Internet Connection at Regionals

[Pat Fairbank]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

...it does seem as if they simply do not want people on the internet and I have no idea why.

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.

[Steve W]

Originally Posted by Pat Fairbank

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.

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.

[sanddrag]

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.

[dez250]

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.

[NoodleKnight]

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...

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by NoodleKnight

You have to login through their system under a guest account, so I'm guessing the access is pretty safe...

Can you elaborate on this "log in system"?

[NoodleKnight]

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.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Can you elaborate on this "log in system"?

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

[Steve W]

You will notice that FIRST never gave access to the above venues. There is no way to stop people from accessing networks that are in the air and not protected from outside use. If I were to give wireless access I might consider but I would have a wep key that a mentor would need to pick up and sign a waiver for. The idea would still need to be passed by the regional committee and a volunteer would be needed to process the work. I already have too much on the go at regionals.

I also don't see the need for wireless when wired is provided and computers are available. I know that it might be easier but when other venues have none then we are giving a little extra already. At CR or now GTA we only have high speed because Bell Canada gives us access as part of their sponsorship.

[Jay H 237]

A team, I don't know the number, set up wireless Internet at the UTC regional in Hartford and it had nothing to do with the Meadows (the place it was held at). I was able to have instant access to the Internet. I didn't have to log on or anything, as soon as I clicked on the IE icon I was on. I don't know if they had any filters set up or not, as soon as I got on I went here and stayed here the whole time occasionally giving updates as people asked. I'm also sure they had to get FIRST's permission on this.

Wireless connections are springing up more and more often and it is possible that some venues are equipped or will be in the future. FIRST will have to make sure the wireless is shut down or secured during the competitions. A lot of laptops today also have built in wireless, or if you're like me, you've added the card to your laptop. I have wireless at home and I keep the card in 99% of the time, even when I travel (the 1% of time is when I've been forced to run on battery power and the battery is running low).

[Uki]

The internet connection used at the New England Regional was a request by UTC and sponsors to give internet access to the teams. It was a in house T1 or DSL connection used by the meadows. The only problem with having wireless networks only took a day of practice to become apparent when someone decided to have fun with the access point used by the meadows facilities, which was owned by clear channel broadcasting. Some settings were changed causing communications issues for the facilities personnel. The person who was responsible was apprehended is now being prosecuted by clear channel broadcasting. There many good reasons why teams should have access to internet at the regionals, but there are also reasons why FIRST doesn't think there should, and after the events at the UTC regional, I don't blame them for having there stance on the issue.

-Eric Fields

[Greg Needel]

let me elaborate on the wireless at the finger lakes regional

from what i have been told (and i get told alot of things) there will be open wireless for teams, through the school. RIT is going to setup an account that everyone can use to login something like FLRC2005 with no password so everyone can enjoy the benefits of Internet.

in addition to that there will be at least 8 computers public access that will also have Internet so people/teams will have access even without laptops.

We will also be hosting our own webcast for the event so no worries...everyone will be able to enjoy the finger lakes regional

hope this helps

Greg

[Stefan]

We provided internet access at VCU and Peachtree via our cyber center (bunch of computers hooked up on a network and then that connected to the building's network). This was cleared w/ FIRST and it has to be. We used already avaible internet connection through the building's network. Talk with your regional people to find out if you can and what needs to be done. Why? Some locations do not like people useing their connection and may even try to charge FIRST for its use (depending on how the rental of the building / location is setup). So talk with FIRST first. . .