FSU on the Raggedy Edge of a Network Revolution
The FSU Network Solution Creates Debate: Security vs. Freedom
Derek Hidey
Issue date: 10/18/06 Section: The AT Wire
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Since I started my first semester at Frostburg State University, I always thought about living on campus. My friends and I had even discussed the possibility of rooming at Edgewood. My mornings usually consist of waking up around seven o'clock and then commuting to campus. The drive is usually about twenty minutes, depending on whether or not the state is destroying a three-year old section of highway, only to repave it a few days later.
When students sit down with their parents and look for a suitable institution of higher learning, they tend to look at several key things: the name of the school, the school's location in relation to their home, the cost of tuition, and the cost of on-campus housing. Then, after they have gone through the motions and decided that a particular university is right for them, they look more closely at what is provided. Dormitories usually come in quad form with a shared bathroom and kitchen. To me, these details are irrelevant. I grew up never having my own room and the idea of sharing something like a bathroom and kitchen never bothered me.
What did get my attention were the rumors I had heard about the provided Internet connection. People had told me that if you live on campus, you can't play online games! Well, I decided to just commute my first couple semesters to play it safe.
After I had my footing at FSU and I started making friends with people living in the dormitories, I realized just how lucky I was to be at home. The Internet connection on-campus is protected by too much to allow consistent smooth online gaming. It was because of this fact that I made the ultimate decision to remain a commuter student.
Ironically, this is the first semester of my senior year and Frostburg State University officials are finally doing something about the poor Internet connection for on-campus student housing. It may be a little too late for me, but maybe not for you!
With the recent news provided by Brian Jenkins of the ITD department of FSU, the students can expect smooth online gaming sometime soon. The only issue that arises from this solution has to be resolved by the students. In order to give the students more direct access to the Internet, the university must move the student's PCs outside of the protected network. How badly do you want to play online games or stream music at smooth rates? Are you willing to sacrifice your security for more freedom?
When students sit down with their parents and look for a suitable institution of higher learning, they tend to look at several key things: the name of the school, the school's location in relation to their home, the cost of tuition, and the cost of on-campus housing. Then, after they have gone through the motions and decided that a particular university is right for them, they look more closely at what is provided. Dormitories usually come in quad form with a shared bathroom and kitchen. To me, these details are irrelevant. I grew up never having my own room and the idea of sharing something like a bathroom and kitchen never bothered me.
What did get my attention were the rumors I had heard about the provided Internet connection. People had told me that if you live on campus, you can't play online games! Well, I decided to just commute my first couple semesters to play it safe.
After I had my footing at FSU and I started making friends with people living in the dormitories, I realized just how lucky I was to be at home. The Internet connection on-campus is protected by too much to allow consistent smooth online gaming. It was because of this fact that I made the ultimate decision to remain a commuter student.
Ironically, this is the first semester of my senior year and Frostburg State University officials are finally doing something about the poor Internet connection for on-campus student housing. It may be a little too late for me, but maybe not for you!
With the recent news provided by Brian Jenkins of the ITD department of FSU, the students can expect smooth online gaming sometime soon. The only issue that arises from this solution has to be resolved by the students. In order to give the students more direct access to the Internet, the university must move the student's PCs outside of the protected network. How badly do you want to play online games or stream music at smooth rates? Are you willing to sacrifice your security for more freedom?
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