PSGCNJ TECH TIP
Is There Internet Access for My Notebook PC or Mobile Device in the Somerville One-Stop Career Center?
This has two answers, one for wired Internet access, one for Wireless.
1. Wired Access: No (except for the State-Managed PSG Workstations).
For security and workplace efficiency reasons, the State of NJ strictly prohibits us from connecting anything to the State's private network. The only wired Internet connectivity available in the OSCC is via the DoL-provided workstations, and the State's authority wasn't willing to discuss higher-security alternatives for our devices.
- Note: You might want to avoid entering sensitive data, like passwords or credit card numbers, into any publically-shared PC.
2. Wireless: Sort Of, Maybe, Under Certain Conditions.
Option 2a: "Bring your own" by having a mobile data plan from a wireless service such as Verizon Wireless, AT&T Wireless, and Sprint/Nextel/Virgin Mobile. The State does not block their signals. Such plans require enabling hardware, such as:
- Built into PC or mobile device, or added via a plug-in card or USB device,
- A portable "personal hotspot" combined with a WiFi-enabled PC or mobile device, or
- "Tethering" to your cell phone's data service, although wireless service providers usually charge extra for tethering. (Some Android smartphones apps might circumvent that.)
Option 2b: "Bring your own" WiFi privileges from home.
This is much more common than you think because cable companies often offer public wifi to customers of their cablemodem Internet access services. To use this option, all of the following five conditions must be met:
- You (or a participant of your meeting) must be a subscriber to Cablevision Optimum Online* Internet access service. You'll log in with your Optimum Online ID and password. (The ID is your @optonline.net or @optimum.net email address.)
- The public Cablevision WiFi signal must be working and strong enough to be usable inside the OSCC. (As
with any cell phone or mobile data
service, it can't work if the signal is too weak.)
- If you need to troubleshoot this, try your device on the left side of the window sill in the "small DVR" with the aluminum blinds raised 1 ft.
- Or you can test the service close to the source antenna 1.5 blocks west of us on Veterans Memorial Drive/Franklin St. (at the 3rd telephone pole from Bridge Street, in front of 21 Franklin St.). The signal reflects off adjacent buildings to reach the OSCC, so it could be briefly disrupted by tall trucks or bad weather.
- Whenever needed, we can usually boost your device's ability to connect to this public signal from most PSGCNJ meeting rooms. (We simply sit a booster on the small DVR's window sill, and return it to storage when you're done.) Contact the Technology Committee for instructions and the extra password you'd need, or read them in the members-only PSGCNJ Yahoo Group Files folder for the Technology Committee.
- Your notebook PC, netbook, or mobile device must have WiFi capability (e.g., wireless 802.11g) that works and isn't configured to disconnect every few seconds to conserve power.
- Always be prepared with a contingency plan. Although the above solution should be pretty reliable and easy, any of the above could give you trouble unexpectedly, and might not be immediately fixable. Be prepared to switch to using a DoL-provided workstation (which can be hooked up to a projector if needed), personal hotspot, pre-prepared presentation materials (which tend to be faster anyway), or do without.
| Public WiFi service → Signal
reaches OSCC → Your device (w/ booster if needed) Sign-in Steps: Initiate connection (if using booster, enter its password, too) → Start web browsing → when prompted, submit your ID & password → Connected! |
*Why only Cablevision's WiFi? Why Not Comcast or Verizon?
Both Cable and FiOS Internet service providers offer public WiFi for their customers in certain public locations. Verizon FiOS does not have any WiFi nearby, and although all three area cablecos' public WiFi can be accessed from the window sill of the small DVR room we can only boost your reception of one. Cablevision is the dominant cable company in Somerset County and in Somerville.
- If another volunteer would like to buy and donate a 2nd booster for about $160 (subject to all the same contingencies as the first), we could enable Comcast Xfinity WiFI, too, but it might be a waste of money if our solution turns out to be less reliable than we hope.
Professional Service Group of Central New Jersey
at Somerville (PSGCNJ)
75 Veterans Memorial Drive East
Somerville, NJ 08876
For information/suggestions/questions regarding this website contact
the webmaster: webmaster@psgcnj.org