| Commentary | As reported in Computerworld and a few other outlets, the
2008 Olympics will not utilize wireless technology on the Games' core computer network. The idea is to ensure maximum reliability and security of the system that tracks official statistics and other vital information by using a wired network instead.
The decision may sound ridiculous at first as Beijing has been billing these games as the "High-Tech Olympics." However, it makes good sense technically and its likely few people will even notice. Wi-Fi and other wireless technologies will undoubtedly be available to visitors via municipal and other wireless networks separate from the temporary one being built for the Games.
The decision may sound ridiculous at first as Beijing has been billing these games as the "High-Tech Olympics." However, it makes good sense technically and its likely few people will even notice. Wi-Fi and other wireless technologies will undoubtedly be available to visitors via municipal and other wireless networks separate from the temporary one being built for the Games.
I think it’s a very good decision. In my experience wireless networks are touchy and flaky, not something you want for an intense weeks-long event. The organizers have better things to do than try to figure out why a network that was working just fine when it was set up last night when the venue was empty doesn’t work when you fill it with 10,000 human bodies, all their cellphones and ipods, and hundreds of pieces of radio and tv broadcast equipment. Meanwhile, everyone in the world is laughing at you because the judges scores on the gymnastics floor aren’t posting…. Nope, good old Cat5e for me.
I think is is a very good idea in our home we have Wi-fi and sometimes it drops out so it would cause a major headace for promoters and the organizers ….so yes good old Cal5e
I think its a good idea not to rely on wireless.. Wired is more reliabe and more secure. However wireless should defintaley be use for internet access to athletes staying in the Olympic Village.
Former Olympian – Greece athens
So far the opinions are unanimous – Wi-Fi has it’s place, but Ethernet is the safe choice for the “backbone.” Any other opinions out there?
P.S. Darren – best of luck in Osaka (IAAF worlds) this week.