Modern technology is supposed to make life easier. But it seems like technology causes more headaches than wonder around Eastern’s campus.

Ethernet connections were supposed to bring free phone lines, saved time and ease to Eastern students. Instead they have brought headaches, irritations and annoyances.

To start with, the Ethernet cards and cords that the university is selling to students are exorbitantly overpriced at $65 a card and $15 for cords, when the same items can easily be purchased elsewhere for much less money.

Within less than one month of the Ethernet connections being put into use, many students are having problems keeping them up. Many have had their systems crash and haven’t gotten them working again. Others have requested help for Ethernet boxes that don’t work, and have been told that their work request will not be filled.

So what is going on? Why are students being overcharged for equipment? Why are they not being helped when technology problems enter into the equation? Isn’t that what the university is here for? To help students when they request help?

Part of the problem lies in between the fine lines. A worker for the university who asked to remain nameless, explained that students are required to sign a user agreement. Is it that this agreement guarantees to the university how they will use the Ethernet? I certainly hope not.

But I digress. In order to sign a user agreement, students must have a category six cable for the their Ethernet box. The university has decided that all Ethernet users must use a category six cord. And of course, the kind of cord they sell is a category six cord.

A category six cord enables the computer to transfer faster and has better protection from outside factors, according to an Eastern technology worker who wished to remain nameless. They said that a category five of category five E cable would also work, and are much cheaper, but that the university was probably looking ahead to when the category six cable will be needed.

Right now, the system is set up to handle a category five cable just fine.

Category six cords cannot be purchased at places like Wal-Mart or Staples. In fact, within the area of Charleston and Mattoon, where could someone buy a specialty cord? There aren’t exactly a lot of specialty computer stores around here. The university is able to charge whatever they want, they could charge $50 a cord, and no one could do anything about it.

And, unless you have bought your cord from the university, or can prove that you already own a category six cord, the university will not allow you to sign a user contract, and will therefore not provide you with assistance for any problems that might occur with your Ethernet connection.

What a load of crap. Let’s make it as hard as possible to obtain a cord, unless you buy it through us, then not help anyone who doesn’t have the right kind of cord. Give me a break.

Mark Shaklee, assistant director of Housing, was unable to answer questions Tuesday afternoon.

The university needs to remember who it is here for, why they decided to install Ethernet connections in the first place. It isn’t completely necessary to have a category six cord, and it definitely isn’t necessary to charge as much as they are.