Written by Emily Sugiyama
Seattle's fame stems largely from the computer technology developments of the locally-headquartered Microsoft Corporation, and UW definitely benefits from the technological innovations sweeping Seattle. For instance, Bill Gates funded the construction of Mary Gates Hall (named after his mother) and equipped the building with five wired classrooms and a computing center. All dorm rooms have Ethernet cables, so students living on campus can access a high-speed Internet connection, even though there is a minority of students who have complaints about the computer system. For the most part, Web access is consistent and high-quality for students living on campus, and students can virtually always access a computer somewhere on campus, even if it requires waiting through a 10-minute line.
Sometimes, the amount of computers labeled "out of order" frustrates line-dwellers, but all in all, the computing department of the University offers dependable assistance and holds the resources to solve most computing problems. Chances are, they can kill that virus and get you reconnected. Like many things at UW, however, getting the most out of the resources requires some initiative and patience from the student. Ask about software programs and wireless Internet, or surf My UW to find the solution to the virus infecting your computer. Whatever the question, seek an answer, and you will most likely find it.