Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 3 May 2001 — Page 33

The Muncie Times, May 3, 2001, page 33

Wireless world is coming of age at Ball State

Sitting at Starbucks and sipping a mocha latte in Ball State University’s new Art and Journalism Building, a professor uses her wireless handheld computer to answer e-mail from students. Meanwhile, in the new sculpture garden, a student uses his laptop to place his finished research paper onto the campus computer network for his professor to grade. Another student sends instant messages to friends at other colleges from the new outdoor dining area along McKinley Avenue. Elsewhere in the building, a professor wheels in a mobile cart containing a wireless computer and projector for today’s lesson. Scenes like these will be possible this fall when the Art and Journalism

Building opens. It will be the first Ball State structure with wireless capabilities virtually everywheie in the building. The $30 million facility will provide additional space and technologies to the art and journalism departments, as well as food service in a 400-seat dining area and the university book store. Last year in its most extensive look at technology on American campuses, Yahoo! Internet Life magazine ranked Ball State No. 17 in its survey of “most wired” colleges and universities. The introduction of wireless capabilities was cited as one reason for the ranking. Ball State has wireless access points at the Cooper Science Building, Bracken Library, Kitselman Conference Center,

Showalter Facilities and the Robert Bell Building. “The future of wireless is great,” said Vernon Draper, coordinator of network support services. “Could it ever replace the hard-wired network system we have in place today? We’ll see.” Draper says many people and the media are still experiencing the “wow factor” over wireless capabilities. Meanwhile, Ball State is separating the hype from the reality, he said. “We look at wireless as a feature, not a replacement to our current infrastructure,” he said. For instance, the Art and Journalism Building will still have the same hard-wired connections as the rest of the campus. “Right now, the hardwired connections are

eight times faster than the wireless connections,” he said. “For campuses that do not have the infrastructure like we do, then wireless is much less expensive to install. However, we have the infrastructure and the expertise to maintain it.” Planned improvements to the campus network this summer will make those “old-fashioned” plug-in connections even faster, Draper said. This leaves Ball State in the enviable position of being able to monitor the competing wireless technologies to see which ones will prevail in the marketplace, he said. “We don’t want to embrace anything until it is a standard to ensure we get longevity out of our investment,” Draper said. “Security is also an

issue with wireless networks and solutions to these issues are just beginning to catch up.” Ball State has been using wireless technology known as 802.11b, which is gaining wide spread use. Students and faculty members will get the most from wireless access when mobility is needed. For instance, Draper said, bringing laptops to a lab would allow students to have access to the resources on the campus network, while still allowing them to work on computers they are most familiar with and will be taking with them for further work outside the class. Future plans call for wireless capabilities to be added “as needed,” Draper said.

Colomer names Smith to head ethnic sales, marketing group

Michael Powell, president, Colomer USA Inc., has announced the appointment of 20 year industry veteran Dennis E. Smith as senior vice president, sales & marketing, Ethnic Products Group. Under the direction of Smith, based in Jacksonville, Fla., the sales and marketing team at Colomer is poised for growth in the ethnic hair care and beauty industry. As part of his new position, Smith, will be responsible for a 30person sales force headed by Tom Hood, vice president, Sales, Ethnic Products Group. Smith

Smith

will also oversee the group’s marketing team which will be responsible for ethnic hair care products for the consumer and professional salon markets and new product development.

Before joining Colomer, Smith was vice president Retail Sales at Soft Sheen Products, a division of L’Oreal in Chicago, where he developed and executed strategic plans for the domestic retail sales force. Smith was also executive vice president of sales and was a member of the board of directors for Carson Products Co. of Savannah, Ga., where he was responsible for increasing sales over 300 percent during his tenure. Previously, Smith oversaw a national sales team for Pro-Line Corp.

of Dallas. Smith said, “With all of the innovations and technology taking place within the industry, it is a very exciting time to lead such a dynamic group of professionals. I look forward to tremendous success and growth in the year ahead at Colomer.” Smith is a lifetime members of the NAACP and the Georgia Chapter of 100 Black Men of America. He received his bachelor’s degree from Fisk University and attended an executive training program at the University of Virginia’s

Darden Graduate School of Business in Charlottesville. Colomer’s ethnic product line include such brands as African Pride, Creme of Nature, All Ways Natural, Revlon Realistic, Fabulaxer, HerbaRich, 911, Lottabody and Ginseng Miracle. These products are available in major food, drug and mass merchandise chains wherever fine products are sold. The Coiomer Group purchased Revlon Professional Products Worldwide in 2000.