Another change to OU technology is on the horizon in addition to oZONE.
OU IT will open up a new wireless network on campus Sunday called OUWiFi, said Nick Key, OU IT spokesman.
“The new network will be just like the one we have now,” Key said. “OUWiFi will offer the same coverage as the current ANY network.”
Key said the only change students will notice is they will have to register their computer to connect to the new wireless network and complete a copyright tutorial and quiz.
Key said registration is a web-based process that will require users to log in with an OUNet Account, complete a quiz and enter contact information.
Key said other devices, like game consoles, must be registered manually through OU IT’s 325-HELP line.
There will be a ban on one type of application with the implementation of the new WiFi network.
“All person-to-person applications are restricted on OUWiFi to combat illegal downloading and to improve wireless availability and performance,” Key said.
Key said the ANY WiFi network will exist for OU guests, but students and faculty will use the OUWiFi network.
“ANY will transition to OUGUEST for the spring semester,” Key said. “OUGUEST will provide limited network and Internet access for visitors to OU’s campus.”
Students said they have adjusted to OU IT changing things around this semester.
“With all systems, it’s going to take some getting used to,” said Jacob Birmingham, University College freshman. “I understand that systems need to be upgraded and updated.”
Other students said they have tried to find ways around IT’s changes.
“Nothing has really affected me so far,” said Tayla Agee, University College freshman. “Learn and Exchange are still the same for now.”
Agee said she knows she will have to use the new system and services soon but is waiting until she absolutely has to.
“I still use the old stuff, but I hope they will integrate the old stuff in with the new stuff in a user-friendly way,” said Ryan Hawkins, construction science sophomore. “In the end, I know the changes are good.”
Key said if students feel stressed out about the current technology changes, there are ways to make the transition to the new programs better.
“We understand that it can be hard adjusting to oZONE and other changes,” Key said. “We do have solutions in place that can make the transition easier.”
Key said there are tutorial videos available at ou.edu/ozoneintro and help is also available 24 hours a day at 325-HELP.
“The changes are stressful for us too,” Key said. “We understand how students can feel at this time. We aren’t just implementing new programs without thinking about the students.”
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wxwatcher 2 years, 7 months ago
What about those of us who work on campus but aren't students or faculty?
Youda_Farmer 2 years, 7 months ago
If Performance was really ONE of the reasons for this change then it makes no sense that they just recently installed 802.11g Access Points throughout campus. A Brain Dead Dog knows that 802.11n Access Points should have been installed instead of "g" since they go through walls better and have three(3) times the bandwidth at the SAME PRICE as legacy 802.11g AP. This action plus the way IT department throttles speeds based on content makes this reasoning TOTALLY BOGUS.
People need to realize that this is a PUBLIC university that is heavily funded by taxpayer dollars. Adding more restrictions to services must be justified and i believe should be approved by the PUBLIC and not be a group of Peter Principalled Clowns in a glass tower somewhere who think they know what is the best way to design a campus network.
Hopefully the FCC will pass the new Net Neutrality rules next year that will force this University to quit throttling bandwidth and quit snooping on everbodies traffic (without court approval).
It is sad to see this University becoming more and more a "Big Brother" campus with each passing day hundreds of cameras watching everbodies moves and IT employee's snooping at local intranet traffic looking at student's content by mostly unsuspecting University population at large.
Athough the buildings are slightly nicer now, i prefer the way the University was many years ago when I graduated here, we had a lot more privacy back then. Now this administration assumes everyone is a thief or illegal downloader to justify their "Big Brother" actions. This is something very wrong with this changed attitude.
Sadly I believe this is just a sign of more to come, soon you may be required to where Tracking RFIDs that will monitor every step you take on this campus and the IT department will be controlling the webcam in your notebook to record where your eyes are focused on at all times.
Rant Over. Thanks and have a nice day. :-)