Ask a Cadet Anything

[baileydb]

When we get our computers, will be allowed to use Skype on them?

 

[USAFA83GradWife]

When we get our computers, will be allowed to use Skype on them?

No. It's a foreign owned company.

I think you're allowed Google Hangouts, though.

 

[baileydb]

When we get our computers, will be allowed to use Skype on them?

No. It's a foreign owned company.

I think you're allowed Google Hangouts, though.

Interesting, I hadn't thought of that! But Google Hangouts works just as well! Thanks for the info!

 

[BlahuKahuna]

Oovoo works as well on the academy network. Skype is only blocked as long as you're using USAFA internet.

 

[Missnj]

Oovoo works, but were technically not allowed to have it on our computers.

 

[nolifepilot]

When a 4-degree gets their phone back is strictly squadron-based, but the majority of people will have them back right after basic. They're also allowed to use them on Doolie Day Out and a select few other times. During the year, they can have whatever media they'd like on their phones as long as they're not using it.

You will 100% get your phone as soon as you are officially finished with basic. You will 100% be allowed to have your phone on you at all times. Should you have it on you during training sessions? Haha probably not. That goes for using it during certain classes. But starting our year, it is a wing-wide thing that you'll never have your phone taken away. The reason they gave us was that your parents pay for it, so it is essentially stealing from them if they restrict your use of it in any way. It's also an accountability thing.

 

[USAFA83GradWife]

DD brought her own computer (after Thanksgiving) and tethers it to her phone. That way she can bypass the USAFA network and the restrictions. BTW, I'm not slamming the restrictions. For all intents and purposes, that USAFA network is a "work" network. My boss doesn't allow me to play games on my computer either!

Anyway, we found that Oovoo just didn't give us good performance & DD told me it was removed from the "approved software" list on the USAFA network.
Hangouts works well using a lower resolution.

If you decide to tether, make sure you have a good data plan!

 

[RogersCO'19]

DD brought her own computer (after Thanksgiving) and tethers it to her phone. That way she can bypass the USAFA network and the restrictions. BTW, I'm not slamming the restrictions. For all intents and purposes, that USAFA network is a "work" network. My boss doesn't allow me to play games on my computer either!

Anyway, we found that Oovoo just didn't give us good performance & DD told me it was removed from the "approved software" list on the USAFA network.
Hangouts works well using a lower resolution.

If you decide to tether, make sure you have a good data plan!

is your DD still a cadet?

 

[USAFA83GradWife]

DD brought her own computer (after Thanksgiving) and tethers it to her phone. That way she can bypass the USAFA network and the restrictions. BTW, I'm not slamming the restrictions. For all intents and purposes, that USAFA network is a "work" network. My boss doesn't allow me to play games on my computer either!

Anyway, we found that Oovoo just didn't give us good performance & DD told me it was removed from the "approved software" list on the USAFA network.
Hangouts works well using a lower resolution.

If you decide to tether, make sure you have a good data plan!

is your DD still a cadet?

Yup. Class of 2018. That's why I remember so much "stuff" about the first year.
And then DH always has a few tidbits of information. He was one of Fleiger's classmates.

 

[RogersCO'19]

DD brought her own computer (after Thanksgiving) and tethers it to her phone. That way she can bypass the USAFA network and the restrictions. BTW, I'm not slamming the restrictions. For all intents and purposes, that USAFA network is a "work" network. My boss doesn't allow me to play games on my computer either!

Anyway, we found that Oovoo just didn't give us good performance & DD told me it was removed from the "approved software" list on the USAFA network.
Hangouts works well using a lower resolution.

If you decide to tether, make sure you have a good data plan!

is your DD still a cadet?

Yup. Class of 2018. That's why I remember so much "stuff" about the first year.
And then DH always has a few tidbits of information. He was one of Fleiger's classmates.

Awesome! I hope I get to meet you and your DD

 

[USAFA83GradWife]

DD brought her own computer (after Thanksgiving) and tethers it to her phone. That way she can bypass the USAFA network and the restrictions. BTW, I'm not slamming the restrictions. For all intents and purposes, that USAFA network is a "work" network. My boss doesn't allow me to play games on my computer either!

Anyway, we found that Oovoo just didn't give us good performance & DD told me it was removed from the "approved software" list on the USAFA network.
Hangouts works well using a lower resolution.

If you decide to tether, make sure you have a good data plan!

is your DD still a cadet?

Yup. Class of 2018. That's why I remember so much "stuff" about the first year.
And then DH always has a few tidbits of information. He was one of Fleiger's classmates.

Awesome! I hope I get to meet you and your DD

Absolutely! You and Bailey should both PM me after Basic. I'll introduce you to my DD during Parent's Weekend.

