Show Above: Nicole Lutz, student, in the Owens Library student lounge. The wireless pilot program will allow students and faculty greater mobility. --Dr. Jon Rickman, VP of Information Systems

In 1997, John Hopkins University was one of the first academic institutions in the nation to implement a wireless Lan pilot program. Today, Northwest Missouri State University is following in the footsteps of wirless pioneers like John Hopkins by launching a notebook Lan pilot program.

Currently, the wireless network is active in Owens Library, the Station, the Student Union and the Forest Village Community Building.

Faculty, staff and students with a Windows XP, university-owned, Gateway notebook computer should have no trouble using the wireless network. However, they will need to have the Windows XP SP-2 update installed on their computer to work successfully with the wireless network. Before installing the Windows XP SP-2 update, be sure to backup all your important files, because if the installation is problematic, you may need to bring your notebook into the new Electronic Campus Support Center, located across from Owens Library in the old Armory, for a complete software reload. The EC Support Center will install XP SP-2 for you if you have a university-provided notebook computer.

When using the wireless network, unplug the computer from the wired network. When accessing the wired network after having used the wireless network, be sure to disable your wireless connection, because having your wireless connection enabled while using the wired network may cause you to experience network problems and potentially place you in the position of being in violation of campus computing policies.

Instructions on how to switch between Ethernet and wireless and how to download and install the Windows XP SP-2 update can be found on the On-line Support web page at the following web address: www.nwmissouri.edu/compserv/clientcomputing/Online_Supprt/index.htm