Shaken After Burglar Strikes UCLA Dorm CBS Los Angeles](<a href=“http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/05/10/students-left-shaken-after-burglar-strikes-ucla-dorm/]Students”>Students Left Shaken After Burglar Strikes UCLA Dorm - CBS Los Angeles)). I do recommend bringing a laptop lock if you can, but it’s just a hassle of unlocking it everytime you need to take your laptop with you to class.</p>
<p>But overall just be careful (lock the door whenever you/your roommates are out or sleeping), and also tell your roommates to do the same thing. I guess it also depends on which you live. Residential Halls are usually a bit safer than Plazas and Suites because they have access control at nights, more Resident Assistants on duty/patrol, and usually more people per floor (so it’s harder to steal stuff and get away with it).</p>
<p>There are a lot of digital versions out, but for me, I just use my computer to read them and I’ve been fine with it. So it’s up to you. If you can afford a kindle or tablet, then yea go for it, but again that means you’ll have more valuables with you in your dorms, so be more careful.</p>
<p>Thanks so much, good to know.</p>
<p>some people have had things stolen, but it’s their own fault 99% of the time. if you always close your door then nobody can come in and steal your stuff because it’s dead-bolted. but for some reason a few morons leave their door cracked open all the time and then if anything gets stolen they act so surprised and upset. well no ****, keep your door closed…nobody is getting in if it’s dead-bolted.</p>
<p>don’t try to read a textbook on your kindle lol that’d be terrible. a regular book is fine but definitely not a huge textbook. the text would be tiny and navigating around the page is a pain unless your screen is huge. </p>
<p>edit: theft isn’t so rampant at UCLA that something will be stolen 100% of the time if you leave your door open, but it just isn’t a good idea period if you’re not in your room. better safe than sorry</p>
<p>Also, just a suggestion to anyone reading - if you are planning on bringing a laptop:</p>
<p>There’s software for locating your laptops, look online. I have [url=<a href=“http://preyproject.com/]Prey[/url”>http://preyproject.com/]Prey[/url</a>] installed, and it’s for free. </p>
<p>Macs also have a “Find My Mac” tool using the iCloud (via your System Preferences). Both tools rely on the thief accessing the internet on your stolen laptop. Downside is that perhaps Apple or the people behind Prey will know your location, but hey, you gotta have trade-offs, right? </p>
<p>Of course, I hope none of you will ever have to use them.</p>
<p>Yea and for cell phones: if you have iphone or itouch, it should already have a preinstalled Find My iPhone app. For Android users, there are numerous free find my android app on Google Play. The one I use the is Lookout Security (<a href=“https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lookout&hl=en[/url]”>https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lookout&hl=en</a>)</p>