New software allows faster, cheaper Bruin OnLine access

Tuesday, January 5, 1999

New software allows faster, cheaper Bruin OnLine access

TECHNOLOGY: Partnership with Earthlink Sprint gives users option
to have nationwide connection to Internet

By Jaime Wilson-Chiru

Daily Bruin Contributor

Along with the Internet’s incredible expansion, more and more
users are accessing Bruin OnLine (BOL).

But, users have to pay long-distance charges if the connection
is made outside of the 310 area code.

Now relief is here in the form of BOL Gold, new software that
allows toll-free connections for a monthly rate ranging from $9.95
to $17.95.

Using a toll-free dial-in number, users with access to the
Internet get nationwide access to BOL as part of this bargain.

Gale Winting, associate dean of the school of public health,
travels often enough so it is inconvenient, expensive and
time-consuming to connect to BOL directly.

Winting said the new software addresses the needs of those who
travel a lot or live outside of the 310 area code.

As an added bonus, BOL Gold offers quicker access through an
Internet service provider, Earthlink Sprint, which is included in
BOL Gold service charges.

"It’s an all around win," said Jeffrey Cole, director of UCLA’s
Center for Communication Policy.

"I was just in New Orleans, and I was able to connect to BOL
through a local number," Cole said. "I never have any problems
connecting to campus. It really is a great solution."

BOL Gold was also created to ease the strain on the
already-crowded modem pool that is used for dial-in BOL service.
Currently, the modems used by BOL are consistently overcrowded,
often causing off-campus users to have to dial in multiple times
before making the connection.

The new plan offers four service plans to suit the needs of BOL
users. The first plan offers five hours per month for $9.95. The
second, 15 hours per month for $12.95. Unlimited local and national
access to BOL Gold is $15.95 and $17.95 respectively.

"The benefits are great because you can go into UCLA restricted
areas, you can access UCLA’s library, and the rates are not too
expensive," said Linda De Leon, a first-year English student.

"BOL Gold is great because you don’t have to be near campus to
access the library," said Shona Roberson, a first-year psychology
student. "You can be anywhere and do any kind of research. It’s
convenient."

UCLA partnered with Earthlink Sprint after reviewing other
Internet service providers. "They sincerely seemed like the best
company," said Dean Brynildsen, marketing communications manager at
Communications Technology Services.

"They have a very good reputation for service. Earthlink’s
service is excellent and we’re very pleased with them," Brynildsen
said.

UCLA launched BOL Gold on Jan. 19 after it was developed by
Earthlink Sprint and the Bruin OnLine Staff.

"It’s been on the drawing board for a couple of years," said
Brynildsen.

BOL Gold links students and professors to campus resources that
are used often, such as UCLA restricted and departmental sites, the
library, bulletin boards, newsgroups, and other databases.

Customers like Winting and Cole find BOL Gold attractive also
because of its user-friendly nature. "Before BOL Gold, getting on
the BOL line was difficult at times," said Cole.

Because BOL Gold was only recently launched, it has not made a
definite impact on the UCLA community. "What we’re doing is getting
more and more people signing up as they learn about it," Brynildsen
said.

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