Wireless computing catching on

Wireless computing is catching on at the university.

Statistics show that more than 250 faculty, staff and students have used Wireless WiscWorld since wireless access to the Internet became available on campus in late August.

WiscWorld is UW–Madison’s Internet access package, with services including e-mail, Web browsing and access to an electronic library. Wireless WiscWorld offers the bonus of convenience and mobility to laptop users who want a network connection beyond the reach of cables and wall jacks.

Students use wireless to make better use of their time between classes, by checking e-mail, reviewing study materials posted on class Web sites, and preparing assignments. Faculty, staff and advisors are finding wireless networking to be a timely, effective means of communicating with students and each other.

Rusty Smith of the Division of Information Technology, which coordinated the installation of wireless on campus, calls the usage a good start for a service that is only a few months old.

“Like most new technologies, wireless ethernet is attractive to the technologically savvy user who often wants the latest in flexibility and power,” Smith says. “As time goes on more users will find wireless ethernet a valuable addition to their current network access method. Wireless WiscWorld is making campuswide network access a reality for a growing number of users.”

Any student, staff or faculty member on campus can “go wireless” easily. If they’re listed in the WiscWorld database, they simply need to obtain a wireless ethernet card (conforming to IEEE Standard 802.11b) for their laptop PC or Macintosh, insert it in the correct port and configure it. Then it’s just a matter of moving within range (about 30 meters) of a wireless network hub and logging on. (WiscWorld accounts must be activated prior to using the new service.)

Wireless network hubs have been installed at campus sites including Union South, Memorial Union, Helen C. White Library, Bascom Hall, Grainger Hall, Steenbock Library and Memorial Library.