Cleveland's Wired

Last year was a tough one for Clevelanders, but the city has made a list we can be proud of.

According to the Forbes' website, Cleveland is the 26th most wired city in 2008, leading the state of Ohio. Cincinnati and Columbus also make the list, at 28th and 29th respectively, however they both dropped down from previous years.

Forbes.com compiled their list based on several factors: the number of companies that provide high speed Internet to consumers, the percentage of Internet users who use high-speed internet, and the number of wireless, or wi-fi, hotspots.

Ohio's presence on the list is due to several millions of dollars that the state has invested into the promotion of internet technology under Governor Ted Strickland, the ultimate goal being "one hundred percent broadband access in Ohio," according to gubernatorial spokesman Keith Daily on Forbes. com.

The increase in broadband access will create jobs and economic growth, leading even President Obama to establish six billion dollars in grant money for the creation of a larger broadband network in his new economic stimulus package.

Cleveland's entrance onto the list exemplifies what CSU students have known for several years - that access to highspeed, wireless internet is an ease. Cleveland State prides itself on being a well wired campus, with the Information Services and Technology Department (IS&T) providing a variety of services around campus.

There are six generalpurpose labs scattered throughout campus that allow students quick, free and secure access to endless information. If being tied down to a desktop is a little too last-century for you, the entire campus, including the dorms, has access to a secure wi-fi connection. Students are able to log onto the network, simply using their CSU ID number and their CampusPass universal password. If you do not have a laptop on campus, that's not a problem. One of the most popular student services on campus is Mobile Campus.

Val Mackey, who has been a staple of Mobile Campus for five years, says that CSU's wireless network has grown immensely. "It started in the [UC] Cage and is now all over campus - it's grown one hundred percent." When asked why she thought Mobile Campus was so popular, she said, "You can go anywhere on campus and it doesn't cost anything." Students can rent out one of their 200 Gateway laptops and tablets for a four-hour time block, free of charge, Monday through Saturday.