Now that I have the option of using a wired or wireless connection, I almost exclusively use wireless. Flinn uses his wireless connection in his office, classes, or meetings, where he can pull up files at a moment's notice. On a crisp autumn day, he checked the Internet and downloaded files at Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park. But the extent to which Flinn uses his wireless connection won't necessarily be the norm. Futhey envisions students camping out wherever they want to, using e-mail or doing course assignments over the Web.
Professors can work interactively with students in class over the Web.
The wireless project began six years ago with lab research. In 1997, the university set up a small-scale wireless network as a test bed for faculty and researchers in the computer science and engineering buildings. The newly expanded network is more consumer friendly, with a help desk and instructions for users. Alison Greenwald, a computer science major who uses a friend's wireless laptop, appreciates its handiness. It makes you much more reachable.