WiFi provides easy distractions

The PCC wireless network provides students with access to the web nearly everywhere on campus. This doesn’t mean that their Internet habits have become any more productive.”I don’t really use the internet for studying when I’m at school,” said Carol Solis, a theater major. “I’d say it’s mostly Facebook and blogs.”

“Between me and the front of class there is always a handful of students on Facebook. I’m surrounded by white screens with blue bars,” said John Nguyen, English major.

Completed in fall of 2008, PCC’s wireless network covers nearly the entire 53-acre campus and consists of over 400 wireless access points (WAP), according to Robert Cody, assistant dean of computing services.

Daily, 300 to 500 students access the network at any given time. In areas of high usage, the speed and concentration of available wireless networks is higher.

One such region of campus, according to Cody, is the Shatford library. Catering to hundreds of students at one time, WAPs in the library are more concentrated and transmit on the superior 802.11n wireless network standard. The Wi-Fi lounge in the CC building is also equipped in this manner.

Areas with lower amounts of traffic are equipped with the slower and less reliable 802.11a-g network standards.

WAPs are encased in circular plastic modules and mounted on walls and ceilings around campus, taking on the appearance of Frisbee sized smoke detectors. Sophisticated computer programs are used to determine the placement of WAPs, taking into consideration structural density and usage estimates. Wi-Fi is still not available in some parts of the campus, Cody admits.

“The programs aren’t perfect,” said Cody. “Initially it had us installing one of the WAPs in the woman’s shower. We’re still figuring out how to provide the entire campus with coverage.”

Issues of speed have also come up.

Mary Miller, engineering major, finds the network on campus to be frustrating at times.

“Sometimes the connection is too slow to use. Sometimes I can’t connect to the web at all,” said Miller. “But I always know I can find a connection off-campus, whether at Starbucks or parked in front of someone’s home.”

The prevalence of Wi-Fi enabled handheld devices has contributed to the accessibility of the PCC network. Jane Harlow, computer sciences major, uses her iPod to find her way to class.

“I use the Wi-Fi most early in the semester when I still haven’t memorized my schedule. Sometimes getting to class on time becomes a matter of finding a working Wi-Fi connection,” said Harlow.

According to Cody, the school’s network is available in every building of the campus except for parking Lot 5.

“Physically it’s very difficult. [Installing WAPs] in Lot 5 involves drilling through structural steel,” said Cody.

“Ironically, we’re having trouble wiring the wireless.