Halls of Residence

[Dick Cheney]

I can expound at some length on this matter.

The halls do not have an internet service as such. Rather, they have a restricted HTTP web-browsing service. There is a network socket above the desk in each bedroom - I believe the common room has wifi, but I haven't tested it and there is no wifi in the rest of halls.

What this means is that you can browse most websites, but almost all other protocols are blocked. Skype just about worked for a while, but now seems to have stopped working. All the other internet telephony services such as SIP are blocked. Streaming video is also pretty shaky.

We have discussed this issue with Estates and the Computing Service, and they have been intransigent. Bizarrely, Eduroam wifi service is available throughout the medical school, but they won't provide it in the new halls because it is a 'security risk' (it was available in old halls).

I understand your feelings about Skype - the situation is lamentable for a brand new halls of residence.

DC

[Imhotep]

So they're basically being a bit cheap on the old bandwidth. They probably shouldn't be able to say "high speed ethernet internet access" on their web page since so much of the internet seems to be off-limits.

Unfortunately I think the ASA is too busy with Ryanair to help out on this one

But seriously, although the internet is not the most important thing for me, it is quite off-putting (if not for this forum I would have taken the website at its word and arrived expecting to actually have access to many of the resources that are blocked!)

Stephen

[Dick Cheney]

Yes, the internet situation is deplorable. Everything from Skype to iTunes is blocked. Good offers on wireless broadband USB dongles come up now and again - but it is still an extra £15 a month on top of rent. Looking forward to moving out in summer and getting broadband again.

[Gizmo says -]

nice pics, DC.
theres no comparison between orton and shite old grove (which was apparently built for 'obbits, scaled doon becos the uni couldnt afford the costs). A change for the better - reminds me of good ol teeside polytechnic 'alls.
although tis still a mystery to me why the grove was built and remained as it was for so long, when the nusses had it much better and cheaper next door. answers, georgies?

sorri to 'ear about the internet fiasco - it should get cleard up quicker than the two and an alf decades it took to put the botched grove right.

all in all, though, def a step in the right direction (although anyfing would be after the grove pit).

[BarneyB]

Don't be fooled! The Grove was infinitely preferable in most respects to the new fangled Horton Halls! Dick, you and the rest of the Gentlemens' floor might agree, non? The Grove was infinitely more homely, communal, and fun, not to mention it had rent in keeping with the rest of Tooting. I was at King's before George's, and the rent to live at Waterloo wasn't much more than this!

However - halls has been a fantastic experience in terms of meeting other GEPs, and most of the problems with the new halls will probably be ironed out by the time next September rolls around. I would recommend a visit before signing up, and I agree with DC that if we had known what it would be like this year in terms of noise, disruption, etc. from the building site, and in terms of teething problems, then I would be living in private rented accommodation right now. That said, I would probably have not had so much fun on the social side, nor suppport on the academic side (there is a lot to be said for living with 19 other GEPs in the first year!)

Hope that is of some help

DC - see you on Monday!

[Dick Cheney]

gizmo: From discussions with the faculty, the internet solution will not be remedied. Future occupants beware.

Barny B: Yeah, I have to say I preferred the atmosphere at the old Grove, the fact it had internet and its reasonable rent. I think most of us would put up with the narrow corridors and aircraft toilets for that.

I suspect much of the problems and expense of the new halls arises from George's contracting out services. Horton seems to have been built and run by a housing association. There are complex service contracts to draw up and monitor with parties constantly disputing responsibility.

[Gizmo says -]

the short term answer is to pull a georgies nuss at freshers week and settle in wif em.

at least they get decent rooms!

[Dick Cheney]

Something the site is missing is a social club - there would be no shortage of patrons.

[Anni_IB]

I'm a resident at Horton Halls, internet works fine! I can use itunes, skype, facebook, all 4 emails that I have etc. Where the internet has trouble working is when it comes to youtube. It also restricts the use of curse words on msn. Both Apples and Windows laptops work perfectly fine. Horton Halls is definitely better than the grove, it's an amazing place to be at. I love my room, it's big, cosy, has internet, TV (if you'd like one), my own shower and toilet. My kitchen is huuuuge, we have a big table and several stows etc. Everyone in the grove was pretty miserable, and jealous, until they got to move to Horton Halls. I'd believe someone who actually lives there. The only problems have been flooding of some flats, the heating not working properly and the common room (with the huge plasma TV closed) due to vandalism. However, they do try their best to fix any problem that you might have. I love living in halls, will be sad to have to move out next year. The common rooms and the kitchen are great places to hang or have parties at...plus we've got pretty cool lifts too.

[JH]

wtf.....plasma TV screen....(sarcasm) that's a good usage of the budget.