September 27, 2011

Let me start by saying that I’m impressed with TigerTech for getting their wireless problems fixed. I seem to be able to get fairly consistent wireless access when I’m in class. But here’s the thing: I’d like to have wireless access when I’m in my room, too.

As you walk down each hallway in Hatch, the further you get from the lounge, the weaker the Wi-Fi signal. Those of us halfway down the hallway and beyond don’t get access to the blessing that is Wi-Fi. We have to stretch our long, yellow cords halfway across the room just to comfortably enjoy the newest movie on Netflix (yeah, first-world problem). Not only is this extremely inconvenient, it’s completely unsafe. A cord stretched across the room means people could trip. Tripping equals broken bones and broken computers.

I’m not sure I’d have such a problem with it if I only wished my computer had access to the golden chalice of Wi-Fi (read “wireless router”). It’s the fact that I have several gadgets that are useless without it. Internet access is the life-blood of many gadgets today. There isn’t a giant port into which I can plug that ugly yellow cord. The iPad, the Kindle, the Wii, the iPhone (I could go on) all rely on Wi-Fi for more than just basic entertainment.

Sure, I could head to the end of the hallway to use the iPad, but the lounge often has people, and those people often have oil-covered fingers. Oil and glass go together like iron and water (not too well). It’s nice to have a phone that can use the power of 3G to access the internet, but that gets expensive quite quickly. Not to mention how long it takes to download the newest update of Instagram on a 3G connection, sheesh (another first-world problem). Maybe I’d like to download a new book on the Kindle, or get the newest edition of Wired on the iPad. It just takes far too long without a Wi-Fi connection, and I can’t simply walk away from those devices where Wi-Fi is available.

Perhaps my logic is flawed, so check it for me: The reason we aren’t allowed to have wireless routers in the dorms is because it disrupts the signal of MizzouWireless. Well, if I can’t even connect to MizzouWireless, then how could my wireless router be disrupting the wireless network? Also, let’s be honest, people are a little selfish. Most people are going to lock their routers, which means that everyone and their mother won’t have access to them, which means there won’t be bandwidth overkill. Most people realize the wired network is much faster, so they’re going to do bandwidth heavy activities while physically plugged in.

I appreciate the wired access to the Internet, but I think if Wi-Fi reaches the first half of the hallway, it should reach the last half too. I’d even be comfortable paying $10 more each semester to rent a router in my room, if my own is such a problem. Denying me the ability to use technology in the dorm rooms isn’t “technology-forward” thinking.

-Mikah Sargent, freshman
mdsxtd@mail.missouri.edu