The information superhighway at Carleton can sometimes feel more like a potholed, gravel road when you’re trying to connect in class and watching in despair as the Wi-Fi bars travel up, down, and eventually settle on zero.
It’s not the fault of the people looking after the roads that this is sometimes the case. Carleton Computing and Communication Services added 250 Internet access points this year, expanding campus coverage to 58 per cent of all indoor space.
The real culprits are people using the Internet. Watching the latest episode of that favourite TV show puts a greater strain on the system than someone reading a webpage.
The Internet system is massive and places like MacOdrum Library have enough access points to accommodate everyone.
But the reason the Internet grinds to a halt in the basement of Loeb during class is that there are too many users asking for too much. That’s why it’s important to be Internet polite.
Class might be boring and the bounty of the Internet just a click away, but remember that downloading, uploading, streaming, and the like might be taking away from someone’s ability to research, fact-check, and enhance their knowledge.
So go wild when it’s over. But while you’re there, just like you wouldn’t talk, chew loudly, or play music, be courteous of how you use the Internet.
