OU is about one-half of the way to its goal of networking the university to the Internet and bringing the university to the forefront of technology, said Tom Reid, director of Communication Network Services.

Every room in 18 residence halls across campus is equipped with Ethernet, a computer connection that provides Internet access independent of a telephone system.

The university plans to install Ethernet connections in every room of every residence hall on campus by the end of 1998, Reid said.

This summer the university added 1,500 Ethernet connections (one per residence hall room) to eight residence halls. The $400,000 project completes Phase 2 of ResNet, a project designed to connect all classrooms, computer labs, conference rooms, residence halls and offices on the OU campus to the Internet and the campus network, said Robert Hynes, director of auxiliary services.

Phase 1, completed in August 1996, connected 10 residence halls and 10 campus buildings, including Alden Library, Hudson Health Center and Morton Hall, to the Internet and campus network.

OU currently provides two options for Internet access in the residence halls, Ethernet and DialNet.

Ethernet connections enable students to connect their personal computers directly to the Internet and campus network from their residence hall rooms. The connection runs about 300 times faster than the best modems. Although the Ethernet connection is free, students must purchase an Ethernet card and cable from Communication Network Services in Scott Quad.

Students without Ethernet cards installed in their computers can purchase cards for about $50, cables for about $5 and other equipment from OU Communication Network Services at Scott Quad.

DialNet offers the same services as Ethernet, but uses a modem to make a connection through phone lines and students are charged an hourly rate for usage. DialNet usually is an option for students living off campus or in residence halls without an Ethernet connection. To use DialNet, a student must obtain a Bobcat Calling Card number from Telephone Services in Scott Quad.

Both Ethernet and DialNet enable students to connect to their e-mail accounts, use Netscape to browse the World Wide Web, download Internet files and use the OhioLink library system, Reid said.

"The additional Ethernet connections in the residence halls will give students the opportunity to do work from their dorm rooms and is clearly an advantage in our goal to enhance learning on this campus," Housing Director Dale Tampke said. "This is a superior connection that can produce images much quicker than the previous system," he said.

Communication Network Services estimates about 25 percent of OU students use the Ethernet connections.

The following buildings are networked with Ethernet: Atkinson, Boyd, Brough, Brown, Bryan, The Convo, Crawford, Ewing, Gamertsfelder, Hoover, James, Lincoln, O'Bleness, Ryors, Scott Quadrangle, Sargent, Treudley and the west side of Wilson.

CNS will provide students with installation guides, telephone support and free software packages including Netscape, Telnet, FTP and Eudora.

Throughout this year, CNS will continue to network remaining campus buildings to the Internet.