Internet Connection at Regionals
 

Do any regionals have an internet connection, perhaps wireless, for teams to use over the course of the event? If so, where did it come from and how was it (did you like it, was it a good thing). I think this would be very beneficial for everyone. Also, does FIRST have any rules/regulations regarding internet at regionals? Last, do the venues have any rules/regulations on bringing in internet connection?

Thanks.

Re: Internet Connection at Regionals
 

Finger Lakes has wireless internet connection.

Re: Internet Connection at Regionals
 

If memory serves me right, FIRST frowned on internet access at events...although some teams got clearance from FIRST to set up WiFi in the arenas for scouting purposes.

I seem to recall some regional having wired internet access, in full view of the pit administration table. Can someone back up/disprove this statement?

Re: Internet Connection at Regionals
 

Hey Ed, do you know who theoperson is in charge of the wireless at the regional?

Is it just the RIT's network that would be used, or a private company or organization coming in to set it up just for the weekend.

PM me with some details if you have any!

Thanks!

Re: Internet Connection at Regionals
 

I looked in last year's manual http://www2.usfirst.org/2004comp/10-...corporated.pdf and it does seem as if they simply do not want people on the internet and I have no idea why. Why is this?

Re: Internet Connection at Regionals
 

RIT is providing the wireless it looks like.

Re: Internet Connection at Regionals
 

Because they want people to pay attention to the competition?

Re: Internet Connection at Regionals
 

Last year, when at the Canadian Regional I wanted to know why they didn't just make the wired internet they already had wireless, someone (I believe it was Steve W) told me that one reason FIRST generally does not encourage wireless internet is that they don't want to be responsible in the event that a potential sponsor or someone observe a student 'misusing' the internet and get a therefore get bad impression of FIRST from it.

Re: Internet Connection at Regionals
 

That is correct. There are a lot of people that walk through the pit area. All it would take is one person, student or adult, to be viewing an inappropriate site and a lot of our work could be shot down. If FIRST allows it then FIRST would be responsible for all outcomes.

At CR last year, Bell Canada provided some telephone lines and high speed access for the score table and pit area. We thought it best not to make available on wireless because we couldn't control the sites accessed. We did provide 2 computers with high speed access and 2 other connections for wired access. These were both available next to the pit admin table were there would be some supervision. Even at that I had a report of certain inappropriate sites that had been accessed. We were not sure by who but we continued with a close eye at that table.

Re: Internet Connection at Regionals
 

Do you think if the inappropriate sites could be blocked, that they would wireless in the arena? Also, it's ashame that this issue would even arise because of the promotion of gracious professionalism. Such activity would be considered maliciously amateur.

Re: Internet Connection at Regionals
 

Due to the unlimited amount of inappropiate sites on the web, Also because of pop ups and other inappropiate and malicious items on the web that really cant always be controlled, i doubt that FIRST would ever supply or support internet available to people at the venues.

Re: Internet Connection at Regionals
 

Silicon Valley regionals has internet, FIRST doesn't provide it, it's always been there. You have to login through their system under a guest account, so I'm guessing the access is pretty safe...

Re: Internet Connection at Regionals
 

Can you elaborate on this "log in system"?

Re: Internet Connection at Regionals
 

You can connect to the wireless network, but when you open a browser they force you to a page where you give your email address, or any email address, in order to browse the internet. Apparently they only allow internet browsing, I couldn't use any other online application, with the exception of Instant Messaging clients. When I mean safe, I'm pretty sure they block inappropriate web content, anything else, eh... not sure.

Re: Internet Connection at Regionals
 

San Jose State University allowed you to tap into their wireless net.