Internet...

Well, I finally have internet access in my room. I have very little free time, though, so don't expect to see much. It was a long and complicated process to get here, but I'm glad I no longer have to trek to the library or computer labs to get my work done.  I went to get an appointment the second day I got here.  Their first available appointment was today.  I'm just a *little* bit upset at the process, that's all.

I would just like to state for the reader that the program I’m taking here is in Information Technology- computers, in other words.  But I obviously know nothing about computers, because, you know, I'm a girl.

My computer is old (it was running ME when I got it...don't even get me started on the horrors) and is a Compaq.  But the really nice thing is, it was free.  And being both common and old, I am able to get parts like mad for it, free.  I put some time into it and fixed it up pretty decently.  Anyhow, it now runs like a dream...and no one would want to steal it because it looks like a piece of junk.  Yeah, free works for me.  It's certainly good enough for school.

Anyhow, when I went to the desk to try and get my internet to work, I was shocked at how I was treated.  The guy talked down to me the entire time I was at the desk trying to let him know that my internet connection just wasn't working.  His reply: when you go back to your room, go to the START button...blah blah blah.  I just stared at this jerk, who obviously thought that my look of disbelief was confusion, and printed off step-by-step directions to enter in all my system configurations.  I grabbed his hand and told him that I had already done all of that and could he please check to see if I was actually registered with the system.  He told me that he had an appointment for Friday, and “Phil” would be able to help me out at 7.  Fine.  Whatever.  Don’t be late.

So today at quarter of six I was waiting for my helpful internet connection guy Phil to show up.  I took a book, because, what do you know, he ambles in at 7:20.  I don't need to be at my group meeting at 8 or anything.  Took him up to my room, shoved him through my password protections (three, yes, I know I’m paranoid), and watched him work.  He was nice enough, and didn’t talk down to me, but he didn’t expect me to know anything.  I told him that he could just tell me what he wanted me to do, and I would.  If I didn’t know what he wanted me to do, I would ask for directions.  He seemed surprised, but agreed.  He asked me if my computer's Ethernet cable was plugged into the proper jack.  Yes.  I've checked already, thanks, and my roomie's internet works just fine.  We don't have the cat5's mixed up.  Was all of my configuration information entered in properly?  Yep.  I re-entered my IP, the subnet mask, my host name, default, primary, and secondary DNS server, Ethernet addy, all my computer info, everything.  But feel free to do the same.  Oh look, you already are.  Didn’t work for you either?  Gee, imagine that.  You want to reformat my computer?  No, I know what that means…I’ve done it twice since I’ve been here. Try something else.  Why are you calling the desk?  You are asking them to check and see if I’m actually registered?  Like I wanted you to do two weeks ago?  What’s that?  No one verified my account?  But it’s been done now.  Well, thank you.  I’m so glad it took you a trip to my room and an hour of my time to get one of your buddies to click “OK” during a 30 second phone call.  No wonder you are so backlogged with appointments.  Now leave.

But I’ve got a sweet T1 hook-up in my room now.  That’s got to count for something.