# How To Operate A Library Computer **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 22, 2004, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620 "2004-10-22T16:53:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/1 "2004-10-22T16:53:28Z")
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: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. Do not use AIM on a library computer. 4. Do not download AIM on a library computer. 5. Do not download AIM in Polish on a library computer. 6. Do not install WeatherBug on a library computer. 7. Do not change the page that opens when you get on the Internet at a library computer. That page was chosen for a reason. 8. 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. 9. Do not download any programs for the computer that the library didn’t regard as necessary. 10. Do not download a creensaver, as they are not needed. 11. 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, 1. 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!!! Thank you, and good day. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/2 "2004-10-22T17:00:51Z")
1. Set up card catalog only computers so those of us who would like to find some actual books don’t have to wait for the porn surfers to finish. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/3 "2004-10-22T17:04:13Z")
It is extremely easy to set up a user for the public that has no admin rights, and therefore cannot download/install anything. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/4 "2004-10-22T17:07:50Z")
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). ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/5 "2004-10-22T17:09:00Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/6 "2004-10-22T17:11:13Z")
> [@Governor Quinn](#): > > 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). In which case…print this thread for your librarians! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/7 "2004-10-22T17:16:43Z")
> [@Bruce\_Daddy](#): > > It is extremely easy to set up a user for the public that has no admin rights, and therefore cannot download/install anything. Bingo. A competent IT department could avoid this entire scenario. Sam ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/8 "2004-10-22T17:40:01Z")
What is this mythical “competent IT department” of which you speak? Is it some miracle come to deliver us from chaos and popunders? ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/9 "2004-10-22T17:53:43Z")
I think I’ve heard of them in private companies, **Ghanima**. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/10 "2004-10-22T18:09:27Z")
A utility that causes the computer to revert to a ‘normal’ state at an off-hours time should resolve most, if not all of the issues mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Yamirskoonir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/c0e974/32.png) [@Yamirskoonir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yamirskoonir)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/11 "2004-10-22T18:16:21Z")
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… ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/12 "2004-10-22T18:26:17Z")
Norton Ghost is your (public library’s) friend. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2004, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/13 "2004-10-23T00:52:38Z")
> [@Governor Quinn](#): > > 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). 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. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2004, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/14 "2004-10-23T01:10:14Z")
Remember the good ol’ days, when the worst thing librarians had to complain about was overdue books? ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2004, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-operate-a-library-computer/270620/15 "2004-10-23T03:56:32Z")
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. _sigh_