Widespread wireless service is setting Penn's computers free, making ethernet cables optional and students eager to cut the wire.
Wireless internet access is expected to be completely installed in all 11 college houses and Sansom Place tomorrow, Associate Director of Penn Computing Marilyn Spicer said.
Wireless is already available -- and frequently utilized, according to Spicer -- in Harrison and the soon-to-be Rodin college houses, as well as in the Quadrangle. Anyone with a Penn Key is able to access that network.
While Penn will continue to distribute ethernet cables to students during move-in and throughout the year, many students returning to campus are eager to roam campus with a computer in hand and remain online.
"People are taking more advantage of the convenience of mobile computing," noted Spicer, who also attributed the growing need for wireless service to new reasonably priced laptops.
Other students just want to make the transition from their desk to their bed without the hassle of a cord.
"Lots of times, when I have to read slides for class, I like to do it while lying in bed," said Engineering senior Jonathan Lehr, who lived in Hamilton College House over the last two years.
While Lehr's decision to move off campus is unrelated to the Internet computer connection he received through Penn housing, he added that "wireless would have made last year a lot easier."
And for students still living on campus, the installation of wireless service is likewise much appreciated.
"I would have loved to have had wireless in the Quad last year," said College sophomore Sarah Kaminetsky. "I didn't mind using the ethernet cables when I was sitting at my desk, but it would have been nice to be able to sit on my bed and be online."
Kaminetsky added that some students on her hall found a loophole and bought a wireless router for themselves, solving the problem and beating the cable-dependent system.
While buying a private router does not violate any of Penn's computing policies, Spicer said that such a connection is not as secure as an ethernet cable connection.
Spicer added that security continues to be a foremost concern during this technological undertaking.
Penn Computing officials are currently revamping the security of PennNet, the University's data network. The new college house wireless system is designed to use SecureW2 client-software commonly installed on Windows and Native on Apple OS X -- which is considered to be far more secure than the interface currently being used.
Students will still use their PennKey and password to access the wireless network.
The buzz about dorm-friendly wireless has also reached members of the incoming freshman class, who will never know a campus without wireless.
Incoming College freshman Alexandra Levite said she is very excited about having wireless service in the Quad, where she will be living, and noted that "it's hard to study in your bedroom, so to be able to move around will be a relief."
The promise of wireless also encouraged Levite to purchase a laptop, rather than a desktop computer, in preparation for the school year.
Levite, like most other incoming freshmen, knew about the plan from an e-mail sent out to the entire class.
The initiative, which cost $700,000, was announced last November. Two months later, 87 percent of the 659 students who responded to a campus-wide survey indicated that they wanted the college houses to be wireless, Spicer added.
The survey, which included 42 questions about data, voice and video services, was administered by Information Systems and Computing.
Wireless service is currently additionally available at central public spaces on campus, both indoors and out. New locations include the Fisher Fine Arts library, the ARCH building, College Green, the Bookstore Cafe as well as expanded wireless connections in Van Pelt Library.
