Wifi

B

BoLwife

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2013
Messages
118
There is a thread over in USAFA's area of the forum about wi-fi in the barracks. Does anyone know what the situation is at USMA?
 
Internet is accessed through USMA's secure server. No WiFi.
 
So Secure....

Thumb or Flash drives are not permitted.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
mom3boys said:
Internet is accessed through USMA's secure server. No WiFi.
Click to expand...

False. There is wifi available, but it is currently restricted to cadets enrolled in MilArt for anything other than your USMA laptop.

-Any issued computer can connect to usma wifi
-anyone in milart with an ipad can also connect to the wifi
 
Wifi at USMA

There is 100% wifi coverage in the academic buildings, the cadet barracks and a large portion of the outdoor areas where cadets are. Additionally, the barracks have indoor cellular repeaters and that is being expanded to the acadmic buildings this year.
 
To add to this since all cadets will be having iPads starting next semester it can probably be assumed everyone will be able to access wi-fi with those as well.
 
Speaking of iPads, would it be better to get the iPad with the cellular option then, or would just the WiFi suffice?
 
Shiba1942 said:
Speaking of iPads, would it be better to get the iPad with the cellular option then, or would just the WiFi suffice?
Click to expand...

Had this discussion with my son last week. Here is where we discussed:

Downsides:
1) Cellular capability costs $130 more upfront;
2) It is the gift that keeps on taking ($20/mth automatically billed unless you cancel/stop);
3) Slightly heavier iPad but hardly noticeable;
4) For anywhere on base you should have access via WIFI, with the possible exception of Buckner and other remote locations. So you are paying for something you don't need;
5) On base, cell service coverage/quality varies but see item #4.
6) Cellular capable iPads are VENDOR specific. You can't buy an AT&T iPad and switch to Verizon service down the road.

Upsides:
1) Cell data can be used month to month and turned off. Just don't forget as it automatically renews;
2) Ability to use Internet from anywhere. Convenient when traveling and when stuck in an airport;
3) Potential for use at other military bases that have not opened up their WiFi service to non-DOD devices. Opening WIFI is not going to happen overnight.
4) Always there if you need it in a pinch. Just enable it and it is good for a month.


Things to consider:
- The technology is changing rapidly. What you buy today will be old technology in 12 months, and potentially obsolete in 36 months.
- You will likely be able to buy the now current iPad technology at a reduced price in 6-9 months. All it will take is a product refresh which is due late this year.
- Memory is not expandable. So take that into account and put money there for longest time before obsolescence.
- You can always get a WIFI enabled Mobile Hotspot, but that means something else to carry. It also will not have that 'turn on'/'turn off' flexibility.
 
GoBlue1984 said:
Had this discussion with my son last week. Here is where we discussed:

Downsides:
1) Cellular capability costs $130 more upfront;
2) It is the gift that keeps on taking ($20/mth automatically billed unless you cancel/stop);
3) Slightly heavier iPad but hardly noticeable;
4) For anywhere on base you should have access via WIFI, with the possible exception of Buckner and other remote locations. So you are paying for something you don't need;
5) On base, cell service coverage/quality varies but see item #4.
6) Cellular capable iPads are VENDOR specific. You can't buy an AT&T iPad and switch to Verizon service down the road.

Upsides:
1) Cell data can be used month to month and turned off. Just don't forget as it automatically renews;
2) Ability to use Internet from anywhere. Convenient when traveling and when stuck in an airport;
3) Potential for use at other military bases that have not opened up their WiFi service to non-DOD devices. Opening WIFI is not going to happen overnight.
4) Always there if you need it in a pinch. Just enable it and it is good for a month.

Things to consider:
- The technology is changing rapidly. What you buy today will be old technology in 12 months, and potentially obsolete in 36 months.
- You will likely be able to buy the now current iPad technology at a reduced price in 6-9 months. All it will take is a product refresh which is due late this year.
- Memory is not expandable. So take that into account and put money there for longest time before obsolescence.
- You can always get a WIFI enabled Mobile Hotspot, but that means something else to carry. It also will not have that 'turn on'/'turn off' flexibility.
Click to expand...

