Library works with new technology

Problems implementing the University's new paid printing system and wireless networks have been causing confusion for staff and students at Tisch Library and Eaton computer lab.

Library staff says they are currently working to resolve all these problems.

Since its activation this semester, technical problems have plagued the already contentious printing system system. "We have reports of the server sporadically not printing," said Library Director Jo-Ann Michalak. "We can't identify exactly what is wrong, but we are working on it and doing weekly reviews. Hopefully it will be resolved soon."

Waiting in line for printing and the sporadic breakdowns has been stressful for many students, even those who expected service to improve with fee-based printing.

"I thought that the printing process would be smoother than last year because we are paying for it now," sophomore Samuel Ronfard said. "But it is really frustrating for the printer not to print, or for something to go wrong. I do not have a lot of confidence in the new printing policy right now."

Still, Ronfard was confident in Tufts' ability to resolve the problem. "I bet they will smooth out all of the problems. It is the first semester for this policy, so I want to see if it is improved by next semester," he said.

Other students have been frustrated with Internet access issues in the library.

Students connecting to the Internet through a wireless network from their laptops (known as WiFi) have complained about their wireless connections performing erratically and even cutting out mid-session. "It is annoying to be kicked off the network while I am working," said junior Jay Sherman. "[WiFi] is pretty slow too, so I do not use it all that often."

According to Michalak, the popularity of the wireless net work may actually be the cause of the problem. She said students might feel that the wireless network is underperforming, but it is simply increased traffic that slows it down. Each network's given capacity is shared among all of the users associated with a single access point.

However, Library staff is working to fix the problem. "We have added additional access points, and all public areas have the wireless network," she said. Technology needed to analyze the performance of Tufts' wireless network is emerging and will eventually be used to control network traffic.

"There are only some complaints," Derek Fehrer, who works at the Ginn library, said. "Most of them are about the slowness of the wireless network, and that is due to the number of users."