Computer hookup in every room

2,500 new connections over $2 million

Director of Computing John Bucher thinks Oberlin needs to celebrate. "I think it's better than terrific," he said, about the completion of a two-year effort to wire all residential dorms and co-ops and provide dorm-access to the campus computer network.

ResNet II was completed this summer. ResNet I, the first phase of the wiring, was completed in 1995.

After this summer's work, there is a plug-in for every bed in all dorms and co-ops, as well as hook-ups in many lounges and public spaces which students use. According to Bucher, this added up to about 2,500 new connections.

He said there have been a few minor difficulties, but no major glitches.

"It's been an enthusiastic response," Bucher said. "There is a lot of excitement about it."

"I think that it provides a way for people to use the network directly. It's certainly a lot better than people have outside of school," senior Andrew Broadstone, Resident Computer Consultant (RCC) in East Hall, said.

Bucher said that students' enthusiasm has led to some stress for consultants at Houck Computing Center. But, he said, "I'd rather have those scrambles than not have the wiring."

"We have had a lot of questions about how to hook up and when the ports would be turned on, but we've just sent them to the RCCs in the dorms," sophomore Jessica Reed, computer consultant, said.

Bucher said the final cost for ResNet I and ResNet II is over $2 million. He said each connection averaged about $1,000. Installing connections in older buildings such as Tank and Keep co-op cost more, while wiring newer buildings such as Langston was cheaper.