There are several discussions about this on the FB West Point Moms and West Point Class of 2018 pages. It seems the biggest upside of getting the iPad with cellular service is that it includes the GPS hardware/software, and others have posted that you don't ever have to turn on the cellular service if you don't want to pay the monthly fee. Yes, it's $130 more upfront, but it sounds like having GPS capability over just WiFi is a plus.
 
Why is the GPS capability a plus? How will it be used in the iPad relative to a West Point purpose? Thx.


Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
Well yea, I guess there's always that but a smart phone would suffice there and its less to carry around. Anything on campus though, that would make you wish you spent the extra cash for the cell/GPS capability in an IPad?


Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
1984USNA said:
Why is the GPS capability a plus? How will it be used in the iPad relative to a West Point purpose? Thx.

Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
Click to expand...

The answer I keep getting is that having/using the GPS capability when plotting maps, etc. for those classes that require the iPad is more accurate than WiFi alone. Again, I'm just repeating some of the advice given -- my son hasn't decided which he'll get yet and I'm not at all tech savvy.
 
Hi! I've been appointed to USMA Class of 2019.

I have some questions about the technology policy at USMA. When I visited, I noted that cadets had iPads, and could surf the web relatively easily (ie youtube clash of clans etc.). However, are cadets not allowed to bring their own laptops? And are my only options for tablets the iPad? Could I bring a Windows Surface tablet? Just wondering!
 
Jack Chu said:
Hi! I've been appointed to USMA Class of 2019.

I have some questions about the technology policy at USMA. When I visited, I noted that cadets had iPads, and could surf the web relatively easily (ie youtube clash of clans etc.). However, are cadets not allowed to bring their own laptops? And are my only options for tablets the iPad? Could I bring a Windows Surface tablet? Just wondering!
Click to expand...

The iPad was a required purchase for this year's Plebes. They could purchase one from home with a set of minimum requirements or order it through USMA. If a new cadet brought an iPad on R-Day, it was taken and given back after Beast. If a new cadet ordered it through USMA, it was issued after Beast. You can bring an additional tablet or computer for personal use. My DS has his gaming computer, in addition to his issued laptop and issued iPad. All of the information re. the iPad will be in one of the documents listed on your portal.
 
ca2midwestmom said:
Jack Chu said:
Hi! I've been appointed to USMA Class of 2019.

I have some questions about the technology policy at USMA. When I visited, I noted that cadets had iPads, and could surf the web relatively easily (ie youtube clash of clans etc.). However, are cadets not allowed to bring their own laptops? And are my only options for tablets the iPad? Could I bring a Windows Surface tablet? Just wondering!
Click to expand...

The iPad was a required purchase for this year's Plebes. They could purchase one from home with a set of minimum requirements or order it through USMA. If a new cadet brought an iPad on R-Day, it was taken and given back after Beast. If a new cadet ordered it through USMA, it was issued after Beast. You can bring an additional tablet or computer for personal use. My DS has his gaming computer, in addition to his issued laptop and issued iPad. All of the information re. the iPad will be in one of the documents listed on your portal.
Click to expand...

I would assume it is a gaming laptop? I was curious about this because I know you can not connect to the school's internet, but I didn't know if you were really allowed to bring a gaming PC, because consoles are not allowed for freshman.
 
ironcloud9 said:
I would assume it is a gaming laptop? I was curious about this because I know you can not connect to the school's internet, but I didn't know if you were really allowed to bring a gaming PC, because consoles are not allowed for freshman.
Click to expand...

Yes, sorry, it's a laptop. I believe he has a 2nd monitor also.
 
Don't bring an extra laptop. You'll seriously get no use out of it and it'll just be another high valued item to track. You are issued a monitor, although I suppose you could bring your own. Make sure it's within the size limits though (20 inches? 22, 24...something like that.)

Also, there's literally no reason to upgrade your iPad to anything more than the minimum. Cadets use them solely for crappy apps and surfing the web during class. They are incredibly useless and I'm pretty disappointed with the policy that made them mandatory in lieu of how little they've been integrated.
 
On your portal you should have seen where you make payments for your WP laptop (get the extra stuff). What brand and size will be what WP IT finds. It will more than sufficient for your use. You will need to get an iPad at some point after Beast. I would not bring anything else. During R-Day all that you bring will be stored until A-Day. If it rains and stuff is packed away wet it will be destroyed. During your first two years at WP you will not have any extra time for gaming.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top