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[psu.cac.access] Re: 26 bytes per second eh?

------- Start of forwarded message -------
From: [email protected] (RM DAscenzo)
Newsgroups: psu.cac.access
Subject: Re: 26 bytes per second eh?
Date: Mon, 28 Oct 1996 01:02:03 -0500
Organization: Penn State University
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
References: <[email protected]> <[email protected]> <[email protected]> <[email protected]> <[email protected]> <[email protected]>

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Steven Quinn) wrote:

> With the sorry speeds and frequent freeze-ups that the 
> computers in the CAC labs are getting i wouldnt be surprised
> if more people got computers for their dorms or apartments.  
> 
> Gee, that's gonna make the situation even better huh?

Probably not, because then there'd likely be even more people hogging
bandwidth with Quake servers. But the answer might also depend on which
perspective you view from.

The buyers might be happy they no longer have to wait in line. But now
they'll have to learn something about computer setup and configuration.
Could result in new headaches for many of them. The resulting appreciation
for or at least some perspective of what it takes to maintain or setup
network services could quiet much of the criticisim voiced here..network
admins might be happier about that..

The res hall consultants probably will not be too excited about this
sudden influx of computers. And the Help desk might get back to their 2000
call a day average. Probably not much joy there.

The MOC might benefit with some increased sales figures but if it gets too
busy some of the staff may end up working overtime which would result in
severe depletion of the Personel department staff due to a high number of
cardiac arrests. Barnes and Noble will probably rack up some additional
software sales from eager parents too impatient to wait far the MOC to
have something in stock.

Despite the quieting effect mentioned earlier, cac.access would likely
receive significantly more posts blasting computing services, lab set-set
up, software selection, leaf removal, and innacurate clocks around campus.
This in turn would force the attention of the Collegian, which has been
ignoring the newsgroups as a hotbed of sensationalistic material, and lead
to months of coverage about the decay of the university. USG would have to
step in before they felt totaly irrelevant to the complaint process and
our student representatives would start posting. Unfortunately, they would
be unable or unsure of where to post so there would be massive cross
posting and requests for additional training seminars and more FAQ lists
(which would also have to be produced in alternative media). In the
ensuing mayhem, someone would certainly try to slip in a request for
psu.comp.mac. News admins might find this situation a bit trying. 

On the whole, the Alumni Association would find this negative publicity
dangerous and start squeezing the athletic department for "high profile"
victories to divert attention. After the victories, partying on campus
would increase along with alcohol consumtion in the dorms. As a result of
the dorm parties several computers would likely be damaged and require
service. The Computer Repair Shop would handle the IBM and Apple owners,
but the other students would begin to miss exams and classes while waiting
for Gateway, Dell, etc. technical support to answer the phones.

With this happening, GPA's would plummet, recrutiers would stop visiting,
and whole purpose of education would be defeated. There would be massive
call for reform and a return to "the good old days." A Luddite/Amish
coalition would be called in to consult. Quill pen, papyrus, and abacus
sales would skyrocket, spaning new industries in the area, as university
employess and students declared their freedom from the difficulties which
accompany developing technologies. In a symbolic show of strength and
unity, computers from around campus would be taken, heaped, and burned at
the corner of College Ave. and Allen St. as people realized the technology
is imperfect and cannot always function properly despite the best
intentions of manufacturers and administrators. 

....IMHO.

-rd
------- End of forwarded message -------

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