MySpace big activity on library's laptops

By Benjamin Baxter
The Collegian

In a recent visit to the Henry Madden Library, nearly half of Fresno State students wereusing library laptops to browse MySpace and check e-mail.

The laptop usage is more often supplemental or complementary to assigned homework or study than mutually exclusive. About one quarter of the students were on MySpace to exclusion of all else.

It is difficult to find out how many students use MySpace in the library. A library staff member said if there is a way to track computer and Internet usage, the library does not implement it. A representative from the Central Valley Internet Project said the usage of the Bulldog Wireless Network is not monitored in any way.

On Monday morning, nine students stood in line to wait for a laptop. The wait for one can be as little as one minute and as long as a half-hour.

“I come here about three times a day,” Iris Barba, a liberal studies junior, said jokingly. “I’m mostly killing time right now.”

Barba tries to limit her MySpace time. “I never get on MySpace when I’m actually studying, unless I get distracted. But right now, I’m doing absolutely nothing,” she said.

Many of the students who were on MySpace at the time said they were on a break from their studies. Kari Brawn, a history senior, also limits her usage.

“I’m only on for just a few minutes at a time when I’m studying,” Brawn said. “I live about 20 minutes away, and this is convenient.”

The majority of respondents who were only using MySpace picked up a laptop to waste time. Sue Her, a liberal studies major, said she is usually bored between classes.

“When I’m here, I have nothing to do. I’m here sometimes five days a week,” Her said. “I just have absolutely nothing to do right now.”

Some said their activities were far from habitual and they were here as a fluke. “I’m actually new to this,” said Mary Young, a kinesiology senior. “I just happened to stop in today and get a laptop.”

Students are required to log on to the Bulldog Wireless network to use the Internet on the laptops.

Comment on this story in the News forum >>