 

[baileydb]

DD brought her own computer (after Thanksgiving) and tethers it to her phone. That way she can bypass the USAFA network and the restrictions. BTW, I'm not slamming the restrictions. For all intents and purposes, that USAFA network is a "work" network. My boss doesn't allow me to play games on my computer either!

Anyway, we found that Oovoo just didn't give us good performance & DD told me it was removed from the "approved software" list on the USAFA network.
Hangouts works well using a lower resolution.

If you decide to tether, make sure you have a good data plan!

is your DD still a cadet?

Yup. Class of 2018. That's why I remember so much "stuff" about the first year.
And then DH always has a few tidbits of information. He was one of Fleiger's classmates.

Awesome! I hope I get to meet you and your DD

Absolutely! You and Bailey should both PM me after Basic. I'll introduce you to my DD during Parent's Weekend.

I'll do that! Rogers and I are already great friends! I love this forum for getting to meet USAFA people!

 

[afmom2020]

No. It's a foreign owned company.

I think you're allowed Google Hangouts, though.

Skype is owned by Microsoft so unless they want to use Linux as their operating system, they are already using Microsoft products. The Swedish company sold Skype around 2006. I'm sure the Air Force will get around to realizing it.

 

[USAFA83GradWife]

No. It's a foreign owned company.

I think you're allowed Google Hangouts, though.

Skype is owned by Microsoft so unless they want to use Linux as their operating system, they are already using Microsoft products. The Swedish company sold Skype around 2006. I'm sure the Air Force will get around to realizing it.

Ah, true. Personally, I like Linux.

I don't know how true this is, but could be a reason Skype isn't allowed (or some other potential security reason):
Starting in November 2010, Skype has been participating in a U.S. Government spy program titled PRISM, allowing the National Security Agency (NSA) unfettered access to people's chats and video and audio communications.

 

[afmom2020]

Ah, true. Personally, I like Linux.

I don't know how true this is, but could be a reason Skype isn't allowed (or some other potential security reason):
Starting in November 2010, Skype has been participating in a U.S. Government spy program titled PRISM, allowing the National Security Agency (NSA) unfettered access to people's chats and video and audio communications.

I like Linux, too, but can you imagine getting 4000 cadets used to it? I'd feel sorry for the people in charge.

Google and Apple were part of PRISM, too and you say Google hangouts work. I'm pretty sure that your first answer was the right one. It used to be a foreign company, got put on the banned list and it just stayed there.

 

[RogersCO'19]

DD brought her own computer (after Thanksgiving) and tethers it to her phone. That way she can bypass the USAFA network and the restrictions. BTW, I'm not slamming the restrictions. For all intents and purposes, that USAFA network is a "work" network. My boss doesn't allow me to play games on my computer either!

Anyway, we found that Oovoo just didn't give us good performance & DD told me it was removed from the "approved software" list on the USAFA network.
Hangouts works well using a lower resolution.

If you decide to tether, make sure you have a good data plan!

is your DD still a cadet?

Yup. Class of 2018. That's why I remember so much "stuff" about the first year.
And then DH always has a few tidbits of information. He was one of Fleiger's classmates.

Awesome! I hope I get to meet you and your DD

Absolutely! You and Bailey should both PM me after Basic. I'll introduce you to my DD during Parent's Weekend.

DD brought her own computer (after Thanksgiving) and tethers it to her phone. That way she can bypass the USAFA network and the restrictions. BTW, I'm not slamming the restrictions. For all intents and purposes, that USAFA network is a "work" network. My boss doesn't allow me to play games on my computer either!

Anyway, we found that Oovoo just didn't give us good performance & DD told me it was removed from the "approved software" list on the USAFA network.
Hangouts works well using a lower resolution.

If you decide to tether, make sure you have a good data plan!

is your DD still a cadet?

Yup. Class of 2018. That's why I remember so much "stuff" about the first year.
And then DH always has a few tidbits of information. He was one of Fleiger's classmates.

Awesome! I hope I get to meet you and your DD

Absolutely! You and Bailey should both PM me after Basic. I'll introduce you to my DD during Parent's Weekend.

I'll do that! Rogers and I are already great friends! I love this forum for getting to meet USAFA people!

I will definitely do that swe we can both see you during PW possibly and so you know how we are doing!

 

[Grizzly]

How much personal time do we get each day during basic? I'm sure it will depend on the day. I see it on the schedules from last year being right before taps. Just wondering how much time this usually is/what we will likely spend it doing. Thanks.

 

[Missnj]

You don't have personal time during the week except for Fridays and Sundays. It's about an hour to an hour and a half each time. You're allowed to go to a religious service, the Peak Performance Center, the Free-Thinkers Club, or spend your personal time in your room.