First of all, remember this: a library computer is meant for the public at large, not merely you, the user. Therefore, it is advised that you not do certain things with it. These things go as follows:
If the computers are labeled “No E-Mail”, do not use them for E-Mail. This is especially the case when computers that do allow you to use E-Mail are just 20 feet away.
If you are going to violate the rules and use the computers for E-Mail, at least don’t set it up so that every time you turn on the computer, there’s an AOL sign-on screen.
Do not use AIM on a library computer.
Do not download AIM on a library computer.
Do not download AIM in Polish on a library computer.
Do not install WeatherBug on a library computer.
Do not change the page that opens when you get on the Internet at a library computer. That page was chosen for a reason.
Do not use it in such a way that it causes hundreds of pop-ups to come up when a unsuspecting later user tries to search the Internet.
Do not download any programs for the computer that the library didn’t regard as necessary.
Do not download a creensaver, as they are not needed.
Do not change the generic screen that is on the computer when you turn it on. Quite frankly, there are people who don’t give a rat’s ass about “Legend”, and would rather not have pictures of a character from that film show up whenever they turn-on a certain computer.
Finally,
For the love of God and almost all things holy, DO NOT DO SOMETHING THAT CAUSES EVERY COMPUTER IN THE LIBRARY (even those used by the librarians) TO CRASH, PUTTING THEM OUT OF COMMISSION FOR A WEEK!!!
Perhaps I should have made it clear earlier. I am not a librarian. However, I do use library computers regularly, and I am dismayed at the things I’ve listed below (all of which I have found in the last two weeks).
Try installing **Deep Freeze ** on the library’s computers. Our school uses it on all networked computers. No changes at all can be made to core programming without “unlocking” the program. It has saved us from untold grief.
My University Library, thankfully, has a beyond-competent IT Dept. We just lack the funds to upgrade from Windows 98. Fucking California state budget.
And This Year’s Model, we do provide catalog-access only workstations. See? Good public academic research libraries do exist! Now if only they would pay me more…
On a side note, if your academic department has two computers available in the graduate office/reference room for graduate students to get on-line, or to print out on the nice shiny laser printer copies of their papers, resumes, etc, do not hog it up playing games when there are people who obviously would like to have five minutes to print out a paper; do not download porn, or viruses, or whatever that makes the comps crash on a regular basis.
These computers are so well known to be constantly infested with viruses and who knows what else, that anyone who brings in a disk with something to print knows that one is to bin that disk after it’s been in a department computer.
Further complaints:
When a student organization has only one computer, which is required to do some of the work necessary to be a member of that organization, do not install spyware on the computer. For that matter, don’t install things, period. Weatherbug is not necessary to send emails to prospective students. Nor is it necessary to type up mailing labels, etc. I am going to nominate myself to “Secret Tech guy”. It’s really freaking annoying.
Even more ridiculous: We must have a list of programs deemed necessary to access the school network in the dorms. AVG, and then a few things that suck, and I don’t use, but I have to download. This computer that we work on has no firewall, no AV program, no Spybot/adaware. And there are 20 people that rotate usage on it, 19 of which are completely computer illiterate.
