I'm sorry if this is a repeated thread, but I'm very curious about USNA's policy on technology. What abouts cell phones, personal laptops, and other technology? I even hear of people having an X Box in their dorm??? How do the policies change as the cadet moves up in class? Thanks in advance!
I'll just tell you what I know and others can add on or correct it.
Wireless internet is virtually nonexistent at the Naval Academy. All the midshipman rooms in Bancroft Hall (the dormitory) are hard-wired. You cannot use your own, personal computer from home on their network. You have to use THEIR, specially configured computers. You can have your own, personal computer, but you will not be able to hook it up to the school's network.
You can have cellphones but Plebes, during Plebe Summer, will have virtually no access to them. They get their cellphones back when Plebe Summer ends.
No Apple products are allowed on the academy's network. If you're an Apple guy, get used to being a PC guy.
Plebes are often not allowed "media" access. Upperclassmen do.
The academy has their own intra-net that streams live TV to midshipman's rooms. Plebes are generally not permitted to use this.
I have heard of XBox in midshipman rooms but I do not know if that is specifically allowed. There is always a distinction between what is
technically not allowed and what is
actually not allowed. Midshipmen eventually learn which rules are
real rules. (i.e. strictly enforced)
